The Sun & 13 Cantons, Soho

You're on Great Pulteney Street, tucked between the chaos of Soho's neon and the quieter bits near Carnaby. The Sun & 13 Cantons feels like the kind of place locals actually choose over the tourist traps — it's got that lived-in pub charm without trying too hard. The name's a nod to Swiss cantons, and that influence shows in the food: proper charcuterie, fondues when it's cold, and mains that go beyond your standard gastro-pub fare. The bar's well-stocked with European ales and wines that won't break the bank, and the crowd's a mix of office workers, proper Soho characters, and people who know what they're after. It's casual, unfussy, and exactly the sort of place you'd want to prop up at on a Friday.