Best for sherry and port fans
The Sign of the Don
This venue used to be the 18th-century Sandeman port and sherry cellar, the whitewashed underground tunnels of which now form a private event space. As a nod to its past, the menu blends Spanish, Portuguese and British dishes, including croquetas, with an exceptional venison Wellington (£16) as the special on Tuesdays.
21 St Swithins Lane, EC4, thesignofthedon.com
Best for riverside views
The White Hart
A lovely waterside spot where you can watch people rowing past from the warmth of a window seat, pint in hand. Try the delicious braised short-rib Wellington with whiskey wood-smoked mash, glazed Chantenay carrots and roasted shallots (£20).
The Terrace, Riverside, Barnes, SW13, whitehartbarnes.co.uk
Best for a slow Sunday
The Hemingway
This is a great spot to spend Sunday reading the papers. Just as at its sister pub, The Hunter S in De Beauvoir Town, the owners’ love of taxidermy and curios is on full display, making it a far-from-average boozer. Drinks are spot-on and the food is on the posh side of pubby, including the hugely popular beef Wellington to share (£38).
84 Victoria Road, E4, thehemingway.co.uk
