Where: Wine Office Court, 145 Fleet Street, EC4A 2BU
What: An old and little-altered inn, the cheshire cheese was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 destroyed its predecessor. A tavern is known to have stood here from at least the 16th century. The interior looks like is straight out of a Dickensian novel - narrow passageways, dark wood paneled rooms and old pictures and artifacts abound.
Famous for its pudding, served every day from October to April, tradition has it that Dr. Johnson, Boswell and Oliver Goldsmith were regular visitors of the ‘Cheshire Cheese’ (their signatures are in the visitors books, kept behind the bar and Johnson's house is close by). Nowadays you are more likely to city businessmen and journalists lunching or dining here.
Nearest underground station: Blackfriars
Opening times: Monday - Saturday 11.30 - 23.00; Sunday 12.00 - 15.00
Food: Bar meals: Monday - Friday 12.00 - 14.30; Sandwiches: 12.00 - 22.00; Sat 12.00 - 14.30 & 18.00 - 21.30; Sun 12.00 - 14.30 Restaurant: Monday - Friday 12.00 - 21.30
Beer: Samuel Smith's