Smith's Bar & Grill

You're in Paddington, tucked away on Sheldon Square where the canal-side walks meet actual good restaurants. Smith's does that thing that's harder than it sounds: it makes traditional British food feel current without getting precious about it. The bar's the real draw though—cocktails that taste like they've been thought through, not just thrown together, and a wine list that won't make you squint at the prices. It's the kind of place where you can rock up solo for a drink or bring a table of mates for dinner and feel equally welcome.