Highgate Is Home to One of Estrella Damm’s Top 50 Gastropubs The Red Lion & Sun placed third in the 2026 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list. It’s easy to see why.
Leafy Highgate, with its Georgian manor houses, gothic cemetery and cosy, traditional pubs, feels more like a village than a London neighbourhood. On the weekend, it buzzes with Londoners who’ve hopped on the Northern line to escape the city. On a Sunday afternoon, you’ll find many of them by the fire at The Red Lion & Sun, with a beer in hand. The privately owned, Grade II-listed pub recently came third in the 2026 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list, climbing from sixth place in 2025 . Locals would say its success comes down to the team of chefs enlisted by owner Heath Ball, which turns out a regularly changing menu of elevated British pub classics.
Think pies with braised beef cheek, bone marrow and pancetta; pork chops served with spring-onion mashed potatoes; and gnocchi with wild mushrooms and sage. Meat comes from Aubrey Allen, and other quality suppliers include Natoora and Rossmore Oysters. Naturally, the pub boasts a solid selection of beers, including Estrella Damm’s award- winning lager, brewed to the original recipe since 1876 with 100 per cent natural ingredients. Estrella Damm is committed to supporting UK gastronomy and has been proudly sponsoring the Top 50 Gastropubs for more than 10 years, recognising the hard work and talent of the UK gastropub community.
WORTH LEAVING LONDON The Devonshire in Soho topped this year’s list. But venture further out of the city and you’ll find more top 10 spots. It’s British food with an Italian influence at chef-patron and Estrella Damm chef-ambassador Dave Wall’s Michelin Guide-listed country pub, which came second on the list. THE UNRULY PIG, SUFFOLK
THE WOOLPACK INN,
THE STAR INN, HAROME The tasting menu, by Estrella Damm chef-ambassador Andrew Pern, is a highlight at this 14 th century Yorkshire inn. PARKERS ARMS, LANCASHIRE This classic country pub, lovingly restored by owners who took it on in 2007 , is the perfect end to a rural walk, with its roaring fire and dog-friendly stance.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Stunning Cotswolds views are a big drawcard here, as is the rustic menu long on locally sourced ingredients. THE ANGEL AT HETTON Chef-patron Michael Wignall’s fine- dining restaurant with rooms, located deep in the Yorkshire Dales, earned a Michelin star just a year after it opened in 2018 .
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator