A Guide to King's Cross

King’s Cross is perfectly located at the crossroads of north, south, east, west whether it be by train, bus, automobile or by foot. Going east gets you to hipper-than-thou Shoreditch and further along to au courant Dalston. Go a little west and you arrive in Fitzrovia and the West End. Go even further west and arrive in Notting Hill. A short walk north lands you in Camden and Hamstead. South London is connected by the Tube - a stroll in Borough market? Checking out a performance in The Tanks of the Tate Modern? The Victoria Line takes you there. Fancy a weekend sojourn in the north of England or Scotland? Then look no further than a train ride from King’s Cross. Or in need of a Parisian break? The Eurostar terminal is just a stroll away. Then there is King’s Cross itself, today so vastly different from what it was a mere two decades ago, once home to clubs such as Bagley’s and The Cross, today transformed to Coal Drops Yard. With this latest project, urban regeneration is focused on creating a core for people to come together, not just about retail, though there is plenty of that, but about a community experience. Check out Tom Dixon’s and Chef Assaf Granit’s Israeli-inspired Coal Office, sharing plates are so fun, don’t miss the kebab and the brioche with labneh. Buy some chocolates at Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse. And after all these years, denim at Jean Touitou’s APC is still coveted, follow instructions not to wash. In the summer months look out for the film screenings on the canal by Summer of Love. Coming up next will be the Google HQ, surely to change this “new” King’s Cross even more. This new landscape, whether it be Coal Drops Yard itself or the new Google HQ is the brainchild of the designer, Thomas Heatherwick. Thomas is no stranger to the area having established his studio in King’s Cross some 25 years ago and here, he shares his tips for “KX”.

Aux Pains de Papy
279 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8QF

Independent family run French bakery–best pastries in London!

Calthorpe Project & Garden Café
258-274 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8LH

Hidden gem inner-city community space and garden.

Camley Street Natural Park
12 Camley St, Kings Cross, London N1C 4PW

Urban nature reserve in King’s Cross. Currently closed as undergoing reconstruction.

Paolina Thai Cuisine
181 King’s Cross Rd, Kings Cross, London WC1X 9BZ

Small independent Thai restaurant serving delicious and authentic Thai food.

The Racketeer
105 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9LR

Recently re-opened pub and cocktail bar with nice backyard.

Gagosian Gallery
6-24 Britannia St, Kings Cross, London WC1X 9JD

One of the best known contemporary art galleries in the world, tucked away and located off the usual gallery circuit in London.

Unparalleled 145
145 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9BN

Local eccentric hairdressers, ask for a lady called Ernie.

Itadaki Zen
139 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9BJ

Quirky Japanese VEGAN restaurant.

King’s Cross Eyes
101B King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9LP

The tiniest shop ever–family run business specialized in frames and sunglasses from the early 20th century
to the 90’s.

Chillicool Restaurant
15 Leigh St, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9EW

Chinese restaurant specialized in hot traditional Sichuan dishes (extra-spiced with handmade chili oil).

Addis Ethiopian Restaurant
40-42 Caledonian Rd, Islington, London N1 9DT

Unpretentious and delicious food. Eat with your hands!

In the neighborhood, you will also find the British Library. One of the largest public libraries in the world with 150 million plus items. 

Also the hotbed for London creatives and the perpetrators of the “new” is Central Saint Martin’s; having left their campus in Holborn almost a decade ago the legendary school stands proud in King’s Cross.

A walk along Regent’s Canal takes you up to Camden. And just beyond is glorious Primrose Hill with a quintessentially London-view from the top of the hill.