The Rookery

You're walking past the green on a Friday evening and The Rookery pulls you in with that particular kind of warm light that says things are happening inside. This is the kind of pub where locals have genuinely claimed their spots at the bar, where the staff know what you're drinking before you order, and where the food goes well beyond tired pub fare. The menu lands somewhere between gastropub and proper restaurant, but it never gets precious about it—mains sit around £14–18, and everything feels thoughtfully sourced without the performance. It's got that rare quality of being equally good for a quick pint solo or a proper dinner with mates.