Oliver's Bar, Greenwich

9 Nevada street, Greenwich, SE10 9JL

There's no where else quite like Oliver's, that's a fact. It's 33% wine bar, 33% music venue and 33%....just completely random, and I love it.

The first time I went there (thanks Sian!) I couldn't believe this perfect, quirky place had been literally underneath my feet during all my previous Greenwich jaunts.

An evening at Oliver's usually goes like this: you grab a bottle of wine at the bar at the bottom of the stairs as you arrive, you squeeze round a cute candlelit table in the main room, you drink and you talk the night away...and before you know it you find yourself totally engrossed by some excellent, yet undeniably unique, performers.

Cosy rating: 9/10 - the picture above speaks for itself (and this is with extra lights on).
Secret rating: 9/10 - completely tucked away, down an alleyway and down some stairs. Yes, that's a double down - amazing.
Best bits: Oliver's is truly unique and cannot be categorised.
Worst bits: The candlelit room pictured above is distinctly cosier than the room the other side of the bar.

Karpo bar, King's Cross

23-27 Euston Road, NW1 2SD

Karpo bar is a relative newcomer to the King's Cross area, and if my first visit was anything to go by it has yet to draw in the crowds who will undoubtedly flock here in the future.

This underground bar is divided into two parts - the main bar area is all sleek, candlelit and luxurious, and the other space is down a step and is a separate area filled with little leather booths and cheerful photos of local people covering every inch of the walls, which is a nice touch. You can reserve this separate part of the bar for free during the week for gatherings and dos.

Above the bar on the ground floor is an excellent restaurant by the same name (in fact, both the bar and the restaurant are part of the Megaro hotel located in the same building). The food is a little on the pricey side, but it's a great spot for lunch, and their cakes - available to takeaway - are delicious and extremely reasonably priced. A special shout-out to their carrot cake - officially the best one I've ever tasted.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - not for rustic charm, but if you're looking for a dimly-lit atmospheric bar with a delicious dash of sophisticated opulence, then this is the place for you.
Secret rating: 8/10 - a hidden gem for the time being, but it's right opposite King's Cross Station on Euston Road (you can't miss it - the building with the bright mural façade, next to Barclays), and I can't imagine it will remain undiscovered for much longer.
Best bits: A great range of cocktails at around the £8 mark - not bad at all. They also have an entire menu dedicated to absinthe, if you're that way inclined!
Worst bits: They'll add 10% to your bill for table service, which of course isn't unusual.

Nell Gwynne Tavern, Covent Garden

1-2 Bull Inn Court, Strand, London, WC2R 0NP

I recently visited the Adelphi Theatre on the Strand where I was lucky enough to watch Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton perform in Sweeney Todd. During the interval we managed to squeeze in a visit to the Nell Gwynne to knock back a quick glass of plonk.

I can't think of a more apt place to spend 15 minutes mid-way through a Victorian horror story. Located just outside the theatre's stage door, entering this alleyway pub really feels as if you've stepped back in time.

Sadly you're unlikely to get a seat in here most nights as it is absolutely tiny, but I'd very much recommend an interval visit if you are at the Adelphi - much more character (and cheaper!) than the theatre's own bars.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - Dimly lit and full of olde-worlde paraphernalia.
Secret rating: 5/10 - I must have walked past this alleyway hundreds of times over the years, but never spotted the Nell Gwynne. Sadly, plenty of others have done, and even on a Tuesday night it doesn't take much for this pub to fill up.
Best bits: If you do go here during an interval look out for people dressed in black - chances are they are stage hands or musicians from the Adelphi who have also popped in for a quick interval drink, which also explains why groups dressed in black tend to get served first during this brief window.
Worst bits: The lavatories are located down an incredibly steep and narrow staircase.

Tapster, near St James's Park

3 Brewers Green, Buckingham Gate SW1H 0RH

Like many of the other Davy's wine bars in London (and more to feature on this blog soon), Tapster manages to feel rustic and warm despite being located underneath a rather unattractive office block.

This modest underground establishment isn't going to win any awards for uniqueness, but it is a reliable little drinking hole, with lots of little tables, some closed-off private dining areas and a wide range of wines to choose from.

I really like the Davy's chain, and like all of the Davy's bars I've visited so far, Tapster is a great place to kick back and relax after a long day.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - candles, roses, bare bricks and a very nice vibe.
Secret rating: 8/10 - I expect office workers in the area have this gem to themselves on most nights.
Best bits: If you have a Taste Card you get 50% off food for two people Monday - Friday.
Worst bits: A disappointingly small dessert menu.

Blackfriars Wine Bar, Southwark

80 Scoresby Street, London SE1 0XN

Blackfriars Wine Bar is a very pleasant establishment a stone's throw from Southwark tube station. Why I'd never been here before last week is a mystery that continue to baffles me.

