The best restaurants in Hampstead and Belsize Park

Schnitzel fans, this one's for you. Von Crumb is a cosy café and restaurant that's all about big, juicy schnitzels. They serve chicken, veal, beef, and even a vegan aubergine version, and if you fancy it in a sandwich, they even tuck schnitzels into soft challah buns with fun little twists. Beyond schnitzels, there's goulash, sausages with mash and sauerkraut, small plates and salads if you're feeling like something a bit lighter. The café side also serves solid coffee and smoothies to wash it all down with.

Tucked away on a quiet Hampstead street, Ravel's Bistro is a small spot serving classic European cooking with a French twist. The menu sticks to familiar territory, serving dishes like coq au vin, duck en croûte and oven-baked trout. There's a short wine list, a handful of cocktails, and a relaxed vibe that makes it easy to stick around. It's the kind of place that feels well-suited to casual dinners and catch-ups.

Oliviya is a family-run Lebanese restaurant that feels warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in. The room is light and breezy, with floral wallpaper, pastel colours and soft lighting setting the tone. The menu is broad, covering breakfast through to dinner, and focuses on well-known Lebanese dishes made using traditional family recipes. Portions are generous, and there's plenty of choice whether you're after something light or more filling.

Heath Street Kitchen is a bright, contemporary space serving food from morning through to evening. Brunch is a big draw, with staples like shakshuka and avocado toast sitting alongside small plates such as gambas pil pil or chicken schnitzel later in the day. The menu borrows ideas from different cuisines without overcomplicating things. Large windows bring in plenty of natural light, and the walls double as a showcase for local artists' work.

The Holly Bush is a proper Hampstead pub – cosy, full of character, and the kind of place you can settle into for hours. The food is classic pub fare done really well, with a menu featuring dishes like roast lemon sole, pan-seared venison, and a Sunday roast that's worth planning your weekend around. The bar's well stocked, and if you need it, there are upstairs rooms for a private get-together.

Mitsuryu is a simple Japanese restaurant focused on well-made sushi at sensible prices. The menu is broad, covering all the usual rolls and nigiri, alongside rice bowls, noodle soups and a handful of cooked dishes. It's run by a chef with international training, and the approach is more about consistency than theatrics. The Hampstead branch also offers takeaway, delivery and catering for events.

Must Wine Bars are aimed squarely at people who care about what's in their glass. Since launching in 2018, they've built a strong selection of over 70 wines by the bottle, sourced from across the world. Food comes in the form of cheese, charcuterie and fish platters, chosen to match perfectly. The spaces are small and relaxed, with private tasting rooms available and regular events that range from structured tastings to more casual gatherings.

Jin Kichi is a long-running Hampstead favourite offering a broad outlook on Japanese cooking. The menu spans hand-rolled sushi, grilled skewers, rice bowls and noodle dishes, all served in a snug, traditionally styled dining room. Drinks include a concise list of wines and a few cocktails, keeping things simple and straightforward. The atmosphere is calm, with many regulars dropping in for classic comfort food.

Sitting right by Hampstead Heath, The Spaniards Inn is a gorgeous, wood-panelled pub with plenty of history. The kitchen serves familiar pub favourites, including Sunday roasts, while the bar mixes classics with a rotating selection of craft beers. Outside, there's a charming beer garden that's perfect in the warmer months. The Grade II-listed building has literary connections and a long local following, which gives it a sense of character you don't find in many pubs these days.

La Crêperie de Hampstead has been part of the area since 1980, operating from a small truck next to the King William IV pub. It's one of the area's most recognisable food spots, and queues are more or less guaranteed. The menu sticks to sweet and savoury crêpe classics, cooked to order and served through the hatch. It's quick, informal and very much a takeaway operation, but it's become a Hampstead ritual for many locals and visitors alike.

Nautilus is a long-standing West Hampstead institution for traditional fish and chips. The setting is simple and practical, with the focus firmly on the food. The menu covers all the expected classics, with a wide choice of battered fish, plus options like sausages, chicken and a few salads. Drinks are straightforward, featuring a selection of beer, house wine and soft options, and service is efficient.

Wood-fired goodness, smoky flavours, and small plates made for sharing – that's Cinder in a nutshell. The menu is chock-full of dishes like charred flatbreads, grilled aubergine, and perfectly cooked meats, all in a warm, buzzy space that feels both casual and a little bit special. It's perfect for a laid-back dinner or a Friday night catch-up that doesn't feel like much effort.

Mimi serves Italian comfort food with a subtle Asian twist. The menu changes with the seasons, keeping dishes fresh, and the wine list is thoughtful without being too intimidating. The dining room is cosy and elegant, making it a great pick for a date night, a special catch-up, or any evening when you want something a little bit different in the heart of Belsize Park.

Chef Mirko Pisano brings Australian and Italian flavours together in this calm, elegant Belsize Park spot. Dishes like agnolotti with potato and pecorino in lemon butter, or rib-eye with bone marrow butter and fries, showcase the inventive cooking locals love here. There's outdoor seating too, making it perfect for a relaxing al fresco lunch or a quieter dinner.

Jamon Jamon in Belsize Park is all about tapas done well in a cosy, plant-filled dining room. Here they have all the classics, like patatas bravas, tortilla, prawns in garlic and chilli, paella, plus Spanish wine, sangria, and beer. Perfect whether you know your tapas or are trying it for the first time.

Retsina has been a Belsize Park favourite for over 30 years. This family-run Mediterranean spot does all the classics beautifully – tzatziki, hummus, souvlaki, lamb keftiko, and moussaka – and pairs them with a solid selection of Greek and international wines. It's simple, reliable, and welcoming, and is the kind of place locals keep coming back to time and time again.