From the elegant streets of Chelsea, Kensington and Marylebone, dip into the historical, wood-wrapped coach houses and distinguished gastropubs that characterise London.

No institution is as quintessentially British as the pub. A cornerstone of the community, the pub has served as a meeting point for all types of people for hundreds of years. The capital has around 3,500 of them. From 18^th-century taverns to Victorian corner pubs with modern menus, we’ve collated our favourite pubs in the west of London.

The Harwood Arms, Fulham

The Harwood Arms is a distinctive setting and the only Michelin-starred pub in London. This renowned Fulham gastropub aims to highlight the quality and variety of British produce. Grounded by dark wooden interiors, there’s a focus on game and foraged food. The menu changes daily, with recent highlights including Berkshire fallow deer, Cornish monkfish and a starter of venison scotch egg.

The Elgin, Notting Hill

Overlooking Ladbroke Grove, The Elgin is a well-loved pub with rock and roll heritage. Frequented by mods in the sixties and punk-rockers in the seventies, it is now a hotspot for indulgent dining. Richly layered interiors make for a cosy setting to enjoy locally-sourced produce. A broad wine menu pairs with offerings of pearl barley risotto, ox cheek and portobello mushroom fries – a nod to the neighbouring market of the same name. This 19^th-century pub also serves real ale and was the favourite watering hole of The Clash’s frontman Joe Strummer.

The Fox & Pheasant, Chelsea

Owned by singer-songwriter James Blunt, The Fox & Pheasant is a modern rethinking of a countryside pub incongruously located off Fulham Road. In the conservatory, leather-clad booths pair with tables arranged around an olive tree. A retractable roof makes this a summertime hotspot for cocktails and light lunches, but their Sunday roasts and array of fireplaces are an equally tempting proposition in winter.

The Wigmore, Marylebone

A stone’s throw from All Souls Church that peers down Regent Street, The Wigmore is an elevated take on a traditional city pub. Reimagined by the adjoining Langham London hotel, this former bank has been artfully renovated by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Pulling on the five-star hospitality pedigree next door, the drinks menu is masterminded by the Artesian Bar while the food is governed over by famed chef Michel Roux Jr. True to form, there’s a pub quiz every Monday.

The Pelican, Notting Hill

Presiding over the intersection of Tavistock Road and All Saints Road, The Pelican provides a contemporary update on a classic Victorian pub in a quiet corner of Notting Hill. An airy renovation of a 19^th-century framework, large windows pour natural light over hardwood floors, exposed plaster and an open fire. Meanwhile, locally-brewed beers pair with a classic British menu featuring duck, skate and beef & Guinness pie. If you prefer light bites, there are adventurous bar snacks including Achill oysters and spider crab toast. The Pelican has even won a Michelin Bib Gourmand – awarded to restaurants for elevated cookery and excellent value for money.

Admiral Codrington, Chelsea

A short stroll from Sloane Square, The Admiral Codrington – known as the Ad Cod to regulars – is an ideal pitstop after a day of retail therapy. Their selection of wines, craft beers and cask ales is extensive while a seasonal menu serves to highlight fine produce. It includes mushroom and tarragon broth, roasted heritage squash, and Sunday lunch such as free-range Turkey and rare roast beef. The dining area has a retractable glass roof making it the perfect place to watch the tennis in the summer.

The Alfred Tennyson, Knightsbridge

Named after the Victorian Poet Laurette, The Alfred Tennyson offers indulgent drinking and dining in an elevated setting. On a regal street in Knightsbridge, this upmarket pub has a pared-back aesthetic and comfortable dining spaces arranged around a long wooden bar. The menu features kale Caesar salad, Cornish crab and seasonal oysters as well as gastronomic takes on populardishes such as battered haddock, beef cheeks and wild mushroom risotto.

The Masons Arms, Mayfair

The Masons Arms is an 18^th-century pub with a distinctive mock Tudor façade. A short walk from Oxford Street tube station, this wood-wrapped tavern features leather-clad bench seating, decorative dried hops hanging from the bar and an upstairs area that overlooks Mayfair’s busy Maddox Street. The menu offers avocado salad, Hampshire-bred pork belly and flat iron steak. The pub’s cosy and welcoming atmosphere also makes it a favoured spot during the festive period.