Located in a railway arch at the end of a row of other arches, which house an eclectic mix of local businesses plying their trades, this unassuming bar ticks all the boxes - a nice outside seating area, plenty of tables indoors, a couple of tucked away banquettes and just generally a happy vibe.

We only stayed for a couple of drinks and some nibbles, but I could have quite easily stayed there all night.

Cosy rating: 5/10 - it lacks in the candles department but makes up for it with smiles and niceness.
Secret rating: 7/10 - plenty of seats available on a Thursday night but was by no means empty.
Best bits: Really friendly service and tasty sharing food platters to accompany your delicious plonk.
Worst bits: Some random interior design, but this only adds to its charm.

Joe Allen, Covent Garden

13 Exeter Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7DT

Who said big places can't be cosy? Well, perhaps no one did, but I'm certainly asserting the opposite with Joe Allen. It's a humongous, cavernous restaurant located entirely underground, and is one of those places you can always rely on for a happy, no-nonsense meal.

You enter via a conspicuous doorway on Exeter Street, and be prepared for a pleasant surprise once you've descended the staircase, for it really is much larger than you might have imagined.

With theatre posters covering every inch of the walls, you cannot escape the fact that you're in the heart of London's West End, and it's the perfect venue for a date.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - nicely lit, and despite the large space it still manages to feel intimate.
Secret rating: 8/10 - The first time I went there I was gobsmacked that I'd never heard of it before - definitely one of London's best kept secrets.
Best bits: A big range of set menu offers, so it won't break the bank.
Worst bits: Service is super speedy and efficient - great for a pre-theatre bite to eat, but not ideal if you're looking for a place to linger.

Image courtesy of J Mark Dodds.

King Charles I, King's Cross

55-57 Northdown Street, King's Cross, N1 9BL

The King Charles I is a tiny one-room pub down a King's Cross back street, and although at first glance it might appear to be a traditional spit-and-sawdust boozer (nothing wrong with that!), upon closer inspection it's actually quite an eclectic place.

This is admittedly quite a lively pub, so although it isn't the place to come for a quiet drink, it's friendly and quirky and certainly worth checking out for a pint if you're in the area.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - it's all dark wood, little stools and random bits and bobs all over the place, with a huge fireplace at one end.
Secret rating: 7/10 - popular amongst local office workers, but completely off the tourist trail.
Best bits: More often than not there's a fun atmosphere in here with music courtesy of a jukebox in the corner. They serve a 7.1% ale called Brodie's Porter...
Worst bits: No food, but they are happy for you to order takeaway and bring it in. Might be tricky to get a seat on busier nights, and sometimes it closes for private functions. Oh, and tiny loos.

The Tiroler Hut, Bayswater

27 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London, W2 4UA

Oh my, The Tiroler Hut is SUCH a random place. Located entirely underground, this Austrian-themed restaurant is, well, just a bit bonkers really, with waiters and waitresses decked out in traditional outfits and red and white checked material as far as the eye can see.

It's chirpy and welcoming in here, and you can pop in for a huge beer or a Jägerbomb at the bar, or make a night of it and devour some 'Gulasch' or 'Wienerschitzel' in the restaurant, followed by a yummy pastry. But whatever you do, you'll have a blast.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - Very low beamed ceilings - it is a cellar after all - and the walls are plastered with photos of celebrity visitors.
Secret rating: 5/10 - Tourists love it, so do book if you want to stay and eat. That said, the tourists do appear to be confused by the theme - I overheard a table of New Zealanders trying to decide between American and Russian...
Best bits: Hearty Austrian food and live music most nights - although I have yet to witness this I've heard rumours that it involves a cowbell.
Worst bits: The prices. Be warned, it's a fiver for a Dortmunder beer in here (or at least it was for us), and that wasn't even one of their renowned massive steins. Though, to be fair, it was a delicious pint, served in an ice-cold frosted glass tankard.

The Dacre Arms, Lewisham

11 Kingswood Place, Lee, SE13 5BU

I was on the lookout for an image of the Dacre Arms on Flickr for this post when I stumbled across the joyful photo above. These ladies are the Dacre Morris team, pictured in front of this lovely neighbourhood pub in south east London in 1983.

The team began in 1981, and they are still going strong today. Indeed, on one recent visit to the Dacre Arms they were dancing outside and drinking in the pub after their jangling exertions.

I think the happiness that radiates from this image is a good reflection of the pub itself. It's no nonsense, cash only and there are usually at least one or two dogs around - basically a very nice place to be.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - lots of snug booths, swirly carpets and hops around the bar, but it's the atmosphere that truly makes this place cosy.
Secret rating: 9/10 - buried deep in the backstreets of Lee / Blackheath / Lewisham and not very near any public transport.
Best bits: Regular guest beer and a telly for sport - but muted so conversations can continue. The beer garden is a bonus.
Worst bits: Not a great place for wine - they only have those mini bottles. No food. But both minor quibbles.

