Guide to the best restaurants in Crouch End

Guide to the best restaurants in Crouch End

Crouch End is a well-heeled North London suburb, home to a few celebs and known for its traditional clocktower. Explore the area and you'll also find plenty of exciting boutiques, cafés, and restaurants serving a broad array of different cuisines from around the world including Thai, Turkish, and French. If you're wondering which Crouch End restaurant is right for your next meal out, we're here to help. We've put together this guide to the best restaurants in the local area.

In this guide
  1. Top restaurants in Crouch End
    1. Bar Esteban – Trendy tapas place
    2. Belash – Atmospheric Indian meals
    3. Lyon's – Local favourite for seafood
    4. Little Mercies – Trendy cocktails and plates
    5. Saki – Specialising in sushi
    6. Les 2 Garçons – London's leading local restaurant
    7. Bistro Aix – Romantic French restaurant
    8. Paesan – An authentic taste of Italy
    9. Khoai Café – Local Vietnamese favourite
    10. Tootoomoo – Great for groups
    11. La Fabrica – Cosy tapas
    12. Sumak Restaurant – Turkish food, buzzy atmosphere
    13. Melange – European all-day dining
    14. O's Thai Café – Long-standing Thai restaurant
    15. Pandan Leaf – Warm and earthy
    16. Bufala Di Londra – Your taste of Naples
    17. La Torre – Tuscan home cooking
    18. Brekky&Brunch – Time for breakfast
    19. Cubes – All-day Mediterranean vibes
    20. Nonnos Pizza – Crowd-pleasing Italian food
    21. Lydia Brasserie – Trendy all-day dining
    22. The Meghna Tandoori – Indian food since the 1980s
    23. Paccata – Rustic place for Thai food
    24. Lovage – Cool brunch spot
    25. Wow Simply Japanese – Local pioneer
    26. Bengal Indian – Traditional Indian cooking

Top restaurants in Crouch End

Bar Esteban

Trendy tapas place

When you're craving tapas Crouch End has Bar Esteban. At this hip eatery you can try out an array of classic tapas dishes as well as additional seafood options like refreshing ceviche. Spanish wines, sherries, and cocktails are the ideal accompaniment to a meal here. The interiors have a timeless but still trendy feel.

Belash

Atmospheric Indian meals

Belash serves Indian cuisine in an atmospheric space with low lighting and rich decor. Eat in this evocative space or order a takeaway from this restaurant. Classic Indian dishes are available here, including an extensive choice of curries ranging from mild to extra hot. You'll also see Tandoori dishes and all the traditional accompaniments here.

Lyon's

Local favourite for seafood

Lyon's has a reputation as one of the area's top restaurants. This family-run venue specialises in refined seafood served in a light and airy environment. The menus have diverse global inspirations and change frequently - expect options like oysters and scallop ceviche. An affordable set menu is on offer as well as a selection of drinks chosen to pair well with seafood.

Little Mercies

Trendy cocktails and plates

Little Mercies is a trendy destination for cocktails or food in Crouch End. This neighbourhood venue serves craft cocktails, with classic, original, and booze-free drinks available. A sophisticated and frequently-changing array of small plates are served as well – expect the likes of torched mackerel or mushroom croquettes. The venue is contemporary and is open in the evenings only.

Saki

Specialising in sushi

Sushi is available in Crouch End at Saki. This restaurant is a tranquil and contemporary venue where skilled chefs prepare classic Japanese dishes. Quality sushi and sashimi is the main focus of the menu but you can also try other favourites like katsu curry or noodles. Sake and Asian beers are available to go with your meal.

Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons
Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons
Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons
Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons
Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons
Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons
Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons
Les 2 Garçons – Restaurants in Crouch End
Les 2 Garçons

Les 2 Garçons

London's leading local restaurant

Award-winning bistro Les 2 Garçons was named London's best local restaurant in 2023. This cosy and sophisticated eatery serves hearty French cooking in a warm and convivial environment. There's an elegant main dining space plus private dining facilities. The main bistro menu is all about French classics plus there are daily specials written on chalkboards.

Bistro Aix

Romantic French restaurant

At Bistro Aix Crouch End diners get classic French cooking in a timeless and romantic space. The restaurant is decorated with sweeping Renaissance-style murals, plush banquettes, and tables with white tablecloths and lit candles. This place is popular for steak but the menu includes other options. Many of the wines available here are organic or biodynamic.

Paesan

An authentic taste of Italy

Visit Paesan and you can savour Italian cuisine in a contemporary space. There's also a heated outdoor terrace for al fresco dining. Authentic and traditional dishes prepared with gourmet ingredients are on the menu including antipasti, comforting pasta recipes, and Italian desserts. Wine and cocktails here are the ideal accompaniment to a meal.

Khoai Café

Local Vietnamese favourite

Crouch End residents go to Khoai Café to get their fix of Vietnamese food. This well-established restaurant is recognised for its warm and friendly atmosphere. Pho is a popular dish at this humble eatery but some of the other tempting choices on the menu include salads, spring rolls, stir-fried noodles, and exciting regional specialities.

Tootoomoo

Great for groups

Diners get fun pan-Asian cooking at vibrant restaurant Tootoomoo. There are several locations in North London, including one in Crouch End. The diverse menu here means it's an excellent choice for group meals with something for everyone. Bottomless brunch is on every weekend, featuring Asian plates and limitless beer and prosecco.

