Where the best food is on tap

Pub food has moved on in leaps and bounds in recent years, with many offering restaurant quality meals, according to a new guide.

The very best examples have imaginative menus using carefully prepared fresh ingredients often bought locally, says the The Which? Pub Guide 2004.

It lists the top 1,000 pubs, based on their atmosphere or world-class cuisine, as well as the quality of their drinks.

Editor Andrew Turvil said: 'The very best pubs featured here offer what is truly great about this particularly British institution; an informal approach to hospitality, where you can eat a little or a lot, or just have a drink, the best of both worlds.'

A separate section lists pubs with less remarkable food but some other special quality to commend them.

Some have superlative ales or an outstanding wine list while others are great family venues, boost a terrific atmosphere or are in beautiful settings.

The best examples include the Stagg Inn at Titley in Herefordshire, the Griffin Inn at Fletching, East Sussex and the Havelock Tavern in Shepherd's Bush, West London.