Image courtesy of George Plempler - thanks George, I adore this set.

The Mayflower, Rotherhithe

117 Rotherhithe Street, London, SE16 4NF

When a friend of mine heard that I'd started this blog she immediately recommended The Mayflower, which is - as I discovered on my first visit today - an incredibly pretty pub which clings to the bank of the River Thames in Rotherhithe. It's apparently the oldest pub on the river.

You can imagine coming here in the middle of winter to huddle around the fireplace whilst chomping on a big meaty pie (they normally have a couple of pies on the menu each day, and they look delicious).

That said, this pub is also fantastic for warm days - like today - when you can drink and eat on the pub's private wooden jetty out the back, and there are also seats out the front where you can watch the cyclists and runners whizz by. Upstairs there's a more formal dining area with a separate bar, which you can hire for functions.

Cosy rating: 9/10 - Even the glorious sunshine outside couldn't disguise the fact that this is one seriously cosy pub, with leaded windows, wooden benches and a big old fireplace.
Secret rating: 6/10 - despite its tucked away location it's a popular place. But you can book tables for food, many of which have stunning views of the river.
Best bits: The perfect pub whatever the weather. They also serve some of the best freshly-squeezed orange juice I've ever tasted.
Worst bits: The food prices are a little on the high side, but it's truly a cracking pub and I'm already planning my next visit.

Simmons bar, King's Cross

32 Caledonian Road  Islington, London N1 9DT

Simmons is a fun bar on Caledonian Road, which has just undergone a refurbishment. I'm happy to report that this little spruce-up has only added to its fabulously quirky credentials.

What do I mean by quirky? Amongst other things, a skull disco ball, a large collection of beer cans, zoo-themed wallpaper and dozens of vintage table lamps squeezed into every corner. Simmons is small but they've made better use of the space now, with the addition of vintage school desks and lots of places to sit down and natter.

Though I prefer to go here for a drink or two after work, night owls will be pleased to know that Simmons has a late license, with DJ sets and a cosy function room downstairs for gatherings that can happily continue into the early hours (3am Thursday - Saturday).

Cosy rating: 7/10 - those little lamps do a great job.
Secret rating: 7/10 - the Drink Shop & Do throngs across the road don't know what they're missing! (DSD is great, but it does get very busy).
Best bits: FIVE HOUR HAPPY HOUR? Yes please! From 4pm - 9pm Monday-Friday lots of their drinks are just £2.50. On my most recent visit on a Friday evening at 7pm we polished off a bottle of white for a mere tenner.
Worst bits: The music gets louder throughout the evening, so while it's fine for a catch-up early evening, if you want somewhere quiet where you can stay all night, go elsewhere.

Chimes restaurant, Pimlico

26 Churton Street, Pimlico, SW1V 2LP

Ding dong! Chimes is a no frills British eatery, specialising in all things pie and cider-related. It's located in the bustling heart of Pimlico which in itself is well worth visiting for lots of nice pubs (special shout-out to the fa-beer-lous Cask), a food market during the day and some cute independent shops (including some rather awesome charity ones).

On the Chimes menu you'll find lots of British classics, so this is a good option for any international visitors. We went here with some cider-loving friends who were staying in London and had a great night guzzling the fizzy stuff and chomping on meat and potato-based dishes.

Not hungry? Then grab a seat in the bar area and sample a yummy cider or a glass of wine. Or both, whatever floats your boat!

Cosy rating: 6/10 - a very simple and wooden affair. It's crying out for a few candles, though.
Secret rating: 8/10 - very quiet on a Saturday night, perhaps worryingly so.
Best bits: TasteCard holders will be pleased to know that you get 50% off here, as long as you pre-book over the phone.
Worst bits: Emphasis on 'no frills'. The pies are delicious, but I wish they were shortcrust pastry pies, rather than having a 'lid' of puff pastry on top of a ceramic dish. But that's just my preference.

Photo courtesy of divedart.

Le Garrick restaurant, Covent Garden

10-12 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9BH

This restaurant is soooo cosy. Occupying a prime corner in Covent Garden, Le Garrick looks tiny from the outside with just a few tables squeezed into the ground floor dining area. Here you can sit, eat, drink and watch the world go by.

But it's downstairs where things get pretty special for we connoisseurs of cosiness, with bare bricks and intimate wooden tables, it really oozes glowy warmth.

The owners of Le Garrick - who have been at the helm for just over a year - actually met each other in this very restaurant when she was the manager and he was a regular customer. How lovely!

