The Fox
28–30 Paul Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 4LB
This attractive pub draws the crowds at weekends, but like all the best pubs it’s also a nice place for a quiet weekday pint. There’s a relaxed downstairs bar with traditional etched-glass windows, a pleasantly plain upstairs dining room, and an outdoor terrace wreathed with plants. They have a strong international wine list and real ales on tap, and there’s a limited but very appealing menu of classy pub grub with an international flavour – polenta with wild and field mushrooms, grilled ribsteak with chips, huge ribs of beef, lamb chops with anchovy dressing or beef cottage pie might feature. If you fancy a bar snack, try their grilled whitebait or Maldon oysters.