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
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
Food & Drink
Best Delis & Food Shops in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
From the cheese shop on Heath Street to the Italian deli that has been on Rosslyn Hill since before most of its customers were born, Hampstead's food shops are part of what makes the neighbourhood.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Eating Alone in Hampstead: The Solo Diner's Guide 2026
Counter seats, bar dining, and the cafés where a single person with a book is welcome rather than pitied, eating solo in Hampstead, done properly.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Sunday Lunch in Hampstead: The Best Roasts 2026
Sunday lunch is a serious business in Hampstead. Here is where to find the best roast beef, the finest Yorkshire pudding, and the most civilised Sunday afternoon in North London.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Best Restaurants in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
From a long-running Japanese on Heath Street to a neighbourhood Italian that has been feeding the village for decades, Hampstead's restaurant scene rewards those who know where to look.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Vegetarian & Vegan Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
Hampstead has quietly become one of North London's best areas for plant-based eating, here's where to find the good stuff, from casual lunches to proper dinners.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read
Food & Drink
Best Bakeries & Delis in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
The places to find exceptional bread, good cheese, smoked fish, and the kind of provisions that make a Saturday morning feel genuinely civilised.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Food & Drink
A Coffee Lover's Guide to Hampstead's Best Cafés
Hampstead's café scene is as distinctive as its architecture, independent, unhurried, and quietly excellent. Here is where to find the best flat white, the finest pastry, and the most restorative corner table in NW3.
Beatrice Thornton · 7 min read