The Journal
From the Blog
Dispatches from the village — written by people who walk these streets every day. History, food, culture and the stories behind the places you love.
Food & Drink
West Hampstead Restaurants & Food: The Complete Guide 2026
West Hampstead has outgrown its reputation as the area you pass through on the way to Hampstead. Its restaurant scene is genuinely excellent and significantly underrated.
Oliver Hartwell · 6 min read
Food & Drink
Best Coffee in Hampstead: 10 Cafés That Are Actually Worth the Journey
Hampstead has more good coffee per square mile than almost anywhere in London. The difficult part is knowing which ten to prioritise, and which ten to skip.
Oliver Hartwell · 8 min read
Food & Drink
Primrose Hill Restaurants, Cafes & Pubs: The Complete Local Guide 2026
Primrose Hill has one of London's most focused and genuinely excellent neighbourhood restaurant scenes, a small area packed with places that locals return to weekly.
Oliver Hartwell · 8 min read
Food & Drink
The Spaniards Inn Hampstead: Complete Guide 2026
Highwaymen, poets, a mob that nearly burned it down, the Spaniards Inn has seen it all. Here's the full story, and why it's still worth the pilgrimage.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Golders Green Food Guide 2026: London's Most Diverse Eating Quarter
Golders Green Road is one of London's most extraordinary eating streets, a kilometre of kosher bakeries, Japanese restaurants, Israeli cafés, and Turkish grills that few Londoners outside NW11 fully appreciate.
Oliver Hartwell · 10 min read
Food & Drink
Best Brunch in Hampstead 2026: The Complete Guide
Hampstead's brunch scene is one of London's best kept secrets, a collection of independent cafes and neighbourhood restaurants that do weekend mornings exceptionally well.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Belsize Park Cafes & Restaurants: The Complete Local Guide 2026
Belsize Park sits between Hampstead and Primrose Hill with its own distinct food scene, quieter than its neighbours but with some of the finest neighbourhood restaurants in North London.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Best Bars and Pubs in Covent Garden, London: The Complete 2026 Guide
From historic Victorian pubs to subterranean cocktail bars and world-class wine rooms, Covent Garden has one of the most exciting and varied drinking scenes in London. Here is every venue worth your time.
Beatrice Thornton · 16 min read
Food & Drink
Best Restaurants in Hampstead Village: The Complete Guide 2026
Hampstead Village has one of North London's most rewarding restaurant scenes, intimate neighbourhood spots, long-established Italian trattorias and contemporary kitchens. This is where to eat in NW3 in 2026.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Food & Drink
A Foodie's Guide to Hampstead's Independent Restaurants
Despite its village character, Hampstead punches well above its weight for food. Our guide to the best independent restaurants, from casual to special occasion.
Beatrice Thornton · 9 min read
Food & Drink
The Best Coffee Shops in Hampstead for Working Remotely
Good coffee, reliable wifi, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a working day feel less like work. Our guide to the best spots in Hampstead NW3.
Beatrice Thornton · 12 min read
Food & Drink
Best Pubs in Hampstead: The Locals' Guide 2026
Hampstead has more good pubs per square mile than almost anywhere in London. Here's an honest ranking, from the historic coaching inns to the best neighbourhood locals.
James Calloway · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Late-Night Eating in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
Where to find a decent meal after 10pm in an area that tends to wind down early, the late-night options, ranked honestly.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Flask Walk: The Street That Defines Hampstead
The pedestrianised lane running south from Hampstead High Street contains more character per metre than almost anywhere in London.
Beatrice Thornton · 6 min read
Food & Drink
The Best Pubs in Hampstead: A Complete Guide to 10 Great Pubs in NW3
Beyond the obvious: the pubs worth seeking out in Hampstead and the surrounding area, for atmosphere, beer, food, and the increasingly rare pleasure of a proper local.
James Calloway · 12 min read