Looking for the best restaurants in Kentish Town? These are the tasty spots you need to hit up on your next trip.
Words by Karen Olney
Kentish Town might be renowned for being a residential oasis amongst the bustling streets of London, but here you can also find a rich tapestry of eateries taking inspiration from across the globe.
From the rich and warming flavours of Ethiopian food to a good old British fry-up, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a round-up of the very best Kentish Town restaurants.
Best Restaurants in Kentish Town
Anima e Cuore
££
The direct translation means heart and soul, and this tiny but vibrant Italian restaurant in Kentish Town certainly lives up to its name.
True, it isn’t much to look at (although they are planning a renovation in 2023), but don’t be fooled by the basic interior. This place is popular, and we recommend booking ahead.
Tuck into a homemade pizza or pasta and treat yourself to their scrumptious ice cream- you won’t regret it. Anima e Cuore is also BYOB, so grab a bottle and head on down.
We’ll warn you that Anima e Cuore can be pretty noisy with space at a premium, so it’s worth factoring this in before your visit.
Queen of Sheba
£
You could easily walk past this quaint but unassuming restaurant. But trust us, Queen of Sheba is one-of-a-kind.
This family-run Ethiopian restaurant in Kentish Town is a great place to discover the cuisine. The staff are accommodating, and there is a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
If you aren’t sure what to order, we recommend a sharing platter. The Queens Special sharing platter has an incredible mix of finely spiced meat and vegetables. With eight dishes, it’s a fab option to enjoy with friends.
Portions are generous, the spongy injera is delicious, and notably, the meat is halal.
Are you a caffeine fiend like us? Then opt for the coffee ceremony after your meal- you won’t be disappointed.
Patron
££
Oui, oui. This French restaurant in Kentish Town ticks all the boxes. It’s a local gem and we have to give it some serious culinary kudos.
The ambience is warm and cosy here. Factor this in with the weekly live piano sessions, and you’ve got yourself an impressive venue for a first date.
Expect to find all the delights of French food, from small plates such as Burgundy snails and steak tartare, to tender ribeye and slow-cooked duck confit. Plus, if you are a cheese-lover, you will adore the beautifully presented cheeseboard.
What’s more, the Patron has a daily Happy Hour running from 16.00-18.00. Happy days.
Ramo Ramen
£
Got a hankering for Filipino food? Ramo Ramen serves rich and favourable ramen with a blend of Japanese and Filipino spices. This is a great spot to catch up with friends – funky artwork decorates the walls, and there’s a lively, upbeat atmosphere.
Our old faithful is the incredible chicken sopas – this creamy chicken broth is the ultimate comfort food.
Ramo Ramen is also a paradise for bubble tea fans. Choose from fruit or milk tea, and add coconut jelly or blueberry popping balls to jazz up your drink.
Albion’s
£
Albion’s uniquely combines a range of cuisines, primarily focusing on Italian and French.
The setting is warm and inviting, and you’re encouraged to linger and enjoy your food here. Tuck into the restaurant’s famous 10oz ribeye steak, served with skinny fries or indulge in a traditional English breakfast.
This place is perfect for a spot of brunch in Kentish town.
The Vine
££
Combine food with fun at The Vine. This gastropub sits inside a spacious Edwardian building with a cracking pub garden and the option to play shuffleboard.
The menu is pretty much as you’d expect – a selection of burgers, fish and chips, and the usual pub grub offerings done well. And they offer a kid’s menu for little ones.
This is a spacious pub seating 80 people and has a large garden for those warm, summer days. What we love best is the shuffleboard, offering a fun twist to the evening (we’ll admit, this one ignited our inner competitive streaks).
The shuffleboards are £5 for half an hour from Tuesday-Thursday and £10 for half an hour from Friday-Sunday.
Baan Thai
£
A fusion of Singaporean, Thai and Malaysian dishes, Baan Thai serves up some of the best Kentish Town food.
The menu is jam-packed with a multitude of favourable dishes, but the traditional Pad Thai is divine (and our favourite).
The restaurant itself is relatively relaxed, its walls adorned with framed prints and long booth-style benches. This won’t be your most luxurious dining experience, but if you are looking for great value, mouth-watering food, then Baan Thai is a restaurant worth stopping for.
Pho Ta
£
This Vietnamese restaurant is a must if you are wondering where to eat in Kentish Town.
Boasting an extensive menu with salads, buns, broken rice, and of course, aromatic pho, Pho Ta serves up tasty food in a low-key, simple setting.
You will find plenty of choices on the menu and some excellent vegetarian and vegan options. Now, we love a vegetable spring roll, and these do not disappoint. Wonderfully crispy and packed with flavour, they’re a decent size too.
East West
£
Looking for an Indian restaurant in Kentish Town? Why not try something a little different from the norm?
Fusing the cuisines of Indian and Italian, East West is a true gem.
You can expect to find Italian food with a bold twist. Its bestseller, C.T.M. pizza, features a tikka sauce base with tandoori chicken. It sounds like an odd combination but trust us, it works.
Another firm favourite here is the Amritsari lamb chops. Gorgeously succulent, these are marinated for 24 hours, giving them a unique depth of flavour.
East West might have opened in Kentish Town just three weeks before the pandemic hit, but it appears to have navigated tricky times and is now riding high.
Other Places to Eat in Kentish Town
We could go on and on about amazing Kentish town restaurants. It’s a location awash with eateries to explore, so we couldn’t resist adding a couple more…
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream
££
Once you’ve chowed down on a hearty bowl from Ramo Ramen, you might be in the mood for something a little more sweet. Then you can’t miss Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream. Taking its inspiration from the Philippines, you won’t find your average 99 cones here.
This cute-as-a-button ice cream parlour has a gorgeous range of desserts. Ditch the diet and go all-out for one of their traditional milk buns. These are filled with ice cream, toasted and dusted in sugar for pure indulgence.
Why is it called dirty ice cream? Apparently, it’s the nickname from the streets of Manila, where ice cream is made by hand using salt, ice and a steel pot.
Don’t be put off by the name; Mamasons certainly hits the sweet spot.
Kossoffs Bakery
£
You can’t visit Kentish Town without popping into this independent artisanal bakery. The large, open windows, stocked with a delicious array of goods, are enough to entice you inside.
There’s a wide selection of freshly made sandwiches, buttery pastries and fluffy bread available. Watch out for the cinnamon morning buns- aptly named as they are usually snapped up before 10 am.
Be prepared: This is a popular hot spot at peak times, and queues are likely. Kossoffs is a perfect spot to grab some breakfast on the go in Kentish Town.
The Fields Beneath
£
This vegan neighbourhood gem of a café serves a selection of cakes, croissants, sandwiches and salads. What’s more, everything in The Fields Beneath is entirely plant-based.
We love the feel of this café. Step inside, and you are met with an abundance of plants and cheerful staff serving an excellent great range of coffee and wine.
Keep an eye out for their full-moon wine-tasting sessions – the shop remains open until 10:30pm, giving you time to enjoy what’s on offer.
Vegan cafes might not be too tricky to find these days in London, but this one is worth a visit- whether you are vegan or not.
Practical Tips for Exploring The Best Kentish Town Restaurants
- We don’t mean to flex, but our pick of restaurants near Kentish Town are popular. To avoid disappointment, book a table beforehand.
- Work up an appetite by taking a stroll through leafy Hampstead Heath beforehand. With 790 acres to explore, you will be more than ready for a hearty meal by the end.