Cosy rating: 9/10 - candles everywhere, little alcoves in the basement - definitely a fabulous place to go for a date.
Secret rating: 6/10 - certainly not off the beaten track, this one, but underground feels like a world away.
Best bits: They currently accept TasteCard if there are just two of you dining, enabling you to get two meals for the price of one - very reasonable indeed.
Worst bits: Hmm, are there any? I guess without the discount it's not exactly cheap, but they offer set menus at certain times of day.

Whits restaurant, Kensington

21 Abingdon Road, Kensington, W8 6AH

Looking for a really special place for a spot of romance or a celebration? Whits in Kensington could be perfect. This friendly neighbourhood restaurant is run by the husband and wife team of Steve and Eva - Eva takes care of the diners while Steve runs the kitchen.

Food-wise, you can choose from a good but not overwhelming range of French classics and European cuisine with a modern twist. Their dessert trios are also splendid. They do things really, really well here.

You'll always get a warm welcome at Whits, and I can honestly say that the fillet steak selected by my mum during our visit was the best cut of beef I'd ever tasted.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - it's a naturally bright space but once night falls outside the candles help to create a lovely atmosphere.
Secret rating: 4/10 - Whits is the 11th most highly recommended London restaurant on Tripadvisor, so do book.
Best bits: Eva truly has a magic touch when it comes to greeting diners and making them feel at home.
Worst bits: The prices mean that you're unlikely to pop here for a quick bite to eat on a regular basis, but it's definitely one to keep up your sleeve when you want to splash out.

Swan & Edgar, Marylebone

43 Linhope Street, Marylebone, NW1 6HL

Is it a pub? Is it a restaurant? Is it a library? Who knows, but Swan & Edgar is an absolute gem and fellow book lovers will salivate over this little place before you've even stepped through the door - just look at the frontage above!

I discovered S&E one sunny afternoon while my friend and I had some time to kill before catching a train from Marylebone. Determined to take her somewhere fabulous I whipped out the Qype app (they're not paying me, honest!) and up it popped in the middle of a residential road. Perfect.

Now I didn't sample the food on my visit, and it seems to have not gone down especially well with the critics, but I had a marvellous time sat outside on a sunny afternoon with a big glass of rose wine, gossiping with my friend. Inside is so small, but with books piled high all around you, pretty candles and friendly staff, it felt like I was inside a good novel that I didn't want to put down.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - candlelit at night with books piled high in the little room upstairs, which also has a fireplace for keeping the cold at bay.
Secret rating: 7/10 - I can't imagine you'd walk down this street, unless you were lucky enough to live there.
Best bits: Check out the scrabble tiled floor in the loos.
Worst bits: Ever so small, so do call ahead if you're making a special trip here.

The Crown, Islington

116 Cloudesley Road, Islington, N1 OEB

I nipped into The Crown in Islington for a quick drink after work last week. Yes, unbelievably that is sunshine you can see in the photo above!

The Crown is a Grade II listed Victorian gastropub with a varied food menu including your usual pub staples plus some nice-sounding specials and meat and cheese platters. It's worth noting that all Fullers pubs currently have a 20% off food offer until 26 July (Monday - Thursday only).

It's well off the beaten track so a good option if you want to escape the Islington throngs.

Cosy rating: 6/10 - I'm sure on a less sunny evening with the fireplace is roaring it would be very cosy indeed. Sofas in the back room towards the kitchen.
Secret rating: 7/10 - It's located on a beautiful Islington residential street - just do not make the mistake of whipping out your Rightmove app whilst you're there as it's too depressing!
Best bits: The homemade pork scratchings are definitely worth highlighting - you get a generous half-pint's worth and most were bigger than my longest finger. Mind those teeth!
Worst bits: The lovely central wooden bar means that the interior space isn't maximised, but it is a stunning original feature.

Le Beaujolais wine bar, Covent Garden

25 Litchfield Street, WC2H 9NJ

I was recommended Le Beaujolais by the proprietor of my beloved Val Taro wine bar, before Val Taro closed down. Luciano reckoned that, out of everywhere he knew in central London, Le Beaujolais was probably the closest we would come to recapturing the vibe of his establishment.

I recently ventured to this tiny wine bar for the first time, and although in my heart I knew it would never be able to match Val Taro in terms of cosiness, value and genuine warmth, I would still recommend it as a quirky and individual place to go in the West End for a glass or two of wine after work.

Situated just a few doors down from The Ivy, Le Beaujolais is kooky, quaint and unpretentious, with a small selection of good food and plenty of French characters propping up the bar, which make this place genuinely feel like a slice of Paris in the heart of London. They were also showing the Andy Murray semi final Wimbledon match on a big screen (he was playing a Frenchman, after all), which was an unexpected bonus.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - Emits a moody glow, just like some of my favourite places in the French capital.
Secret rating: 7/10 - I've never stumbled across it, despite the fact that I used to work down the road. You might have to share a table with others, but even if you do you'll probably bag your own before long, as did we.
Best bits: You get the impression this wine bar hasn't changed at all for 40 years or so, as confirmed by the amazingly retro hand dryer in the loo (I'm a bit of a hand dryer nerd...)
Worst bits: £18.50 for a bottle of house plonk? Ooh la la!

