Best Restaurants In King's Cross 2026 | King's Cross Restaurants

Selection of Isla's dishes presented on a red table: Sea bream crude, langoustines, anchovy and stracciatella toast. Three glasses of wine also on the table.

Looking for the best King’s Cross restaurants? Read our recommendations for eating and drinking in King’s Cross, from Coal Drops Yard to Granary Square and beyond…

For more London food inspiration, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in London Bridge, best restaurants in Fitzrovia and best restaurants in Marylebone.

Our expert's personal recommendations
"I never need an excuse to drop into Coal Office and devour its cloud-like kubalah bread with date syrup dip and a fresh basil smash cocktail. I also recently discovered Island, a buzzy surf ‘n’ turf concept from cult chefs Brad Carter and Tom Brown which went straight to my number one slot – the lamb and clam skewers are a must-order!" Janine Ratcliffe

Best places to eat and drink in King's Cross

Isla is a relaxed all-day restaurant celebrated for its hidden, leafy terrace – an inviting escape complete with wooden furnishings and a fire pit that encourages long, lingering lunches.

The recently refreshed menu draws on Mediterranean inspiration while championing top British ingredients, with highlights such as Scottish langoustines, St Austell Bay mussels and Jersey oysters. Begin with a bright sea bream crudo lifted by meyer lemon or creamy stracciatella melting over anchovy toast.

Mains impress with plates like lemon sole in brown butter with blood orange or corn-fed chicken paired with sweet three-cornered leeks.

The wine list is thoughtfully curated, featuring passionate European producers via leading UK suppliers and playful sparkling wines and ciders. Isla offers a tranquil yet buzzy spot in the heart of King's Cross, ideal for those seeking quality food in a lush, unhurried setting. standardhotels.com

Coal Terrace by Coal Office – for Middle Eastern dishes

This terrace on the rooftop of Coal Office gives sweeping views over Regent's Canal on one side and Coal Drops Yard on the other. The beautifully calm space dining is dotted with lemon, bay and olive trees in a nod to the restaurant’s Middle Eastern roots. Exec chef Dan Pellas has created a special terrace menu inspired by his childhood memories of Jerusalem.

A must order is the famous kubalah bread – a gorgeous cloud-like Yemeni take on brioche. Paired with the silan (date syrup), olive oil and za'atar dip it’s a dreamy start. Other standout dishes include a zingy fresh red tuna sashimi with a vinaigrette and marduma tomato salad, and one of the signature dishes of Coal Office, a parmesan-rich, oozy polenta with mushroom ragout and asparagus with a hint of truffle served in a glass jar.

For the full experience order a glass of crisp, saline Israeli Alma white or try a Basil Smash cocktail – a vibrant green mixture of Plymouth Gin, Italicus, basil leaves, citrus and vinho verde. If you’re feeling full, a single scoop of the Persian pistachio ice cream with a crunchy, slightly salty kadaif topping is a delight. coaloffice.com

Island — for elevated surf and turf

Island takes the concept of surf and turf, and adds two cult chefs - Tom Brown (on surf) and Brad Carter (on turf) – to create a unique and playful menu. The dining room occupies the top floor of buzzy Mare St Market – it’s a big space but the cosy velvet-lined booths, banquette seating and chandelier-covered ceiling manage to make it warm and welcoming.

We kicked off with a lamb and clam skewer – chunks of lamb belly, the fat rendered crispy and smoky, topped with tiny salty clams. Not listed on the menu but recommended by our server were seaweed flatbreads, puffed and golden with the edges almost like fried bread.

We shared a whole grilled john dory which came doused in caper-spiked café de paris butter, the sweet flesh falling of the bone. An aged dairy ribeye was served with a deep umami version of peppercorn sauce and in place of chips little crunchy ‘turf’ roasties dusted with bone marrow powder (we also got the surf version dusted with mussel powder).

A Bogtrotter-style layered chocolate cake to share finished us off – rich and dark with a shiny chocolate glaze, it was a perfect end to the meal. island-restaurants.com

A range of surf and turf dishes on a dark green marble table — Image credit: Alberto Zamaniego

Bubala, Lewis Cubitt Park – for Middle Eastern vegetarian small plates

The third spot from Marc Summers (Berber & Q) and Helen Graham (Palomar) boasts its own wood-fired oven, as well as a light-filled space and tall ceilings – unlike its cosier counterparts in Soho and Shoreditch – and with shelves furnished with pickle jars and greenery.

Trust that ‘Bubala Knows Best’ with the vegetarian or vegan set menus. Start with a pickle plate – three types all in different brines – closely followed by the superlative dips. The superbly silky baba ganoush comes with a well of curry leaf oil and toasted pine nuts, alongside a sleek fava bean dip with vadouvan. Smoky laffa bread is fresh off the grill and beautifully charred. The oyster mushroom skewer with tamari and coriander seed is a highlight, with umami meatiness that will convince even the staunchest mushroom naysayers. Crisp falafel with a vibrant green centre is served with tangy mango pickle amba and sumac onions.

