The Old Gate Inn

Head down New Dover Road towards the roundabout and you'll find yourself in a proper local's pub—no pretence, just good bones and the sort of crowd who know the staff by name. The Old Gate Inn has that easy-going energy you want when you're not in the mood for the Cathedral Quarter buzz. It's the type of place where you can nurse a pint for hours or actually sit down to eat without feeling rushed, and the kitchen takes itself seriously enough that you won't be disappointed with what lands on your plate. The dining room feels lived-in rather than designed, and that's absolutely the point.