London, among its many accolades, has gained renown for its kaleidoscopic gastronomy. Blossoming with a multicultural tapestry and steeped in history, it is unsurprising London is the seventh most Michelin-starred city in the world. Culinary promise abounds in every nook and borough of the city.
Occupying the northern enclave of the River Thames, north London is known for its verdant parks, the Billionaires’ Row, and its eclectic range of restaurants. From the minted colonies of Highgate to the bohemian charm of Camden, there are culinary marvels tailored for all sensibilities.
Read on to discover the best restaurants in North London.
Plaquemine Lock, Angel
Plaquemine Lock is a Michelin-recommended gastropub known for showcasing a rather under-represented cuisine – Cajun and Creole food. The restaurant is marked by a harlequin colour palette, authentic Louisianian flavours, and zestful charm.
Founded by Chef Jacob Kenedy in memory of his great-grandparents, Plaquemine Lock brims with lore. The bright yellow walls are filled with pictures of Kennedy’s great-grandmother, Carrie B. Schwing, and memorabilia of his grandmother, Virginia Campbell. There are also full-scale motifs of the steamboat the family owned in Louisiana – this mural was crafted by Kennedy’s own mother.
“A love letter to Cajun and Creole cookery,” as per The Guardian, Plaquemine Lock’s signature dishes include gumbo, jambalaya, and smothered okra and eggplant bake. It takes pride in its utterly unique music scene, hosting some of London’s best jazz and blues artists. As such, Plaquemine Lock transforms into a vibrant dance club by night. According to luxury publication Condé Nast, Plaquemine Lock is “London’s best jazz venue.”
Caravel, Regent’s Canal
A cosy alcove docked gracefully on Regent’s Canal, Caravel is a bistro-style European restaurant residing in a converted barge.
The 40-seat capacity barge has been decked out like a quintessential fine dining establishment. The light wood floor deck, plush white walls, and little windows fringed by olive-green drapes make the small space surprisingly welcoming. Matching olive green-coloured window sills host miniature flower pots, and the linen-clad tables are perfumed with gorgeous white Anemones.
The menu features signature mains such as rabbit and pork rillettes with pickled endive and sourdough; sea bass carpaccio with capers and wild fennel; and grilled Mackerel with beef heart tomatoes and Borlotti beans. Classic cocktails like the traditional rum and coke and gin and tonic are on offer in addition to a selection of vintages.
The Tamil Prince, Islington
The Tamil Prince is famously one of London’s few Desi pubs. It is listed in the Michelin Guide and has been critically acclaimed by The Guardian, Condé Nast, The Evening Standard, and British GQ, among others.
It resides within a 19th-century building, lending the restaurant an air of effortless elegance. Austerely patterned green-grey ceilings suspend art deco bronze chandeliers over majestic woodwork and furniture. Subtle elements, from the creepers on the wall to the beautifully sculpted limbs on the tables, add a touch of understated sophistication to the atmosphere.
The Tamil Prince has truly broadened the perceptions of Indian cookery, presenting marvels beyond the expected curries. Delicacies such as beef uthappam (a savoury pancake garnished with spiced beef, a traditional South Indian breakfast) and Chettinad lamb (a lamb dish from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu) are some examples. As a pub, there are an array of beers, ciders, wines, and spirits to choose from, all of which pair well with okra fries, pakodas, and bhajis.
28 Church Row, Hampstead
Located in one of London’s most affluent locales, 28 Church Row's food is a nod to Italian and Spanish cuisines.
The restaurant is a compact space located within a gorgeous Grade II-listed building, fitted with only a handful of seats and a bar. The low-level curved ceiling, subtly textured white walls, richly patterned carpets, and sumptuous armchairs craft an ambience evocative of a quaint, upscale cottage. The sleek bar is topped with marble and accompanied by plain bar stools.
28 Church Row is famous for its flavoursome small plates; for instance, potato rosti with corn and red pepper; grilled aubergine with romesco sauce; and caramelised carrots with white bean cream form an array of small plates made for sharing. Tapas, cheese boards, and charcuterie platters present authentic Italian and Spanish ingredients.
Trullo, St. Paul’s Road
Trullo is one of north London's most recognisable restaurants, esteemed for its unique British twist on Italian cookery.
The restaurant is modern and sophisticated, styled in an industrial-chic aesthetic. Simple brown banquettes, bistro chairs, linen-clad tables, metal light pendants, exposed pipes, and minimalist floating shelves adorn the space. Quaint photographs, artwork, and accessories bring in a touch of retro charm to the restaurant.
Trullo’s cooking is simple, fresh, and seasonal, evolving everyday based on the availability of fresh ingredients. Pasta is rolled out minutes before the service, and succulent cuts of meat are served straight from the charcoal grill. Antipastis like vitello tonnato and grilled Brixham sardines, and pastas like fettuccine with chilli sausage ragu are some signature dishes at the time of writing.
The Bull and Last, Tufnell Park
The Bull and Last is a Michelin-recommended pub and hotel, offering seasonal menus, comfort meals, and historically charming staycation experiences. With a staggering 300-year-old legacy, The Bull and Last is steeped in history, having witnessed London evolve into the cosmopolitan metropolis it is today.
The pub was once perched on the outskirts of the city, and as such, it served as a vital pitstop for weary travellers. Much of its quaint character has been preserved in spite of the refurbishments – the dining room, for instance, is decorated like an authentic Victorian inn. Dumbwaiters are fashioned like mediaeval chimneys, and regal old chandeliers, cedar wood panelled walls, and intricately sculpted bar stools adorn the pub.
Every hotel room is designed uniquely as a tribute to a particular historical character – take, for instance, the Faraday Room, dedicated to scientist Michael Faraday.
The menu features wholesome delights that are served in generous portions. The mushroom tempura has been highly acclaimed by the Michelin Guide. The dynamic seasonal menu also has signature dishes such as ham hock terrine, pan-fried king scallops, and Devonshire smoked eel smorrebrod (at the time of publication).
Ida, Queens Park
Tucked away in a Grade II-listed cornershop, Ida is a charming neighbourhood restaurant famous for its authentic Italian fare. It was founded by an Italian couple, Avi and Simonetta, in tribute to Avi’s grandmother, Ida. The woman who inspired a posh trattoria in north London supposedly had an “encyclopaedic knowledge” of regional Italian cuisine and strived for perfection in her cooking. Thus, her namesake restaurant was built by her kin to bring her passionate cookery and unrivalled flavour palate to London.
Behind the pistachio-coloured facade, burgundy walls are cluttered with period artwork and murals, floating shelves hold colourful artefacts and simple bistro furniture peppers the room. Old-school ceiling pendants light up the restaurant, and soft fairy lights gracefully drape the interiors.
The food is wholesome yet elevated – burrata con speck (Puglian, cream-filled burrata, and smoked pork); paccheri con moscardini e piselli in umido (paccheri with baby octopus); and pappardelle al ragù bianco” (hand-cut pappardelle made with hand-chopped beef, white wine, and sage ragù) are some of Ida's trademark dishes.
There’s no doubt regarding the sheer immensity of London’s culinary scene, and eateries in north London do not disappoint, but they deliver on all fronts, from ambience to cookery, history, and diversity. Whether it’s relishing Caravel’s grilled Mackerel on the Thames or embarking on a revealing culinary voyage at the Tamil Prince, these are some of the best restaurants in north London.