Even something as simple as a side salad is pepped with Bubala flair – oak and mustard leaves with onion, pomegranate molasses and mint is a refreshing complement to the deep-fried falafel, smoky vegetables and creamy dips. Wash it all down with a spicy margarita rimmed with flecks of char from the grill. bubala.co.uk

A selection of veggie and vegan Middle Eastern inspired small plates on a table at Bubala

Decimo – for hip Mexican with a view

Hop in the red bubble lift that clings to the outside of The Standard Hotel up to chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s striking top floor restaurant. Cacti poke out from behind wooden features, Mexican textiles line sweeping curved banquettes, and a large open fireplace provides a focal point. Bag a burgundy-tiled table by the window for iconic London views while you sip zippy margaritas on the rocks or Sevilla mimosas and peruse the menu.

Order a selection of Spanish and Mexican small plates, including salty anchovies slivers in a pool of confit garlic oil, panko-coated croquetas laced with iberico ham and manchego, and charcoaled sourdough to scoop up smoky red pepper tartare.

At the Saturday brunch, try twists on classic egg dishes, such as huevos flamenco – iberico pork shoulder ribbons topped with two fried eggs. There are also tacos served on chunky bespoke marble platters and delicate skewers including pork in cumin and cinnamon or meltingly soft koji squid.

Opt for the mezcal flight to taste a selection of handpicked regional Mexican agaves, from a toasty variety from the Pacific Coast to a Oaxacan mezcal distilled with coffee. All to the backdrop of live DJs and music. standardhotels.com

A red tiled table lined with 8 small dishes of food

Bao Kings Cross — for Bao’s take on Western-style cafes in Asia

This modern all-day dining spot, tucked between the canal and St Pancras, offers a chance to dine in and a take-away bakery option.

As the name suggests, this is one of the Bao stable and its signature fluffy white bao is on the menu, along with two exclusive versions (giving you a good excuse to visit every venue), a hamburger bao (just as it sounds) and a seafood roll made from a decadent fried brioche filled with lobster, crayfish and mayo. The rest of lobster reappears as a no-waste dish, head split open with crisp fries to dip into the creamy filling. A Taiwanese breakfast staple is reimagined, the standout ham hock congee comes not with a side of youtiao (fried bread sticks) but a golden pastry topping to rip off and dip — if you only eat one thing, make it this.

Desserts feature BAOfiterole and an exemplary pineapple cake (actually a pastry), and cocktails include a plum sake-based negroni. The bakery dispenses salted egg custard ‘sad face’ bao and cookie caramel bao alongside coffee — should you wish to take away. baolondon.com

The Drop – for wine

Exposed brick walls, low-arched ceilings and soft lighting give The Drop an intimate, unpretentious feel. The chiefly European curated wine list focusses on mostly low-intervention and small producers, from France to Georgia. There’s lots to explore here, plus Guinness on tap and cheese toasties from the kitchen. thedropbar.co.uk

View of a bar under an arch, with bar stools clustered round tables

Vermuteria – for aperitivo

Vermuteria opened at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, in October 2018 and it’s the first café and bar created by chef Anthony Demetre and designer Michael Sodeau. As well as charcuterie and dishes combining European and British influences (think rabbit in mustard sauce, potato and kale; Galician octopus and chickpeas; or venison ragu and gnocchi), there are more than 70 vermouths on the list. The vermouth takes centre stage in the form of simple aperitifs and a base for cocktails such as the sbagliato (Cinzano Rosso, Campari and prosecco). vermuteria.cc

Click here for the best wine bars across the country

A white circular plate is topped with lentils and roasted carrots. There is a glass of wine in the background

Booking Office 1869 – for classic all-day dining

Booking Office 1869 is the re-imagining of the original 19th-century ticket hall that has greeted the many travellers visiting St Pancras Station since its opening in 1869. But Harry Handelsman – lead behind the redesign – is no stranger to grand undertakings, having been responsible for past projects including the Chiltern Firehouse. This relaunch coincides with the 10-year anniversary of stewardship of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, where the restaurant is located.

With décor that embraces its Victorian heritage and celebrates the building’s rich history, plus a menu that highlights classic dishes and gives them a modern twist, Booking Office 1869 is establishing itself as the place to be for all-day dining in London’s King’s Cross, whether it be for an early breakfast or late-night supper. booking-office.co.uk

The grand, Victorian-inspired interior at The Booking office

El Pastor Coal Drops Yard – for Mexican party vibes

Dining is an alfresco affair at El Pastor – with multicoloured tables and chairs grouped around a central bar in a covered, heated terrace, complete with Latin beats on the speakers.

The menu might be casual – spicy Mexican-style rotisserie chicken, tostadas and tacos are the stars here – but there’s an attention to detail that elevates the food. A surprisingly meaty mushroom taco comes with oaxaca cheese, caramelised onion, pumpkin seeds and coriander, with a piquant salsa made with toasted árbol chillies and garlic oil (they have seven salsas in total, all made in-house). tacoselpastor.co.uk

An outdoor terrace with tables and chairs

Hoppers – for Sri Lankan food in bustling Pancras Square

Any food lover will know that Hoppers gets its names from the crisp, bowl-shaped pancakes made from a fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk. They are devilishly difficult to make at home – but devilishly delicious in the hands of the chefs at the buzzy, spacious, family-friendly King’s Cross branch of Hoppers, the third in the empire from JKS restaurants. Filled with a soft fried egg or masala, they are a must-try.

