It may look like any old market town on a map, but Stourbridge has a lot to be proud of. It was once the centre of British glassmaking, but today, it’s better known as birthday an early ‘90s indie scene (The Wonder Stuff, Pop Will Eat Itself and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin), the hometown of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, and Europe’s shortest railway line.
It’s also the place to go for the West Midlands’ best pub. Specifically, the best dining pub, according to The Good Food Guide’s ‘100 Best Pubs 2025’. The prestigious guide for Britain’s restaurants, pubs and cafés has been looking for places “where brilliant cooking is paired with the spirit of a proper pub”—and it’s named Stourbridge’s The Old Wharf Inn at 33 on the list.
Why visit The Old Wharf Inn?
An hour on the train, which includes a trip on the 0.8-mile-long Stourbridge Town branch line, there’s no excuse not to visit The Old Wharf Inn. But if you needed further convincing of this independently-owned, canalside free house, it’s perfect for anything from an ale after an autumn stroll to a romantic meal for an anniversary.
After over a decade of closure and major renovation, The Old Wharf Inn reopened in 2019 as a warm, welcoming space, serving everything from bar snacks and breakfasts to small plates and Sunday roasts (it even landed in The Good Food Guide’s ‘Top 50 Best Sunday Roasts’ in 2024).
Grab a handmade pork pie with a pint and pull up a stool for the weekly quiz. Or celebrate a special occasion with a bold, seasonal menu—boasting everything from butterflied garlic & chilli Tiger prawns and roasted heritage carrots to roasted sea trout and bacon cheese burger.
Meanwhile, at the bar, discover a mix of four rotating hand pulls, premium lagers, and a curated selection of bottles and cans, as well as a handpicked wine and spirits list. In the winter, warm up by the cosy fireplace, but make sure to return for summer to enjoy a beautiful beer garden overlooking the canal basin.