London Primrose Hill Restaurant Guide

“Vibrant”, “thoughtful” cuisine is very consistently produced at both Michael Nadra’s eponymous restaurants, in Chiswick and Camden Town. Both sites, though, are awkward in their way: the former “is a small space that’s a bit of a squeeze” (window tables are best); while the latter, right next to the Regent’s Canal, is a little stuck out-on-a-limb, and can seem “a little morgue-like” when it’s not busy. Both sites, though, are pepped up by their “friendly” staff.

In a quiet location below Primrose Hill, this little Italian – specialising in Piedmontese cuisine – has long been a feature of the area, and has built a very loyal, local following. Reports were a little more hit-and-miss this year on the food front, but fans say that “the garden on a summer’s day more than makes up for any average dishes”.

This “smart” Primrose Hill veteran of 40-odd years is “a most likeable place enhanced by the patina of time, and combined with inventive high-end cooking” from chef Bryn Williams, who has owned it for the past decade. It’s “always a treat” to taste the “beautiful ingredients”, which include produce from the Williams family farm in Wales; although the patron’s tilt towards a Welsh and Irish heritage means it’s “tempting here to overdo the carbs, cream and calories: Irish soda bread, cheesy choux nibbles, creamy tarts and caramel-sauced soufflés to name but a few…”

This “excellent local” bistro in Primrose Hill – “there should be one on every high street” – has a “good buzz” and does “a nice line in deconstructed versions of French classics”. The original La Petite Ferme near Exmouth Market is a “lovely little” venue “offering brilliant value”.

“The miracle is that it doesn’t change”, say fans of this veteran Primrose Hill taverna: a “big, bustling, cheerful, noisy, Greek family-style restaurant that’s been around forever”, with particularly “warm” staff of decades’ standing, who “don’t just tolerate children, they positively welcome them.” Never exactly a foodie hotspot, “it’s time to revamp the menu…”, according to one fan, who then goes on to admit “…but I’ve been saying that since 1978!” In truth, though, the experience here is finally starting to show its age: there have always been one or two sceptics who “wonder why everyone makes such a fuss about the place”, but their number grows more numerous with each passing year.

“A perfect favourite for brunch” – this “welcoming” café, “quite idyllically located” on Primrose Hill’s cute main drag, is not a foodie destination, but a popular all-day hub for breakfast, a bite, or a bun with a brew. “The line outside was a hint that it would deliver… and so it did!”

“Neapolitan influences are evident in the choice of ingredients, and the wood-burning oven makes for good, chewy, charred crusts, unlike most high-street pizzas” – so say fans of this global chain, whose HQ is indeed in Naples. Not everyone is impressed, though, and ratings are dragged down by those who feel it’s merely an “everyday” choice: “OK for a bog-standard group, but not great”.

“My partner’s a die-hard meat eater, but still thinks this place is the bee’s knees!” – this extremely popular vegetarian chain has built on three decades of popularity for the “always-super-busy” (no bookings) Soho original, with branches in Camden Town, Dalston and King’s Cross all opened in the last few years. All outlets get a good rep in the survey, with their “great choice” of “very tasty, veggie, comfort food”.

Gordon Ramsay’s “beautiful” Regency tavern on the Camden Town corner of Regent’s Park, is a large venue incorporating both a big bar, plus a sizeable dining area and basement. It doesn’t receive a perfect scorecard from reporters, with some feedback describing it as “disappointing” or “overpriced”, but its ratings climbed more into the middle-ground this year.

“Still some of the best burgers around”, say fans of this French group, whose Gallic je ne sais quoi lends a certain superiority to the offering, while service is “friendly and speedy”. Its seventh outlet opened in Kingston early in 2019, at a time when rival mid-market operators were struggling.

“So delicious and affordable every time!” – the Elliot brothers’ “speedy and cheerful” small chain put in a stellar performance in the last survey as London’s top pizza multiple, pipping rival Homeslice by tiny decimals. “You can see the dough being made on entering: everything is very fresh, and you get crisp, thin pizzas with quality toppings”.

“Truly amazing tastes recommended for both vegans and non-vegans!” help win high scores for this year-old, Camden Town offshoot of the UK’s first vegan pizzeria (which first hit Brighton in 2015). Bases include sourdough, hemp and gluten-free options: “it’s the best pizza I’ve had in a very long time!”. Top Tip – kids under 10 get a free pizza when eating with their parents.

Fish trade veteran Pat ‘Pops’ Newland started out cutting up newspapers to wrap portions at the age of 11, and has kitted out his three tourist-friendly chippies (in Soho, Spitalfields and Camden Town) in 1950s memorabilia to commemorate the era. The “no-frills” fish he serves is “excellent” and “consistently fresh” – but even fans can find it “overpriced by a long way”.

Tom Kerridge launched this 'mostly vegan" restaurant in Camden's Buck Street market in June 2021. Red packaging for meat products and green packaging for vegan products will help customers choose the right food for them.

All-day 'modern European' dining tucked away in a Camden side street; from The Rhumshack Group, who won Cottons and several other restaurant brands. The listing of their TikTok page on their website might give you an idea of the crowd they hope to attract?