Traditionally one of London's seedier neighbourhoods, nowadays King's Cross has become one of London's liveliest districts in part thanks to the major train connections to the rest of the UK and abroad via the Eurostar. Due to this and and its key spot on several underground lines it's a good a base for tourists - stay at the luxurious St Pancras Renaissance, or one of the more affordable hostels in the area. There's not a huge amount in terms of exploring during the day, however at night King's Cross is at its best, with plenty of bars, nightlife and venues to while away an evening with friends.
Start Your Day
Big Chill Bar
Or end it, depending on your preference, at Big Chill Bar, a Kings Cross institution by day and night. The downstairs bar is heaving with partygoers on a Friday night, however the rooftop is worth visiting all day, with a weekend brunch menu (book in advance for bottomless!) and burgers available during the week. They change up the decor seasonally, inspired by different themes (at time of writing this is 'Think Pink', with everything from the walls to the drinks turning rose-tinted). It's the perfect spot for a lazy boozy weekend indulging in eggs and cocktails in the sun. And if you stay long enough, the party may just be starting downstairs!
Big Chill Bar
257-259 Pentonville Rd
London
N1 9NL
Morty & Bob's
I feel like I don't need to say much here, because just look at that beautiful table of brunch goodness?! Morty & Bob's is a street food staple turned bricks and mortar restaurant in shopping and dining hub Coal Drops Yard, known for their oozy, gooey, utterly cheesy toasties. They serve these up on their brunch and lunch menu (with mixed onions, mushroom and truffle, or the daily special), alongside plenty of classic brunch dishes and a few twists.
Pictured is their wild mushrooms on toast with pesto and a fried egg, and I scarfed down their decadent brunch bun with bacon, avocado and egg. They also have an evening dinner menu (yes, you can still get toasties), and cocktails if you're in the mood to party.
Morty & Bob's
49 Coal Drops Yard
London
N1C 4DQ
Browse the Shops
Coal Drops Yard
Kings Cross has never traditionally been a shopping district, however that's started to change, with high street labels and independent boutiques alike 'setting up shop' in the area. 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, 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 brand. It's not exactly a 'shop till you drop' destination (you won't find a Primark!), but if you're looking for that cool new brand that'll have everyone asking "where did you get that?", you might just find it here.
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
Dining in King's Cross
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
Drake & Morgan
Drake & Morgan is a sprawling restaurant meets bar yards from the station that’s the kind of place you could take anyone, at any time, and have a good experience. It’s a reliable fallback - though by no means life-changing, the menu is varied, reasonably priced, and good quality, and there’s always a “buzz”.
The food is a mix of modern European - think small plates, burgers and tacos. My recommendation is getting a few plates to share, and definitely get the trio of fries, including truffle and parmesan and a slightly sweet and sticky honey bbq option.
Book in advance for dinner on busier nights or expect to sit at the countertop overlooking the kitchen - though watching the chefs in action is entertainment in itself.
Drake & Morgan
6 Pancras Square
London
N1C 4AG
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
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