The 19 Best Pubs in Farringdon, London – Ranked!

Farringdon, with its rich history and vibrant energy, sits proudly in the heart of London. But for many, it’s the local pubs that truly capture the essence of this vibrant neighborhood. London’s pubs are not just watering holes; they’re storytelling chambers, where every nook and cranny whispers tales of the past, and every pint tells a story of local brews.

Farringdon’s collection of pubs is a testament to London’s rich tapestry of history, from Victorian-era establishments to trendy modern hangouts. These are places where Londoners gather after a long day, where laughter fills the air, and where friendships are forged over a shared love for a good drink.

If you’re planning a trip to the capital, make it a point to pull up a stool at one of Farringdon’s finest; here are the best pubs in Farringdon to visit during your London trip.

The Best Pubs in Farringdon – Ranked! 

There are a lot of lists of the “best” pubs in Farringdon out there, and most of them have some sort of black box way of deciding what to include and in what order. I prefer to be transparent in how I rank the things I recommend on this site, so below you’ll find a table with scores for each pub; here’s how I came up with those numbers:

• I selected only those pubs that are located within the generally agreed bounds of the Farringdon area (31 in all!)
• I ranked all of the pubs by rating and number of reviews on Google reviews
• I then combined those scores with the proportion of reviews each pub received to come up with a score (out of 5) for each pub
• I ranked the pubs by score, and broke ties by the number of reviews (at the time of reviewing the data)

Also, I included only pubs with a rating of 4.0 or higher, to ensure I was only including those pubs which are truly good. Given all that, here are the best pubs near Farringdon:

Below, you’ll find more about each of these top 5 Farringdon pubs, plus shorter descriptions of the other 13 that I reviewed for this post.

1. The Holy Tavern

Photos courtesy of The Holy Tavern via Instagram

Conveniently located just a minute’s stroll from Farringdon tube and train Station, The Holy Tavern is a small but magnificent example of British history.

Originally built around 1790 as a townhouse to accommodate the workers of the vast Clerkenwell Priory that it sits within, the building has, of course, evolved over the years. However, some of its original features have been sympathetically restored. Today the pub enjoys a splendid reputation, for the warmest of welcomes, cozy atmosphere, and excellent quality, yet affordable pub fare.

A charming weekly feature at The Holy Tavern is “Candlelit Tuesdays” when guests are invited to enjoy their favorite tipple as they would have centuries ago, in candlelight!

2. Fox & Anchor

Photos courtesy of Fox & Anchor

The Fox and Anchor may be in the heart of London but almost feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Without a doubt, this is one of the best pubs in Farringdon. Think stunning oak beams, dark wood paneling, and tasteful fresh flower arrangements.

This pub may have retained many of its original features and been successful in its old-fashioned aesthetic, but when it comes to the food served and the amenities on hand it is decidedly modern. The menu is made up of a mixture of classic British dishes, as well as Asian sharing platters and indulgent desserts.

Incidentally, there are six boutique bedrooms upstairs if you fancy a night away. These rooms are beautifully furnished with exquisitely detailed decor. (Fancy staying in a pub during your London trip? Here’s a complete list of all London pubs with rooms.)

3. The Eagle Farringdon

Photos courtesy of The Eagle Farringdon

The Eagle Farringdon is everything a British gastropub should be. It first opened its doors to customers 30 years ago and its values have never changed.

However, from its superior reputation and impressive customer reviews, I think The Eagle is almost doing itself an injustice with this ethos. The atmosphere here takes you back a decade or three, which is rather charming, and the food served is much more than good. Chefs at the top of the gastropub game put their hearts into creating delicious and wholesome dishes from fresh, excellent-quality produce.

Proudly egalitarian, the managers at The Eagle bring the best flavors of the Mediterranean to the people of Farringdon. 

4. Betsey Trotwood

Photos courtesy of The Betsey Trotwood via Facebook

Sitting proudly in the middle of Farringdon Road, the Betsey Trotwood certainly earns its place on the best pubs in Farringdon list. It offers guests an eclectic blend of Victorian charm and modern-day convenience.

