Williams Ale & Cider House

You'll find yourself down Artillery Lane in the thick of Spitalfields, where this place sits as a refreshing antidote to the area's sometimes try-hard vibe. It's the kind of pub where the staff actually know their stuff—they can talk you through the rotating taps and cider selection without making you feel like you need a degree in fermentation. The space has that worn-in charm of somewhere that's been doing things properly for ages: wooden floors, honest lighting, and enough character that you don't feel like you're in a theme park version of a London pub.