10 cosy London gastropubs to get you through the rest of winter

Nothing says cosy quite like classic British comfort food. And nothing is more comforting than fish and chips. Cue The Tommyfield, a pub that was coincidentally named after the nineteenth-century market that was home to the country’s first chippy. It’s not just steaming warm spuds on the menu though, as you’ve got a load of succulent steaks and freshly baked pies, alongside brunch specials, Sunday roasts and a lengthy drinks collection. This is a spot that’s sure to warm you up in no time.

Found on Clapham’s Abbeville Road (you see where the name comes from), this classy boozer has charm by the bucketload thanks to its traditional interiors. With its dimmed lighting, leather seating and dark wooden touches, it feels like the kind of place that is a cosy escape from the bustling neighbourhood around it. Pull up a chair by the fire, get a couple of pints down and check out the menu of proper good British pub grub that’s made with all the best seasonal ingredients.

Yes, this place might be in a fancy Belgravia location, but that doesn’t stop it from being nice and cosy. The pub tries to make you feel like you’ve left the city and landed in the country, and it achieves this by furnishing the space with massive comfy seats, wooden benches and plenty of artwork along the walls. Of course, it’s good for after-work drinking sessions, but the main draw is the menu. The seasonal selection of dishes includes fancy fish and chips (battered haddock for that matter), chicken and mushroom pie, grilled steaks and satisfying Sunday roasts.

Obsessed with plants? Oh boy, do we have the pub for you. This foliage-adorned hideaway in Battersea is one relaxing place to hunker down after exploring the area. The venue itself is named after the politician Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, paying homage to his raucous tendencies and wild escapades. Don’t expect dancing on the tables and fistfights though, this is actually a charming local serving warming pub grub. Secure your spot in the conservatory for the best vibes.

Sometimes you just want to settle into a pub, drink a few pints and watch the latest sports fixtures. Luckily, you can do just that at The Green, a Shepherds Bush boozer with cosy vibes aplenty. Whether it's football games, rugby leagues or the NFL you’re after, you’ll be able to catch every moment of your chosen sport, as it happens. As for the food? You’ve got a bunch of sharing plates, stacked burgers and freshly baked pizza. Get some drinks poured, make your way through the menu and watch your favourite teams in style.

Part of the Remarkable Pubs collection, this local gem in Leytonstone features cosy interiors with parquet flooring, art-lined walls and stained glass windows. As part of its refurb in 2019, the pub installed its very own miniature train track outside. Yeah, you read that correctly. When you’re not riding the rails, you can dive into a list of 25 rotating craft beer taps and a hearty choice of seasonal pub grub. This includes the likes of marinated chicken supreme, bangers and mustard-laced mash, lentil, chestnut mushroom and roast pepper pie and plenty more. Plus, the veggie and vegan selection is top-notch, making it ideal for groups.

If you’re looking for a welcoming place to have a few post-work pints, The Running Horse is one to look out for. Found a stone’s throw from Aldgate station, it’s got a buzzing atmosphere without losing its personality. The bar itself boasts colourful tiles, with the pub’s name proudly emblazoned across it, so you know you’re in the right place. Make your way through the tao beer, extensive gin collection and craft brews while digging into hot dishes from the kitchens. A rotisserie and robata grill is producing grilled salmon, flat iron steak and pork belly yakitori, alongside a succinct selection of meat-free dishes.

This Clapham pub does frequently hosts live DJs, bottomless brunches and outdoor shindigs on the roof terrace. But when you just want a little peace and quiet? Hunker down in The Snug. This dimly-lit space is a good choice for date nights and chilled drinks with a few pals. Order a round and dig into nibbles like beef sliders, nut squash and mushroom arancini, and jamon croquettes. Or go all-out with juicy burgers, cheesy pizza and succulent steaks that make up the ‘large plates’ section of the menu.

The name says it all really. The Angelic Islington, named after Derek Jarman’s ‘The Angelic Conversation’, is one lovely place to have a few drinks and a sit-down, probably because the feature ceiling is something to be admired. Look up from your phone and gaze up at the sky, adorned with evangelical-esque figures inspired by the Sistine Chapel. Then get back to your doom scrolling. If you want to amp up the vibes a bit, swing by for one of the sports screenings or check out one of the regular bottomless brunches.

While this Moorgate pub might be rowdy after 5pm, and home to a regular roster of DJs, it can be one of the best places for a cosy hangout – just catch it during its quieter hours. Hot desking and lunchtime sessions are usually chilled-out affairs, with leather booths providing plenty of opportunity for nesting while you work. There are also high stools, bare-brick walls and exposed pipes giving you industrial vibes without being too imposing. You can also tuck into Scotch eggs, sausage rolls and pork pies to graze on, plus a bunch of pub grub if you want something more substantial.