The Blythe Hill Tavern, Catford

Grab a squidgy stool and make yourself at home (photo courtesy of Neil  Muir / All Things Plants)

Whenever I go to the Blythe Hill Tavern I always have a really, really nice time. The first time I went there it was out of necessity, as it was the only place where we could kill 20 minutes (which turned into 40) when the curry house nearby double booked our table. I'm so glad they did - rather unassuming from the outside, the Blythe Hill Tavern is a charming and welcoming pub, and everything that a local drinking establishment should aspire to be.

And I'm not the only person who feels this way, if the fact that it this year won the CAMRA prize for south east London pub of the year is anything to go by.

It pleases me immensely that all the bartenders - who provide table service once your first drinks are nearing the end of their lives - proudly wear shirts and ties, and it's all too easy to while away a smiley evening in here with your bottomless drinks for company.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - three separate rooms, two of which have fireplaces and are distinctly cosier than the one without. My favourite is the room at the back.

Secret rating: 7/10 - popular with locals and lovers of well-kept, quality ale.

Best bits: Great place to watch the footie and other sports, with different rooms showing different events. Apparently there's a lovely beer garden, too, though I've yet to discover it.

Worst bits: No food as far as I know, so it's truly hard to say whether it's worth the trek to Catford if you live nowhere near this spirited little pub.

Le Mercury, Islington

Fireplace AND candles. Result!

Le Mercury never fails to disappoint. An intimate and friendly bistro-style eatery spread over three creaky floors, each room is lit solely (or thereabouts) by candles, and its warm and relaxed glow is a welcome relief from hustle and bustle of Upper Street.

The menu is fairly small, but there is always a decent-enough selection of hearty meat and seafood dishes, and mopping up every last tasty morsel with bread is definitely the order of the day here.

The last time I went there I left with a full tummy, a slight slur thanks to copious amounts of wine and bubbles, and a big smile on my face as every single member of staff thanked each and every one of us on our way out.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - for such a prominent location I really respect they way they've kept things simple and low-key - it would be so easy for them to go down the fine-dining route.

Secret rating: 3/10 - I can't deny it, this is a popular haunt and right on the main road, so do book before you rock up.

Best bits: The value - all starters £3.95, all mains £8.45, all desserts £2.95. Go crazy!

Worst bits: On a busy night it can get rather noisy if they've got some bigger parties dining.

The Thomas Guy Club, London Bridge

Plenty more spots like these around every corner

My brother had been going on for ages about how great the Thomas Guy Club bar was on the Kings College campus, just round the corner from London Bridge, but I hadn't been there until tonight. Well, I can honestly say that I am now well and truly enamoured with this place.

Located in a vaulted basement, the bar has tons of seats, and also has a pool table, a telly room, a 'library' and a separate dining area (with loads of really cheap food options - £6.50 for a homemade burger for example).

Now, my brother works for the NHS, which is how he found out about it, but as far as I can make out anyone is allowed in here - you don't have to show any NHS / student ID to get in and it's accessible from Borough High St, but if anyone knows otherwise do feel free to correct me.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - loads of armchairs, sofas, beanbags, corners and bare bricks. Lower lighting would up the rating.

Secret rating: 11/10 - is this actually London's most undiscovered bar? No web presence whatsoever (other than the link above), it was 95% empty on a Thursday night.

Best bits: It's truly labyrinthine in here with loads of bare-bricked rooms, and you really have to make an effort to seek out where to buy a drink.

Worst bits: Very hard to find, so here are some directions: Upon leaving London Bridge station turn left onto Borough High Street. Go down the first alleyway on the left (it's the alleyway where the Old Kings Head pub is). Walk past the pub and directly in front of you is a doorway, which should have a sandwich board outside. Go down the stairs and you've arrived!

Cafe Eterno, Covent Garden

Divine milkshake at Cafe Eterno

At first glance Cafe Eterno appears to be just like any other nice, cute independent cafe in central London, but it's only when you've settled down with your bottomless cup of coffee and start to take in your surroundings that you sense there's just something.....different about the place.

When you discover that the cafe is in fact run by the London City Mission (a Christian charity), the vibrant wall murals, eclectic range of customers and even the name of the cafe itself make a lot more sense.

Religion not your thing? Don't let this put you off - Cafe Eterno provides a friendly escape from the West End crowds outside, and their Christian credentials aren't enforced upon their customers. Settle down on one of their sofas with a book, enjoy the great value food and hot drinks, and appreciate this little slice of tranquil simplicity in the heart of the capital.

