Linda Liu founded the viral sensation Liu Xiaomian with her friend and fellow Chongqing expat, Charlene Liu back in 2017 as a residency downstairs from The Jackalope in Marylebone. News spread fast of the pair's amazing spicy broths and bouncy noodles. Fast forward eight years and they now also have a restaurant in Kingly Court and have just launched a second residency at The Stranded pub on the Strand. A resident of Hampstead, Linda's agreed to share her favourite places to eat and drink in the area.
Ginger & White
4a-5a Perrin's court, NW3 1QU
My long time go to for breakfast, Ginger & White is the kind of cafe you end up returning to without even thinking about it. Tucked away in Perrin's court, it has that effortless Hampstead charm: warm corners, simple design details and a team who greet you as if you've been coming for years. The coffee is beautifully balanced, I love their simple but thoughtful menu, especially the French toast and homemade granola. What I love most, though, is the sense of community. This little cafe carries the history and heart of Hampstead village in a way that feels genuinely special.
KARUTO Coffee (INE)
16 Hampstead High Street, NW3 1PX
KARUTO is tiny, peaceful and wonderfully unexpected, a little Japanese-style coffee haven perched above INE (the sister restaurant to TAKU, the Michelin-starred omakase in Mayfair). It is the kind of spot you discover once and then start quietly recommending to the right people. They serve beautiful matcha drinks with real depth and delicate Japanese cakes. Even though it sits on the busy high street, it offers this gentle stillness. A perfect stop for a thoughtful pause in the middle of the day.
28 Church Row
28 Church Row, NW3 6UP
Tucked away in a basement just off the village streets, 28 Church Row is one of Hampstead's best intimate dining spots. The room is atmospheric, offering Spanish and Italian-inspired small plates. Think sharing dishes, well-chosen wines and a room that instantly feels like a date night secret, though I love it just as much with friends or family. A quietly confident restaurant with real charm.
Your Mum's Kitchen
17 Goldhurst Terrace, NW6 3HX
Hidden beneath a Korean supermarket (SK Mart) in South Hampstead, Your Mum's kitchen feels like being invited to a friend's home for lunch, and their mum happens to be an excellent cook. The open kitchen lets you watch each dish come together, and the food is comforting, honest and properly authentic. Portions are generous, flavours are bold and the value is incredible. A true neighbourhood find.
Jin Kichi
73 Heath Street, NW3 6UG
A true Hampstead gem, Jin Kichi is the place I point to when someone asks, "but where should I really go?" The moment you step in, the atmosphere shifts, and suddenly you're in a tiny corner of Japan, with the sounds of the yakitori grill and buzz of regulars who know they're somewhere special. The menu is a celebration of proper Japanese cooking: fresh sashimi, hand-rolled sushi and a yakitori bar turning out everything from chicken wings and quail eggs to livers, asparagus and beautifully grilled fish. It's intimate, warm and authentic. I love that feeling of being whisked into another world without leaving Hampstead.
See also
For more of these local area guides, visit the My Manor page.
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