The Grapes

Immortalised as the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters in his novel Our Mutual Friend, this Thames-side pub used to be a haunt of Charles Dickens, who was made to stand on a table and sing here when he was a child. While the novelist might still recognise the interior of this award-winning 18th-century tavern, the surroundings have changed dramatically with the development of Canary Wharf and the Docklands Light Railway. However, old-fashioned values are maintained by the pulling of superb cask conditioned ales in the atmospheric dark timber-clad bar downstairs, while in the tiny upstairs restaurant only the freshest seafood is served. This is a fish lover's paradise, with a menu that includes whole sea bass oven baked with lemon and parsley, poached Loch Duart salmon and daily specials cooked to your liking. Nonetheless meat lovers and vegetarians should not be deterred from experiencing this evocative slice of old Limehouse; traditional roasts are served on Sundays, and salads, bar meals and sandwiches are always available.