Cosy rating: 6/10 - probably the least pretentious cafe you're likely to find in this cobbled corner of Covent Garden.

Secret rating: 4/10 - it gets a fair amount of footfall, but it's likely that many of its customers aren't aware of the cafe's spiritual background.

Best bits: Bottomless cup of coffee for £1.70, really friendly staff (some of whom are volunteers), and awesome, indulgent milkshakes.

Worst bits: The Christian leaflets dotted around may not be to everyone's taste.

Albertine wine bar, Shepherds Bush

Perfect lighting at The Albertine wine bar (photo courtesy of Ming Tang-Evans)

I found the Albertine wine bar one nippy evening when I was searching for somewhere for a drink and a bite to eat before a gig nearby. It was the glowing reviews on the fantastic Qype app that encouraged me to step into what did indeed look like a very enchanting wine bar from the outside. 

It was everything I could have hoped for - low lighting, candles aplenty, wooden tables and a great wine and food menu.

It was the perfect start to a special evening, which somehow descended into drinking a pint of wine from a plastic glass (don't ask, it made sense at the time...!). I'm only sad that I'm rarely in this part of town, so I haven't been back since.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - candlelit tables just do it for me, and it was also lovely and warm.

Secret rating: 6/10 - think it's quite popular with BBC employees, as their office is just down the road, but they'll be gone in the not too distant future when they move to their new offices.

Best bits: The neighbourhood vibe and great sharing platters.

Worst bits: Not many small tables, so smaller groups may have to share a larger one with strangers (but this is a very minor criticism, it's actually quite nice being squished in, adds to the atmosphere).

The Scarsdale Tavern, Kensington

Take off your hat and relax at the Scarsdale

Nestled on a corner of one of London's loveliest (private) squares, The Scarsdale Tavern is a picture perfect Fuller's pub, so much so that it featured on their 2010 TV adverts. Apparently it was also the local pub in the 1970s series The Professionals.

Despite its star-studded credentials, and being located just off Kensington High Street, the Scarsdale still manages to retain a kind of country pub atmosphere.

There's a little restaurant section at the back which is nice for a special occasion, but I'd recommend finding yourself your own softly lit corner in the main area and trying out some of their better-value bar food.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - fireplaces, candles and table lamps dotted all over the place. This is one seriously pretty pub.
Secret rating: 7/10 - feels like a world away from Kensington High Street, located on a leafy road which would certainly impress any visitors to London.
Best bits: You're unlikely to find a more attractive pub, both inside and outside.
Worst bits: Its terrace out the front - which blooms spectacularly in the summer - can get a little packed on sunny evenings.

The Nags Head, Knightsbridge

Note the hung up coats...!

Don't let the posh postcode (or lack of apostrophe) put you off, The Nags Head is a gem and is probably the one pub in the world that I fantasise about being my local. Sadly - unless my Lottery plan sees the light of day - I'll just have to make do with seeking it out every few months.

It is officially the cosiest pub I've ever been to. There, I said it. Roaring fireplaces? CHECK. Nooks and crannies? CHECK. Random paraphernalia filling every available square inch on the walls? CHECK.

Online reviews of the pub appear to be fiercely divided, especially when it comes to the food and service, but you can probably tell I'm firmly in the 'love' camp. If you're expecting fancy cuisine or a chair that doesn't wobble then this place isn't for you, but if you want to warm your cockles in a proper London free house, then look no further.

Cosy rating: 10/10 - just step inside and you'll see what I mean.
Secret rating: 7/10 - A gorgeous mews location. I've been there twice and both times got a seat with no problem, but never tried it on a Friday or Saturday night.
Best bit: The the first time I went there I witnessed an actual pub singalong, like off the telly. No piano, but led by a dapper-looking chap in his 70s who was very nifty with a pair of drumsticks and any surface he could find. Including our heads.
Worst bit: The pub has two strict rules. 1: You have to hang your coat up on one of the dozens of hooks dotted around. 2: Mobile phones are most definitely not allowed. I find these rules only add to the character, but I guess others might not agree.

The Pineapple pub, Kentish Town

One of many cosy spots at The Pineapple

I love the fact that there's a pub called The Pineapple, and I'm please to report that this backstreet boozer is as endearing as its name.

I've only been there once when I needed somewhere to kill a couple of hours before a gig, but after taking advantage of their reasonable Thai dinner for a tenner deal, polishing off some beverages, and having a bit of good-natured banter with the locals, I was well and truly enamoured with the place.

