Lady’s West Hampstead Guide

When I first moved to London and told people that I lived in Hampstead, they always responded the same way. “Oh! I love West Hampstead!” they would say, even though the neighborhoods are completely different. I didn’t understand why they confused the two. I still don’t. But if everyone loved West Hampstead so much, I needed to find out why.

West Hampstead

Years later, I had only made it out to West Hampstead once. For some reason I never felt the pull to go west even though I spent time exploring Highgate to the east, Belsize Park to the south, and Hampstead Garden Suburb to the north.

But recently I’ve started to discover West Hampstead, and I’m beginning to understand why it’s such a popular place.

Its high street, West End Lane, is packed with good restaurants, funky shops, popular pubs, and buzzing bars that are lively from morning till night.

There’s also no shortage of green spaces and attractive architecture. From the pretty park at West End Green to the larger Fortune Green to the north, the roads are lined with colorful mansion blocks and bright red brick buildings.

West Hampstead Restaurants

In recent months I’ve had a chance to explore some of West Hampstead’s restaurants and shops.

First there was a dinner at Banana Tree, a restaurant that serves pan-Indochina cuisine. Then there was a good meal at The Wet Fish Cafe, which serves modern comfort food in a former fishmonger’s shop.

There was also a great dinner at Sarracino, which a friend of mine from Pompeii insists is the best Italian restaurant in London.

West Hampstead Shops

As far as shops go, the allure of West End Lane Books is so strong I can never resist popping in. This independent bookstore offers a range of titles, evening readings, and a book club.

West Hampstead Bars and Pubs

Then there are pubs like the Black Lion, lounges like The Gallery, and vintage-inspired cocktail bars like the Alice House. All of them are on my list of the best places in West Hampstead.

West Hampstead, London

Over time I hope to discover more of West Hampstead’s restaurants, shopping, bars, and pubs, and to get better acquainted with the London neighborhood everyone loves. I can’t wait to share more about this place.

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