Chiswell Street Dining Rooms

Walk into Chiswell Street Dining Rooms and you'll feel like you've stumbled into a proper London institution—all dark wood, brass fixtures and the kind of crowd that knows their way around a menu. This isn't your local boozer, but it's not trying to be precious either. The kitchen takes British cooking seriously without the pretension, and they've got an excellent beer list that goes beyond the obvious suspects. It's the sort of place where you're just as happy grabbing a pint at the bar as you are settling in for a three-course blow-out. The Barbican location means you've got character and a bit of breathing room—there's a real neighbourhood feel despite being steps from the Barbican Centre.