Where To Eat In Kentish Town: Omar Shah’s Guide
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A foodie's guide to the North London neighbourhood
Sandwiched between the ever-lively Camden Town and leafy Hampstead Heath, Kentish Town is one of North London’s most characterful neighbourhoods. Its colourful Victorian townhouses have long attracted famous faces – Tom Hiddleston, Matt Smith and Sir Keir Starmer have all lived there at various points – as well as families and young professionals. But in the past few years, the area has begun to emerge as a foodie destination in its own right.
Chef Omar Shah knows this better than anyone. The chef grew up in Kentish Town – his parents opened a restaurant there in 1987, and now he runs six sites across the area, including Filipino restaurant Belly. ‘The area is incredibly diverse, full of different cultures, generations, and personalities, and that energy is reflected in the food scene,’ he tells C&TH. ‘Kentish Town has evolved a lot over the years, but it hasn’t lost its character or authenticity. For me, it remains one of the best neighbourhoods in London because it still feels like a place where people truly live, not just somewhere they pass through.’
So where would he recommend for dining in the area? Read on for Omar’s pick of the best restaurants in Kentish Town.
Best Places To Eat In Kentish Town: A Chef’s Pick
The Parakeet
‘For me, Parakeet is one of the standout dining rooms on Kentish Town Road. The space is incredible, high ceilings, beautifully considered design, and an ornate hardwood frame around the pass that perfectly showcases the chefs at work. It’s all open fire cooking, which adds both theatre and depth of flavour. The service is immaculate, attentive without ever feeling overbearing, and really elevates the whole experience. The team have done an amazing job with the refurb, sourcing rare pieces of furniture and unique fixtures from around the world to create something that feels both refined and full of character. Head Chefs Ben and Riz are doing some seriously impressive things here. A proper local star. Order the leeks!’
256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AA, theparakeetpub.com
Patrón French Firehouse
‘Right at the other end of Kentish Town Road, Patrón is high on my list. I haven’t made it there yet, but everything I’ve heard has been exceptional. It looks slick, sexy, and like a true transportive space, the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into Paris. Proper bistro energy, and exactly the kind of restaurant I know I’ll love.’
26 Fortess Rd, London NW5 2HB, patronrestaurant.com
Half Cut Market
‘Half Cut is a brilliant little wine bar just around the corner from Kentish Town. It’s intimate and very busy so I recommend booking, but the food is exceptional. Chef Aidan Richarson is constantly changing the menu and pushing out creative dishes from a very tight kitchen. I love how they stay loyal to their suppliers and seasonal ingredients, changing around their menu based on the best of what’s available. It’s concise, focused, and consistently exciting.’
396 York Wy, London N7 9LW, halfcut.world
Belly
‘Self nom but I had to put it in here as I’m really proud of what we’re doing. Belly is a bistro but with a Filipino twist, so we’ve taken a French neighbourhood feel and injected it with bold fusion flavours. Our bestseller is the tempura cod pandesal – think of an elevated McDonald’s filet-o-fish (really). It’s tangy, decadent and sells out every day. Then we have favourites like our chargrilled scallop, seafood caldareta and to finish: our bright purple ube tiramisu. Ube is everywhere at the moment, and I’m so glad a Filipino ingredient is getting all this attention. We’ve only been open a year but it’s been crazy – we’re constantly booked up and welcoming familiar faces again and again, as well as new friends too. Come and say hello if you’re in the area!’
157 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8PD, bellylondon.com
Kossoffs Bakery
‘Kossoffs is one of the best bakeries in the area. They take artisanal to new heights, and I love how our stories align with following in the footsteps of our family before us. The lamination is on another level. I always find myself pulling apart the pastries, trying to work out how they’ve achieved that level of precision. It’s clearly the result of serious skill and consistency.’
259 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2JT, kossoffs.com
Cafe Mama & Sons
‘This is our Filipino bakery also on Kentish Town Road, blending Filipino classics with Pan-Asian influences, creating a range of sweet and savoury delights shaking up traditional café culture. Our menu of sandos include Corned Beef, Adobo Mushroom and fan favourite Jerk Chicken Club. We also just created a Duck Adobo Sandwich with our friends over at Mama Li. Sweets include our OG Ensamada (a sweet brioche bun topped with grated cheese), Coconut Cream Buko Pie and Magnolia Bakery-style Ensamada Banana Pudding. I love experimenting with the menu and adding seasonal pastries in there to shake things up a bit. We’ve also got a great range of matcha, hojicha and some Filipino favourites like iced milo.’
83 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY, cafemamasons.com
