The City Barge

Although it’s named after the Lord Mayor’s Barge – moored alongside in Victorian times – there’s been a tavern on this site since the 1500s. Following a timely refurb, the pub now boasts heritage decor, a recycled 19th-century bar, open fires and alfresco seating, plus a boozy line-up of reasonably priced wines, cocktails and hand-pulled London craft ales such as Twickenham Naked Ladies and Truman’s Runner. With a chef’s table and upstairs dining room for hire, the Barge is also serious about food, offering set lunches, brunch and dinner: anticipate beef tartare with anchovy mayo; Thai-style broths; lamb cutlets with puréed white beans, spinach and borage flowers; ‘crabacado’ burgers, steaks, pies, sorbets, ices and rich puddings. Fans of The Beatles’ movie Help! will already know that Ringo Starr fell through a trapdoor to face a Bengal tiger in this very pub’s cellar.