The Open Guide to London: the free London guide

Great Samuel Smith's pub with excellent atmosphere. The present building dates from 1667, when it was rebuilt following the Great Fire of London, and has all the pokey little rooms, low doorways and worn steps to prove it. They also make it really hard to arrange to meet anyone there. (The entrance is in a narrow alley running off Fleet Street, which doesn't leave much room for meeting people outside, either.)

Food is served over three different levels, offering different menus. Down in the basement they serve fairly standard pub fair, nothing special. Upstairs we had my work xmas party (£25 per head) and the food was actually very good! (Seconded - This was one of the two best meals I had in the UK, and worth the price). I had lamb shanks which were perfect.

If you want an old-style pub with great beers and real atmosphere, check this one out.

The tiny front bar is great for a cosy winter pint (assuming it's not already packed) but be warned: the large room at the bottom of the first flight of steps can get very cold and draughty.

As a Samuel Smith's pub, everything they serve is own-branded. The Heffe Weisse (wheat beer) is spectacular, the bottled beers are also worth a look with a great porter and an excellent oatmeal stout. The cider isn't bad either.