Restaurant Reviews

114A, 116 Fortess Rd, London NW5 2HL

French restaurant and bar, Authentique draws its offering inspiration from 12 French-speaking regions, such as Jura and Savoie (between Switzerland and Burgundy) which rotate monthly. There's a huge array of interesting wines served by the glass, while the well-stocked wine shop has around 700 wines and 75 beers.

167 Junction Rd, Archway, London N19 5PZ

Norman's looks like it’s been here forever, but actually only dates back as far as 2020 and is a modern take on a proper British caff (not a café). It keeps the humble tradition alive with the likes of hearty English fry ups, and dishes from sausage, beans and chips (not French fries) to cottage pie, and syrup sponge and custard.

83 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY

This neighbourhood Filipino bakery is another outpost from the Maginhawa group which owns Bintang and Ramo. Here, it's all about sweet and savoury baked goods, including Japanese-inspired fluffy sando sandwiches filled with corned beef hash or panko chicken and mushroom, through to breakfast Filipino milk buns with beef sausage, egg, cheese and tomato compote.

26 Fortess Rd, London NW5 2HB

From owners Tanzi Ellison and Jean-Francois Pioc – who previously set up Café Gourmand in Soho – Patron brings a slice of French brasserie dining to Kentish Town. Expect classics like countryside terrine and slow-cooked confit duck on the menu. Their dining room extends across two buildings - next door also has a Parisian speakeasy-style spirit lounge, plus a terrace at the back.