The Eagle

The groundbreaking gastropub that inspired a thousand others is still a model of consistency. Nearly 20 years have passed since The Eagle’s famous kitchen behind the bar opened, yet it continues to crank out excellent Mediterranean-influenced food. Unfortunately, finding a free table in the dressed-down wooden dining room is still as difficult as ever. Arrive early & be prepared to hang around. Once you do finally bag a spot, expect bold, vibrant flavours, such as pork chop with salsa verde & lentils, or grilled mackerel with chermoula & couscous. Brisk but friendly staff zoom around tables full of local office workers – although the pub no longer feeds journos from The Guardian, now that the newspaper has decamped to nearby King’s Cross. A glass of the house Garnacha starts at a very reasonable £3.20.