
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(ish) 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:
Table Of Contents
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.
๐27 Coldharbour, Docklands, E14 9NS.
๐ Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
2. The 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! They’re also dog-friendly, so you and your best friend can both enjoy the river-side vibes.
๐ You’ll find the Cutty Sark at 4-6 Ballast Quay, SE10 9PD.
๐ 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.
๐ Park Row, SE10 9NW.
๐ 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 a banging time (and McKellen himself has even been known to host it in the past)!
๐ 76 Narrow Street, E14 8BP.
๐ Nearest station is Limehouse.
5. Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Limehouse (N)
This Gordon Ramsay gastropub on the corner of Limehouse Marina does some decent grub, as one might expect! What more reason do you need to include it in this roundup of the best riverside pubs in London we say?
๐ 44 Narrow Street, E14 8DP.
๐ 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.
๐ 163 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5QU.
๐ 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.
๐ 57 Wapping Wall, E1W 3SH.
๐ 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)!
๐ 117 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF.
๐ 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 just put to one side the fact it only dates back to the 1980s…
๐ 108 Wapping High Street, E1W 2NE.
๐ 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!
๐ 62 Wapping High Street, E1W 2PN.
๐ 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.
๐ Marble Quay, St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1UH.
๐ Nearest station is Tower Hill.
12. The Horniman At Hays, London Bridge (S)
This is a simple but sophisticated English pub off Hay’s Galleria in London Bridge. The Horniman At Hays boasts chandeliers inside and a few precious 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.
๐ 26 Hays Galleria, SE1 2HD.
๐ Nearest station is London Bridge.
13. 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.
๐ 4 Park Street, Southwark, SE1 9EF.
๐ Nearest station is London Bridge.
14. Founders Arms, Blackfriars (S)
What the Founders Arms lacks in architectural merit, it makes up for in convenience. The Founders Arms squats squarely next to the Tate Modern, with views across the Thames to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
๐ 52 Hopton Street, London, SE1 9JH.
๐ Nearest station is Blackfriars.
15. Doggett’s Coat And Badge, Blackfriars (S)
Probably the riverside pub you’ve wandered past most often, this boozer by Blackfriars Bridge is, aesthetically speaking, rather – erm – unique. 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.
๐ 1 Blackfriars Bridge, SE1 9UD.
๐ Nearest station is Blackfriars.
16. Southbank Centre Riverside Terrace (S)
The Riverside Terrace is the perfect place to indulge and enjoy a whole host of food and drink offerings at the Southbank. Technically the permanent food/drink offering is just the cafe itself, but with summer comes plenty of pop-ups serving plenty of drinks and grub. So think of it as a very spread-out pop-up pub. Plus, how could we not put this in here??
๐ Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
๐ Nearest station is Waterloo.
Pssst โ this is your last proper stop for a mile or two, so drink deep and long, friends. And then it’s on to…
17. Tamesis Dock, Vauxhall (S)
This banging barge is truly the ‘Boat That Rocked’. The permanently moored boat is now a pub/bar, and is pretty much as close to the water as you can get with a pint! It now plays host to all manner of gigs and comedy shows below decks, while offering open-air thrills and drinks above.
๐ Albert Embankment, SE1 7TY.
๐ Nearest station is Vauxhall.
Riverside Pubs in West London
18. The Riverside, Vauxhall (S)
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 fancy grub.
๐ 5 St. Georgeโs Wharf, SW8 2LE.
๐ Nearest station is Vauxhall.
19. 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. They reckon they’re “the best bar and restaurant in Battersea for local craft beer, fresh British seafood, and quirky cocktails”. Fancy putting that claim to the test?
๐ Riverlight Quay, Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5BP.
๐ Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
20. Battersea Barge, Battersea (S)
A sister vessel to the Tamesis Dock, the Battersea Barge is another charming floating bar. Much like the Tamesis they offer stunning views, and live performances, and can also be hired out for private events.
๐ Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5BP.
๐ Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
21. The Waterfront, Wandsworth (S)
A spacious terrace right by the Thames comes courtesy of this gastropub, restaurant, and bar. To match the gorgeous views, they’ve also got an impressive menu with plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and veggie options as well – so everyone can enjoy the riverside vista.
