The best restaurants in north London right now
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North London has always been a vibrant hotspot for food lovers. From the Turkish restaurants in Green Lanes, to the Jewish delis of Hampstead and St John's Wood. Whilst Angel or Islington has some contemporary classics in the form of Bellanger and Trullo, pop down the road to Finsbury Park and you'll experience a world of new flavours in Proper Tacos. Tollington's is the latest addition to the north London scene, and it's worth the hype. Super chic Jolene is one of the best restaurants for lunch in north London, whilst Xi'an Impression, famous for their hand-torn noodles, is (in our opinion) one of the best Chinese restaurants in London. So, whether you're seeking refined dining or authentic street food, this area caters to all tastes. Read on for our round up of the best restaurants in north London.
1/18Lupa, Highbury
A buzzy new opening in north London earlier this year, partly due to its connection to The White Lotus star and co-owner Theo James, Lupa is a cosy and minute restaurant on a quiet corner in Highbury, with rustic decor and homely yet polished Roman cuisine coming out of the small kitchen at the back. James partnered with Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton and head chef Naz Hassan on the venture, where it has been tricky to score a table since it opened in June. Highlights of the menu include the small but perfectly formed fried courgette flower with burrata and anchovy, and what has become Lupa's signature dish: paccheri alla carbonara, in a silky, sunny yellow sauce topped with salty, perfectly rendered guanciale and black pepper. If you have room by the end of the evening, then the homemade dessert of the day is a must - on our visit it was a divine fig tart.
(C) Blake Ezra Photography 2024 Not to be reproduced without written permission.2/18Cinder, St. John's Wood and Belsize Park
Nestled on the charming high street in St John’s Wood, Cinder is a cosy little eatery serving up fresh, modern Mediterranean cuisine cooked on the flames of their Josper oven, hence the restaurant’s name. The other outpost in Belsize Park was the first, opening in 2021; the NW8 location subsequently opened in 2022. Head chef and owner Jake Finn and his team serve up a seasonally changing selection of small and larger plates (you can roughly work out which is which by price) out of the open kitchen at the back of the restaurant. Mouth-watering smells wafting past us to the other tables made it very tough to narrow down our order.
The menu style means that it is easy to share a variety of dishes, or go down the traditional three course route. Everything we ordered was exceptional; even the bread we started with was interesting and memorable, paired with garlic tahini and burnt tomato salsa. But the the two large plates were the stars of the evening; we tried the smoky and succulent cedar plank salmon served with pickled cucumber and shallots, and the duck breast with fragrant satay sauce from the specials board - if it returns, don’t hesitate to order it! Make sure to save room for the warm cookies with cream for dessert, an indulgent bowl of gooey goodness delightfully topped with rainbow sprinkles.
3/18The Great Indian, Archway
This unassuming north London neighbourhood is a somewhat unlikely host for such a buzzy new Indian restaurant. Tucked away in the middle of Archway, The Great Indian has been packed out since its opening in January 2025, with excellent reviews pouring in across the board. Despite it's former life as the local boozer, this is excellent ‘gastro pub’ is much more the former than the latter (no bad thing – the area isn't short of watering holes.)
Like some of the other ‘trendy’ Indian food spots that reign supreme in London at the moment, this offering by executive chef Surjan Singh,(experienced restaurant consultant and judge on MasterChef India) has a wide array of influences and styles. The outcome is a long and varied menu, with some reliable classics (the butter chicken is sensational – the best in London), and some funkier bites (like the moreish pot sticker chicken dumplings). Don't be put off by the fake foliage hanging from the ceiling, this restaurant has real substance, and will surely be around for along time. It's also remarkably spacious, so would also work brilliantly for group dinners or parties.
4/18Don't Tell Dad, Queen's Park
Tucked away in leafy Queen’s Park, Lonsdale Road is undoubtedly one of the coolest streets in north west London. Just around the corner from the weekly farmers’ market and the bustling main drag of Salusbury Road, it is a wide, cobblestone street of old stables that have been converted into hip eateries, yoga studios, workshops and houses. Don’t Tell Dad, the brainchild of Coco di Mama co-founder Daniel Land, is the newest kid on the block, having opened in January of this year.
