Donnington Arms

Howard Street's got its share of boozers, but the Donnington Arms feels different—the sort of place where you genuinely want to linger. You'll find locals propped at the bar nursing pints, couples tucked into corners, and the kind of atmosphere that comes from somewhere actually giving a toss about what they're doing. The food's clearly thought through rather than an afterthought, and judging by the solid ratings, people keep coming back for a reason. It's unpretentious enough that you won't feel weird rocking up in your work clothes, but put-together enough that you'd be happy to take someone here for something more intentional.