Best pies in London: 19 brilliant restaurants to feast your pies on

Pie is a British institution that has been around for centuries, and as a nation we certainly know how to make and eat a proper pie. It should come as no surprise then, that there are loads of incredible restaurants in London that are dedicated to pie, or at least serve up the good stuff. Whether you're after the best pie shop in London steeped in decades of tradition, or the latest opening with an extravagant take on the dish, there's a little something for everyone.

Believe it or not, the first kind of pie recipe recorded in history came from Rome, when the dough was made from rye flour and oil, and was baked with goat’s cheese and honey. While this was a great idea, the north of Europe didn’t have ample access to olive oil - but fats like lard, butter and suet were in great supply. So with a combination of Roman ideas and locally available ingredients, cooks were able to create a different type of pie dough.

These new pies were typically filled with meat, and soon it was discovered that they were ideal for storing food for long voyages and journeys at sea – gone was the need to carry livestock on board and employ a butcher. However the pastry was not designed to be eaten, it was used as a makeshift pot for cooking, and then thrown away once the filling was eaten (outrageous, right?).

The pie has drastically evolved since its beginning as a disposable container and is now a million pound industry in the UK. Nowadays, we have many varieties made from different types of pastry (which can thankfully be eaten) and all sorts of fascinating fillings, from plant-based to traditional steak and kidney.

We hold an immeasurable amount of love for these pastry parcels, and thankfully London is full of them. Take a look through our guide to the best pies in London, and then you're just a couple of clicks away from tucking in.

The best pies in London

We’ve sourced some of London’s best pies and have certainly covered our bases when it comes to the pastry-based dish, featuring everything from classic versions to contemporary spin-offs, as well as high-end takes with truffle shavings. Enjoy!

The Porter’s Table, Covent Garden

What: Right in the heart of Covent Garden, inside London’s Guinness Open Gate Brewery, The Porter’s Table is quietly baking up some of the best pies in the capital. While some might think pies are for all the ‘less-good’ bits, The Porter’s Table menu flips the script with some serious quality produce. We’re talking meats aged nearby in West London, fish from UK waters and veg from neighbouring counties. You’ll find an Irish-leaning menu offering a host of comforting dishes, alongside the already classic Guinness puff pie, made with stout brewed on site, and served with buttered mash, spring greens and proper gravy. Naturally, we’d recommend a pint of ‘the black stuff’ to accompany.
Must-try pie: Guinness braised beef pie (for two) with mashed potatoes, seasonal greens and Guinness gravy
Where: Guinness Open Gate Brewery, 28 Shelton Street, WC2H 9JE
Book now: The Porter’s Table

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

What: Like sister pubs The Hound and The George, The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea is one of our first ports of call when we’re looking for comforting, well-executed pub grub. You’ll usually find a pie among the pub classics menu here - at the moment, it’s a gorgeous chicken, ham and leek pie, and a rich mushroom and onion pie for vegetarians. Whatever is on the seasonal list, you can always expect it to be wrapped in proper pastry, and served with buttery mash.
Must-try pie: Chicken, ham and leek pie
Where: 298 King’s Road, SW3 5UG
Book now: The Cadogan Arms

The Camberwell Arms, Camberwell

What: The Camberwell Arms has amassed a cult following amongst South Londoners, not least for its warm hospitality, epic Sunday roasts, and generous, seasonal menus. There's usually a pie up for grabs on the menu, which at the time of writing sits on its famous Sunday lunch menu, and features a beef, ale and bone marrow filling. Order alongside a mound of roast potatoes for the perfect meal.
Must-try pie: Beef, ale and bone marrow pie with buttered cabbage and capers
Where: 65 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8TR
Book now: The Camberwell Arms

The Walmer Castle, Notting Hill

What: The Walmer Castle in Notting Hill is right up there with London’s most aesthetically pleasing pubs - original fireplaces, sumptuous furnishings, and flickering candles make this a perfect place to share a pie with a date or a mate. Perhaps something like this delicious beef shin and oyster pie? There isn’t always a pie on the menu, so we’d recommend having a look before you book.
Must-try pie: The menu changes seasonally so check what's on the menu that day!
Where: 58 Ledbury Road, W11 2AJ
Book now: The Walmer Castle

