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Best restaurants in Hampstead

If you're not too familiar with Hampstead, you'll likely have heard it mentioned in reference to many literary works, along with being a popular spot for artistic and musical inspiration. Hampstead Heath has beautiful meadows, swimming ponds and woodlands that also offer a city view (from Parliament Hill). This quaint part of London is dotted with boutiques, cafes and independent businesses, along with some of the best restaurants that London has to offer – most of which are housed in Hampstead’s Georgian buildings. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to Hampstead’s best restaurants, so just search through the list and you’ll be enjoying a delicious meal in no time.

Updated on 15 May 2024

There is much to do in this beautiful London neighbourhood, from enjoying a walk taking in the charm to walking cobbled streets that lead to amazing, independent boutiques. Buses go direct from Clerkenwell and Paddington, and Hampstead Heath has its own overground stop. Enjoy the roads less travelled when taking a walk down some of the neighbourhood's alleyways, and be sure to spot the coffee shop that is housed in an old red phone box. After a busy day soaking in the beauty around you, we know you’ll be eager to try out some of the restaurants in Hampstead.

Along with Highgate, its twin on the other side of the Heath, Hampstead is one of the few London villages that still feels like a small community. It’s easy to see why so many people want to live here, and why many more want to visit. Although there never used to be that many restaurants in Hampstead, the rise of the gastropub in the last few decades has meant that this once bohemian neighbourhood has become a hotspot for places to eat and drink.

Paradise Hampstead

Paradise Hampstead

49 South End Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 2QB

A popular spot with Hampstead celebrities and with a terrific location opposite Hampstead Heath (with open frontage and pavement seating in summer), this superior Indian lives up to its name. Meat and veg dishes are handled equally deftly.
Under £30
Indian
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Gaucho Hampstead

Gaucho Hampstead

64 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DN

The north London outpost of the Gaucho empire serves the same top-notch Argentinian steak as its central London siblings but what marks this Hampstead branch apart is a decked terrace for summertime alfresco eating.
£50 - £79
Steak
Argentinian
£30 - £49
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L

L'Antica

66 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DN

Pizzas cooked with 24-hour fermented flour is the calling card of this independent pizzeria on buzzy Heath Street. Just as much care goes into the toppings while the Italian drinks list is equally on theme.
Under £30
Pizza
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Jin Kichi

Jin Kichi

73 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 6UG

It’s refreshing to find somewhere as low-key looking as Jin-Kichi in high-rolling Hampstead, but the quality of the skewers that come off the robata grill transcend the humdrum setting. Sushi is another speciality, washed down with saké.
£50 - £79
Sushi
Japanese
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The Horseshoe

The Horseshoe

28 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 6TE

A gastropub in the modern mould, The Horseshoe might not look the traditional Hampstead part but the trade off is beer brewed down the road at Camden Town Brewery and cooking that’s light and modern.
£30 - £49
Gastropub
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Mimmo La Bufala

Mimmo La Bufala

45a South End Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 2QB

A trattoria of the old school, Mimmo La Bufala blends motoring memorabilia and photos of Italian film stars with crowd-pleasing cooking and pizzas festooned with classic toppings. Pastas and Sunday lunches are very family friendly.
£30 - £49
Pizza
Italian
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La Cage Imaginaire

La Cage Imaginaire

16 Flask Walk, Hampstead, London, NW3 1HE

One of Hampstead’s longest-serving restaurants, this cute dining room on picture-postcard Flask Walk mixes classic French cooking with some more modern ideas. Simpler lunches keep locals happy, as too a terrific wine list.
£30 - £49
French
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Spaniards Inn

Spaniards Inn

Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JJ

John Keats and Charles Dickens are just two of the literary giants who have had a pint at the Spaniards, though with a history dating back to 1585, who hasn’t dropped in to this historic hostelry at some point?
Under £30
Pubs
Gastropub
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Bobby Fitzpatrick

Bobby Fitzpatrick

273 West End Lane, Hampstead, London, NW6 1QS

1970s whimsy, pizza and cocktail deals, and bottomless brunch - what’s not to like? Bobby Fitzpatrick takes its retro bar theme seriously, and boy does it pay off. Plus, the inventive cocktails and affordable small plates are great, too.

£50 - £79
Pizza
Bars
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The Freemasons Arms

The Freemasons Arms

32 Downshire Hill, Hampstead, London, NW3 1NT

Olde worlde pubs aren’t exactly a rarity in Hampstead but few have a garden that’s almost as big as Hampstead Heath (which is at the end of the road). Gastropub cooking and cocktails underline the cosmopolitan air.
£30 - £49
Pubs
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The Holly Bush

The Holly Bush

22 Holly Mount, Hampstead, London, NW3 6SG

You need to be seriously in the know to find this historic pub hidden away in the alleyways above Hampstead Village. The reward for searching is solid British pub grub served in ultra-atmospheric, olde worlde surrounds.

£30 - £49
Pubs
British
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The Wells

The Wells

30 Well Walk, Hampstead, London, NW3 1BX

This revamped Georgian pub is a handy staging post en route from Hampstead tube to the Heath. Real ales, board games and loungey sofas might see you lingering longer than expected, as too the modern British cooking.
£30 - £49
Gastropub
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Singapore Garden

Singapore Garden

83 Fairfax Road, Swiss Cottage, London, NW6 4DY

Just over the border in NW6, this smart dining room has Hampstead locals making the short drive to Swiss Cottage. Despite the name, this is a high-end Chinese for a well-heeled neighbourhood, though there are some Singaporean specials.
£30 - £49
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With a burgeoning food scene, and plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling, and sightseeing, it’s little wonder that restaurants in Hampstead have raised the bar. As you've probably gathered, the best Hampstead restaurants are diverse and cover all offerings from fine dining tasting menus to cheerful brasserie-style menus and tavern favourites. If you're looking for something grungier, why not try our list of the best restaurants in Camden Town? And if you’re searching for some other great gastropub grub, take a look at our collection of the best London gastropubs in every corner of the capital.

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