๐ Baltimore House, Juniper Drive, SW18 1TS.
๐ Nearest station is Wandsworth Town.
22. 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 late on the weekends.
๐ You’ll find The Ship at 41 Jews Row, SW18 8TB.
๐ Nearest station is Wandsworth Town.
23. 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.
๐ Brewhouse Lane, Putney, SW15 2JX.
๐ Nearest station is Putney Bridge.
24. 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.
๐ Rainville Road, Fulham, W6 9HA.
๐ Nearest station is Barons Court.
25. 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.
๐ Distillery Wharf, Parr’s Way, London, W6 9GD.
๐ Nearest station is Hammersmith.
26. The Blue Anchor, Hammersmith (N)
The Blue Anchor celebrated its 300th birthday in 2022, so the team must be doing something right! The riverside pub also appeared in the Gwyneth Paltrow-starring rom-com Sliding Doors.
๐ 13 Lower Mall, Hammersmith, W6 9DJ.
๐ Nearest station is Hammersmith.
27. The Rutland Arms, Hammersmith (N)
Another Greene King pub on the river, the Rutland Arms is just a couple of doors down from the Anchor. Perfect for (a very short!) riverside stroll…
๐ 15 Lower Mall, Hammersmith, W6 9DJ.
๐ Nearest station is Hammersmith.
28. The Dove, Hammersmith (N)
Another riverside pub with centuries of history behind it, The Dove claims to be the spot where the song ‘Rule Britannia’ was composed. I mean — it’s no ‘Vroom Vroom’ but I guess it’s a song of historical importance!
๐ 19 Upper Mall, W6 9TA.
๐ Nearest station is Ravenscourt Park.
29. The Old Ship, Hammersmith (N)
Hammersmith really does have an embarrassment of riches in the riverside drinking scene. The Old Ship rocks a decently-sized beer garden and a fantastic river-side perch. It’s also delightfully close to The Dove for fans of walking between pints.
๐ 25 Upper Mall, W6 9TD.
๐ Nearest stations are Ravenscourt Park and Stamford Brook.
30. The Black Lion, Ravenscourt Park (N)
The Black Lion presents a gin collection from the nearby Sipsmith distillery and a stonking beer garden that would be enough of a draw already. But it’s also parked right by the river – as its inclusion in this list might suggest… Head on down and ask your server about the ghost stories that fill the halls of this pub.
๐ 2 South Black Lion Lane, W6 9TJ.
๐ Nearest station is Stamford Brook.
31. The Watermanโs Arms, Barnes (S)
A decidedly more gastro-pub-style offering, the Waterman’s Arms is a relative newcomer to the London riverside pub scene, but a stunning one nonetheless. The food is unfussy but delicious, with an emphasis on whole market fish, and sharing chops and steaks from the in-house, whole-animal butchery. Oh, and there’s a balcony that you might be lucky enough to grab a seat at to watch life (and the Thames) go by.
๐375 Lonsdale Road, SW13 9PY.
๐ Nearest station is Barnes Bridge.
32. White Hart, Barnes (S)
Enjoy a sunset over the Thames from the terrace at the White Hart pub, which sits on the ‘Barnes Riviera’. Alternatively, during less-than-ideal weather conditions, you can take in the view from their fancy dining room upstairs.
๐ The Terrace, Riverside, Barnes, SW13 0NR.
๐ Nearest station is Barnes Bridge.
33. The Ship, Mortlake (S)
Timber floors, plenty of beer and a fabulous view of the Boat Race finishing line. What’s not to like?
๐ 10 Thames Bank, SW14 7QR.
๐ Nearest station is Mortlake.
34. 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.
๐ 27 Strand-on-the-Green, W4 3PH.
๐ Nearest station is Gunnersbury.
35. The Bell and Crown, Chiswick (N)

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. They’ve got an impressive selection of food and drink, as you’d expect, and a delightful riverside perch – as you’d also expect!
๐ 11-13 Thames Rd, Strand on the Green, W4 3PL.
๐ Nearest station is Kew Bridge.
So there you have it โ 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 โ we’ll be glad to see you there!