The restaurant is filled with a warm glow from the retro wall lights and has been smartly kitted out with green cord banquettes, parquet flooring and uneven Moroccan zellige tiles, resulting in a welcoming yet stylish space to enjoy the exceptionally executed food by head chef Luke Frankie, previously of Noble Rot. We sat at a high sharing table decorated with an embroidered artwork by local artist Martha Husse. Protected under a glass tabletop, the textile piece was commissioned for the restaurant and affectionately pokes fun at the stereotypical Queen’s Park lifestyle with whimsical renderings of Planet Organic, Italian greyhounds and suchlike.
There truly wasn’t a weak link among anything on the menu that we tried. Highlights include the truffle and cheddar beignet appetiser (a moreish, umami mouthful of carb and cheese) and the tea smoked trout starter served with zingy horseradish and pickles. The lamb main course is cooked to melt-in-the-mouth perfection, and the Jerusalem artichoke is a smoky partner to the delicate wild bass it is served with. Drinks wise, the rhubarb and almond sour cocktail is a pink confection: sweet, tangy and smooth, best savoured sip by sip. Prices are fair and portions are perfectly pitched, so that we were able to enjoy several courses without feeling too stuffed. The elevated homeliness of the food has a distinct, but not at all unwelcome, echo of St. John about it, down to the freshly baked madeleines, which we are told take 15 minutes to prepare, and are served warm with orange and cream. As well as the main restaurant, Don’t Tell Dad also comprises a bakery, headed up by ex-Layla baker Keren Sternberg.
All in all, the restaurant is a welcome addition to Queen’s Park, deftly straddling both the casual neighbourhood hangout feel, as well as being a smart destination to head to for a special occasion.
James Hole5/18Jolene, Newington Green
This devastatingly cool bakery and restaurant was an instant hit when it joined the Newington Green scene in 2018. The third in a group of elegant small plates restaurants, Jolene is the perfect weekend spot for coffee, puffed-up croissants, bulging takeaway sandwiches or a sit down lunch. The menu changes seasonally, but recent dish highlights include courgette flowers with ricotta, honey and thyme, and a zesty sea bass ceviche. They also have smaller cafe branches on Hornsey Road, Redchurch Street and Colebrooke Row.
6/18The Tamil Prince, Islington
The Tamil Prince, a laid-back, yet stylish pub-turned-restaurant in north London, offers a menu of visually stunning and delicious Tamil Nadu-inspired dishes. Highlights include the channa bhatura, crispy onion bhaji, and perfectly spiced lamb chops, all served with friendly, expert service. The restaurant's cool vibe, deep blue wood-panelled interior, and well-curated drink options elevate it beyond a typical pub experience. Despite its tucked-away location, The Tamil Prince is worth a special visit for its truly tasty food and atmosphere.
Sam A. Harris7/18Cadet, Newington Green
Cadet is a charming, intimate spot in Newington Green with a focus on quality, seasonal ingredients. Known for its minimalist and cosy ambiance, Cadet has a funky natural wine list and a menu that changes regularly based on fresh market finds. The small plates, inspired by French and Mediterranean cuisine, are simple but exceptionally well-executed. Service is warm and knowledgeable, especially when it comes to recommending wine pairings. It's also a great spot for people watching.
Tim Winter8/18Bellanger, Angel
Part of a chain of reliably good brasseries, you can't go wrong with Bellanger on Islington Green. Whether you're looking for a special (but not unaffordable) birthday dinner with family, or a romantic date night, escargots, steak frites and a large, bold red wine await. Whilst there's a lively outdoor area at the front, the deep red booth-style interiors with traditional white tablecloths work best in the colder months. It's also a very solid breakfast option, with excellent scrambled eggs and smoked salmon.
Mandy Yin9/18Sambal Shiok, Islington
Sambal Shiok is on a relatively unprepossessing spot on the busy Holloway Road. The bold blue and red interior welcomes you in from the north London thoroughfare and into a steamy, lively dinner spot known for its hearty bowls of laksa.The prawn curry laksa is a favourite, but it's not for the faint-hearted. If you can't get enough of their spicy delights, the jars of sambal, laksa paste and peanut sauce are available for nationwide delivery.
