London King's Cross Restaurant Guide

2024 Review: “Authentic, mostly fiery, Sichuan cooking” is showcased at this modern pub-conversion, “conveniently a few minutes’ walk along the canal from King’s Cross”. The menu includes plenty of items that in Britain used to be hidden away behind untranslated Chinese characters – chicken feet, frog legs, pig intestines – and “given the large plates, you need a big group to do it justice”.

“The room is an attractive curve with its outlook onto the Regent’s Canal: very pleasant on a sunny day (and there is a terrace)” – so for an arts venue, the restaurant at Kings Place is a strong point. “A big promotional point is serving beef and lamb from their own farm in Northumberland”, although some feel “the cooking doesn’t always do justice to the quality of the meat” and reports on other dishes (and service) are likewise a bit up-and-down.

“You’ll almost always find a queue of people waiting for a table and a palpable energy of excitement in the room” when you visit these “vibrant” and “exotic”-feeling Indian favourites, which “whisk you to Bombay and back”. Cousins Shamil & Kavi Thakrar started in Covent Garden in 2010 and their growing group has become the most commented-on business in our annual diners’ poll, complete with seven London branches, three outside town; their ‘Permit Rooms’ spinoff brand, and turnover of over £100m. The interior design, a homage to Mumbai’s Irani cafés, absolutely slaps – “wherever you sit it’s quirky” and even though the busy scene can become “a bit of a zoo”, it’s all so upbeat that “you leave feeling good about your meal and yourself!”. Dishes are “bursting with flavour” and served by “efficient” waiting staff “who know their stuff”. The menu is “deliciously different”, although so many Londoners have now sampled it that once-arcane items like the “legendary black dahl (so rich and filling!)” are now part of London’s culinary canon. And what better way to start a new day than with an “unbeatable bacon and egg naan roll” – a high watermark of dining out invention of the last 50 years that’s core to their “game-changing breakfasts” (“you will never want an English bacon roll again”!).

“Cheerful Ivy Group outpost” in a “convenient and lively” location, overlooking the fountains of Granary Square in the redeveloped King’s Cross; and with the benefit of a large outside terrace for sunny days. Fans reckon a meal here is “a treat”, but – unfortunately – too often it is a “disappointing experience”, even “compared with other restaurants in the Ivy Collection”: in particular staff can be “uninterested” and food “below par”.

A street stall serving “interesting Middle Eastern food” that has developed over the years into a fully-fledged restaurant – this “buzzy” Borough Market fixture makes a “fun” option for a simple meal, while its spinoff across town makes a “decent enough addition to King’s Cross”. Ratings are dragged down, though, by the sceptical view that – while nice enough – the food never manages to hit the gastronomic heights.

Opening its 10th branch in 2025 – amidst the towers of Canary Wharf – this much commented- on chain is leaving behind its Soho roots – as a quaint old deli of 75 years’ standing – and is now in full-on ‘roll-out’ mode. Fans still find it “very impressive for a chain that’s growing so fast” and tip its “lovely mint-green” outlets as “an ideal place to meet and enjoy authentic pasta and Italian dishes”. Some branches, though, are better than others: in particular the “friendly and relaxed Marylebone branch at the junction of Wigmore Street is a winner”. Others, though, can show the strains of expansion: “What’s the point? It’s neither stand-out, nor cheap and cheerful. Unexceptional pasta is served in a so-so ambience. I am not sure I get it??”

2024 Review: 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”.

“A popular chain with an interesting and varied international menu” – “V.G. value too” – these Kiwi-run cafés are “still seeing off all of the competition” for their many fans. In particular, they do a “great brunch, and they’re right to boast about their filter coffee” – and given the volume of feedback they generate, there is remarkably little negative criticism. Depending on the venue and the time of day, they work equally well for a “working lunch meeting” or “families out for the day visiting the sights”. Top Menu Tip – “the cornbread is to die for”.

Same name, different formulae for the Hart Bros’ duo of Latino grills, named for a Spanish ‘parrilla’ (grill). The N1 original is a large outdoor terrace (plus heaters) scenically located off Coal Drops Yard, and you prepare your own food at mini-grills on each table. The SE1 spin-off is in the newish Borough Yards development and provides similar fare, but prepared for you in the kitchen. The latter does win praise for its “lovely Spanish food and very good service”, but feedback generally on both locations is sparse, hence we’ve left it unrated this year.

2022 Review: In March 2020, the team behind Flat Iron Yard in Borough opened a new (if old-school in its theming) street-food hall, bar and live music venue. Stallholders include familiar faces (Breddos Tacos, Temple of Seitan and Duck Truck) and some new ones including New York’s respected Sushi On Jones and Pomelo from the Lupins team.

2023 Review: This NYC sushi sensation, with its 45-minute, 12-course omakase formula, created barely a ripple of interest in our annual diners’ survey. It could be the poor timing of the pandemic relative to its March 2020 debut, or it could be the rather peripheral location, near Google HQ on the edge of King’s Cross’s Pancras Square development.

