London’s pub culture is one of my favorite things about the UK capital. From chic gastropubs to heritage taverns, the watering holes act as the city’s communal living rooms. I’ve spent my fair share of time with friends in them over the years, and today I want to bring you my guide to the best pubs in Highgate. This local area in the north of London packs a lot of punch when it comes to good places to eat and drink. Read on for a list of my top picks. I’ve included an interactive map, too.
Highgate Pubs
Having lived in nearby Hampstead for years, I’ve been coming to this part of north west London since I moved to the United Kingdom. By doing so I’ve ended up in many of the area’s beloved pubs. They’re some of my favorite places in Highgate, and the good ones are worth a special trip to the neighborhood.
Whether I’m here to spend a summer afternoon sipping Pimm’s in a beer garden, a winter night holed up in a wood-paneled room with a fireplace, or a Sunday lunch tucking into a roast, I’ve always enjoyed spending time in the pubs in this part of London.
Which is to say that I’ve worked my way to a firm knowledge of Highgate pubs since I moved to the UK. Now I want to share my favorite ones with you.
Whether your goal is to taste traditional British food or sip classic English drinks, go to Highgate pubs that are fabled to be haunted or ones with rooms you can stay in, this area has something for everyone.
All the pubs on my list are worth a special visit in their own right, but you can go to several in one trip if you do my free self-guided Highgate walking tour. It’s a fun way to discover the neighborhood and enjoy food and drinks as you go. If you’re more interested in taking a guided tour, this one is perfect.
And if you want to go at a slower pace and take the time to give each pub its due, there are lots of good places to stay in the area. My top pick is The Bull & Last. This pub with rooms in London is in a great location on the border of Hampstead Heath. If that appeals, you can book a room here.
You can find a variety of other options for places to stay and book one here as well. With so many good options in and around the area, you’re bound to find a place you love.
1. The Flask
I’ll start my list of the best pubs in Highgate with The Flask. This split-level 17th-century pub is bursting with dark wood, old-world charm, and fireplaces. The main part of the pub dates from circa 1720, and it retains the original shutter-window bar with bullseye glass panels.
The Flask is also said to be haunted. Rumor has it that the ghosts of a heartbroken Spanish barmaid and a man dressed in a 17th-century Cavalier uniform float through the historic rooms.
Apart from ghosts, the famed highwayman Dick Turpin, the most dangerous highway robber of the 18th century, is said to have spent time in The Flask’s wine store while on the run from the authorities.
Additionally, poets Byron, Shelley, and Keats were all supposedly regulars when they visited fellow writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who lived in the house opposite The Flask for the last 18 years of his life. Artist William Hogarth was also a regular patron of the pub in the 18th century.
With great atmosphere and a series of historic dining rooms to cozy up in, The Flask is ripe for whiling away long evenings. In the warmer months, there’s a big outdoor area you can enjoy. It features picnic tables, covered areas, and a fun atmosphere.
2. The Angel
Next on my list is The Angel pub and restaurant. Nestled in the heart of Highgate village, this is a great local watering hole on the high street.
A modern take on a public house, The Angel is open daily from 8am for breakfast. It also serves brunch, lunch, Sunday roast, and dinner, and its menu features a mix of British pub classics and international dishes.
The food here is so good that famed restaurant critic Giles Coren has called its roast a perfect 10. He loves the kippers and croque madame on the morning menu, too.
Fresh, bright, and sparse, the interior of The Angel lets the cuisine and drinks take center stage. If you’ll travel for pub food, this place is worth a special trip.
3. The Bull & Last
Next on my list is The Bull & Last. This modern north London pub is right across the street from Hampstead Heath. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for accommodation in Highgate.
The Bull & Last is a charming pub. A 300-year-old coaching inn, it’s known for its elevated pub food, local London beers, and solid wine list. The staff will make up a picnic box for you to take to the park as well.
Spread across the top two floors, the individually-decorated guest rooms feature tasteful design inspired by Hampstead Heath and nearby Kenwood House. They’re named after locals, too. If this sounds like your kind of place to call home-away-from-home in the city, you can book your stay here.
4. The Red Lion & Sun
The Red Lion & Sun is another of the best pubs in Highgate. Located on North Road, this privately-owned watering hole features two beer gardens, a wood-burning fire, a daily-changing menu of modern British pub food, an excellent wine list, and lots of whiskey.
The Red Lion & Sun has been listed in the Top 50 Gastropubs in the country for many years running. It’s also been the winner of the Best Pub in the Country and Best Wine Pub at the Great British Pub Awards.
The pub itself has a bright, modern feel with lots of natural light. It’s worth a special trip if you want to enjoy great food (the Sunday roast is excellent) and drinks in classic-meets-contemporary surroundings.
5. The Gatehouse
Next on my list of the best Highgate pubs is The Gatehouse. Situated atop Highgate Hill in the heart of the village, its eye-catching half-timbered facade offers guests a beautiful welcome.
The site the pub is on was once home to the oldest recorded structure in the village. It dates back to 1327, and it was originally a toll gate for the Bishop of London’s land (hence the name The Gatehouse).
The pub is a traditional neighborhood watering hole with a large bar, a dining area, and a big beer garden. The kitchen cooks up British and Spanish dishes, including traditional Sunday roasts and paella.
Uniquely, The Gatehouse is also home to London’s highest theater. Located above the pub, Upstairs at the Gatehouse hosts productions, musicals, and events in a converted Victorian music hall.
6. The Wrestlers
Next on my list is The Wrestlers. Located on North Road near the village, this historic pub has stood on its present site since 1547 (it was rebuilt in 1921).
True to its heritage, The Wrestlers features an original fireplace, wooden furniture, and stained-glass windows. The pub has a relaxed atmosphere and buckets of old-world charm to soak up. There’s outdoor seating in the front and a cozy beer garden out back, too.
As far as food goes, this place serves traditional fare. Regulars swear by the burger, and the Sunday roasts come with all the trimmings (there are vegetarian and vegan options as well). The pub has a great drinks list, too.
7. The Woodman
Right next to the tube station, The Woodman is another famous pub in Highgate. A family-run traditional spot, it’s known for its large beer garden, which sweeps around the side of the building and catches the sun.
When you step inside The Woodman, you’ll find three seating areas. They offer both cozy nooks for quieter moments and lots of space for casual dining.
The pub offers everything from restaurant-quality food (including breakfast from 10am every day) to a range of drinks, free live jazz every Wednesday night, and other entertainment.
Map of Pubs in Highgate
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the pubs I mentioned on my list. You can see it here. It can help you see where they are in relation to one another so you can find the ones that are convenient to you.
Best Pubs in Highgate
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to my favorite Highgate pubs. This area is a great place to eat and drink in the northern part of the city, and I’m sure you’ll love these places as much as I do when you’re in the neighborhood.
If you want to see more, I’ve written a lot about pubs in London. You can take a look at my pub itinerary and my guide to the best pubs in London to get started. And if you head across the heath, my guide to the top pubs in Hampstead is just the ticket. If you found this post helpful, buy me a coffee!
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