45 Riverside Pubs In London Which Are Perfect For A Sunny Day
When the sun is shining, Londoners flock to these Thames-side pubs and restaurants for outdoor drinking and dining. And although east and north London offer their own pretty canalside pubs, our city has always been built around the riverside, making some of these riverside pubs among the oldest pubs in London… and positively salty with maritime history.
We’ve listed the riverside pubs from east to west, to make it easier to navigate. In real life, it’s easy to wander from one to the other – just follow the big blue river! For each location, a (N)orth or (S)outh is noted, to indicate which riverbank the pub can be found on. So, without further ado, here are some of the best riverside pubs in London which are perfect for a sunny day:
Riverside pubs in East London
1. The Gun, Docklands (N)
This Fullers pub by the river delivers views of the O2 across the Thames, and they are niiiiiice. Like many of our riverside pubs, its name is derived from the area’s heritage: The Gun is named for the cannon that fired to open the West India Import Docks in 1802, and the area was home to iron foundries that made guns for the Royal Navy.
You’ll find The Gun at 27 Coldharbour, Docklands, E14 9NS. Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
2. Cutty Sark, Greenwich (S)
On a sunny day, head to the waterside picnic tables at this classic Youngs pub in Greenwich, which is right by the Thames. You won’t regret it!
You’ll find the Cutty Sark at 4-6 Ballast Quay, SE10 9PD. Nearest stations are Maze Hill, Greenwich and Cutty Sark DLR.
3. Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich (S)
Grab a window seat at the beautiful Trafalgar Tavern for sweeping riverside views. It’s also a popular wedding venue due to its fetching interior, and has served punters ever since 1837. The pie and mash ain’t bad either.
You’ll find the Trafalgar Tavern at Park Row, SE10 9NW. Nearest stations are Maze Hill, Greenwich and Cutty Sark DLR.
4. The Grapes, Limehouse (N)
This classic east London pub is owned by all-around legend and Gandalf himself, Sir Ian McKellen. There’s also a cool statue semi-submerged in the river that looks like it’s walking on water. The pub quiz is good too (and McKellen himself has even been known to host it in the past)!
You’ll find The Grapes at 76 Narrow Street, E14 8BP. Nearest station is Limehouse.
5. The Narrow, Limehouse (N)
This Gordon Ramsay gastropub on the corner of Limehouse Marina does some decent grub, as one might expect – a good reason to include it on this roundup of the best riverside pubs in London we say.
You’ll find The Narrow at 44 Narrow Street, E14 8DP. Nearest station is Westferry.
6. The Salt Quay, Rotherhithe (S)
A respectable Greene King pub on the Thames in the historic neighbourhood of Rotherhithe, with views across to Wapping. They also have regular 2-4-1 happy hours.
You’ll find The Old Salt Quay at 163 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5QU. Nearest station is Rotherhithe.
7. Prospect of Whitby, Wapping (N)
This historic, nautical pub still has a noose installed from when pirates were executed here. Full of character, it’s an altogether unique place for a weekend, uh, hang.
You’ll find the Prospect of Whitby at 57 Wapping Wall, E1W 3SH. Nearest station is Wapping.
8. The Mayflower, Rotherhithe (S)
If you’ve ever fallen asleep on the bus after a session at the pub and woken up in Penge, spare a thought for the Mayflower Pilgrims who set off from here one night and ended up settling in America. It remains a truly beautiful boozer with a riverside terrace; although at the highest tides water splashes up dramatically through the rickety floorboards (no joke)!
You’ll find The Mayflower at 117 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF. Nearest station is Rotherhithe.
9. The Captain Kidd, Wapping (N)
Sam Smiths’ riverside pub The Captain Kidd has an interior inspired by piratical history, and is named after the noted rogue and pirate William Kidd – let’s put to one side the fact it only dates back to the 1980’s.
You’ll find The Captain Kidd at 108 Wapping High Street, E1W 2NE. Nearest station is Wapping.
10. Town Of Ramsgate, Wapping (N)
Nearly 500 years old, the Town of Ramsgate is one of the oldest pubs in London. As they proudly note: ‘If you visit during low tide, you can still see the post to which condemned pirates were chained to drown as the tide rose. Fun!
You’ll find the Town of Ramsgate at 62 Wapping High Street, E1W 2PN. Nearest station is Wapping.
Riverside pubs in Central London
11. The Dickens Inn, Tower Hill (N)
Cheating slightly here with a pub that sits on St Katharine Docks, rather than on the river proper. Still, an exception must be made for this gorgeous, flower-adorned pub, from which you can gaze at the glamorous boats and yachts in the marina.
You’ll find The Dickens Inn. at Marble Quay, St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1UH. Nearest station is Tower Hill.
12. Le Pont De La Tour, Tower Bridge (S)
Ok – so this one technically isn’t a pub. Instead, it’s a restaurant on the Thames that offers upscale French food, including outdoor brunch, on a riverside terrace. In the winter, cosy furry blankets add seasonal comfort.
You’ll find Le Post De La Tour at 36D Shad Thames, SE1 2YE. Nearest station is London Bridge.