Bistro Freddie, Shoreditch

What: Bistro Freddie comes from the team behind Crispin and Bar Crispin, so it was always bound to put on a pretty good spread. The pies here change regularly depending on the seasons and what ingredients are available, but you’ll have to partner up for this one because they’re big and made for sharing. Don’t expect any mash here though, this one’s served alongside a bowl of fries.
Must-try pie: Coronation chicken pie (for two)
Where: 74 Luke Street, EC2A 4PY
Book now: Bistro Freddie

The Wigmore, Marylebone

What: This rather smart gastropub flies under the flag of The Langham hotel, so we shouldn’t be all that surprised that the food is excellent. There’s always a pie on the menu, which is fortunate as it’s always the thing we crave whenever we come here. Fillings vary, from more traditional (smoked ham hock and cheese) to inventive twists, including a hearty chicken tagine number on the menu at the time of writing.
Must-try pie: Devon white chicken tagine pie with apricot harissa and mash
Where: 13 Langham Place, Upper Regent Street, W1B 1JA
Book now: The Wigmore

Bob Bob Ricard, Soho

What: Only somewhere as glamorous as Bob Bob Ricard would add a Champagne filling to a chicken and mushroom pie. To add to the decadence, the pastry topping is branded with the restaurant’s name and served alongside truffle gravy – a superbly posh pie. Plus, you can push the 'press for Champagne' button for fizz to go with your food, which is an experience in itself. This is a pie for a celebration.
Must-try pie: Chicken and Champagne pie
Where: 1 Upper James Street, W1F 9DF; Level 3, The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, EC3V 4AB
Book now: Bob Bob Ricard Soho; Bob Bob Ricard City

The Hero, Maida Vale

What: Part of Public House Group and sister restaurant to The Pelican, The Hero goes one better than its older sibling with multiple floors - a ground floor pub, as well as a first floor grill and upstairs library. Pies are also a staple of the menu here - there has been an especially delicious chicken and tarragon pie on in the past but you really can’t go wrong with whatever is on offer. It’s a beautiful place to hang out, too.
Must-try pie: Chicken and tarragon pie
Where: 55 Shirland Road, W9 2JD
Book now: The Hero

The Marksman, Hackney

What: One of London’s original gastropubs is still one of the city’s safest bets when you’re craving a great pie, or any comforting, traditional British fare, for that matter. Seasonal fillings rotate, but who could resist options like chicken and girolle, or short rib with truffle? It might just be a pastry lid, but this bronzed, burnished pie for two delivers every single time.
Must-try pie: Chicken and girolle pie (for two)
Where: 254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ
Book now: The Marksman

The Pelican, Notting Hill

What: The Pelican has quickly become one of London's more recognisable pubs, thanks in large part to some excellent gastropub cookery. Fine British produce and sustainable principles are held to attention here, and reflected via a menu of simple, well-cooked dishes. Proper pies are one of the things that The Pelican does best, and there have been some real belters here over the years, from a lobster and monkfish pie with lobster head gravy, to a classic beef and Guinness number. Keep an eye on the specials board for what’s on offer that month.
Must-try pie: Check out the specials board
Where: 45 All Saints Road, W11 1HE
Book now: The Pelican

Darby’s, Nine Elms

What: Darby’s aims to be the ultimate neighbourhood restaurant, and the team come with a wealth of experience under their belt having previously opened the likes of The Dairy, Sorella and Counter Culture in Clapham. As far as the pies go, they’re nothing short of extraordinary. The pastry is made using croissant dough for a beautifully flaky topping, it’s filled with a rich beef and bone marrow filling, and there’s a giant piece of bone marrow sticking out the top for extra flavour (and dramatic effect).
Must-try pie: Beef shin and bone marrow pie with a croissant dough topping
Where: 3 Viaduct Gardens, SW11 7AY
Book now: Darby’s

Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, Mayfair

What: Bentley’s pie proves that you don’t need a golden pastry crust to make it onto this list; we value a potato top just as much. Of course this one is filled with fish (cod, smoked haddock, prawn and salmon to be precise), before being layered with creamy, buttery mash, and is wonderfully indulgent. This is definitely a restaurant worth visiting when you’re looking for something a little fancy - start off with a few oysters at the bar before cracking onto some of the best seafood and fish in the capital.
Must-try pie: Classic fish pie
Where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
Book now: Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill

Lasdun, South Bank

What: We're huge fans of this brilliant restaurant ensconced in the National Theatre - not only is the cooking absolutely brilliant, it also deserves more credit for just how drop-dead gorgeous it is, doing justice to the brutalist marvel it sits inside. With The Marksman's John Rotherham also watching over the menu here, it's no surprise that Lasdun does a fine pie. This one is a delicious chicken, leek and girolle number, but the fillings change regularly and you can't go wrong with any of them.
Must-try pie: Chicken and girolle pie
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX
Book now: Lasdun

The Devonshire, Soho

What: The Devonshire has got to be London's most talked-about pub, but never mind notoriety - does it do a half decent pie? The answer is a resounding 'yes'. The big hit here is the beef cheek and Guinness suet pudding that goes perfectly with a pint of the good stuff. For £28, it's not cheap, but this is one of the few places in the capital where you can find a properly made suet pudding. 
Must-try pie: Beef cheek and Guinness suet pudding
Where: 17 Denman Street, W1D 7HW
Book now: The Devonshire

Mount St. Restaurant, Mayfair

What: Mount St. Restaurant's priceless artwork isn't the only thing that catches the eye in this Mayfair spot - the lobster pie always turns a few heads too. Not only does it hit the brief for an aesthetically pleasing plate of food (a lobster head poking out the top is enough to catch anyone’s attention), but it tastes equally as impressive too. This is a pie for when you’re looking to push the boat out and indulge in something a little different.
Must-try pie: Lobster pie (for two)
Where: 41-43 Mount Street, W1K 2RX
Book now: Mount St. Restaurant

Quo Vadis, Soho

What: Quo Vadis is a gem - one of London's true legacy restaurants, serving up traditional, seasonal British fare throughout the year. This is a restaurant of routine, where regulars come expecting the classics - smoked eel sandwiches, heaped pavlovas, and a special pie of the day featured on the hand-drawn menus. The eclectic restaurant and members club oozes class and you can’t go wrong with its rich meats and intense flavours encased in a gorgeously buttery, crispy pie.
Must-try pie: The pie of the day
Where: 26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL
Book now: Quo Vadis

Putney Pies, Putney

What: The clue’s in the name of this Putney joint, which specialises in all different types of the pastry-clad item. Upstairs, the restaurant resembles a run-of-the-mill pie shop, but head downstairs to The Vault, a cave-like room accentuated by an arched ceiling, and you can groove out to live music and DJs post-pie and mash. Look out for the beef bourguignon, chicken and chorizo, and pulled pork pies - they are our favourites.
Must-try pie: Beef bourguignon pie with mash and gravy
Where: 2 Putney High Street, SW15 1SL
Book now: Putney Pies

J Sheekey, Covent Garden

What: Even if you’re not hankering for a pie, J Sheekey is an outstanding choice, and if you are, then you’re in for a real treat at this historic establishment. The centuries old seafood restaurant is a favourite among famous faces and you’ll understand why when you order the highly-praised fish pie, decadently filled with carefully-sourced cod, salmon, and a creamy sauce.
Must-try pie: J. Sheekey’s Fish Pie
Where: 28-32 St Martin's Court, WC2N 4AL
Book now: J Sheekey

The Barley Mow, Mayfair

What: Part of Cubitt House group, The Barley Mow is a smart British boozer just a stone's throw from Oxford Street that's had a major menu overhaul courtesy of chef director Ben Tish. These guys keep you guessing with an ever-changing 'Pie of the Day', but all you need to know is that it's always delicious. Bonus points for the absolutely beautiful surroundings, whether you're in the downstairs pub or upstairs in the dining room.
Must-try pie: Pie of the Day
Where: 82 Duke Street, W1K 6JG
Book now: The Barley Mow

Still hungry for more? If you love a pie alongside a pint, our guide to the best gastropubs in London is well worth a browse. And if you’re planning a long, lazy weekend lunch, take a look at our pick of the best Sunday roasts in London.