One of a string of Tom Conran establishments on Westbourne Park Road, each one takes you into another culinary world. The Cow, contrary to what its name suggests, is a seafood gastro pub and restaurant excelling in all things fishy. This tiny cozy pub has a handful of tables with a wood burning stove in winter and a couple banquettes squeezed around the central bar. Dig into the menu of seafood platters, whole Dorset crabs or some winkles and whelks to nibble on over a pint. Tom Conran is a gastropub pioneer, and this is one of the least pretentious and homely. The upstairs restaurant is a different story, with an expensive fish orientated-menu and fine dining atmosphere.
Recommended for Pubs because: Tom Conran is a gastropub pioneer, and the Cow manages to keep the feel of a real pub, while serving excellent seafood.
Tyler's expert tip: In true British style, order the Cow Special, a pint of Guiness and half a down rock oysters.
Covered in ivy on a backstreet of Finsbury Park, you would never guess that this cavernous pub has one of the best beer gardens in London. This is a venue of many faces. On first walking in, it looks like your traditional British pub: cozy and cute with a predictable range of beers on tap and some quirky drinking artefacts hanging from the ceiling. Walk through into the barn like sports room with a student hang-out vibe: pool table, big screens, picnic tables and a rowdier crowd. But persevere upstairs, and it turns into an overgrown garden terrace bar, with multiple layers and tucked away tables, perfect for dates. They also have an acceptable menu of Thai food for when the mood takes you.
Recommended for Pubs because: This pub is worth going to for the beer garden alone, but it will also satisfy any sports fan with the big screen games.
Tyler's expert tip: The beer garden is seemingly endless, and the further you explore the nicer it gets.
On a corner of Cheshire Street, this now adorable little pub has had a colourful history. It was once owned by the notorious Kray twins, who bought it for their mum Violet, and according to legend, made the bar top from coffin lids. After that it became known for late-night lock-ins and license-flouting parties, that is, until current landlords Eric and Nigel bought it up, and it became what it is today - that perfect little local, just far away enough from the tourists on Brick Lane to keep it full with the colourful characters of Cheshire Street. With a traditional wood bar, low lighting from small chandeliers and flowers on the tables, the decor is simple and cosy. There's a small fire in winter and a garden out back for smokers. The beer list is excellent with some deadly Dutch blondes, and the food is tasty and wholesome from mixed platters to cottage pies.
Recommended for Pubs because: Once owned by the Kray family, it's now known for its standout ales and cozy atmosphere.
Tyler's expert tip: Order one of their delicious Scotch Eggs - it's exactly what you need to soak up those high-alcohol Dutch beers.
This pub stands out as an island of old East End life in the middle of leafy Mile End Park. It's is about as typical as a British boozer gets with just the right dash of surreal. There are china plates on the shelves, photos of unknown celebrity drinkers from times of yore on the walls and a dart board. The whole place is steeped in a deep red light from the copper wallpaper, which makes drunken shenanigans that take place here all the more intense. Though don't go thinking Val and Alf will take any nonsense from the punters. It attracts everyone from old timers who have been drinking here since the fifties to the middle-class arty types, who live in the area, as well as the neighbourhood nutters and all the charming canal folk who live on barges. Located right on Regent's Canal, in summer drinkers spill into the park with their pints and watch the boats pass by. They've had the same resident band, The Palm Tree Trio, for decades, who get the regulars partner dancing on the psychedelic carpets every weekend. Join in!
Recommended for Pubs because: This is a typical London boozer with a touch of the surreal. Think Twin Peaks meets Eastenders to a soundtrack of 50s swing.
Tyler's expert tip: They don't do anything fancy; it's peanuts and pints of Fosters here, and don't even think about asking for a glass of tap water.
A firm favourite amongst Londoners, The Spaniards Inn has been fueling the city since the 16th century. Originally the tollgate to the Bishop of London's estate, it was immortalized in Dicken's Pickwick Papers and it is thought Keats wrote poetry in the garden here while knocking back a couple clarets. Revamped in 2013, it has kept its oak panels and intriguing nooks, while now having a menu of real ale and excellent seasonal British food. There is an award-winning dog friendly pub garden, with barbecues come summer, though situated right next to Hampstead Heath, you're best off having a romp over the grassy hills and ending up at the Spaniards Inn for a roast dinner.
