Lady’s 17 Best Riverside Pubs in London

Today I want to share A Lady in London’s guide to the best riverside pubs in London. When the weather warms up, there’s no better place to be than on a terrace on the Thames.

Riverside Pubs in London

It’s summer in London, which means everyone wants to be outdoors and everyone wants to head to the pub on sunny afternoons.

Fortunately for us, there are places that combine the two. Foremost among them are London’s riverfront pubs. Here are my top picks, from east to west.

1. The Trafalgar Tavern

I’ll start my list of the best riverside pubs in London with one in Greenwich. The Trafalgar Tavern is beloved for its maritime connections and memorabilia.

Uniquely, it’s also known for the water from the river splashing against the side of it. People come from all over to watch the pub get soaked by the waves. Its popularity makes it one of the best pubs in south London.

A Grade II listed building, this place is worth a special trip for pub lovers and history buffs alike. Built in 1837, the riverfront inn was named in honor of Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

2. The Gun

Out east in Canary Wharf, The Gun is a favorite for its historic interiors and great deck on the Thames. It’s packed on weeknights with the banking crowd, which spills out from nearby skyscrapers after work every summer evening.

3. The Grapes

In Limehouse, the Grapes is another of my favorite riverside pubs in London. Not far from Canary Wharf, it’s one of the oldest pubs in London.

Charles Dickens was a patron here, and he wrote about the pub in his novel, Our Mutual Friend. If you’re a fan of his work, this place is worth a special trip.

4. The Narrow

Gordon Ramsay’s gastropub on the river was one of the first pubs I ever visited when I moved to the UK, and it’s still one of the best riverside pubs in London.

The celebrity chef’s famous food is served both indoors and outdoors at this pub in Limehouse, drawing people from all over the city to an often overlooked part of London.

5. The Prospect of Whitby Pub

The Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping is not only London’s oldest riverside pub, but also one of its best.

Full of legend and lore, the 16th-century pub is said to have been visited by everyone from Samuel Pepys to Frank Sinatra. Above all, it has great ambiance to match its centuries of history.

6. The Mayflower Pub

Across the river in Rotherhithe, The Mayflower pub is famous for being the place where the Pilgrims departed for America in 1620.

In addition to Pilgrim-related paraphernalia over two floors, the pub has a great outdoor deck above the river. Just watch that your feet don’t get wet at high tide!

7. The Captain Kidd

Next on my list of riverside pubs in London is The Captain Kidd. Located in Wapping, this place was named after 17th-century pirate William Kidd. He met his demise at nearby Execution Dock.

The Captain Kidd is housed in a Grade II-listed building. Constructed in the 19th century, it was originally a coffee warehouse. The building was remodeled in the Edwardian era and converted into a pub in the 1980s.

With a nautical theme that retells the story of Captain Kidd and his execution, the layout of the pub is designed to resemble a ship’s hulk. The entrance features a tall archway, and the building has three floors and a terrace overlooking the Thames.

8. The Angel Pub

Across the river from The Captain Kidd and down the Thames from The Mayflower is a pub called The Angel. Another of Rotherhithe’s great riverside pubs, this one has a tiny bench on the outside where a few lucky patrons can file in for a front-row seat to the boat show.

9. The Town of Ramsgate

Back in Wapping, The Town of Ramsgate is another famous riverside pub in London. This family-run traditional watering hole has sat beside Wapping Old Stairs since 1545 or earlier.

Known to many as the oldest pub on the Thames, it’s said that the name comes from fishermen from Ramsgate, who landed their boats at Wapping Old Stairs. Apparently they did so in order to avoid the river taxes which had been imposed higher up the Thames close to Billingsgate Fish Market.

Today the pub is known for its local feel, riverside terrace, and historic atmosphere.

10. The Dickens Inn

Nearby in St Katharine Docks, The Dickens Inn isn’t technically on the Thames, but sits on the waterfront in the marina right next to it.

The pub is best known for its multi-story facade, which shows off an impressively colorful array of flowers in the summer months. Its outdoor areas are great for soaking up the sun on warm days, too.

11. The Horniman at Hays

Next on my list of the best riverside pubs in London is The Horniman at Hays. Located on the Thames side of Hay’s Galleria, this place is popular with locals and visitors alike.

With over 150 years of history, The Horniman at Hays known for its pints and pies. Its atmospheric interior is also a draw, what with its friezes, chandeliers, and tiles galore.

If you want to sit outside, you’re in luck. There’s a waterfront terrace here that’s perfect for sunny days.

12. The Old Thameside Inn

Right next to Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, and the Golden Hinde II, The Old Thameside Inn is another of the best riverside pubs in London.

This pub has a big deck on the water with great views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the skyscrapers of the City. It’s an ideal place to rest and escape the chaos and crowds of the market on sunny Saturdays.

13. The Anchor Pub

Conveniently located by Shakespeare’s Globe and London Bridge, The Anchor pub not only has a great facade with lots of bright red accents, but also a terrace on the Thames.

This is the perfect place for a pint after a day of sightseeing and walking along the South Bank.

14. The Founders Arms

While not as special to look at as the others on this list, The Founders Arms is still one of the best riverside pubs in London. It makes up for its lack of charm with its spectacular location.

Situated right in front of Tate Modern, the pub sits on one of the most visited stretches of the Thames in central London. Get there early on a sunny day to snag a table on the terrace and watch the street performers entertain passersby.

15. The Duke’s Head Pub

South of the river in Putney, The Duke’s Head pub is famous for being the ideal location from which to start a day watching the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

But even during the rest of the year the pub is a good place to spend an afternoon spotting rowers from the nearby clubs going up and down the Thames.

16. The Dove

Between Hammersmith and Chiswick, The Dove is one of the best riverside pubs in London both for its location and for its history.

Dating back to the 17th century, the pub was frequented by Charles II and his mistress, Nell Gwynne, and has been in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world’s smallest bar room.

But the real appeal is the little deck on the river from which it’s fun to watch the boats row by.

17. The White Cross Pub

Way out west in Richmond, The White Cross is not only famous for its riverside location, but also for the fact that it becomes an island at high tide.

If you’re brave, head over as the water rises and see how fast you can make it to land before the tide strands you. Then again, being stranded on a desert island with a pub on it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world…

Best Riverside Pubs in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best riverside pubs in London. They’re amazing places to soak up the sun when the weather is warm, which I hope it will be all summer long.

If you want to see more, I’ve written a lot about pubs in London. You can take a look at my pub itinerary to get started.

If you’re interested in finding a pub you can call home-away-from-home, check out my post about the best pubs with rooms in London. I hope you find the perfect one for you!

How about you? What’s your favorite pub on the Thames in London?

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