Salmon & Ball

Walk into Salmon & Ball and you're stepping into the kind of pub that's probably been quietly doing its thing while trendier spots have come and gone around it. Bethnal Green's got plenty of hype these days, but this place doesn't need any of that—it's got the sort of loyal crowd that's been propping up the bar for years. You'll find decent cask ales on tap, an unpretentious drinks list, and food that actually tastes like someone knows what they're doing in the kitchen. It's the sort of place where you can have a proper conversation, play a bit of pool, and not feel like you're being charged London prices for a packet of crisps.