The Wells Tavern

Take an elegant, Georgian building on a side street in Hampstead - a sauntering five minutes walk away from the heath - add a chilled-out pub area complete with low tables, sinking sofas, real ales on tap, board-games and a simple, but top-notch, bar menu on the ground floor, and an intimate series of three dining rooms on the first floor serving an award-winning menu, and you've got the ingredients for a classic gastropub. Named after the famous mineral spa that first drew crowds to Hampstead's hallowed ground, The Wells Tavern in Hampstead is - like its namesake - continuing to attract those in need to refreshment and rejuvenation. The main draw is the food, which blends classics (calves liver, sausages and mash, lamb shank) with more modern European dishes (chorizo, feta cheese and chicory, squid and wild mushroom risotto) using fresh, seasonal produce. This place is prime Sunday Lunch territory - fill up on a traditional roast, washed down with a pint of ale or a glass of wine from the true connoisseurs wine list, then head to the heath for an invigorating walk; on which dogs can most certainly attend as they will be full of energy after feasting on the special dog treats provided on the menu. Keats and Constable, both former residents of the street (No 1 and No 40 respectively), would surely approve.