“A simple but very effective formula” that “really works and long may it continue!” – “When you hear the word ‘chain’ you may think of other steak chains best described as ‘bleugh’. Flat Iron isn’t one of them! Each branch has a cool, independent feel, and most importantly, their steak is actually really good”. Now with 15 branches in London (as well as Brighton, Cambridge, Manchester and Leeds), they provide a curt “well priced” menu of “excellent steak and sides”, plus the odd burger, and “the free ice cream cone at the end is a tasty topping to a very good offering”. “A great example of one getting what it says on the tin” and “impressive how they have kept the quality and friendly service going so well”.

2022 Review: “Brilliant burgers charmingly served in a student-friendly hang-out” – that’s the deal at this indie four-year-old, which is located at the northern end of the new developments near King’s Cross.

“Forget hopping on a budget flight to the famous Cal Pep in Barcelona…” – the original inspiration for the Hart Bros’ genius small group of tapas pitstops – “… here in London you can sit at the counter, with the fun of watching mouthwatering tapas being prepared in front of you, so delivered piping hot (and best is the unbeatable fresh fish cooked ‘a la plancha’)”. “From the greeting to the explanations of the dishes, service is knowledgeable and caring”; there’s “a good choice of Spanish wines and sherries”; and the “superb” overall formula has made them one of the most popular destinations in our annual diners’ poll for almost 20 years now, even if the feeling has grown that “merely a small selection of dishes can incur eyewatering bills”. Top Tips – “the best atmosphere is had eating perched on a stool at the counter, but the Adelaide Street branch does have comfortable table seating downstairs”. On the Menu – “specific praise for the mojama”; “especially lovely prawn stuffed tortilla, seabream and the crisp aubergine with honey”; “tasty rabbit paella”; “squid croquetas are a perfect combo – crunchy on the outside, unctuous within”. “Shout out for the basics: lovely oils, bread etc…”

“The tacos are good, the margaritas even better”, say fans of this ‘little sister’ to the Hart Bros’ El Pastor Mexican brand. Much hyped when it opened six years ago, these days it generates limited feedback in our annual survey of diners, but all reports agree it’s at least “serviceable” for a meal in fashionable Coal Drops Yard, near King’s Cross.

2023 Review: The vintage styling – that of a classic European café – is at odds with ever-more über-sleek Coal Drops Yard. Reports on Anthony Demetre’s all-day operation (named for the vermouth which is a feature of its drink offering) are still few, but suggest its well-sourced tapas, charcuterie and more substantial fare (including steak) can make it a handy refuge, from breakfast onwards (for which there’s a dedicated selection).

“The eponymous buns grab the headlines, obviously, but the noodles are great too” at these “consistently tasty” Taiwanese street-food spots where it’s easy to enjoy “a pleasing feast – ordering far more than you could eat as the delicious portions are generous and service is charming and efficient”. Founded as a single market stall 14 years ago by Shing Tat Chung, his wife Erchen Chang and sister Wai Ting Chung, it has developed into a highly rated seven-strong chain, with new Singaporean backers replacing the JKS group last summer.

“It just gets better and better”, say fans of this winning collaboration between Israeli chef and restaurateur Assaf Grannit and designer Tom Dixon (whose London HQ is in the adjacent space). Just off Granary Square, on the path towards Coal Drops Yard, it is a “long narrow space”, whose “attentive and friendly staff” help create a vibe that’s “always buzzy”. Foodwise, it’s a “sharing plate concept” that very “rarely disappoints”, built around a “frequently changing menu” of “clever” Middle Eastern dishes (and with “delicious breads”). Top Menu Tips – many dishes are recommended in reports including “Tuna Carpaccio with horseradish and lime; Polenta with parmesan, asparagus and mushrooms; Israeli pasta with prawns, octopus with rose harissa; Semolina cake with blueberries”.

“Just so good!” – “If you like the smell of flowers this is the place for you”: “a small Thai restaurant with a small flower shop attached” in the dingy no-man’s-land surrounding King’s Cross, which has grown from a pop-up within the florists to become one of the capital’s top Thai destinations. “Wonderfully spicy southern Thai food” full of “rich, deep flavours and appropriate spicing” is produced by Phuket-born chef Wichet Khongphoon, making it “a delightful find” that’s anything but “your typical Thai operation”. “Prices may look a touch above average but portions are generous and shared mains between two often advisable”. “If a Thai restaurant uses stink beans as an ingredient, you know it’s authentic”. Top Tip – “ask to sit in the flower-shop section”.

Despite the 2023 passing of celeb chef founder, Aussie TV-chef Bill Granger, the four branches of the chain he created seem “as lively as ever” to their fans, in particular as a mecca for brunch (although “queuing is a bit of a bind, because you can’t pre-book during the day”). Food-wise, they continue, as ever, to be something of a mixed bag, with “some items better than others”.