Search

Niven's

157 King's Cross Rd, WC1X 9BN Full details & map

Café: European

rob greig

Time Out says 1 Users say 5/5 Rate it

By Katrina Kollegaeva Posted: Jul 1 2010

Beside the dreary King's Cross one-way system, a tatty-looking bicycle is used to prop up the entrance sign to this tiny but airy deli.

Niven's offers a standard café menu of light salads and plump biscuits, but surprises with a few tasty twists from around the world. The salt beef sandwiches seemed a winner among the brawny workers tucking in next to us. The beef was thickly hand-sliced and served with English mustard on white bread (real, non-plastic stuff).

The menu's wide-ranging: chorizo and sweet pepper pie (packed with flavour); a delicate, all-butter quiche with mackerel and cherry tomatoes; and thick, dark Moroccan lamb stew.

The selection of soft drinks includes Simply Nectar lemon pressé (sweetened with grape juice) and organic Luscombe Sicilian Lemonade. A few well-chosen goodies can be taken away, such as Brindisa morcilla (Spanish blood sausage) and cooking chorizo, La Chinata hot smoky pepper and pastries from Flour Station.

With this in mind, Niven's is a good place to stock up on treats, post-work, for a lazy dinner. The genuinely welcoming service and unhurried atmosphere also creates the conditions for a pleasant lunchtime hideaway for local office-workers and students.

Tags: European, Central, King's Cross, Budget, Deli, Café

Comment 10 Tweet

Niven's details

Address

Niven's

157 King's Cross Rd WC1X 9BN

Transport King's Cross tube/rail

Telephone

020 7837 3717

Niven's website

7am-5pm Mon-Fri; 10am-3pm Sat

Lunch for two with soft drinks: around £25

Niven's map

Expand the map

Restaurants & cafés near Niven's

See all restaurants near Niven's

Bars & pubs near Niven's

See all bars & pubs near Niven's

Just drinking? See Bars & Pubs

Share your thoughts

Name (will appear on the site) *
Email (will not appear on the site) *
Add a star rating Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.
Enter text...
Tick to receive relevant updates from Time Out including news, events, offers and competitions.

* Mandatory fields for leaving a comment

Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 1 rating)

By Tariq - Oct 10 2011

5/5

Niven's is legendary. Great food and lovely atmosphere. More like 4/5 stars. If you're reading this ignore Time Out's rating.

Report

By Vikki - Sep 23 2011

3/5 I think NOT! Fantastic food made from the best ingredients. I couldn't agree more with Alan's comment 'It's clearly a labour of love and everything is hand made with passion and fresh daily' if you are looking for somewhere to go for lunch and enjoy good food I would highly recommend this place!

Report

By wendy - Sep 10 2010

Niven's is so good its known all the way down under in Australia... a trip to London is now not complete without a visit.. thats gotta be worth more than 3/5

Report

By Val - Jul 1 2010

I couldn't believe it when I stumbled across this gorgeously sumptious little deli in, let's face it, a bit of a dreary part of King's X. Even though I live close to one of the best food markets in town I'll make a special effort to get up early just to have one of Niven's fab brekkies. Great sausages, special bread, toms, bacon and homemade baked beans. Delicious!
Also, well worth dropping in for the dinner party hors d'oeuvres such as the amazing humous and chipotle sauce. Lovely! x

Report

By Glenn - Jun 30 2010

3/5?!! Really, it should be at least a 4.5/5 if not a 5/5. The nosh is outstanding and great value for money and Niv is a great (if overly swearly) raconteur.

Report

By alan - Jun 30 2010

3 out of 5 is a bit harsh for this outstanding destination deli. It's clearly a labour of love and everything is hand made with passion and fresh daily. A homely, chilled and welcoming space for brekkie, brunch or lunch, although queues do form and some items quickly sell out. And, if it's a quality cup of coffee you're after Niven's stocks and expertly dispenses 'Union' although i'm not sure which bean. As a local, it's fast become my favourite, not least for Niven's excellent wares, great value and the proprietor's patter.

Report

By Nick - Jun 25 2010

I agree, how do you give such a good review and then rate them 3/5? The food is great, I eat here at least 3 times per week. My only complaint would be that the menu never really changes.

Report

By elise - Jun 25 2010

i'm so sad that you think the bike was tatty (its brand spanking new!!).......it cost me a fortune as his "congratulations" gift on opening his fabulous business venture
thankfully it was the bike and not the delicious food!!

Report

By Maxine - Jun 17 2010

I just had the yummiest chicken and white bean casserole from Nivens - it was absolutely delicious!

Report

By James - Jun 4 2010

3/5? Really? I'm assuming that's average, something which Niven's for a small deli certainly is not, it's much better than that. Also you'd have to really go to town to spend £25 on a lunch for 2 there, closer to £15 in reality.