The Clarence

You're walking down Dover Street in Mayfair—all Georgian townhouses and expense accounts—and you stumble into The Clarence. It's instantly welcoming in a way that makes you wonder how it's managed to stay so unfussy in one of London's stuffiest neighbourhoods. The dark wood panelling and traditional bar setup have proper character without trying too hard, and there's a neighbourhood feel that suggests locals genuinely prefer it to the poshed-up dining rooms nearby. The food is proper pub fare done right: think seasonal British classics and cocktails that don't require a second mortgage.