The Fountain Inn

Head down London Road in North End and you'll find The Fountain Inn doing what it does best: being the kind of pub you actually want to spend time in. It's a Craft Union establishment, which means you're getting their playbook of good beer selection and a menu that doesn't overcomplicate things. The place pulls a steady crowd of locals who've clearly made it their spot, and once you're in, you'll understand why—there's an unpretentious warmth to it that feels genuinely lived-in rather than designed to feel that way. You're not going for Instagram moments here; you're going because you want a decent pint and some solid grub with people who get it.