The Cow

This is one of the most famous pubs in London - famous for being hip, rather than for some vague historical reference.

In 1998 Tom Conran (son of Sir Terence) took over what was then a small boozer on its last legs and transformed it. It's still small and the design is delightfully un-Conran-esque with light mustard walls, a red linoleum floor and rippled glass. While the décor is not sophisticated, the clientele is. They're drawn by the easy atmosphere and some seriously good food, particularly the seafood and oysters. The restaurant upstairs is equally low-key and echoes the high standards set downstairs.

This tiny pub is simply great, attracting an older and more considered audience than the Westbourne opposite. Its tiny proportions lead to much pavement drinking, particularly in the summer months.