Fulham Pier Hotel

Head down to Fulham Pier and you'll find this proper neighbourhood local that feels like it's been pulling pints since forever. The Thames is right there, so you've got actual water views—not the generic riverside thing you get elsewhere. Inside, it's got that comfortable, lived-in feel of a place that knows what it's doing: wooden beams, worn-in leather, the kind of spot where regulars know the staff by name. The food and drink are taken seriously without being pretentious about it, and the 5-star rating from locals tells you everything you need to know.