Recommended for Pubs because: This gorgeous historic pub is a London favourite for its seasonal British menu, its history and its perfect location.
Tyler's expert tip: Go for a Sunday constitutional stroll through Hampstead Heath, ending up here for a hearty, and award-winning, roast dinner.
This is a real ale, no nonsense, pub beloved by many for just those reasons. The sign outside reads 'Ale, cider, meat,' and it does exactly what it says on the tin. They change the casks every few days with a dedication to stocking from only small, independent UK breweries. On the counter they have a display of pies, sausage rolls and often a big slab of roast pork, which they'll cut up and stuff into a bap for you. The d�cor is equally simple: wooden chairs, wooden booths, a coal fire, a piano and some old paintings, not to mention a cheerful local crowd.
Recommended for Pubs because: The Southampton Arms frequently wins pub of the year for its dedication to independent British breweries. They also do a great roast pork bap.
Tyler's expert tip: A no nonsense pub in every respect from the sausage rolls to the craft ales, it's also cash only.
First built in the 1830s, this charming Kensington pub has kept its olde worlde feel. The original wood panelled interiors partition different sections of the pub, with adorable little doors leading between them, which once would have prevented any untoward mixing of the classes or sexes while imbibing. It's not all about the rich history though; they have a fine selection of ales and beers, and excellent gastro pub fare of seasonally inspired dishes. Tucked away between Notting Hill and Kensington, it's hidden from most the shoppers, with a gorgeous pub garden to hide away in, with and outdoor bar and heaters for alfresco drinking even in this cold country.
Recommended for Pubs because: This Victorian pub gives you a feel for olde worlde drinking, with friendly atmosphere, excellent gastro fare and a gorgeous beer garden.
Tyler's expert tip: The food is above average even for a gastro pub with an excellent bone marrow burger, and each dish comes with a suggested beer pairing too.
Every week, the majority of London descends on Columbia Road for the Sunday flower market, but for many years, the midweek days were eerily quiet. One of the few reasons you would find yourself on this sweet Victorian terraced street, was to go to the Royal Oak. It's a handsome old-fashioned pub with a nice bit of polish, that serves excellent food and seems to always have a welcoming cheer about it. Now that the rest of the street has filled up with wine bars and tapas restaurants, it's generally frantic inside, with the local vintage-clad crowd, creative yet grown-up. There's a little outdoor yard, which on summer days doubles as a second bar space, serving Bloody Marys and pastries on Sunday mornings. Upstairs is a calm and civilised restaurant with a more serious menu of impressive modern British cooking.
Recommended for Pubs because: This pub bought people to Columbia Road before there was any other reason to be here apart from the Sunday Flower Market.
Tyler's expert tip: If you can get a table in the pub for a Sunday Roast, this is one of London's best.
Opposite Canonbury Overground station, this is where ale lovers converge enticed by its dedication to stocking an ever-changing menu of delectable ales. A member of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), they always have at least one locally-produced ale on their four taps at any time, as well as other quality tipples from the likes of Redemption Brewing Company, Ha'Penny and Windsor & Eton. Food is in the form of a daily rotisserie menu - the spit-roasted free range Norfolk chickens are aromatic and tasty - and on Sunday they do every ilk of proper British roast with fancy trimmings. The open space is a quirky take on the classic pub with a jukebox and 60s posters on the walls.
Recommended for Pubs because: This is one of London's leading ale pubs, with a jukebox and daily rotisserie menu to boot.
Tyler's expert tip: They host a real ale festival twice a year featuring specially commissioned ales and introducing new hop varieties.
Soho is one of the most historic and colourful parts of town, popular with London's waylaid artists, mavericks, and libertines. The French House has a long and potted history, and counts the likes of writer Dylan Thomas, artists Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and William Lowry amongst its dedicated regulars. It's an ever-busy spot, with people spilling out of the small bar area outside. Since expanding to the upstairs room, there's more chance of a table, but half the pleasure is the street action. Grab a bottle of Breton cider or one of the excellent wines and get involved.
Recommended for Pubs because: The hangout of artists, writers and dedicated bohemians, this is the hub of old Soho.
Tyler's expert tip: They have a strictly enforced 'no mobile' policy, which contributes to the friendly atmosphere.