Mattie Piccininni10/18Perilla, Newington Green
Perilla is a refined, fine-dining experience in an exceptionally calm, relaxed and chic interior. Opened in 2016, the restaurant has focus on sustainability, with an innovative and seasonal approach to modern European food with a quiet emphasis on nose-to-tail cooking. It's also, importantly, incredibly delicious. You'll get something different every time, though the creative and beautiful presentation remains consistent. A design highlight is the cutlery, which sits in neat little drawers within the table.
Proper Tacos11/18Proper Tacos, Finsbury Park
These are undoubtedly the best tacos in London. Nag's Head Market is a local hotspot, bustling with food stalls and suitcase vendors and lots of the food spots within are sensational – and more authentic than you'd get elsewhere – but these tacos are the best of the bunch. You'll have to queue, so try a quiet weekday lunchtime. Whilst everything is fresh, delicious and super spicy, the crunchy pulled-chicken tacos are electric, and best served up with a fresh hibiscus tea.
12/18Trullo, Islington
This Islington neighbourhood restaurant has a reputation that reaches far beyond its borough. Owners Jordan Frieda and Tim Siadatan met while working at the River Café and the Italian menu keenly reflects those roots. Trullo is best described as a contemporary trattoria, with small, white-clothed tables, industrial-style hanging lamps and white walls. The cooking is robust and excels in hearty meat and pasta dishes.
28 Church Row13/1828 Church Row, Hampstead
Hampstead has an array of wonderful food offerings, with a particular focus on delis, cafes and great pub food. 28 Church Row stands out on the scene, however, with its seasonal Spanish-Italian fusion menu and cocooning atmosphere on the lower ground floor of one of Hampstead's most picturesque streets. The cave-like interiors and extensive wine list make it the perfect spot for a winter date night. Current menu highlights include the punchy, crispy anchovy fritters and the hamachi carpaccio.
Serena Sarnataro14/18Vicoli di Napoli, Stoke Newington
Vicoli di Napoli could well take the title of the best pizza in London. In the middle of Church Street (which has become a hub of hipster small plates restaurants and wine bars in the last ten years), Vicoli di Napoli's only only other branch in Naples is often called ‘the best pizza in the world and featured in Eat, Pray, Love. Like the best kinds of Neapolitan pizzas, this offering is thin, with a chunky crust and the perfect level of ‘flop’ to each slice. You might have to wait in line, but it's worth it (and they do takeaway).
Justin De Souza15/18The Parakeet, Kentish Town
This cosy pub-restaurant hybrid was a welcome addition to Kentish Town Road. The food is fairly refined (dollops and smears) but also very tasty. They cook over fire and the menu (which is quite meat and fish-heavy) reflects this. Though it's not the most affordable option in the area, it has a very special feeling and head over on Tuesdays for two-for-one cocktails. It's also dog friendly.
16/18Tollington's, Finsbury Park
Tollington's is the new coolest restaurant in North London. Located in an old chippie, the interiors are part ‘shabby Spanish bar’, part ‘hipster small plates’. The yellow walls, tiled flooring, mismatching bar stools and ceiling fans are all pitch-perfect. From the masterminds behind the hit restaurant Four Legs, the food is exceptional, with highlights including the chips bravas and the cod cheeks.
James Morris17/18Ida, Queens Park
This neighbourhood restaurant is – as all great neighbourhood Italian spots should be – a real family affair, run by Avi and Simonetta and their children. Opened in 2007 in a picturesque Grade II-listed ex-corner shop in Queens Park, the decor is eclectic and lovely, with pictures lining every wall. The food is consistently good, and they know how to handle classic dishes with confidence. Look out for Avi's new book which chronicles the history of the restaurant.
Xi’animpression18/18Xi'an Impression, Highbury
Xi'an Impression is a north London classic, particularly famous for its super spicy hand-torn noodles and other mouth-watering (and mouth-numbing) Shan Xi culinary offerings. Located just next to Arsenal Football Stadium in a void for good food, the restaurant is nothing fancy. As with all the best restaurants it will be very busy (and there are only a few tables) but it's definitely worth the wait.
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