13. Cantina Del Ponte, Tower Bridge (S)
Right next door, an Italian riverside restaurant here that will serve you some chilled prosecco and cheese-wheel pasta to enjoy al fresco.
You’ll find Cantina Del Ponte at 36C Shad Thames, SE1 2YE. Nearest station is London Bridge.
14. Butlers Wharf Chop House, Tower Bridge (S)
Even closer to Tower Bridge, this chophouse (owned by the same outfit as the previous two) will do you a sizzling steak or a Sunday roast, among other classically meaty British dishes.
You’ll find the Butlers Wharf Chop House at 36E Shad Thames, SE1 2YE.
15. Coppa Club, Tower of London (N)
A reasonably-priced restaurant next door to the famous Tower of London, Coppa Club is extremely well-known for its wintertime riverside igloos and summery ‘Mediterranean’ pergolas.
You’ll find the Coppa Club at 3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6AH. Nearest station is Tower Hill.
16. The Horniman At Hays, London Bridge (S)
A simple but sophisticated English pub off Hay’s Galleria in London Bridge, with chandeliers inside and a precious few riverside tables outside – albeit with a lot of foot traffic zooming past. Warning: the name may provoke giggling from the less-mature members of your party.
You’ll find The Horniman at Hays at 26 Hays Galleria, SE1 2HD. Nearest station is London Bridge.
17. The Anchor, Bankside (S)
The ‘local’ for the Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, this pretty pub on the Thames has a roof terrace and a riverside garden that’s much in demand from tourists and locals.
You’ll find The Anchor at 4 Park Street, Southwark, SE1 9EF. Nearest station is London Bridge.
18. Founders Arms, Blackfriars (S)
What the Founders Arms lacks in architectural merit, it makes up for in convenience: it squats squarely next to the Tate Modern, with views across the Thames to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
You’ll find the Founders Arms at 52 Hopton Street, London, SE1 9JH. Nearest station is Blackfriars.
19. Doggett’s Coat And Badge, Blackfriars (S)
Probably the riverside pub you’ve wandered past most often, this boozer by Blackfriars Bridge is an aesthetic catastrophe – but if you’re sitting on the roof terrace, you’ll be looking the other way! They also sponsor their own annual boat race, which is nice.
You’ll find Dogget’s Coat and Badge at 1 Blackfriars Bridge, SE1 9UD. Nearest station is Blackfriars.
20-22. Sea Containers, Lyaness, and 12th Knot, Bankside (S)
A trio of options situated in the achingly-hip Sea Containers hotel, the eponymous restaurant on the ground floor offers some outdoor tables by the Thames, while the gorgeously ‘grammable 12th Knot on the twelfth floor provides panoramic views and a rooftop terrace. Back on terra firma, ultra-swish Lyaness has a fearsome reputation as one of London’s favourite cocktail bars.
You’ll find all three restaurants and bars at 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD. Nearest station is Blackfriars.
23. OXO Tower Restaurant, Bankside
Split into a restaurant, bar and brasserie (yes we know it’s not technically a pub), book a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows for wonderful views over central London. In fine weather, there are some outdoor tables available too.
You’ll find the OXO Tower Restaurant on the 8th floor of the OXO Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, SE1 9PH. Nearest station is Blackfriars.
24. Royal Festival Hall Terrace Bar, Southbank
The epicentre of the brutalist Southbank arts centre, head to the sixth floor of the Royal Festival Hall for a tipple at their bar, which can be enjoyed on their outdoor terrace. There’s also a street-level outdoor seating by the café, or an excellent weekend street food market out the back.
You’ll find the Royal Festival Hall Terrace Bar at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Nearest station is Waterloo.
Pssst – this is your last proper stop for a mile or two, so drink deep and long, friends. And then it’s on to…
25. Tamesis Dock, Vauxhall
This banging barge is truly the ‘Boat That Rocked’; it now plays host to all manner of gigs and comedy shows below decks, while offering open-air thrills and drinks above.
You’ll find the Tamesis Dock at the Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP. Nearest station is Vauxhall.
26. The Riverside, Vauxhall
We’re moving away from medieval taverns with shanty-singing history and deeper into luxury flats territory: this modern pub on the Thames prides itself on its gin and it’s fancy grub too.
You’ll find The Riverside at 5 St. George’s Wharf, SW8 2LE. Nearest station is Vauxhall.
27. Nine Elms Tavern, Battersea (S)
A cluster of tables beneath towering glass-and-steel redevelopments offers locals a sunny spot for a bottle of wine on a warm spring day. Their website promises ‘cracking beers and finger-licking pizza‘, so we’re sold.
You’ll find Nine Elms Tavern at Riverlight Quay, Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5BP. Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
28. Battersea Barge, Battersea
A sister vessel to the Tamesis Dock, the Battersea Barge is another charming floating bar, which can also be hired out for a riverside London wedding.
You’ll find the Battersea Barge at Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5BP. Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
29. No. 29 Power Station West, Battersea (S)
A modern restaurant in the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, there’s all-day dining to be enjoyed on the banks of the Thames here.
