Discover our recommendations of London's best gourmet gastropubs...

The Cadogan Arms

Much-loved Chelsea institution The Cadogan Arms has been restored to its former glory with an ambitious renovation that pays homage to the public houses’ two centuries history - think homely yet modern. As well as giving the boozer a new look, including a stained-glass back bar, wrought-iron staircase and mosaic floor, James Knappett of two-Michelin-star Kitchen Table is overseeing the food menu as Culinary Director, with Alex Harper (previously of The Harwood Arms and The Ledbury) joining as Executive Chef. The pair have worked together to create a modern pub menu that focuses on simply prepared, local produce with an underlying nostalgic theme throughout. The menu includes the likes of brown crab quiche with horseradish creme, black garlic chicken kiev with shaved fennel salad, strawberry sherry trifle. And drinks-wise, the pub serves beers and cask and craft ales alongside an extensive wine list and modern cocktails, like on-tap Nitro Espresso Martinis and Blackcurrant Negronis. 

Henry Harris at the Hero of Maida

Henry Harris, former Racine chef patron, and James McCulloch, owner of the Harcourt in Marylebone, have collaborated on three new upmarket pubs. Harris and McCulloch have reopened Hero of Maida - formerly Truscott Arms - in Maida Vale, the Coach in Clerkenwell and Three Cranes in the City. While the seasonal menus in each pub have French and British influences, all three sites have their own distinct personalities, looks and styles. At Racine, where he resided from 2002 up until it closed in January 2015, Harris "perfected the art of provincial French cooking", creating sophisticated dishes out of traditionally unsophisticated ingredients with signature dishes such as côte de boeuf with bearnaise sauce.

Tom Oldroyd at The Duke of Richmond Public House & Dining Room

Tom Oldroyd's follow-up project (opening Spring, 2018) to his highly acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant in Islington - is a Hackney pub (originally opened in 1841) serving up French dishes created with British seasonal produce. Dishes include lamb sweetbread and asparagus vol au vent, grilled Orkney scallop with charred purple sprouting broccoli and truffled beurre blanc, an open lasagne of wild nettles, violetta artichokes and broad beans, and a crème brûlée custard tart. Prior to setting up his own restaurant, Tom Oldroyd was Chef-Director of Russell Norman's Polpo group, critical in launching the popular Venetian small plates concept back in 2009. There's also a decent sized terrace. 

Brett Graham at The Harwood Arms

Hidden away in the back streets of Fulham, the Harwood pub offers award-winning food and wine in a casual and relaxed setting. As the only Michelin star pub in the capital, The Harwood Arms is ‘where the country comes to town’. This relaxed, down-to-earth pub is owned by Brett Graham of the two Michelin The Ledbury. The Harwood Arms prides itself on game and wild food and the menus are proudly British with an emphasis on seasonality while the bar is stocked with the finest British ales and bitters. Menu highlights include dishes such as buttered Cornish crab on English muffins with coastal herbs and pickled lemon and confit duck leg with pumpkin and orange marmalade. 

The Wigmore

Self penned as a modern British Tavern - this deluxe re-imagining of the Great British pub (part of the Langham hotel) has a daily-changing menu overseen by Michel Roux Jr - the two-star Michelin chef at Le Gavroche - with a new take of quintessential British pub fare elevating classic pub dishes - such as Masala spiced scotch egg and ox-cheek & ale pie. There's also a carefully created drinks list from the team behind Artesian including cask ales and craft beers. The former banking hall has been transformed by internationally acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio - think listed panelling and furniture in mohair velvets with silk cushioned detailing.

Ideal For

Pub lunches, Sunday roasts, pub grub