The best restaurants in King’s Cross

Also known as The Most Controversial Restaurant in London™, this Monday to Friday, lunchtime-only, cash-only bistro is pitched somewhere between a French village luncheonette and an interwar Lyons teashop. Belfastian chef Hugh Corcoran is behind an Irish and French-leaning menu ripe for a Beatrix Potter book; all crisp radishes, asparagus in butter and stewed mustard rabbit. As infuriating as it is delicious. 

Come for Dim Sum Duck’s particularly plump hargau (prawn dumplings) and huge xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) alongside a delicious array of Cantonese classics, including roast duck, beef ho fun (flat noodles) and charred salty green beans with minced pork. Just a warning; the place is walk-in only and often has long queues - so it’s best to get there as close as possible to opening times (that's 12pm for lunch, then 6pm for dinner).

From the same team as the Tamil Prince, this isn’t a ‘desi pub’ but a curry house for fast, casual dining and with an all-day menu. This is really good stuff. Onion bhajis retain a prickly, salty crackle, and you get the impression that this is as good as these things get. It’s the same for the rich, loaded chilli cheese dosa and pokey masala dosa. There are curries, tandoori, roti, dosa, the works. Tamila is great for vegetarians, but meat and fish options include king prawn and curry leaf varuval, mutton curry dosa, thanjavur chicken curry and chettinad lamb curry. 

Joining sites in Soho and Spitalfields, this branch of the exceedingly good, Middle Eastern-inspired Bubala might be a bit of a hike from King’s Cross station but it's more than worth the mission. Everything here is vegetarian (but they don’t bang on about it), though some dishes are surprisingly meaty, like the hefty oyster mushroom skewer which is funky with tamari and coriander seed. Order the halloumi with poppyseed marmalade and you’ll never feel like ordering chicken again. A truly great feed.

The stunning space was designed in 1873 by the daddy of gothic revival architects, Sir George Gilbert Scott. A number of different chefs have had their fun with the room since then, but its current form seems to suit it the most; a fittingly luxe backdrop for one of London’s most indulgent menus. Aside from the space and the adjoining Martini Bar, there’s not much about this Hawksmoor that sets it apart from the others. Simply put; steakheads will remain satisfied with the relentless offering of Victorian chop house-adjacent meats and hearty sides. 

A deliriously fun dining experience. Yes, Mestizo’s food is way better than the majority of Mexican restaurants in London. Yes, the drinks menu is overflowing with tequila-based beverages that ensure no one goes home sober. But it’s also got something else: a hilarious, endearing fun energy that turns every meal here into a party. Whether you like it or not. Tamales, tacos, enchiladas, all things you expect to see on a Mexican menu, but in London what you don’t necessarily expect is quality this high. This is also one of the only places in London to serve drinks made with delicious raicilla, the third Mexican spirit, which tastes a little bit like tennis balls, but in a good way.

Compared to some of its other branches, the King’s Cross offshoot of Caravan is a grandiose urbane proposition – all concrete floors, girders and exposed pipework. The industrial-themed interior isn’t built for intimacy, but it still has a laidback buzz and great people-watching opportunities. As expected, this outlet boasts welcoming, efficient staff and a menu of what it calls ‘well-travelled food’ – ie plates of global fusion ranging from lamb ribs with chermoula to Burmese chicken salad.

Eat as many tacos at you can at El Pastor, a massive Mexican restaurant at Coal Drops Yard from the team behind the original and much-loved El Pastor in Borough Market. The addictive, slightly chewy corn tortillas are made in-house: order a bunch of them, topped with the likes of juicy pork shoulder and pineapple and baja fish. 

Addis prides itself on fresh and homemade dishes, which chimes with the homey feel of this wood-panelled joint, its walls adorned with Amharic sayings and snapshots of Ethiopian iconography. Dig into vegan dishes like misir wot, a spicy red lentil stew, or go for a traditional staple like kitfo, finely chopped lean beef marinated with special Ethiopian butter and mitmita (powdered bird’s eye chilli). Scoop it all up with injera, a soft and fermented pancake-like bread baked in-house, for the full effect.

Spanish mini-chain Barrafina has been breaking foodie hearts ever since it first arrived on Frith Street way back in 2007. This branch, on the upper level of Coal Drops Yard, comes with outdoor seating to soak up the sun and, in a Barrafina first, there are even two tables for four inside. Don’t miss the eggy, gooey tortilla and the classic croquetas filled with rich, Spanish-style blood pudding.

