The Best Gastropubs in Camden

Not only does The Lyttelton Arms occupy a prime spot in Camden, just opposite Koko, it always feels lively inside so it’s perfect for a pre-gig pint and a bite to eat. There’s great variety behind the bar with craft beers and interesting New World wines on offer, all while the kitchen churns out classic pub grub like fish and chips, burgers, sharing boards and, of course, roasts on Sundays.

Set back in Primrose Hill, away from the hustle and bustle of Camden proper, The Engineer is the perfect pub to relax in. There are real ales, craft beers from around the world and local brew Camden Hells on tap as well as plenty of wines to complement the food. Largely British, the menu features pub classics alongside dishes like haggis, butternut squash risotto with pecorino and pumpkin seeds, and a Beyond Meat vegan burger. Their Sunday roasts are very popular with the locals.

There’s nothing better than finishing off a nice walk with a cold pint. This is exactly what The Queen’s, which is located on the edge of Primrose Hill, is made for. Built as a hotel and pub in the mid-19th century, The Queen’s serves up delicious British fare, with an upstairs dining room that offers restaurant-quality food.

Named after Colonel David Fawcett, who apparently had a taste for gin and died in a duel on the premises, the pub has well over 30 bottles of the stuff on offer in addition to craft beer and wine, so it’s definitely the place to come if you’re partial to a G&T. The food menu features both European-inspired small plates, like seared tuna with butter beans and tomato, and slow-cooked lamb breast with apricot, as well as more classic mains. It’s worth dropping by on the weekends for their bottomless Saturday brunch and an award-winning Sunday roast.

Once threatened with closure, The Lord Stanley is now officially an Asset of Community Value and it’s very much regarded as a local institution, right down to the tiles on the exterior. At the height of the pub’s popularity in the 1990s, the menu was largely comprised of Caribbean fare. These days, you can expect a seasonal menu of European dishes, with everything from grilled mackerel to pizza.

The Spread Eagle is a handsome looking pub right between Camden High Street and Regent’s Park, which manages to incorporate modern design touches without sacrificing the cosiness of a traditional pub. It’s owned by Young’s, so you’ll find many of their ales behind the bar and a seasonal menu of gastropub fare coming out of the kitchen. The pub is famous for its pies, with variations including port and suet, and chicken, ham and leek.