Eating and Drinking in the City of London
Introduction
Here are my favourite pubs and restaurants that I've visited in the city area of London. By the city area I mean predominantly those areas with an EC postcode - ie EC1, EC2, EC3 and EC4 although there are a couple of establishments just outside this area that I've included here.
Pubs and restaurants in the West End, Soho and Covent Garden etc areas can be found on my London Central page. Just across the river from the City are the areas of Southwark and Borough and these can be found on my South London page. Have a look at the special feature on Berwick Street too.
Alongside each entry I've made a note of when I last visited the pub or restaurant so you know how old the review is.
As with all the sections on my site, the views expressed here are totally my own.
Areas Covered By This Page
City Area - Pubs
Dirty Dicks
202 Bishopsgate, EC2 - 020 7283 5888
Busy Youngs pub right opposite Liverpool Street station. The ground floor is mainly standing room only, but more seating is available in the cellar bar or upstairs in the snug bar. Air conditioning can be a bit fierce at times, but beer is always kept well.
Last visited: March 2008
Hoop & Grapes
Aldgate High Street, EC3 - 020 7265 5171
Popular and spacious city pub opposite Aldgate underground station. It's a free house with an ever changing selection of real ales which are usually well kept. Food at lunchtimes definitely, and possibly in the evening too.
Last visited: March 2008
Jerusalem Tavern
55 Britton Street, EC1 - 020 7490 4281
Tiny but superb back street pub near Farringdon underground station. Here will you find neither piped music nor games machines, but just a simple bar with wooden seating areas and friendly staff. This pub stocks the distinctive St Peters beers from Suffolk and there are usually 4 or 5 available on draught. Home-cooked food is also available. This pub can get very busy so get here early if you can.
Last visited: March 2008
Pride of Spitalfields
3 Heneage Street, E1 5LJ - 020 7247 8933
Small, cosy pub - well hidden just off Brick Lane. The pub has a real 'locals' feel but is nevertheless welcoming to strangers and is often heaving when other more modern outlets nearby have few customers.
I've never eaten here but have just enjoyed the selection of well-kept real ales.
Last visited: May 2008
City Area - Restaurants
Ciro's Pizza Pomodoro
7 Bishopsgate Churchyard, EC2 - 020 7920 9207
Situated near to Liverpool Street station this is a lively lunch or evening venue. Interesting selection of pizzas - all allegedly the favourite of some celebrity or other all reasonably priced. Live music every weekday evening which is guaranteed to get everyone up and dancing once the red wine kicks in! I've enjoyed many an office party here, and it's a good idea to book.
Last visited: November 2006
Old Street Area
Artillery Arms
102 Bunhill Row, EC1 - 020 7253 4683
A backstreet traditional pub with a good, friendly atmosphere and great food which is available at lunchtimes and in the evenings. This is a Fullers pub and the beer is obviously well kept.
Last visited: March 2008
Wenlock Arms
26 Wenlock Road, N1 - 020 7608 3406
This pub seems to divide people - you either love it or hate it. Well I love it. It's a no-frills, traditional, lively, and friendly pub with an awesome selection of real ales - some from local breweries. The food is very basic - mainly doorstep sandwiches, but these are good too. Live music on Friday nights. Situated just off the north side of City Road.
Last visited: March 2008