It's a difficult pub to pigeonhole - I'd describe it as a really good local with an urban twist - but I would urge you to seek it out if you're ever in the area as it's just so bloomin' nice.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - The kind of place where you deliberately walk the long way round to the loos just so you can have a nose at all the little booths and original features. I also spied fireplaces.
Secret rating: 8/10 -  You'd be unlikely stumble across it. It was busy, but not heaving, on a Friday night. 
Best bits: There's something for everyone here, including a fortnightly Pop Up Market for creative types, and a decent range of ales (it recently won the CAMRA North London Pub of the Year prize).
Worst bits: I honestly can't think of any. It's totally charming.

The Harp, Covent Garden

Upstairs at The Harp

One of my favourite pubs in central London, The Harp is a hugely popular (and award-winning) drinking establishment. But what I love most about it is the little room upstairs, which not many punters appear to know about (or they just prefer to prop up the bar downstairs).

Stepping into the upstairs seating area is a bit like stepping into your granny's living room, with its pale pink walls, quaint pictures and flowery curtains. It really is a fantastic cosy spot in what is normally such a heaving corner of the city, and the best thing is that it's not trying to be 'kitsch', it just is in the nicest possible way.

The Harp is well-known for its selection of real ales, but another top tip is to try their bargainous sausages - for about three quid you can buy a banger served in a fresh baguette and sizzled to perfection before your eyes behind the bar (but not on Fridays).

Cosy rating: 7/10 - on a recent visit I noticed that they've replaced some of the comfy chairs upstairs with stools in order to squeeze in more seats, but the window table is still there, from where you can spy on the Covent Garden swarms as if in your own front room.
Secret rating: 4/10 - everyone loves The Harp, but if you want to impress someone with your London 'knowledge', enter via the back entrance, accessible from what must be one of the city's narrowest alleyways.
Best bits: The super-speedy service behind the bar, no matter how busy they are.
Worst bits: Upstairs can get a little hot during the warmer months, and the loos are TINY.

The Cork & Bottle, Leicester Square

The Cork & Bottle (image courtesy of HoosierSands)

I miss working in the West End, and The Cork & Bottle is one reason why. It's not unlike Gordon's wine bar on Villiers Street, but the trouble with Gordon's is that, despite its undeniable snugness, it gets so ridiculously busy and it's really hard to get a seat. So instead of highlighting Gordon's, for now I want to share the Cork & Bottle.

It's easy to miss this lovely wine bar, with the side streets of Leicester Square teeming with pizza joints and throbbing bars. But the C&B is a world away from these establishments, and is a great option if you're looking for a welcoming place for a relaxed drink or a nice spot for casual dining.

This is the kind of venue that you can keep up your sleeve for any occasion: dates, a pre/post-theatre bite to eat, after work drinks or lunch with the folks. Grab a table, treat yourself to a glass of bubbly and indulge in a plate loaded with delicious cheese. Lovely.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - It's underground, so plenty of bare bricks and lots of cave-like cubbyholes.
Secret rating: 7/10 - You can normally get a table, or a seat at the friendly bar, but they accept reservations most of the time so never does any harm to book.
Best bits: THE RAISED HAM AND CHEESE PIE. It's honestly one of the best, most mouth-watering slabs of honest food I've ever had the pleasure of eating.
Worst bits: West End prices, but don't let that put you off, it's worth every penny.

Red Door cafe, Greenwich

Red Door cafe (thanks @Katereddoor for the image!)

Originally a gallery, Red Door in Greenwich has somehow managed to squeeze in a cafe and shop into its cute premises just outside of Greenwich Market.

Cosiness is therefore enforced, since it is soooo snug, and if it weren't for one of the best mochas - if not the best mocha - I've ever slurped, you could argue that perhaps you're a little too squeezed in.

Thankfully the chirpy table service, award-winning brownies and the aforementioned coffee more than make up for this, and it's definitely one of Greenwich's nicest and most welcoming spots. They do sarnies as well as cakes, and I'll certainly be taking my parents there next time I'm in the area.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - it's all charmingly rickety and you'll have no choice but to get to know your fellow patrons!
Secret rating: 7/10 - It seemed to have a healthy, steady flow of custom, and everyone who wanted one of the few seats available was not disappointed.
Best bits: The coffee (properly hot, too. Lukewarm drinks = pet hate) and the brownies.
Worst bits: On a busier day you might have to try your luck elsewhere, but watch this space as they're hoping to open up their upstairs living room to customers soon, and have lots of other nice plans in the pipeline.

VOC bar, King's Cross

Potions and punch at VOC

I've worked in King's Cross for a few years now, and I've known this tiny bar in the Regents Quarter 'zone' to have undergone at least a couple of makeovers in that time. Its previous incarnation was as 'Cellar N1', a nice enough little cocktail bar, which sadly never really found its feet.

The latest occupant - and let's hope it's here to stay - is VOC bar, which describes itself as a modern day interpretation of a 17th Century Punch House, inspired by the Dutch East India Company - or Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie - hence VOC. Crikey, that's a niche and a half.

