Go back to, ooh, the latter half of the 20th century, and Kings Cross didn't have one of the best reputations. Drug dealing and prostitution was rife, making it one of London's most notorious neighbourhoods. However the opening of St Pancras International, arrival of the Eurostar in 2007, and more recent regeneration efforts such as Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square, have seen the area become one of London's liveliest districts.
Thanks to the wealth of rail connections to the rest of the UK and select European destinations like France and Belgium, as well as it's key spot on several underground lines, Kings Cross is an excellent base for tourists. There's everything from lavish luxury to dorm beds in hostels - and plenty of mid ranges options in between.
Where the area really shines, however, is dining and drinking. Many of London's best restaurants have a Kings Cross outpost, plus there's plenty of interesting independents worthy of your time. At night, the area really comes to life, with iconic gig venues, and some very cool bars.
If you're looking to explore the area, or perhaps using it as your base for a London trip, read on for the very best things to do in Kings Cross.
Where to Stay in Kings Cross
- St Pancras London: (pictured) The Grand Dame of Kings Cross hotels, housed in one of London's most beautiful buildings. Book for a room overlooking the Eurostar terminal for prime people watching, and make sure to check out the iconic staircase - as featured in the Spice Girls music video for Wannabe!
- Pullman London St Pancras: A stylish, modern stay close to the station, with great views out over Kings Cross.
- The Gyle: One of Kings Cross's more quirky hotels, set across townhouses in a residential mews. Bathed in swathes of green with a terrier mascot, this boutique stay is full of character - plus the bar will be a hit with whisky enthusiasts.
- The Standard London: Possibly Kings Cross's coolest hotel, The Standard boasts a great working space in the vast, book filled lobby, as well as a rooftop terrace overlooking St Pancras International.
- Kimpton Fitzroy: Technically more Russel Square territory, but close enough and good enough that I hope you'll let it slide. A beautiful hotel set in a striking historic building - plus glamorous Fitz's bar is one of my favourite hotel bar interiors in the city.
Things to do in Kings Cross
Coal Drops Yard
Kings Cross has never traditionally been a shopping destination, however that's started to change. Over the years a number of major high street labels and independent boutiques alike have been 'setting up shop', and it's burgeoned into quite the shopping district.
There's the walk up King's Boulevard which is lined with shops and eateries (including an & Other Stories), brands aplenty in St Pancras International, and now the newly opened Coal Drops Yard. The latter is a converted Victorian coal store which has been redeveloped to house some of London's most-loved restaurants (tapas joint Barrafina, Mexican Casa Pastor and the aforementioned Morty & Bob's call it home) and a selection of chic boutiques and independent brands. Some spots of note include Beyond Retro, a popular vintage clothing emporium, and Kitchen Provisions, which sells all things kitchenware with a focus on Japanese imports.
Coal Drops Yard
Stable St
London
N1C 4DQ
Go for a Wander
Regents Canal
On a balmy Summer's day there are few London activities more pleasant than a leisurely stroll along Regents Canal, admiring the house boats and elegant homes that back on to the water. Start at Granary Square, and head West to reach Regents Park and ZSL London Zoo (pictured, about an hour or so walk), or East for Islington and Hackney (I've never done this end so can't comment on it's attractiveness!). You might stumble across some wildlife, waterfront restaurants or secret pub gardens for an aperol spritz break en-route.
Time for Tea and Cakes
Afternoon Tea at Searcys
Afternoon tea has become THE THING in London of late, with numerous establishments coming out with their own takes on the British tradition left right and centre. I've had my fair few - some are better than others, some are downright bland. As someone who isn't the biggest tea drinker, the food needs to be up to scratch, and if there's a glass of bubbles to go with it, all the better.
I recently tried the travel themed afternoon tea at Searcys in St Pancras International, right up by the trains on the upper floor of the station. It's certainly an unconventional spot for tea compared to the cosy drawing rooms of upper crust London hotels that established the ritual of afternoon tea and cake. But nothing about the Searcys afternoon tea is conventional, drawing on the location to create a travel themed offering. Inspired by the locations you can visit from the station, there's desserts from Germany, France, Italy and Scotland, all served up in a kitschy suitcase.
