London Kilburn Restaurant Guide

“Chicken with amazing sides” is the winning formula at Romain Bourrillon’s rotisserie chain, which imports its chooks from France. “Nice brunch”, too.

This “great local Indian” in Kilburn, now 60 years old, was a pioneer of Keralan cooking in the UK (and has fed celebs as diverse as Diana Ross and Harrison Ford over the years); and still serves “lovely dosas and appetisers” as well as “good vegetarian dishes”. The odd report says “the dining room is looking really tired”… but they’ve been saying that for decades now and most diners warm to its unaffected style.

“Super southern Indian dishes at reasonable prices too” win a following for this family run Keralan in Kilburn. It’s either “brilliant and low key” or “very good but with slightly disappointing surroundings” depending on your tastes.

2021 Review: “Seriously tasty Afghan food” has made this “niche venue” a long-time north London favourite (the original Ariana was founded by another branch of the family in New York in the 1980s). It’s “handy for the Kiln Theatre” (formerly the Tricycle) and “BYO so very cheap ’n’ cheerful indeed”. Top Tip – “the mantu (minced lamb in steamed pastry) are worth the trip alone”.

Opening in early 2025 on Lonsdale Road in Queen’s Park, a bakery that doubles as a restaurant. Keren Sternberg, previously head baker at Layla, is behind the breads and pastries, while ex-Noble Rot chef Luke Frankie comes to the fore at lunch and dinner.

“I’m addicted to their hispi cabbage!” – Josh Katz’s marvellous Queen’s Park three-year-old sits in a mews at the “über-trendy end of Lonsdale Road”; and everything about it hits a surefooted note as a “high-quality” neighbourhood spot that actually draws fans from miles away. “Every dish is a winner” with “very interesting flavours” permeating the “excellent, small Middle Eastern plates”: “such as aubergine, merguez sausages and beans, grilled chicken and wondrous za’atar-strewn bread and dips; and there’s a wine list full of interesting bangers”. Even fans can find it a bit “crowded” (with some of the seating at a communal table), but on most accounts it’s a “great place for a leisurely meal of sharing plates”. No reports as yet on its new spin-off in Fitzrovia, which opened in the middle of our annual diners’ poll in April 2024.

This “tasty and lively” Malaysian ‘kopitiam’ makes a “fantastic local restaurant” and has been a “good addition to Queen’s Park” since opening two years ago. It’s a ‘second-gen’ operation from siblings Fatizah and Irqam Shawal, whose parents opened Satay House in Paddington more than 50 years ago.