London Queen's Park Restaurant Guide

“Chicken with amazing sides” is the winning formula at Romain Bourrillon’s rotisserie chain, which imports its chooks from France. “Nice brunch”, too.

2021 Review: “What a find!” – In a fairly obscure part of town, near the Queen’s Park Estate, “a really cosy, neighbourhood Italian, serving a top selection of cheap ’n’ cheerful dishes, but also more pricey ones, all freshly made and of great quality” (in particular the hand-rolled pasta). Service from husband-and-wife team Simonetta and Avi “is very professional but lively, and there’s a real sense of community at play (e.g. the staff were handing out little pieces of paper with a guest’s name on it, asking us to sing along for his birthday!)”

2021 Review: Understated trio of “good neighbourhood Lebanese” in Hampstead, Maida Vale and St John’s Wood; “consistently tasty food” is served “in huge portions for the hungry at reasonable prices”.

“Super southern Indian dishes at reasonable prices too” win a following for this family run Keralan in Kilburn. It’s either “brilliant and low key” or “very good but with slightly disappointing surroundings” depending on your tastes.

This “well-established” Kilburn curry house – purportedly the first to offer South Indian cuisine in the UK – celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Little has changed since it opened, with its “plain good cooking”, “authentic recipes” including dishes not found elsewhere and “lovely vegetarian meals” pleasing happy locals as well as a string of celeb visitors ranging from the late Michael Winner to Diana Ross, Harrison Ford and the Indian cricket team.

“Really succulent rendang” is a menu highlight at this “great new Malaysian eatery”: a ‘kopitiam’ (café-style) venture which opened in Queen’s Park in late 2022. It’s the creation of siblings Fatizah and Irqam Shawal, whose parents opened London’s most venerable Malaysian – Satay House – in 1973.

“Interesting Israeli/Middle Eastern dishes” served in a “fun, vibey setting” have created a big winner for the Berber & Q team at this Queen’s Park two-year-old: a “great neighbourhood addition”. “There are super veg options, but also fab meat and fish ones too”. “The large shared table might not be for everyone” although there is also some more conventional seating (mostly for couples). Top Tip – the small terrace in summer is particularly “nice, as there are no cars outside”.