London's only Michelin-starred pub offers all the rustic charm you'd expect, but the dishes that leave the kitchen are some of the finest examples of classic British cooking in the capital.
Pubs come in all shapes and sizes. There’s the run-down boozer; the trendy craft beer bar; the beloved local and the gastropub, which people visit for its food as much as its beers. The Harwood Arms, however, is in a class of its own, serving dishes so refined and full of flavour that it’s earned a Michelin star – the only pub in London to do so.
Flooded with natural light, the dining room is all dark woods and rustic furnishings with a stripped-back décor. The tables surround the bar, which has all the beer pumps and spirits you’d expect a pub to have, with deer antlers and taxidermy adorning the walls. It’s a buzzy, lively place with a relaxed atmosphere – the stuffy service and hushed tones that can sometimes be found in Michelin-starred establishments is nowhere to be seen here.
The menu keeps things simple, with a list of starters, mains and desserts, plus a few nibbles and bar snacks listed on a chalkboard. On Sundays the menu changes slightly to give people the option to eat one of the best roasts in the capital. Head chef Sally Abé has a particular fondness for game, which when in season features prominently throughout her cooking.
Being a pub, The Harwood Arms’ drinks list is finely tuned, with plenty of draft and cask ales to sample as well as a particularly impressive wine list. Plenty of the wines are available by the glass of half bottle, but for those looking to mark a special occasion there are some seriously striking bottles tucked away behind the bar.
With so many different cuisines and dining experiences on offer in London, The Harwood Arms stands out because it serves classic British dishes at the very highest standard. While you certainly can stop in for a pint and perhaps one of its famous Scotch eggs, you’d be missing out on a knockout meal you definitely wouldn’t forget in a hurry.
Walham Grove, Fulham, London, SW6 1QP
020 7386 1847
