Best restaurants in Camden

It takes just one step into Poppie’s for you to be filled with nostalgia and instantly craving a portion of salt and vinegar-laced chips. Pat ‘Pop’ Newland is the brains behind it all and has earned a somewhat legendary status with decades of experience on the scene. All of the fish is sustainably caught on day boats and is prepared by in-house fishmonger Salih Sadik. So, whether you’re after east end favourites like jellied eels or the chippie classics of battered fish or sausage, Poppie’s is comforting, familiar and a true fuss-free food champion.

Hands up for fried chicken with table service and cocktails! London’s first fried chicken and waffles chain has built a loyal community of fans who keep coming back for more. All the chicken comes from one family-run farm on the Yorkshire Wolds, which is delivered fresh every day and prepared without gluten. There’s breast or thigh burgers, wings and strips plus plenty of aptly named ‘Not Fried Chicken’ options – crispy fried halloumi skillet we’re looking at you…

Full of chilled-out charm, this authentically British gastropub offers an excellent selection of cask ales, craft beers, fine wines and artisanal spirits. On the menu you’ll find pub staples like cod and chips or sausage and mash alongside innovative, modern dishes such as pan-fried seabass with chargrilled Provençale-style vegetables and a tomato tapenade. There’s a fantastic Sunday lunch menu too which is best enjoyed with a tumbler of spicy Bloody Mary.

Be prepared to burn off the calories you’ve consumed at this Argentinian-eatery as staff actively encourage punters to take to the dance floor following their meal. Offering authentic food and wine at affordable prices, this welcoming restaurant often hosts energetic tango nights. An open grill and Patagonian clay oven take centre-stage offering theatre to the food and not just the atmosphere.

If juicy burgers served in hand shaped soft brioche buns or crispy ciabatta sounds like your kind of heaven, get yourself down to Haché ASAP. There are daring options like the Steak Calabria which features a beef steak burger topped with nduja spicy sausage, confit garlic, cavolo nero, provolone cheese, beef tomato and red onion. Chicken, veggie and plant-based options are also available and there’s an excellent selection of sides, small plates and salads.

This cosy pub has a woody frayed-at-the-edges interior but it’s often full of trendy drinkers and boasts Primrose Hill’s celebrity elite as many of its regulars. The blackboard menu changes seasonally but the food is inspired by Mediterranean and British cuisine. Think anchovies and sage tempura alongside gravlax with toast, capers and lemon and patatas bravas with aioli.

A café by day and a bustling bar by night, 40 Zero is a great place to grab a bite to eat or enjoy quirky drinks such as the CBD-based cocktail Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Breakfast features the classics like eggs, avo and porridge while lunch and dinner brings sharing platters, tapas and burgers to the table. Look out for the Plancha plates too, it’s a typically Spanish form of cooking which involves cooking over a high heat on a round, flat metal plate.  

Giant, stringy mozzarella sticks with a rich marinara dipping sauce, gooey five cheese macaroni and of course, a strong selection of trusty grilled cheese sandwiches – this is any turophile's dream. The food is as Instagrammable as the interior with a marble U-shaped countertop that’s suitable for groups of one to four to dine at. This ones comes with a warning that food envy is very, very likely to occur.

Bringing the comforting taste of Memphis and friendly Southern service to the bustling streets of Camden, Porky’s menu is unsurprisingly meat heavy with low 'n' slow baby back ribs at the top of its menu. There’s plenty of tasty veggie options and don’t skip on the sides such as homemade cornbread, mac 'n' cheese and BBQ beans. The relaxed eatery first opened its doors in 2013 and encourages diners to forget cutlery and focus on having fun while you eat, after all, Porky’s say: “What are napkins for?”

Catch yourself some delicious, sustainable fish and chips with a twist at this popular Camden eatery. Since 2011, Hook have been committed to working with small fisheries, day-boats and local suppliers so that they take responsibility for everything they do. Dishes are served in recycled, re-usable wooden packaging and the take-away cutlery is 100 per cent biodegradable. The ethos is simple: amazing people serving amazing food in amazing locations. Mains include classic or Cajun spiced panko-crumbed fish alongside adventurous small plates such as southern fried whitebait, calamari hot rings and tempura vegetables.

Chef Gordon Ramsay has transformed this former 1820s coaching station into a sophisticated and effortlessly chic dining destination with rooms. The food is typically British with international influences and this is reflected in the wine menu too. Expect hearty classics like the pie of the week or slow roasted pork belly alongside pumpkin tortellini and street pizza specials. There’s also a great Sunday lunch available and afternoon tea too.

The second of chef patron Michael Nadra’s London establishments, this intimate neighbourhood restaurant offers high quality contemporary food in a relaxed environment. There is an array of menus to choose from like the three-course set menu for £45 and a la carte options which include steamed sea bass with prawn and chive dumplings and butternut squash risotto with garlic and parsley banana blossom.

In Greek mythology, Daphne was the daughter of the river god Peneus but in 1984 it was chosen as the name for a now long-standing Greek restaurant in Camden run by the Lymbouri family. The décor is old-school but the service is warm and the food is the focus. Large mezze plates are filled with popular dishes like hummus, tzatziki and charcoal-grilled Greek sausages, and there’s also a great selection of classic mains like pork souvlaki and moussaka. Watch out for the daily specials board too which showcases local and seasonal dishes.

One of four restaurants from the small Japanese chain, OKA Primrose Hill offers a delicious selection of sushi and a modern take on pan Asian and Robata Grill cuisine. Specialties include the spider roll filled with soft shell crab, kimchi, cucumber and wasabi mayo and the inside-out jalapeno salmon roll which is stuffed with spring onion, shichimi spices, avocado and cucumber and rolled in tempura crumbs.

Sitting on the same corner for more than 30 years, Lemonia has a long list of loyal customers who keep returning for a taste of the Mediterranean on the streets of north west London. This restaurant is run by Greek-Cypriots and the cosy interior with booths and hanging baskets compliments the comforting menu that’s full of all the classics. Rich moussaka, grilled fish and charcoal-flamed meats are all present – if you’d prefer a taste of everything order the mezze for a selection of hot and cold starters, main dishes and Greek salad.

This award-winning Indian restaurant offers contemporary twists on your curry-house favourites and dishes that are bursting with flavour. House specialities include the Goan sea bass, pan seared and served with a tomato, coconut, onion, mustard seed and curry leaf sauce, and the slow cooked lamb shank with baby potatoes, ginger, mint and spices. Service is friendly and efficient, and the drinks menu is very comprehensive.

Expect comforting classics with a contemporary twist at this friendly, low-key Italian. The interior is relaxed and in warmer months sitting at the outdoor tables brings a real Mediterranean feel to the dining experience. Staff are helpful, attentive and work to deliver a homely atmosphere alongside great food. The menu features several homemade pastas, available in small or large portions, as well as meat and fish dishes such as the poppyseed-crusted salmon with peas and pancetta.