Best cafés in Hampstead and Belsize Park

Greenberry Café is one of those places that people in Primrose Hill love. It's small, familiar, and easy to like, with pavement tables out front and a few garden shacks tucked away at the back. Inside feels unfussy and comfortable, with wooden furniture and photos on the walls. The menu works throughout the day, covering everything from pastries and eggs to more filling plates, and a seasonal evening offering that keeps things interesting without overcomplicating. Add a thoughtful wine list, decent coffee, and a dog-friendly policy, and it fits neatly into everyday neighbourhood life.

WatchHouse is where you go when you want a good coffee and a bit of quiet. The space looks fancy but is cool and laid-back, and the coffee is consistently on point, whether you're in for a flat white or a quick espresso. There's food too, including seasonal bits, pastries, and light bites, although most people are here for the caffeine. It suits solo visits, laptops, or post-walk pit stops.

Karma Bread is small, busy and very good at what it does. The baking changes daily, but there's always proper bread, sandwiches and a line of sweet things that disappear fast. The buns are the main event and worth planning around if you have a favourite. You can sit in for breakfast or lunch, though many people grab a bite and leave before anything sells out.

Ginger & White feels like it's always been there, serving coffee, a long tea list, and a counter that usually has something tempting – chocolates, ice cream, pastries. Food sticks to familiar territory, like sandwiches, falafels, cheese toasties, and there's also a deli and catering side, which makes sense once you realise how many locals use this place as a daily hangout.

Time Art Café is a classic local café where the coffee is biodynamic, and served alongside a list of juices, healthy bowls and breakfast and brunch classics. The space doubles as a gallery, so there's usually something lovely to look at on the walls, and the crowd is mostly locals, freelancers, and people passing through. It's a local favourite doing everything you'd expect from a classic café.

Silverberry feels more like a community than a café. People talk to each other here, tables get pushed together, and no one seems in a rush. The menu is built around sharing plates of food, including things like arancini, baked meatballs, and veggie dishes, and the coffee keeps things classic, with a few extras like hot chocolate and matcha. It's warm, welcoming and easy to sink into.

Rose & Rose is the kind of place that takes its coffee seriously, sourcing it from around the world, including their best-selling Mount Blend from family-run farms in Brazil, El Salvador and Colombia. The tea list is better than most, and the food is squarely in café comfort territory, like focaccia toasties, pastries and smoothies. It's cute, cosy, and minimal, with lots of natural light and an easy vibe.

Boulangerie Bon Matin is one of those cafés that always seems to be in demand, especially around brunch time. The counter is stacked with pastries and cakes, alongside savoury options that pull in Mediterranean flavours and cover a lot of bases, including vegan and halal-friendly dishes. It's a good shout if you're with a mixed group and no one can agree on what they want. Coffee is solid, the atmosphere is friendly, and they also do catering if you need to feed a larger group.