The Best Pubs in Chester

The Brewery Tap is the official brewery tap for Spitting Feathers Brewery, offering great cask beers. It is known for its fantastic building and serves great comfort food, with the fish and chips being hailed as the best in town. This historic pub also provides wifi and is a great value spot for enjoying a pint.

Telford's Warehouse is an independently run freehouse, bar, restaurant, and renowned music and arts venue that has been operating since 1993. It offers a large open bar with an exceptional selection of European beers, CAMRA rated cask conditioned ales, and an extensive wine list, all served by friendly, cheerful, and knowledgeable staff. The food is consistently fantastic, with big portions and a highly recommended Sunday lunch at a very fair price, and the canalside location provides wonderful water views. This dog friendly spot also hosts an exciting entertainment programme featuring live music, salsa classes, art workshops, open mic sessions, stand up comedy, speciality cabaret, and theatre.

The Ship Inn is a welcoming pub steeped in local history, offering a hearty welcome, quality home-cooked food, and a fully stocked bar with local ales and premium gins. It features multiple spaces including a cosy pub area, a light and airy restaurant, and a grandiose private dining room, perfect for any occasion. The pub is dog friendly and known for its great breakfast and brunch, with friendly staff happy to customise menu items. It is a short stroll from the famous city walls and a perfect spot for a quick pit stop, a family meal, or a delicious Sunday roast.

The Pied Bull is the oldest coaching inn in the city, dating back to 1155, and still houses an original handmade staircase from 1535. It features the only microbrewery within the city walls, where a master brewer hand crafts all keg and cask beers. The pub serves fresh and homemade meals, using local produce whenever possible, and offers a beer terrace for enjoying their award winning brews.

Welcome to The Architect, a classic pub restaurant set within the city walls and overlooking the racecourse. This building was designed by the prolific architect Thomas Harrison as his own residence, and the pub is a story of two halves with cosy, intimate dining rooms in the original Georgian building and a spacious, buzzy garden room with a large bar. Their passion lies in finding quality fresh ingredients and preparing them in a modern but unpretentious way, with menus featuring classic British dishes and more exotic influences. Well behaved dogs on a leash are welcome in the bar area, and a circular walk from the pub is available to work up an appetite.

The Cross Keys is celebrated as the best pub in Totternhoe, offering good drinks, good food, and good people. It features an ever evolving dining menu, a generous bar selection with specialty beverages, and a beautiful beer garden that has been highlighted in the media. Customers rave about the fantastic pub, noting it is a nice warm place with good ales, including Blue Moon on tap, and recommend trying samples of all three Joules Ales for just £3. The pub is well supplied with traditional dimpled glasses for real ale enthusiasts.

Welcome to The Old Harkers Arms, a proper old city of London boozer that is a great meeting place over a pub lunch or dinner from the daily menu. This very social spot is listed in the top 10 whisky pubs in the Good Pub Guide and has a passion for fresh ingredients and classic British dishes. It offers a fantastic selection of cask ales and well kept beers, with friendly staff and outdoor seating next to the canal.

Step through the doors of the Bear & Billet and you’ll find a historic pub bursting with character, especially magical during the festive season. The beer is top notch, and the burgers are absolutely brilliant, making it a fantastic spot for a hearty meal. With extra space upstairs, it’s perfect for groups, and Thursday’s open mic night adds a lively, welcoming energy.

This JW Lees family pub sits beside the River Dee, offering a scenic floating beer garden and cosy rooms. The menu features award-winning cask ales, a legendary cheese & onion pie, and a Sunday roast with bottomless gravy. Guests can enjoy a prix fixe set menu midweek or seasonal dishes from the new spring menu.

The Albion is a wonderfully old fashioned gastropub that feels like a genuine step back in time. It’s a cozy, quiet spot where the focus is squarely on excellent beer and truly satisfying food, like an exceptional shepherd's pie. The friendly staff and firm policy against rowdy parties make it a perfect haven for anyone seeking an authentic and relaxed pub experience.