On the rise: West Hampstead

Villagey, well-to-do West Hampstead has always had plenty of places to eat, but with the imminent opening of 160 Degrees, owned by Michelin-starred Pied a Terre’s David Moore, it’s seriously upping its game. From Czech to Iranian, smart gastropubs to Jewish delicatessens, this is becoming a foodie hotspot.

Gambrinus Czech & Slovak House
From the outside it’s just another Victorian brick house, step inside however and you’ll find a bar and restaurant serving central and Eastern European food like goulash, schnitzel and potato pancakes with meat.

160 Degrees
David Moore, the owner of Pied a Terre and L’Autre Pied, has chosen West Hampstead for his next project: a smoke house and cocktail bar.

Hana
This cosy Persian restaurant serves traditional dishes like kebabs with saffron rice, walnut and pomegranate stew and smoky aubergine dip.

La Brocca
One of several Italian eateries in the area, La Brocca does pizza, pasta, and a few favourites like pie and mash, steak and burgers. They also open for brunch, and if possible grab a table in the pretty conservatory area at the back.

Sirous
Billed as a tapas restaurant, the menu is more of a mish-mash of Mediterranean and Latin small plates than a Spanish joint, with things like crepes with spinach and cream, nachos with guacamole, and chicken and mushroom tortilla wraps. There are larger dishes too like slow roasted lamb and seafood tagliatelle, and all the food is well priced.

The Wet Fish Café
This brasserie specialises in comfort food, with a focus on sustainable fish, with things like haddock in tempura and seafood. The early bird dinners (before 8 pm) are a bargain, priced at £16 for two courses and £19 for three.

Mill Lane Bistro
This former wine bar turned French bistro serves rustic dishes like beef Bourguignon and moules marinieres. For breakfast there are croques and omelettes.

The Tiffin Tin
One of north London’s favourite Indian takeaways, the food is cheap and portions sizes are big.

The Alice House
Typical pub dishes like fish and chips, scotch eggs and puff pastry tarts are on offer here. The most attractive gastropub in the neighbourhood.