It's unstuffy, fun, but still elegant, with the optional extra of a glass of very fine (which means I drank it all in about 2 sips...) English sparkling wine.
The savoury options include classics, but also the unusual quinoa and pomegranate in a spiced avocado wrap (sounds weird, tastes great). On the sweets front, the passionfruit meringue pie was a standout, light and creamy with a fruity zing. Oh, and I loved the addition of Battenberg, an old childhood favourite!
Reinventing a classic can be tricky but Searcys manages the perfect balance of traditional and playfulness that makes their afternoon tea a truly special event.
St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar by Searcys
Grand Terrace, St Pancras International Station
London
N1C 4QL
Everyman on the Canal
Granary Square, a bustling open square connecting Kings Cross station and Coal Drops Yard, really comes alive in Summer. Throngs of children playing in the fountains outside the impressive UAL Central Saint Martins building (fun fact: I wrote my dissertation in one of the armchairs in the windows), restaurants spilling out with alfresco diners, it becomes one of London's buzziest spots.
If you wander through in the height of Summer, you might spot a queue snaking past the bordering Regents canal. This is Everyman on the Canal, a free, open air cinema experience. The steps down to the water are turned into seating, where groups and friends and families gather to watch classic films like Grease and Back to the Future.
There's ice creams and drinks available to purchase (on a particularly hot day, the frozen margaritas are a welcome respite). Screenings start from noon, with 4 films a day (check the website for up to date listings). It's also a popular spot to watch the Wimbledon matches, which are screened live during the tournament.
Everyman on the Canal
Granary Square
London
N1C 4PW
Where to Eat in Kings Cross
Tamila Kings Cross
London’s Indian dining scene is largely dominated by Northern Indian flavours, however in recent years a quiet renaissance has been afoot. Prince Durairaj, the chef behind much lauded Desi pub The Tamil Prince, sister restaurant Tamil Crown, and casual dining spot Tamila, is helming the rise of South Asian cuisine in the city.
The latter has three venues, across Kings Cross, Soho, and Clapham. I visited their Kings Cross branch under the guise of research, but in all honestly, I'd been excited to try it since it first opened up shop in London. My mother grew up in Tamil Nadu, and I spent summers at our family home in Madurai, the beautiful Tamil temple city. As such, I grew up on masala dosas, idlis, uttapam, and other South Indian flavours - so I was intrigued to see these flavours reimagined for a Western audience here in London.
The menu is fairly concise - a selection of snacks, dosas, tandoor and curries alongside the usual naans and rices. We picked a dish from each section, which proved perfectly portioned for a party of two. Things started off strong with the prawn varuval, juicy hunks of richly spiced king prawns with curry leaves. They continued on with the chilli cheese dosa - a more compact size than the traditional, but the accompanying coconut chutney tasted just like my Amma's.
Onward to the lamb chops, gorgeously charred with a mint chutney to cut through the heat. The Thanjuvar chicken curry was our pick of the curries, a richly complex sauce that truly did bring me back to Tamil Nadu. My only qualm is that the prices feel a tad steep for fairly compact dishes, £30 for 3 average size lamb chops is the kind of pricing you’d expect at a far fancier spot. But this is London, so it's unfortunately par for the course.
Indian restaurants have long been ubiquitous in the London dining scene, but Tamila is bringing a fresh perspective, and its working.
Tamila
5 Stable Square
London
N1C 4AB
Morty & Bob's
Morty & Bob's is a street food staple turned bricks and mortar restaurant in Coal Drops Yard. They rose to fame for their oozy, gooey, utterly cheesy toasties, however the menu has since evolved with a range of snacks, sharing plates, and mains.
They describe themselves as "Modern European" with an American influence - but it's really just a bit of everything, burgers, burrata, and yes, several grilled cheese options. There's also a concise brunch menu available from 11-3pm, which is largely your usual avo toast and eggs.
Since my visit they've changed the menu so I can't recommend any specific dishes, but if you're looking for a menu that has a bit of something for everyone with a slice of comfort cooking, it's a great Kings Cross pick.
