Hare & Billet
1A Hare & Billet Rd Blackheath London SE3 0QJ
The Hare & Billet has occupied this corner of the heath for a long time now, and it's always been a nice pub – the location above all is fab, tucked away a few minutes' walk from the village opposite the most overgrown and bucolic of the heath's many ponds. But it's been given a makeover and although its stripped-down interior won't be to everyone's taste it manages to remain both a decent local boozer and a place to eat out. Like most of its sister pubs in the London-based Capital Pub Co chain, there's a nice emphasis on real ales from small breweries, plus a strong selection of quality US and European beers for the lager drinkers among you. The food errs on the simple side, and mostly gets it right, with a short menu of pub classics at lunch and a slightly longer and more varied range of dishes in the evening. It changes, but you could reckon on choosing between a steak sandwich or fish and chips at lunch (always a couple of veggie options too) and a barnsley chop, sea bass or a pasta dish at dinner. The service can be a bit hit-and-miss, but whether you want to eat or just fancy a pint, it can be just the job after a windy walk on the heath.