The Astronomer, EC1

You'll find The Astronomer tucked away on Middlesex Street, just where the City bleeds into Spitalfields—close enough to Aldgate for an easy commute, far enough from the tourist crush. This is a proper traditional pub, the sort that takes its beer seriously without being insufferable about it. The staff know what they're doing, the real ale selection is genuinely impressive, and the food hits different when you're three pints in. It's got that lived-in feel of a place where regulars have their spots at the bar, but it's welcoming enough that you won't feel like an outsider if you're just passing through.