The Holly Bush is an old-fashioned pub right in the heart of Hampstead. The Grade II-listed building was built in the 1790s and started operating as a pub in 1928, and it’s been popular with locals for almost a century, including the likes of Liam Gallagher. The Holly Bush is now owned by Fuller’s (thankfully the charming interiors haven’t really been touched) so the bar is well stocked and the kitchen is turning out decent gastropub fare. It is on the top of a hill so you’ll work up a nice thirst on the way there, making that first pint taste even better.
"You probably recognise its very Instagrammable facade but the Holly Bush pub in Hampstead is more than just a pretty face. With open fires and dark wood interiors, this pub does cosy very well. The food and staff are also noteworthy and of course Hampstead is the perfect neighbourhood to enjoy an autumn wander."
There’s nothing quite like an afternoon in the pub after a long walk, and The Spaniards Inn is the perfect place to relax after doing a loop of Hampstead Heath. The Grade II-listed pub, at the top end of the Heath not far from Kenwood House, is one of the oldest (and most haunted – watch out for the ghost of Dick Turpin) pubs in London, having been established in 1585. Charles Dickens mentioned the pub in The Pickwick Papers, as did Bram Stoker in Dracula, and it’s allegedly the place where Keats wroteOde to a Nightingale, so it’s not short on history. With cosy interiors, an open fire, a walled beer garden, craft beers and cask ales on tap, a modern gastropub menu and a cracking Sunday roast, it’s got everything else you could want from a pub too. If you look in One Direction you’ll get a Style for the place – yes a certain Harry lives next door.
"If you head slightly further north of Hampstead Village, you’ll also find another cosy pub with fires; The Spaniards Inn, the perfect pit-stop after a leaf-peeping walk on Hampstead Heath."
Andrew Edmunds, set in an 18th century Soho town house, has been labelled the ultimate date night spot. The old London gem is adored for its authenticity and atmosphere – candlelit tables and handwritten menus guide the way – as well as its reasonable price tag. Expect close quarters, modern European dishes and a fantastic selection of wines at prices you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the city.
"A Soho institution, this moody restaurant is the perfect romantic date spot. The menu is British, the wine list is good and the cosy interiors lit by candlelight are sure to woo."
If you’re craving some old-school hospitality with a load of glamour thrown in, then head for The Dover. Bedecked with velvet curtains, wood panelling and soft lighting, the Mayfair restaurant is doing an upscale take on “classic Italian dishes with New York attitude” – this is Italian-American dining with panache. The menu is filled will classics and crowdpleasers like prawn cocktail, chopped salad, spaghetti meatballs, lobster bisque ravioli, beef arrosto and mash, branzino fillet, and baked cheesecake brûlée. When The Dover first opened you actually had to ring up to make a booking but now you can secure a ressie online. Though it’s easier to nab a table, it’s still worth swinging by the no-bookings bar for a smart martini (there are seven different kinds on the menu) and a burger.
"Ticking lots of boxes for a cosy autumn night out, the windowless interiors here are lit by candles and the music is supplied by an old school record player in the bar. Equally suited to a romantic date night or a cocktail session with friends (the menu and staff are great), Dover is the small hidden gem in Mayfair which should be on your list to visit."
La Poule au Pot brings a little slice of country France to Belgravia and has been doing so for decades. Romantic and atmospheric inside thanks to vintage bric-a-brac and plenty of dried flowers, the food menu is similarly classical, featuring the likes of French onion soup, escargots, rabbit in mustard sauce, steak frites, cassoulet, the namesake poule au pot, and tarte tatin. The wine list – all French, of course – is varied and contains some decently priced bottles. A cosy spot to call on when you can’t get across the Channel.
"The next spot on our list should go to Maggie Jones in Kensington but sadly they are closed for repairs at the moment. Thankfully, sister restaurant Poule Au Pot is on hand to fill the void. Even on a bright sunny day this is a spot guaranteed to tick all your cosy requirements. Full of dark candlelit corners and a menu of hearty warming dishes."
Polish and Mexican is not a combo you often see together but that’s exactly what’s on offer at L’Autre. Originally operating as a wine lodge (the oldest in Mayfair) when it opened in Shepherd Market in 1942, it’s been a Polish-Mexican restaurant since the mid-70s, serving hearty Polish classics like pierogi, beef goulash, kielbasa and bigos, and borscht, alongside nachos and enchiladas. There’s also a dedicated Polish vodka menu if you need a little extra help warming up.
"Our go-to place for a feast of pierogi on the edge of Hyde Park. This no-frills Polish restaurant is only a few tables big which makes it feel intimate and cosy and perfect for warming up on a cold day."
The Ned is full of places to grab a bite to eat or stop for a drink but Millie’s Lounge, set in the Grand Banking Hall, has got to be one of the most impressive. Settle into one of the comfy booths, order up some British classics like dressed crab, fish & chips with mushy peas, and chicken pie, or treat yourself to afternoon tea, and indulge in a spot of people watching.
"If you happen to find yourself near Bank on a dark and dreary afternoon then it’s well worth trying to snag one of the rose-hued booths at Millie’s Lounge. The Ned lobby is a huge open space (often with live music) but those comfy couches still manage to feel cosy. Especially with a pot of tea or a cocktail for company."