Morty & Bob's
49 Coal Drops Yard
London
N1C 4DQ
Dishoom Granary Square
Dishoom is far from a hidden gem. Queuing, sometimes for more than an hour, is par for the course. In said queue you'll likely overhear throngs of American tourists loudly proclaiming their excitement. You'll probably find yourself half an hour in, questioning just how much you're really craving a hit of their signature black dhal.
However, despite a level of hype that would normally have me turning up my nose, Dishoom somehow always seems worth it. No matter how many times I visit, I find I never get bored of their fragrant, comfortingly familiar bowls of curry and grills - and of course the aforementioned black dhal.
The Granary Square branch is my absolute favourite. Set in an airy converted Victorian warehouse with the usual Dishoom touches reminiscent of the India of yesteryear, it's always busy and always buzzing. The space is vast, with several floors including a chic basement bar The Permit Room, offering a late night space to indulge in their unique cocktail menu. My go to is the Bollybellini, a light, refreshing cocktail of raspberries and lychee topped with prosecco.
I should mention that this is not traditional Indian fare. Though there are certainly biryani's and curries and plenty of familiar dishes, they've been giving a uniquely Dishoom twist.
Most regulars will have their 'must-order' dishes, but my recommendations are the Prawn Koliwada to start (juicy but fiery prawns with chutney to dip), the tender and creamy Murgh Malai, and yes, of course, the famous Black Daal. Honestly though, you'll struggle to go wrong whatever you pick. Save room for their rich chocolate pudding with a hint of chilli - it's one of my favourite desserts in the city.
If you're really invested, you can pick up some Dishoom merch. There's vinyl, filled with retro London meets Bombay hits, and a cook book. Of course, I have both. When we're really craving it, we occasionally recreate the black dhal at home, slaving over the stove from 6am to 6pm to perfect the flavours. But you just can't beat joining the queue, surrounded by locals and tourists alike, the strains of 60s disco providing the soundtrack as you tuck into all the classics.
Dishoom
5 Stable Square
London
N1C 4AB
A few more Kings Cross Restaurant Favourites
- Bubala: Middle Eastern small plates with a focus on vegetarian fare. My favourite is the delightful halloumi drizzled in honey, and the hummus is always a must.
- El Pastor: One of the better spots for a Mexican meal in London - the sharing short rib is delightful.
- Bao: Bao is a bit of a London institution, with a number of spots across the city. They pretty much do what they say on the tin, serving up delicious bite size Taiwanese bao with a number of fillings. There's also other dishes like beef rice, dumplings, and noodles, and the house roasted peanut milk is a must try.
- Hoppers: Sri Lankan food has been having a bit of a moment in London, and Hoppers is one of the OGs. It's an opportunity to try a lesser represented cuisine in the city - but beware, certain dishes pack some serious spice.
- Dim Sum Duck: This is one I've yet to make it to myself, but this Kings Cross dim sum spot draws big crowds for their dumplings and roast duck. Try it and report back whether it's worth the hype?
Grab a Drink
The Racketeer
When it comes to drinking in King's Cross, you've got plenty of great options. From cheap and cheerful happy hour destinations to all night long parties, there's something for every occasion. My current favourite spot for a casual drink is The Racketeer, a laid-back pub meets cocktail bar hidden away from the main strip.
They offer a mean cocktail menu of unique serves (try their take on a caipirinha, or a Trinidad Swizzle if you're a rum drinker like me), as well as plenty of wines, beers and spirits.
There's charcuterie if you're peckish, plus they host occasional alcohol masterclasses and guest street food. The outdoor garden is a chill spot for summer days, and make sure to check out the cosy downstairs area, with fairy lights and sofas.
The Racketeer
105 King's Cross Rd
London
WC1X 9LR
Being a North Londoner I'm probably a bit biased, but Kings Cross is arguably one of London's most interesting neighbourhoods to explore. So much more than just a travel hub, it's rich with history, culture, art - and so much great dining, you could happily eat your way around the area without running out of choice.
I know I say this at the end of all my guides, but this is far from the be all and end all of things to do in Kings Cross. However I hope it provides a solid starting point for exploring the neighbourhood - and if you have any more recommendations, please don't hesitate to pop them in the comments below.
