Old Bull & Bush

This small, cozy, friendly, lively gastropub, located in a freestanding brick farmhouse in Hampstead (a somewhat far-flung neighborhood), is especially popular with locals. It's a great place to meet up with friends and family, or just stop by for a drink. The uncluttered interior isn't what you'd expect from a traditional gastropub — a fireplace, comfy leather armchairs and divans, and paintings create a restaurant-like atmosphere.

The menu is updated with seasonal offerings, but the classics stay the same year after year. You'll find pizza, pasta, burgers, as well as steak and seafood dishes. All and all, it's a sort of British fusion prepared to near perfection. Some guests have complained about the service, saying that servers have forgotten orders or brought the wrong drink. But this gastropub is very old, and locals keep coming in droves, so errors here and there should be forgiven. Drinks and appetizers are also served at the bar.

We recommend: sticky crispy duck salad; lamp rump with asparagus, chorizo and dauphinoise potatoes; king prawn, crab and chorizo linguine with tomato, garlic and chili; and home baked bread

Cuisine: new British

Atmosphere: lively

The crowd: active locals; noisy groups of friends; and, on Sundays, couples with children

Key info: On warm summer days it's nice to sit on the veranda. Call ahead to reserve a table on the weekends.