Brook Green, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

This “lovely local pub with decent food” behind Olympia has been a significant presence on the West London gastropub scene for almost 30 years, with its distinctive blue-tiled facade and elevated menu. Long-time regulars feel “it’s not like it was in the old days” (when folks flocked from miles around), but they still feel it’s “good all round”.

Need somewhere civilised to meet for an informal business lunch or catch-up with a pal in Hammersmith? Then it’s well worth remembering this convivial haunt, improbably located in the cellars of a large Grade II mansion (Bradmore House – nowadays a coworking space) marooned in the middle of trafficky Hammersmith Broadway, right by the tube. A short menu of simple fare is well-prepared and service is friendly. Top Tip – nice terrace on a sunny day too.

This “cheerful” and “enjoyable” Hammersmith haunt carries a good selection of wines and its kitchen offers modern bistro food – but ‘La Cave’, its coffee house, generates the most feedback this year, for its “friendly staff”, “superb coffee” and “the best chocolate brownies”.

“This unassuming pub tucked around the back of Hammersmith’s one-way system serves good and hearty Mediterranean food”, in particular some “lovely pasta dishes” – “don’t miss the penne with Italian sausage ragu”. It’s also a “top sun trap for early-evening drinks on the patio”.

2021 Review: “In the heart of Walthamstow Village”, this “great neighbourhood spot” – a Spar supermarket with kitchen attached – wins praise for its “quality” cooking (“the 2019 Harden’s description of pub-type grub underplays its standard and originality”). “Very relaxed and welcoming for young children”, the venture’s best-known innovation is bacon jam, which you can buy by the jar in various flavours. Other branches have opened in Hackney and, most recently, Hammersmith (somewhat better-served areas, so these respective branches are somewhat less of a local lifeline).