The Garrison

No doubt this green-tiled, street-corner pub was once a popular local for generations of Surrey Docks stevedores. The docks are no more and Bermondsey has gone up-market, but were those old boys to return they'd no doubt be amazed by the pub's 21st-century restyling, based around an idiosyncratic mix of decorative themes and antique knick-knacks. The place pulsates from breakfast through to the evening, when the downstairs room doubles as a mini-cinema. Start the day with a 'full and proper' or 'full vegetarian' breakfast, or maybe smoked haddock with poached egg, potato pancake and hollandaise; for lunch, there's pan-roasted coley with Jerusalem artichoke and chervil root purée; or Somerset brie with roasted pepper and pesto sandwich. In the evening, check out smoked salmon kedgeree; braised ox cheek with roasted parsnips; or the day's steak special. Drinks include beers from Adnams, and Munich's Spaten-Franziskaner, as well as Dunkerton and Breton ciders.