Japanese, vegan and organic? What’s not to love? And, rest assured, we do love this cool little miracle near King’s Cross station. Only the slurping of noodles disturbs the place’s zen-like tranquillity, as punters dip into a virtuously healthy menu that makes the most of a few key ingredients (expects lots of tofu and seaweed). Laidback staff go with the flow, while zealous foodie workshops, art exhibitions and live music make Itadaki even more lovable.

Parrillan is the smart outdoor spin-off from the peeps behind neighbouring Barrafina and is something special. DIY cooking on a parilla (grill) is what you’re here to do, Spanish-style. The seafood, from shimmering scallops to fabulously fresh red prawns, was stunning. Don't forget the para picar; with the likes of pan con tomate and ham croquetas bringing a touch of sunshine to this al fresco rooftop restaurant.  

Fifteen minutes walk from King’s Cross station, and formerly known as Canton Taste, this restaurant is a cosy and unassuming ode to Cantonese cuisine, with simple decor and friendly staff who are always happy to make recommendations. Being a little further from the station than its Cantonese neighbour Dim Sum Duck, it’s usually much less busy, making it easier to get a spontaneous table, but they also take bookings in advance. Get the fried salt and pepper tofu dish for a crunchy, satisfying bite – this is the stuff of dreams! Another favourite is the salted egg yolk batter chicken wings.

A Spanish-Mexican eatery located on the 10th floor of The Standard hotel. Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias has created a buzzing mid-century lounge filled with cacti, succulents and terracotta tiles. Decimo’s wide-ranging menu invites diners to begin with small plates all tapas fans will recognise – tortilla, jamon, croquettas – before moving on to a more than substantial second half featuring meat, fish and a range of vegetable mains.

This low-key neighbourhood Italian is a lovely place to linger over a light lunch and a good coffee thanks to its handful of pavement tables and exceptionally friendly owner. Opt for delicious fresh pasta, or just stop in for an aperitivo, as they bring a tasty array of snacks to your table.

The only thing you need to know about Morty & Bob’s is that it serves grilled cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That’s the reason to go: for this street-food-stall-turned-café’s golden, gooey, oozing cheese toastie, cut into halves and stuffed with lovely things like onions, spicy ’nduja sausage, or mushrooms and truffle. Aside from that, this cosy all-day spot in Coal Drops Yard does stellar speciality coffee all day, along with fresh lunches and bar food at night.

Having already gained a cult following since opening in early 2023, this small, casual (and often hectic) spot specialises in authentic and well-seasoned grilled skewers aka chuan er or chinese BBQ. The plump bits of cumin-soaked lamb, roasted chives and crunchy grilled buns on skewers are particular highlights, whereas for seafood enthusiasts, the scallops in garlic, broth and vermicelli are a must-order. For a more off-piste selection, try the crispy chicken skin skewers for a crunchy, umami snack.

If you're considering eating in King's Cross and immediately think of Coal Drops Yard, you’re doing it wrong. Paolina Thai Café is a cracking little BYOB restaurant just a few minutes’ walk from the station, and the food is well-priced and comforting with very generous portions, from pad sieyu to kang massaman. Definitely order the mixed platter for two to start but don’t be fooled, it’s more than enough for three. Or maybe four.

The King’s Cross outpost of this all-day sunny-side-up eatery references just about every on-trend fad and fashion on the current foodie agenda: small plates, grains, Korean riffs, Hawaiian-style poké bowls, Thai curries and all sorts of other multicultural stuff. They also give good brunch, and this spot has the added bonus of in-demand alfresco tables on a quiet piazza.

Spread over three floors, with a canalside terrace thrown in for good measure, this swanky crowd-pleasing gastropub/bar doesn’t do things by half. The cooking’s sound (if unsurprising) and the kitchen shows off all the right moves: expect wood-fired grills, organic spelt flatbreads and chips in weeny metal baskets, plus the usual (new) suspects – crispy squid, superfood salads, burgers et al. ‘Handy’ sums it up. 

A large, low-lit Korean spot in that slightly corporate new bit of King’s Cross by the Google offices, Kimchee is a good option for a quick, no-frills lunch or dinner if you can’t be bothered waiting for a table up the road in Coal Drops Yard. Try the greasy, thick udon with fiery fried chicken or the crisp-edged tofu stir-fried with pork and topped with sour, you guessed it, kimchi.