Where To Eat In Coal Drops Yard

The King’s Cross area has undergone a huge transformation in recent years. No longer just a place to catch the train, it’s now a destination in its own right – thanks in part to the arrival of Coal Drops Yard, a buzzy dining and shopping hub. Its cobbled streets and brick arches are home to a wide variety of places to eat and drink, from street food favourites to cosy cafes and wine bars. Here we bring you a guide to the best restaurants in and just beside Coal Drops Yard.

Best Restaurants in Coal Drops Yard

hicce

In Latin ‘hicce’ translates as ‘in the moment’ – which sums up the ethos of this charming restaurant. It’s the brainchild of designer-turned-chef Pip Lacey, who won Great British Menu in 2017, going on to finesse her culinary skills at Angela Hartnett’s Murano and eventually opening her own solo venture. The restaurant – which is pronounced ‘ee-chay’ – is all about enjoying the moment: sharing good food and drinks with good company, amid a relaxed setting. Inspired by Japanese and Nordic cooking, Lacey uses techniques like fermenting, pickling and steaming to cook creative, flavourful dishes – both sharing-style boards and larger plates such as cod with wild garlic and artichoke; and hispi cabbage with yoghurt and sunflower seeds. 

102 Stable St, London N1C 4DQ, hicce.co.uk

Hoppers

Since opening on Soho’s Frith Street back in 2015, Sri Lankan eatery Hoppers has gained a cult following. A project from the Sethi siblings, the team behind Indian fine dining restaurants Gymkhana and Trishna, there are now three branches of Hoppers in London – including one in Coal Drops Yard. Food is inspired by the coastal journey from Colombo to the Dutch town of Galle, offering family-style feasting dishes. The speciality hoppers are bowl-shaped, fermented rice pancakes served with chutneys and kari (curry), which you can enjoy alongside kothus, a Sri Lankan street food favourite, and grilled meat dishes like BBQ hispi cabbage and tamarind and fennel pork ribs. The King’s Cross branch also has an extended bar which serves two of Hoppers’ own brewed beers alongside sharing punches.

Unit 3, 4 Pancras Sq, London N1C 4AG, hopperslondon.com

Barrafina

The Hart brothers now have five outposts of their Spanish tapas restaurant Barrafina dotted around the capital – including the largest branch in Coal Drops Yard. It has a signature industrial feel, with exposed brickwork, marble topped counters and an open kitchen. Pull up a stool at the bar to watch the chefs in action, whizzing up seafood and meat dishes inspired by traditional Catalonian cuisine. Must-trys include the ham croquettes, the patatas bravas, the gambas rojas and the famed pan con tomate, which had people queuing round the block when the restaurant first launched in Soho.

27 Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4AB, barrafina.co.uk

Caravan

All-day dining spot Caravan was the first restaurant to open at King’s Cross, and it has been a popular spot ever since. Housed within a Grade II listed Victorian grain store, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and has its own al fresco terrace opening onto Granary Square. Head here for a stellar brunch (vanilla pancakes, chorizo and potato hash, baked eggs, the lot), sourdough pizzas or larger plates like grilled halloumi and minted freekeh, baked miso cod, and rose harissa marinated chicken breast. You can’t go wrong.

1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA, caravanrestaurants.co.uk

Morty & Bobs

Really, who doesn’t love grilled cheese? Unless you’re vegan, you’ll find it impossible to resist the most famous dish of Morty & Bob’s, an all-day cafe and bar known for its stellar cheese toastie, which rose to fame at a street food stall in East London’s Netil Market. In 2015, the eponymous founders opened a permanent cafe in London Fields, followed by the flagship in Coal Drops Yard. Pop in for a pastry, brunch, bar snacks or coffee, with other comfort food dishes on offer including orichette and cavolo nero pasta, chicken schnitzel with fried egg, and flat iron steak and fries. 

London N1C 4DQ, mortyandbobs.com

Coal Office

What do you get when a world-famous designer collaborates with a top chef? A beautiful restaurant which is a feast for all the senses. Coal Office is a joint venture between Tom Dixon and Israeli restaurateur Assaf Granit, offering Middle Eastern sharing plates amid a stylish setting – think blackened timber walls, industrial Victoran brickwork and pendant lighting. Food is inspired by Granit’s homeland of Jerusalem, plus spices and flavours from the Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa. Enjoy small plates like polenta with asparagus and truffle oil, plus larger dishes such as Lechi Lach: braised ox cheek with Turkish coffee and celeriac cream.

2 Bagley Walk, London N1C 4PQ, coaloffice.com

The Lighterman

A chic three-floored bar and restaurant in Granary Square, The Lighterman is named after the Victorian lightermen who worked on flat-bottomed barges, known as ‘Lighters’, on the canals and rivers of London. Perched on Regent’s Canal with a large wraparound terrace, it serves a modern British menu from breakfast through to dinner, with meat and fish cooked on a wood-fired grill.

3 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH, thelighterman.co.uk

Casa Pastor

The sister to Borough Market’s much-loved El Pastor is a lively bar and restaurant inspired by Mexican taquerias, decked out with vibrant murals and hanging basket lighting. A succinct menu draws on the cuisine of the Yucatan and Baja California regions, with heritage corn tortillas made fresh in Bermondsey each morning and piled high with toppings: from chipotle braised short rib to free range pork shoulder with Oaxaca-sytyle cheese. Pair with guacamole, ceviche and salsas, plus a tequila or two, for a taste of Mexico right here in the capital.

Coal Drops Yard N1C 4DQ, kingscross.co.uk

Featured image: Morty & Bobs