The Granddaddy of Gastropubs and still going strong over a quarter of a century later.
Widely credited with launching the food-in-pubs revolution when it opened in its current form in 1991, the Eagle has long since passed into both legend and middle age. Still, if some of the kids it inadvertently spawned put half as much effort into their food as the Eagle, ‘gastropub’ might not have become such a dirty word – this high-ceilinged corner room remains a cut above the competition. Nothing’s changed since last you were here: the globetrotting mains are still chalked twice daily above the bar/open kitchen, the service is still peerless (especially during lunch, when the place is humming) and the tables remain slightly too close together. You can just drink but few do, aware they’re missing the big-flavoured likes of moreish tomato and bread soup; daisy-fresh scallops, pan-fried and served on toast with chorizo; and succulent leg of lamb with jansson’s temptation (a potato gratin-style Swedish dish). The weakness remains the beers: if you don’t get lucky with a guest (we did, with Hackney Brewery’s creditable American Pale Ale), you’ll be stuck with some familiar lagers and Charles Wells’ perennially disappointing ales. Otherwise, perfect.