La Fabrica

Cosy tapas

Discover Spanish tapas in a cosy neighbourhood space at La Fabrica. This modern Andalusian restaurant serves inventive signature dishes and creative takes on tapas classics. There are seasonal specials too. Diners can try out a broad range of tapas in addition to paella. A varied range of drinks are served to complete a meal here.

Sumak Restaurant

Turkish food, buzzy atmosphere

Sumak Restaurant is an in-demand place for Turkish cuisine in Crouch End. It's a buzzy restaurant with a bustling atmosphere and a dining room decorated with tiles and murals. Classic dishes are available to eat in or take away, including hot and cold mezze, casseroles, and kebabs. The restaurant offers a set lunch menu and serves simple children's food.

Melange

European all-day dining

Melange Crouch End is one of the most popular places to eat locally. There's also a sister site in Barnet. This spacious corner restaurant serves French, Spanish, and Italian dishes. Inside there are tiled walls and a crisp and current style. Food is available all day and there are à la carte and set menus, plus dishes for kids. Cocktails and wine are served.

O's Thai Café

Long-standing Thai restaurant

O's Thai Café has been dishing up Thai food since 1997. This well-established local spot has a vibrant exterior and big windows to let lots of light inside. Flavourful and authentic Thai cuisine is on the menu, including specials you'll see written on chalkboards. A well-selected wine list is available to go with the food here.

Pandan Leaf

Warm and earthy

Thai restaurant Pandan Leaf has an earthy colour scheme and plenty of natural materials both on the exterior and in the dining room. This comfortable and contemporary venue specialises in traditional Thai cooking. The menu is packed with classic dishes, from soup and salads to Thai curries and stir-fried dishes.

Bufala Di Londra

Your taste of Naples

If you're craving real Neapolitan pizza, Bufala Di Londra is worth checking out. This on-trend eatery has exposed brick walls in the dining area and specialises in premium pizzas with tomato or white sauce and various toppings. Each pizza is fired for 60-70 seconds on a surface made out of volcanic soil from Mount Vesuvius.

La Torre

Tuscan home cooking

Try regional dishes from Tuscany at family-run restaurant La Torre. Diners can expect hearty and authentic home-cooked food here, with choices like pasta, meat and seafood, and mouthwatering desserts. The wine list is Italian; cocktails and beer are served too. The dining space here is straightforward and classic.

Brekky&Brunch

Time for breakfast

Brekky&Brunch is a local expert when it comes to breakfast and brunch. This buzzy spot attracts a crowd with its eclectic choice of sweet and savoury dishes ranging from filling fry-ups to Med-inspired dishes and fluffy pancakes loaded with cream and fruit. It's a vibrant local venue with a bustling atmosphere and a big reputation locally.

Cubes

All-day Mediterranean vibes

Mediterranean all-day dining is available at respected local restaurant Cubes. This contemporary venue looks trendy with exposed bricks, wooden surfaces, and a cosy atmosphere. Outdoor dining is available too. The creative food here includes Mediterranean breakfast dishes, mezze and tapas items, grilled chicken, and juicy steaks.

Nonnos Pizza

Crowd-pleasing Italian food

Nonnos Pizza is a popular option for pizza and other Italian dishes. The spacious restaurant has outdoor tables under the canopy plus a comfortable and rustic indoor dining room. The menu includes an extensive choice of traditional pizzas and calzone, pasta, and cheese platters. Kids' dishes are served and the restaurant welcomes bigger groups.

Lydia Brasserie

Trendy all-day dining

At the edge of Crouch End you'll find Lydia Brasserie, an on-trend neighbourhood eatery serving daily food. The charming venue is full of classic style and has indoor and outdoor tables. From delicious breakfasts to big family meals or a quick and easy weekday lunch, this place is an ideal choice. The food served here has Mediterranean and European influences.

The Meghna Tandoori

Indian food since the 1980s

Since 1982 The Meghna Tandoori has been a classic spot for Indian dining in the area. It's a calm and relaxed restaurant with traditional decor. Familiar Indian dishes are available to eat in or take away, including onion bhajis, Tandoori dishes, an extensive choice of curries, and classic breads. Non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Paccata

Rustic place for Thai food

Authentic Thai cooking is served at Paccata. This cosy eatery has a rustic feel and serves generous portions of classic, vibrant dishes. A set lunch menu is available as well as the main menu. There's plenty to choose from including vegetarian and gluten-free options. The restaurant aims to bring an authentic taste of Thailand to Crouch End.

Lovage

Cool brunch spot

Trendy café and bistro Lovage serves fresh and seasonal dishes all day long. It's a simple space with a cosy and welcoming feel and has gained traction on social media. This place is famous for breakfast and brunch, with plenty of sweet and savoury options to choose from. Cocktails are served here too.

Wow Simply Japanese

Local pioneer

Wow Simply Japanese opened in 2006, making it the first and longest-running Japanese restaurant in Crouch End. It's a humble and friendly spot that serves traditional dishes to eat in or take away. Recipes use ingredients sourced from ethical UK suppliers. You can expect sushi and sashimi, katsu curry, and rice and noodles on the menu.

Bengal Indian

Traditional Indian cooking

When you're craving Indian food, head to smart and simple restaurant Bengal Indian. Eating-in and takeaways are available from this popular local restaurant. A wide range of classic dishes are on the menu, including plenty of curries, meat or vegetarian thali meals, and biryani. Lassi and Indian beer are served as well.

Send suggestion

Did we miss something in this guide?

Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.