The best restaurants in King’s Cross

Come for Dim Sum Duck’s particularly plump hargau (prawn dumplings) and huge xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) alongside a delicious array of Cantonese classics, including roast duck, beef ho fun (flat noodles) and charred salty green beans with minced pork. Just a warning; the place is walk-in only and often has long queues - so it’s best to get there as close as possible to opening times (that's 12pm for lunch, then 6pm for dinner).

A deliriously fun dining experience. Yes, Mestizo’s food is way better than the majority of Mexican restaurants in London. Yes, the drinks menu is overflowing with tequila-based beverages that ensure no one goes home sober. But it’s also got something else: a hilarious, endearing fun energy that turns every meal here into a party. Whether you like it or not. Tamales, tacos, enchiladas, all things you expect to see on a Mexican menu, but in London what you don’t necessarily expect is quality this high. This is also one of the only places in London to serve drinks made with delicious raicilla, the third Mexican spirit, which tastes a little bit like tennis balls, but in a good way.

As London dining rooms go, there are few as thigh-slappingly spectacular as the Midland Grand. Inside a grand old hotel, the energy here is a bit Poirot On a Big Night Out, but there are touches of classic New York too, like we might have discovered a secret room at the bottom of the Chrysler Building, and Dorothy Parker is going to start flinging table scraps at us. The menu of strutting French food is a fittingly opulent match. 

Japanese, vegan and organic? What’s not to love? And, rest assured, we do love this cool little miracle near King’s Cross station. Only the slurping of noodles disturbs the place’s zen-like tranquillity, as punters dip into a virtuously healthy menu that makes the most of a few key ingredients (expects lots of tofu and seaweed). Laidback staff go with the flow, while zealous foodie workshops, art exhibitions and live music make Itadaki even more lovable.

Parrillan is the smart outdoor spin-off from the peeps behind neighbouring Barrafina and is something special. DIY cooking on a parilla (grill) is what you’re here to do, Spanish-style. The seafood, from shimmering scallops to fabulously fresh red prawns, was stunning. Don't forget the para picar; with the likes of pan con tomate and ham croquetas bringing a touch of sunshine to this al fresco rooftop restaurant.  

Spanish mini-chain Barrafina has been breaking foodie hearts ever since it first arrived on Frith Street way back in 2007. This branch, on the upper level of Coal Drops Yard, comes with outdoor seating to soak up the sun and, in a Barrafina first, there are even two tables for four inside. Don’t miss the eggy, gooey tortilla and the classic croquetas filled with rich, Spanish-style blood pudding.

A Spanish-Mexican eatery located on the 10th floor of The Standard hotel. Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias has created a buzzing mid-century lounge filled with cacti, succulents and terracotta tiles. Decimo’s wide-ranging menu invites diners to begin with small plates all tapas fans will recognise – tortilla, jamon, croquettas – before moving on to a more than substantial second half featuring meat, fish and a range of vegetable mains.

This low-key neighbourhood Italian is a lovely place to linger over a light lunch and a good coffee thanks to its handful of pavement tables and exceptionally friendly owner. Opt for delicious fresh pasta, or just stop in for an aperitivo, as they bring a tasty array of snacks to your table.

A trip to Paris on the Eurostar might be the best way to indulge in an oh-là-là French café experience, but what’s the next best thing? A trip to King’s Cross and a visit to this endearing little café – a mere boule’s-throw from the Eurostar terminal. Aux Pains de Papy already has a loyal following of office workers seeking their daily bread and satisfying lunchtime sandwiches, but it’s also worth seeking out for patisserie and boulangerie.

The only thing you need to know about Morty & Bob’s is that it serves grilled cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That’s the reason to go: for this street-food-stall-turned-café’s golden, gooey, oozing cheese toastie, cut into halves and stuffed with lovely things like onions, spicy ’nduja sausage, or mushrooms and truffle. Aside from that, this cosy all-day spot in Coal Drops Yard does stellar speciality coffee all day, along with fresh lunches and bar food at night.

Having already gained a cult following since opening in early 2023, this small, casual (and often hectic) spot specialises in authentic and well-seasoned grilled skewers aka chuan er or chinese BBQ. The plump bits of cumin-soaked lamb, roasted chives and crunchy grilled buns on skewers are particular highlights, whereas for seafood enthusiasts, the scallops in garlic, broth and vermicelli are a must-order. For a more off-piste selection, try the crispy chicken skin skewers for a crunchy, umami snack.

Fifteen minutes walk from King’s Cross station, and formerly known as Canton Taste, this restaurant is a cosy and unassuming ode to Cantonese cuisine, with simple decor and friendly staff who are always happy to make recommendations. Being a little further from the station than its Cantonese neighbour Dim Sum Duck, it’s usually much less busy, making it easier to get a spontaneous table, but they also take bookings in advance. Get the fried salt and pepper tofu dish for a crunchy, satisfying bite – this is the stuff of dreams! Another favourite is the salted egg yolk batter chicken wings.

Eat as many tacos at you can at Casa Pastor, a massive Mexican restaurant at Coal Drops Yard from the team behind the much-loved El Pastor in Borough Market. The addictive, slightly chewy corn tortillas are made in-house: order a bunch of them, topped with the likes of juicy pork shoulder and pineapple and baja fish. 

If you're considering eating in King's Cross and immediately think of Coal Drops Yard, you’re doing it wrong. Paolina Thai Café is a cracking little BYOB restaurant just a few minutes’ walk from the station, and the food is well-priced and comforting with very generous portions, from pad sieyu to kang massaman. Definitely order the mixed platter for two to start but don’t be fooled, it’s more than enough for three. Or maybe four.

The King’s Cross outpost of Aussie Bill Granger’s all-day sunny-side-up eatery references just about every on-trend fad and fashion on the current foodie agenda: small plates, grains, Korean riffs, Hawaiian-style poké bowls, Thai curries and all sorts of other multicultural stuff. Granger is also known for giving good brunch, and this spot has the added bonus of in-demand alfresco tables on a quiet piazza.

Compared to some of its other branches, the King’s Cross offshoot of Caravan is a grandiose urbane proposition – all concrete floors, girders and exposed pipework. The industrial-themed interior isn’t built for intimacy, but it still has a laidback buzz and great people-watching opportunities. As expected, this outlet boasts welcoming, efficient staff and a menu of what it calls ‘well-travelled food’ – ie plates of global fusion ranging from lamb ribs with chermoula to Burmese chicken salad.

Spread over three floors, with a canalside terrace thrown in for good measure, this swanky crowd-pleasing gastropub/bar doesn’t do things by half. The cooking’s sound (if unsurprising) and the kitchen shows off all the right moves: expect wood-fired grills, organic spelt flatbreads and chips in weeny metal baskets, plus the usual (new) suspects – crispy squid, superfood salads, trendy burgers et al. ‘Handy’ sums it up. 

A large, low-lit Korean spot in that slightly corporate new bit of King’s Cross by the Google offices, Kimchee is a good option for a quick, no-frills lunch or dinner if you can’t be bothered waiting for a table up the road in Coal Drops Yard. Try the greasy, thick udon with fiery fried chicken or the crisp-edged tofu stir-fried with pork and topped with sour, you guessed it, kimchi.