You’ll find No. 29 Power Station West is 29 Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station, SW8 4NN. Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
30. Fiume, Battersea (S)
Another riverside restaurant from the D&D team, who run all those places by Tower Bridge as well. They offer a brunch preceded by a spinning exercise class if you have a psychological need to ‘earn’ your mimosa.
You’ll find Fiume at Sopwith Way, Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station, SW8 5BN. Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
Pubs on the Thames in West London
31. Waterfront, Wandsworth (S)
A spacious terrace right by the Thames from a pub that specialises in real ale and has great views too.
You’ll find The Waterfront at Baltimore House, Juniper Drive, SW18 1TS. Nearest station is Wandsworth Town.
32. The Ship, Wandsworth (S)
A firm favourite of South-West Londoners, The Ship has been running for over 200 years. There’s modern British cooking from the kitchen and a big old terrace for warm weather days, plus it’s open until midnight on the weekends.
You’ll find The Ship at 41 Jews Row, SW18 8TB. Nearest station is Wandsworth Town.
33. The Boathouse, Putney (S)
Set slightly back from the water’s edge, The Boathouse in Putney does offer a first-floor terrace as well as out-front seating.
You’ll find The Boathouse at Brewhouse Lane, Putney, SW15 2JX. Nearest station is Putney Bridge.
34. The Crabtree, Fulham (N)
A great pub situated close to Fulham FC, the Crabtree’s riverside terrace has its own BBQ grill which operates during the Summer months.
You’ll find The Crabtree at Rainville Road, Fulham, W6 9HA. Nearest station is Barons Court.
35. The Blue Boat, Hammersmith (N)
Kicking off a stretch of pubs much coveted when the Boat Race heads to town, we’ll start with a standard Fuller’s pub with a patio by the Thames.
You’ll find The Blue Boat at Distillery Wharf, Parr’s Way, London, W6 9GD. Nearest station is Hammersmith.
36. The Blue Anchor, Hammersmith (N)
The Blue Anchor will be celebrating its 300th birthday in 2022, so they must be doing something right; it’s also appeared in the Gwyneth Paltrow-starring rom-com Sliding Doors.
You’ll find The Blue Anchor at 13 Lower Mall, Hammersmith, W6 9DJ. Nearest station is Hammersmith.
37. The Rutland Arms, Hammersmith (N)
Yet another Greene King pub on the river, the Rutland Arms is just a couple of doors down from the Anchor.
You’ll find The Rutland Arms at 13 Lower Mall, Hammersmith, W6 9DJ. Nearest station is Hammersmith.
38. The Dove, Hammersmith (N)
Another riverside pub with centuries of history behind it, The Dove claims this was where the song ‘Rule Britannia’ was composed.
You’ll find The Dove at 19 Upper Mall, W6 9TA. Nearest station is Ravenscourt Park.
39. The Old Ship, Hammersmith (N)
Hammersmith really does have an embarrassment of riches in the riverside drinking stakes. The Old Ship has enjoyed a recent refurb and also rocks a decently-sized beer garden. For having a ‘Dogs Of The Old Ship‘ Instagram account, they get 8 million bonus points from us.
You’ll find The Old Ship at 25 Upper Mall, W6 9TD. Nearest stations are Ravenscourt Park and Stamford Brook.
40. The Black Lion, Ravenscourt Park (N)
The Black Lion presents a gin collection from the nearby Sipsmith distillery and ‘pub grub, only better‘ – we’ll have to check it out and get back to you on that.
You’ll find The Black Lions at 2 South Black Lion Lane, W6 9TJ. Nearest station is Stamford Brook.
41. White Hart, Barnes (S)
Enjoy a sunset over the Thames from the terrace at the White Hart pub, which sits on the ‘Barnes Riviera’; or take in the view from their fancy dining room upstairs.
You’ll find the White Hart at The Terrace, Riverside, Barnes, SW13 0NR. Nearest station is Barnes Bridge.
42. Rick Stein, Barnes (S)
Celeb chef and noted fish-wrangler Rick Stein has a well-reviewed seafood restaurant here in the pretty little neighbourhood of Barnes. (Note you can’t specifically book a window seat in advance.)
You’ll find Rick Stein at 125 Mortlake High Street, SW14 8SN. Nearest station is Barnes Bridge.
43. The Ship, Mortlake (S)
Timber floors, plenty of beer and a fabulous view of the Boat Race finishing line. What’s not to like?
You’ll find The Ship at 10 Thames Bank, SW14 7QR. Nearest station is Mortlake.
44. City Barge, Chiswick (N)
When the river rises during high tides and after heavy rains, the City Barge pub’s outdoor seating can get VERY close to the water indeed! It also faces out onto a little island, which is pretty darn neat.
You’ll find the City Barge at 27 Strand-on-the-Green, W4 3PH. Nearest station is Gunnersbury.
45. Bell and Crown, Kew Bridge
Perhaps your legs will carry yet further west to Richmond, Henley, or even Oxford, but we’ll leave our riverside pubs in London exploration here for now, at the Bell and Crown in Chiswick. 11-13 Thames Rd, Strand on the Green, W4 3PL.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best riverside pubs in London. So when the sun is shining, get ready to sink some pints and soak up the views – we’ll be glad to see you there!
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