The pub occupies three floors, with the relaxed,  main bar at street level, dining seating and the acoustic music room upstairs, and a trendy gig room underground in the cellar. The food served is hearty, homemade pub grub, from generous-sized pies to fish and chips.

The Betsey Trotwood hosts regular live music, poetry, and comedy events. Past customers highly recommend that you visit on a day when you enjoy one of these delights while sipping your favorite tipple and having a bite to eat. 

5. The Gunmakers

Photos courtesy of The Gunmakers via Instagram

The Gunmakers is considered by many to be one of the best Farringdon pubs. It is a traditional British pub that has evolved and taken on the modern persona of “cocktail pub and taqueria.” (Yes, that’s a bit of an odd combo, but roll with it!)

As the name suggests The Gunmakers essentially means the addition of an extensive cocktail list and a talented mixer. However, it has worked hard to retain its long-established traditional pub charm and according to recent visitors is successful in doing so. The atmosphere is lively and upbeat. The cocktails and tacos served are unpretentious; beautifully presented and completely delicious. 

It is worth noting that some recent reviews mention a hidden service charge which can make your bill a little higher than you may have been expecting it to be. 

Other Great Pubs in Farringdon

Photos courtesy of The Coach via Instagram

While the above-mentioned pubs are what I consider to be the best pubs in Farringdon, there are plenty of other good ones to choose from. Here are the rest that made the list when I was reviewing them all.

1. Bishops Finger – Just a stone’s throw from Smithfield Market, Bishops Finger is a cute social spot is popular with locals and visitors alike. It serves tasty, honest British cuisine and a variety of real ales.
2. Exmouth Arms – Exmouth Arms first opened its doors to patrons way back in 1863. Today guests can enjoy fine ales and delicious homemade food, either in the comfort of the indoor bar or outside in the beer garden. 
3. Hope Smithfield – The Hope near Smithfield Market is a cute British inn, which first opened in 1790 and so is rich in history. The traditional menu particularly focuses on various savory pies. 
4. Harrild & Sons – Located in the heart of Farringdon, Harrild & Sons is a great spot to meet with friends for a relaxed drink and sandwich or light snack after work or a great refreshment stop while touring the city. 
5. Rising Sun – The Rising Sun is a modest pub that is very traditional in its appearance and manner. A nice pick for a quick pint and a sandwich, but not a fine dining spot. 
6. The City Pride – The City Pride is a popular, buzzy bar that serves real ales, has an extensive wine list, and offers an authentic Sicilian food menu. 
7. The Horseshoe – A trendy spot to enjoy regular live folk music, The Horseshoe boasts a cute beer garden and is well known for its traditional darts boards and tournaments. 
8. The Coach – The Coach certainly deserves its place on the best pubs in Farringdon list – even if it doesn’t make the top 5. First established in 1790, today guests are treated to an extensive drinks list and an a la carte food menu which is an eclectic mix of British and French cuisine. 
9. The Farringdon Tap – The Farringdon Tap has a handsome inside space, with exposed brickwork and the option to sit outside with a drink and watch the London life go by. 
10. The One Tun Pub & Rooms – Offering a trendy Thai-inspired menu and an extensive cocktail bar the One Tun Pub should definitely be on your list of best Farringdon pubs.
11. The Sekforde – The Sekforde is a modest and traditional pub serving a selection of real ales and a simple menu of honest pub grub. 
12. The White Bear – The White Bear is a no-frills British pub that offers a modest pub grub menu and real ales on tap.
13. The White Haus – The White Haus is a chic gastropub that occupies three levels of a charming property in the center of Farringdon. It serves classic pub meals with modern-day twists.  
14. Three Kings Clerkenwell – Finally, Three Kings Clerkenwell is another no-frills pub with a relaxed vibe that offers a basic British menu and regular live entertainment. 

Do you have any questions about these best pubs in Farringdon, or which one to visit? Let me know in the comments below!