But, there are other essential-order dishes inspired by the street food along the coastal journey from the capital Colombo to Galle. Crunchy mutton rolls yield soft and tender shredded meat. Devilled paneer, a perfect sponge for chilli sauce, has a pleasing bounce. Chilli cheese dosa is as big as a bath sheet and a perfect mop for signature karis, the stand-out of which being swimmer crab – a tangle of shell and claws smothered in intense, silky sauce.

Make sure you choose Hoppers’ own beer – Toddy ale. It has a touch of salt, which is as surprising as it is fire-dousing. hopperslondon.com/kingscross

A range of Sri Lankan fish and meat dishes, including chicken, mussels and langoustines, on a dark table

Granger & Co. – for brunch

Granger & Co. King's Cross is the third London location of Australian celebrity chef Bill Granger's restaurants. Focussing on it's trademark sunny, healthy style of Med/Southeast Asian food, great cocktails, wine and top-notch coffee, Granger and Co is open from breakfast to dinner every day.

Granger & Co's menus are famously eclectic, bringing flair to the sunny Australian Med/South-east Asian melting-pot. The crispy duck, spring onion crepes, iceberg and plum sauce, is an especially memorable dish which could be likened to a dream you might have had about what crispy duck pancakes might be like before you'd ever seen any.

Granger & Co. makes reference to 80's Italian train station restaurants, with its Terrazzo floors and bar tops, olive leather banquettes, a wood-panelled ceiling, 70s table lamps, moody modern art, salmon and peach paintwork, an Italian style leather and brass fixed-stool-seated bar with a huge feature mirror dominating the space behind it. grangerandco.com

A healthy brunch dish at Granger & Co, King’s Cross including avocado, seeds, quinoa and fresh parsley

Happy Face Pizza – for pizza

Tucked away behind Coal Drops Yard, Happy Face Pizza is a must-visit if you’re after a low-key dinner without having to queue. A slick marble bar takes centre stage, with high stools and sharing tables filling the industrial-style space. Wood-fired pizzas (with dough fermented for 72 hours) come with puffy, charred crusts and sloppy centres. Try the salsiccia with smoked mozzarella, Neapolitan sausage and fresh fiery chilli, or the prosciutto one for a salty number.

If you just fancy a snack, order shoestring zucchini fritti, washed down with a house-bottled Roller Ball cocktail – a concoction of Suze, white vermouth and tonic cordial. For more party vibes, head downstairs to SUPERMAX, a vermouth-led cocktail bar that’s all glitter balls, plush pink furnishings and DJs every Friday night. happyface.pizza

Supermax – for a hidden gem bar

Supermax is a hidden gem in King’s Cross, transporting guests straight to the disco era with its 70s-style speakeasy vibes. Tucked beneath Happy Face Pizza, it’s the perfect spot for both an after-work aperitif (don’t miss the daily aperitivo hour from 5-7pm) and late-night revelry.

The cocktail list here is a well-curated mix, from classics with a twist, like the negroni picante and mezcal old fashioned to unique creations like the signature spicy Maxcalita that comes to your table, quite literally smoking, ideal for adventurous palates. The expert bartenders are always on hand to recommend the perfect drink if you’re unsure.

For a light bite, the menu offers tasty nibbles like smoky almonds and Nocellara olives. Stick around past 10 pm on Thursdays through Saturdays to dance under the disco ball and neon lights, making this an all-in-one nightlife destination. supermaxbar.com

Lina Stores – for pasta

This swish space near Coal Drop’s Yard is made more cosy with soft globe lighting and clever sectioning off into counter dining, a bar lined with Italian aperitivi, and booths sheltered by iconic striped awnings in Lina Stores’ signature pale peppermint hues. Kick things off with a cocktail – try a punchy Villa Ascenti Gin negroni or a refreshing Italian twist on the g&t spiked with vermouth, black olive tonic and a sprig of rosemary.

Antipasti dishes include roast aubergine and red peppers adorned with toasted pine nuts, nocellara olives and caramelised sultanas. Or slices of tuna carpaccio topped with gherkins, salsa verde, caper berries and lemon zest with tuna anchovy mayo. The focus is on fresh, handmade pasta dishes to share. Pici alla Norcia is a highlight, with thick pici pasta worms topped with a deep, umami-rich ragu of porcini mushrooms and Umbrian sausage. Large ravioli parcels are filled with sweet pumpkin and black pepper, or try oxtail ragu enriched with black ferrandina olives and tossed through silky pappardelle folds. linastores.co.uk

Turquoise plates on a marble table filled with pasta, a whole fish and a steak

Dishoom – for casual Indian food

Inspired by the all-day Irani cafés that were an integral part of Bombay life, there are now four branches of Dishoom in London (and another in Edinburgh), each serving Bombay breakfast, lunch, afternoon chai and dinner. Dishoom restaurant can also be found in Shoreditch, Carnaby and Covent garden. To see more of our best Indian restaurants in London, click here