Landseer Arms

In the cosy realm of neighbourhood pubs with big blackboards and tipsy daytime lunches masquerading as toddlers' birthday parties, The Landseer Arms in Upper Holloway is up there. Families pitch up in the big, airy bar area for satisfying Sunday roasts, and there’s a separate bookable (but still very casual) dining room, while post-7pm the candles are lit and things get a little more lively. During summer the tables out front are a particularly good vibe. It's quiet, it's opposite a small residential public garden, and drinks flow as easily as being in a friend's garden. That said, it feels just as comfortable in colder months thanks to the combination of deep chesterfield sofas and a Mediterranean-leaning menu. Hot patatas bravas and a cold beer is rarely anything but a good idea.