Hampstead's restaurant scene is smaller than it looks from the outside — the village is compact and rents are high — but what exists is consistently good and remarkably independent. You won't find many chains here. What you will find are proper neighbourhood restaurants, some of which have been serving the same community for decades.
The Horseshoe (Heath Street)
The most reliable neighbourhood restaurant in the village, the Horseshoe manages to be simultaneously a proper pub and a good restaurant. The kitchen takes seasonal British cooking seriously — the menu changes regularly, the sourcing is thoughtful and the atmosphere is exactly right for a long Sunday lunch.
Villa Bianca (Perrins Court)
Villa Bianca has been serving Italian food in Hampstead since 1972 and is one of those restaurants that improves with knowledge of its history. The courtyard setting on Perrins Court is the best outdoor dining spot in the village; the menu is conservative and excellent.
Yuzu (Heath Street)
The most interesting cooking in the village comes from Yuzu, a small Japanese restaurant that takes its food seriously without taking itself too seriously. The lunch menu is particularly good value; the evening menu is worth the higher price. Booking is advisable at weekends.
The Wells (Well Walk)
The Wells combines a neighbourhood gastropub downstairs with a slightly more formal restaurant upstairs. Both are good; the upstairs room is better for special occasions, the downstairs bar is better for casual meals. The Sunday roast has a devoted local following.
Louis Patisserie (Heath Street)
Not a restaurant in the conventional sense, but no food guide to Hampstead would be complete without Louis. The Hungarian pastry shop has been operating since 1963 and makes cakes by recipes that haven't changed. Order the Dobos torte, a pot of tea, and plan to stay for an hour. It is one of the most characterful food experiences in north London.
A Note on Reservations
Hampstead's better restaurants fill up quickly at weekends — particularly on Sunday afternoons. Booking a week ahead for Saturday dinner or Sunday lunch is advisable at the Horseshoe, Yuzu and the Wells. Midweek lunches are generally much more relaxed and often offer better value menus.