But actually, niches work quite well in this tucked away part of King's Cross, with Bar Pepito a couple of doors down, specialising in sherry, doing very well indeed. VOC similarly seems to be establishing itself quite nicely since it opened last summer, and my apothecary-style bottle filled with a 'raspberry shrub' cocktail (apparently 'bottle matured' for at least 7 days) went down very nicely (and easily) indeed.

There's seating outside, but bag yourself the sofa, tucked away corner or the mezzanine snug and swig your grog like it's 1606.

Cosy rating: 6/10 - really quite tiny with a couple of sofas and secluded corners. We were there before 7.30pm so I'm sure cosiness would increase as it got darker outside.
Secret rating: 7/10 - Regents Quarter is like a mini-maze, and despite some great reviews it was easy to get a table.
Best bits: Really unique booze, pretty candles (this is the 17th century, after all...!) and service with a smile.
Worst bits: Definitely not 17th Century prices (around £8 on average - if you paid that in the 1600s that would equate to about £4,000 in today's money...!). Music was *just about* quiet enough for a decent natter.

Mr Lawrence wine bar, Crofton Park

Mr Lawrence wine bar

Mr Lawrence is very much off the beaten track, but for wine lovers it's a must-visit. Located next to a wine merchant of the same name, this creaky bar adorned with fairy lights in the windows is an absolute corker (excuse the pun), serving dozens of wines by the glass. Want something to soak up the booze? Then try a steaming cassoulet or a hearty meat and bread platter.

This bar has got so much going for it, but because of its unexpected location you can always get a table - my favourite place to sit is in the window, where you can huddle round the dark wooden table, polish off a bottle of good plonk and enjoy the rustic grub while watching the world (and the 122 bus...!) go by.

For proper wine connoisseurs there's a great review of Mr Lawrence over on Londonist.

Cosy rating: 6/10 - dark, wood-panelled walls, twinkly lights, but not much in the way of sofas.
Secret rating: 9/10 - it's too secret for its own good. Everybody go there, NOW!
Best bits: The huge selection of wines (by the glass). Also a large range of Belgian ales for those who prefer beer.
Worst bits: Food selection isn't massive, but what they do, they do very well.

The Lady Ottoline, Bloomsbury

Fine dining at the Lady Ottoline

I had been struggling for months to find the perfect venue for a special, cosy 30th birthday meal with my parents and closest friends. So when I was told about The Lady Ottoline gastropub on the edge of Bloomsbury I was chuffed to say the least. 

The Lady Ottoline opened within the last year ago having undergone an extensive refurbishment. It’s located down a quiet street, with a warm bar area downstairs, and two beautiful candlelit dining rooms upstairs. As a party of 10 we had to choose from the set menu, with a selection of four or five choices per course. My pork belly with black pudding croquettes was delicious, and with the majority of the party opting for juicy steaks (with the most incredible and mirror-esque steak knives I had ever seen) we were a very happy bunch.

Service is excellent and smiley, and a surprise birthday cake baked on site by the chef and delivered to our table topped off the evening perfectly.

The Lady Ottoline certainly isn’t the cheapest place to eat or drink, but if you want to go somewhere a bit special, to be charmed and spoiled by the excellent staff, and to relax in what has to be one of the most welcoming and enchanting gastro pubs in London, then I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - Wonderful candlelit atmosphere and beautiful leather banquettes upstairs, but they'd need to be squidgier for a higher cosy rating...!

Secret rating: 6/10 - it's still relatively new, but is already hugely popular with local office workers, most of whom appear to work for local law firms. Sometimes hard to get a seat downstairs, booking recommended for upstairs.

Best bits: The service is top drawer. 

Worst bits: A little on the pricey side.

The Pelton Arms, Greenwich

The Pelton Arms

Greenwich isn't short on pubs, let's be honest, but frequently they can be teeming with tourists. To get away from the crowds, try The Pelton Arms along the river in the east of Greenwich - a gorgeous local pub serving comforting food at decent prices, with squidgy sofas, lovely fireplaces, a wide range of ales and wines and some great pub games.

Getting there is easy, just a stroll along the river past the Trafalgar Tavern and the Cutty Sark Tavern (also both good Greenwich pub options, just not as cosy). Or, if you're feeling lazy or the weather isn't conducive to a riverside wander, just get the train to Maze Hill instead.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - some lovely fireside chairs.
Secret rating: 7/10 - it's just that little bit further out of Greenwich and off the river that most people wouldn't know it's there, but it's popular among locals so worth booking for Sunday lunch. 
Best bits: Reasonably-priced home-cooked food, friendly service and warm atmosphere
Worst bits: I've heard it's not dog-friendly, but happy to be corrected. No river view unlike other aforementioned pubs, but that's why they're so much busier.