The Albert

You're walking up Princess Road in Primrose Hill, past the sort of Victorian terraces that make people overpay for one-beds, when you spot The Albert. It's not trying to be anything other than what it is: a proper local, the kind of place where you'll recognise faces if you've lived round here more than five minutes. The vibe is refreshingly unpretentious—no reclaimed wood nonsense or 47 craft beers just for show. The food actually matters though; this isn't a place that's given up on the kitchen. You'll find straightforward pub classics done properly, and it's the sort of spot you can genuinely settle into for an afternoon, whether it's a quick lunch or a proper session with mates.