This Olde Worlde pub was a favourite of Dickens and Johnson. Now, if you can track it down to its alley off Fleet Street, you will find a vaulted warren of bars, restaurants and conspiratory cubby holes alternately decked with rich dark wood panelling and stone. Whilst aspiring barristers and local bankers will be all too familiar with its location, for others the trick is to keep a keen eye out for the sign hanging on the north side of the road, half way between the law courts and Clerkenwell Rd. The food is traditional pub fair, and depending on which of the 3 restaurants you are in varies from no nonsense bites to fill you up to surprisingly fine dining. Come here on a dark winter’s night to quaff a few ales, or impress visiting relatives (especially Americans) with you intimate knowledge of the backstreets of London.

145 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BU. Tel: 0207 353 6170