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The Great Northern Railway Tavern
★ 4.0(1 review)Bar
historicstylishlocal
About the Vibe
Tucked away on Hornsey's High Street, The Great Northern Railway Tavern is a Grade II-listed gem that perfectly balances historic charm with modern polish. Since 1897, this Fuller's pub has been serving up refined British pub fare and a seriously well-stocked craft beer selection. The interior strikes that rare sweet spot—think original features softened by contemporary styling, making it just as comfortable for a quiet pint as it is for a lively dinner.
Known For
- •Grade II-listed building
- •modern British pub food
- •craft beer selection
- •live jazz nights
Best For
casual dinnersafter-work drinkslive music
1 review
City InsidersEditorialMarch 31, 2026
A stylish local with serious craft beer credentials
The Great Northern Railway Tavern feels like a proper local that's been given a modern makeover without losing its soul. The building itself is lovely—Grade II-listed and packed with character—and the interior manages to be both stylish and welcoming. The food menu is solid modern British pub fare, nothing groundbreaking but reliably good, and the beer list is where this place really shines with a great mix of craft and traditional cask ales.
What really sets it apart is the atmosphere. It's not too loud, not too quiet—it's that perfect pub buzz. The staff seem to know their stuff, and if you're lucky, you might catch one of their jazz nights which are often free and add a nice touch to an evening. It's the kind of place you'd recommend to friends who want something better than the usual chain pub but don't want to dress up or break the bank.