Mar 1, 2025

The Black Dog London

Park pub perfection

"Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is the home of the finest scotch egg in London."

Nestled in one corner of the beautiful Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, the Black Dog is a pub with a lot going for it. Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is arguably the home of the finest scotch egg in London.

This is utterly unverified but who cares, because based on anecdotal evidence alone this rendition of the classic British culinary stalwart is unmatched -- everyone who tries the Black Dog's scotch egg comes out saying the same thing. The Dog's got a lot more to it than that though, its central London location sitting remarkably at odds with its peaceful setting in the Pleasure Garden.

With streams of reviews, shortlistings, and accreditations all telling you how great this place is, what visitors should keep in mind this is an astonishingly local spot just a walk away from Westminster. After work, Londoners sit on the outside tables, the clink of glasses and rumble of laughter audible as you approach through the gorgeous park.

A cosy (and admitted rather smokey) little covered garden sits out the back, while inside a light and airy bar room serves upmarket pub fare in a glorious exposed wood, green-tiled, stained glass, fairy-light-filled food, and drink hall.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

The Black Dog, Vauxhall Walk, London, UK

Pint:

£

6

Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Craft Metropolis, Brixton

Small alley, big vibes

Blink and you’ll miss it. This private little Loughborough Junction spot is well hidden, down a single-file alley off the otherwise unremarkable Hinton Rd.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

Stormbird

The place to be

Stormbird is the perfect pub for the people who have arrived in recent years to call it home. A beer-focused tap room often with some 15 beers on offer...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

The Hermits Cave

The pub lover's pub

The Hermit’s Cave is the kind of place the pub lovers ‘pop down for a quick one’ before dinner, a gentle spot for a gentle relationship with alcohol...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

The Bear

Old new kid on the block

With minimalist decor, The Bear’s clean walls and carefully curated artwork create a smooth blend between traditional pub and forward-facing...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

The Tiger

Good times after dark

The Tiger plays by its own rules though, staying open until three on the weekends meaning you can call it a night when you actually want to.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

BookMongers

Book lover's paradise

Bookmongers truly is one of the gems of Brixton. Just be warned, if you head down with a busy schedule, be prepared to miss your next appointment. 

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

The Clarendon Arms

Cherish, don't change

Inside are people that know each other, who have helped keep their boozer free from the relentless march of gentrification while so many others failed.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

Theo's, Camberwell

Your neighbourhood Italian

In essence, when it comes to stylish neighbourhood pizza joints, Theo’s has all the bases covered starting with banging pizza, fair prices and good drinks.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

The French House

Old school journo den

The French House has a long-standing reputation as a central pillar in London's historic district of dastardliness and debauchery...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Harry

Thompson

Mar 19, 2025

Swingers London

Boozy indoor crazy golf

"Swingers London" London is a crazy indoors golf course with a bar and lots of street food-style eateries. Tip: get a few cocktails at the bar beforehand.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Ellie

Swain

Mar 19, 2025

Peckham Levels

A hub of creativity

"Peckham Levels" is in one of London's most formerly notorious neighborhoods. Now it's one of the coolest neighborhoods -- come and spend a whole day here!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Ellie

Swain

Mar 19, 2025

Toklas

Quick bite in Aldwych

I have tried to resist repeatedly getting their pain au chocolat and try something else from their wide selection of savoury treats as well...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Mar 18, 2025

Heading to London?

222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to London this weekend?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

222 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
cached_response not present
19
Filters