The Duke of Cambridge

Pub

The very finest organic food and drinks are on offer at The Duke of Cambridge, a beautifully atmospheric gastropub – the first and only one in the UK to be awarded Soil Association certification. Tucked away down a quiet side street in Islington, the pub is run by spirited owner Geetie Singh, who founded it in 1998 before most of us had even heard of organics. Her mission has always been to serve outstanding and luxurious organic dishes in convivial surroundings, making sure her pub has impeccable green credentials.

You'll probably never eat the same thing twice at the Duke, since the chefs change the menu twice daily to use the best of seasonal produce, so there won't be any strawberries or broad beans popping up in the winter dishes!  The style of food is rustic British with a Mediterranean twist – depending on the time of year, you might eat slow braised ham hock with spring greens or tapenade-crusted pollock. Desserts might include pot au chocolate with shortbread or plum tart with mascarpone. All bread is baked daily at the pub, and the chefs make ice cream, pickles and preserves from scratch.

The organic wine list is extensive, and you'll find some wonderful British examples as well as European wines from small producers. All the beers and lagers are brewed in or close to London, and spirits and soft drinks are all carefully sourced from small independent companies. You won't find any pre-packaged bar snacks – the pub makes delicious roasted nuts and marinates olives from scratch.

The pub prides itself on its low food miles, tracking down 80% of all fresh produce from the Home Counties. It only uses sustainable fish landed by fishermen using small day boats from the South East coast and all meat comes from animals that have enjoyed the highest possible standards of welfare. The pub only does business with small independent producers, so you won't find any Coca Cola at the bar – instead, enjoy a lovely organic alternative! The pub has won a host of awards, including The Good Pub Guide's London Dining Pub of the Year 2009 and Natural and Organic Awards Best Restaurant 2008.