Highgate’s Red Lion & Sun: 3rd Best Gastropub in Britain 2026

Key Points

• The Red Lion & Sun in Highgate, north London, has been named third in the 2026 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list, climbing from sixth place last year.
• The list was announced on 26 January 2026 at Plaisterers’ Hall in London.​
• The top spot went to The Devonshire in Soho, London, which opened in November 2023 and is run by Charlie Carroll, Ashley Palmer-Watts, and Oisin Rogers.
• Second place was awarded to The Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk (also referred to as Woodbridge area), which had topped the list for the previous three years.
• Thirteen London gastropubs featured in the top 50 overall.
• Other notable London entries include: The Canton Arms in Stockwell (11th), The Baring in Islington (17th), The Marksman in Hackney (23rd), The Hero in Maida Vale (24th), The Kerfield Arms in Camberwell (25th), The Waterman’s Arms in Barnes (33rd), The Tamil Crown in Islington (35th), The Harwood Arms in Fulham (36th, London’s only Michelin-starred pub), The Bull and Last in Highgate (39th), The Knave of Clubs in Shoreditch (43rd), and The French House in Soho (47th).​
• The Red Lion & Sun offers ‘rustic modern British pub food’, with menu highlights including braised beef cheek, bone marrow and pancetta pie, gnocchi with wild mushrooms and sage, wagyu double cheeseburger, and acclaimed Sunday roasts (four types available).
• The pub has occupied the site since the 16th century but gained gastropub fame more recently; it sources meats from Highgate Butchers and other respected producers.​
• Owner Heath Ball stated: “As a team, we feel humbled to be ranked number three in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs. Moving from 6th to 3rd place is a huge achievement for us and reflects the consistency, care and hard work that goes into everything we do. We’re proud to see that recognised.”​
• The pub is known for its extensive wine list (one of London’s best), oysters, daily changing menu (posted online by 11am), New England boathouse-style interior, garden seating, and massive Sunday crowds.​
• Past accolades include being in the Top 50 Gastropubs since 2016, London Pub of the Year 2025 (per social media buzz), and 2018 Great British Pub Awards winner.
• The list recognises pubs for unfussy classic dishes, sustainability, and excellence in food and drink.​

Highgate, London (North London News) January 27, 2026 – The Red Lion & Sun in Highgate has been crowned the third best gastropub in Britain in the prestigious 2026 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list, as reported across multiple outlets including Time Out London. This north London institution climbed from sixth place last year, securing its spot among 13 London venues in the national top 50. Owner Heath Ball hailed the achievement as a testament to the team’s “consistency, care and hard work”.

What is the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs List?

The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs is an annual accolade celebrating excellence in British pub cuisine, sponsored by the beer brand and judged on food quality, drink offerings, and overall experience. As detailed by the Morning Advertiser, the 2026 list was revealed on Monday, 26 January 2026, at a ceremony in Plaisterers’ Hall, London. Restaurant Online confirmed Soho’s The Devonshire took number one after placing second in 2025, praising its

“superb focus on unfussy, classic dishes”

from an in-house butcher and bakery, plus perfect pints of Guinness.

The Unruly Pig in Suffolk held the top spot for three prior years but dropped to second, according to Time Out and Morning Advertiser reports. Time Out London’s coverage highlighted the list’s strong London presence, with 13 pubs making the cut.

How Did The Red Lion & Sun Perform?

The Red Lion & Sun surged to third place from sixth, as noted by Morning Advertiser’s pub industry update. Time Out described it as a “north London institution” offering “rustic modern British pub food”, with current dishes like braised beef cheek, bone marrow and pancetta pie, gnocchi with wild mushrooms and sage, and a wagyu double cheeseburger. It is particularly famed for Sunday roasts, offering four varieties that draw crowds from across north London, per the official Top 50 Gastropubs profile.

Heath Ball, the pub’s owner and a “legend in the pub trade”, shared his reaction exclusively with Time Out:

“As a team, we feel humbled to be ranked number three in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs. Moving from 6th to 3rd place is a huge achievement for us and reflects the consistency, care and hard work that goes into everything we do. We’re proud to see that recognised.”

The pub’s daily changing menu, available online by 11am, relies on fresh ingredients from Highgate Butchers and select producers.

What Makes The Red Lion & Sun Special?

A pub has stood on the Highgate site since the 16th century, but its gastropub reputation is more recent, earning it status as the village’s “centre of outstanding food”, according to Top50Gastropubs.com. Patrons flock for oysters, an extensive wine list curated by Ball—one of London’s best—and a New England boathouse interior with white walls, light wood, log burners, and garden spots.​

TripAdvisor reviews echo its prestige, noting listings in the Top 50 since 2016, wins as Best Pub and Best Wine Pub in the country, and a 4.3 rating from 419 reviewers. Social media on Facebook groups celebrated it as London Pub of the Year 2025 in June last year. Past honours include the 2018 Great British Pub Awards overall win.

Which Other London Pubs Ranked Highly?

Time Out provided the full rundown of London successes: The Canton Arms (Stockwell, 11th, up from 22nd per Evening Standard); The Baring (Islington, 17th); The Marksman (Hackney, 23rd); The Hero (Maida Vale, 24th); The Kerfield Arms (Camberwell, 25th); The Waterman’s Arms (Barnes, 33rd); The Tamil Crown (Islington, 35th); The Harwood Arms (Fulham, 36th—London’s sole Michelin-starred pub); The Bull and Last (Highgate, 39th); The Knave of Clubs (Shoreditch, 43rd); and The French House (Soho, 47th). Evening Standard noted The Canton Arms’ skip to 11th and others climbing.

Highgate shines with two entries: The Red Lion & Sun (3rd) and The Bull and Last (39th).​

Why Does This Matter for North London?

This ranking underscores Highgate’s growing status as a gastropub hub, boosting local pride and tourism amid north London’s vibrant scene. As Restaurant Online put it, such lists spotlight “superpubs” blending classic pints with top-tier grub. For residents and visitors, it signals reliable excellence: book ahead for Sundays, when “the whole of north London descends”, as Top50Gastropubs vividly described.

The achievement arrives as Britain’s pub trade navigates challenges, with awards like this highlighting sustainability and quality—exemplified by Oxfordshire pubs like The Wild Rabbit (45th, Sustainable Pub of the Year) in related coverage.​

What’s Next for The Red Lion & Sun?

With this momentum from sixth to third, eyes are on whether it can challenge for the top next year. Ball’s team continues sourcing premium produce and innovating the menu, maintaining its accolade-rich status. Diners can expect the same dedication, from roasts to wines, solidifying its place in Britain’s pub elite.