Harden's survey result
Summary
Overlooking the canal at Granary Square behind King’s Cross station, this striking modern gastropub certainly looks the part and packs in the crowds. It avoids harsh critiques, but feedback generally makes it clear that “the location is better than the dining experience”.
Summary
“A great location on the canal with lots of outdoor seating” – and with “interesting views of the new developments around King’s Cross” – are the trump cards of this strikingly designed canalside gastropub on Granary Square. On the downside, the food is “fairly standard pub fodder” and it can just be “too much, too busy, too noisy”.
Summary
Due to its “great location on the canal at King’s Cross”, this “large and popular” modern three-storey restaurant at the Granary Square development is “always busy” and “so successful that, strictly speaking, it doesn’t need to try”. Accounts differ slightly on what that means for its food offering. The majority of reporters feel that “the traditional menu may have few thrills or surprises but everything is nicely done”. There is, though, a minority to whom the food feels “fairly bland”, or that the “pleasant buzz” can slip into feeling “really far too busy and noisy”.
Summary
An “ideal location overlooking the canal and the King’s Square fountains” means this King’s Cross gastroboozer “books up fast – I’d go again if I could get a table”. Despite the old-time name, it’s a starkly contemporary grey-brick-and-glass building over several floors with a big terrace, which can get “noisy when it’s rammed”. But reporters say it’s “fun” and the mod Brit gastro fare earns very solid ratings.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Lighterman?
3 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
3 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑12 am |
| Saturday | 10 am‑12 am |
| Sunday | 10 am‑10:30 pm |
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