London Restaurant near British Library
 

We will be staying three nights in a hotel near St. Pancras Station and the British Library . Does anyone have suggestions for nearby restaurants that are reasonably priced? We are not looking for elegant dining--just something tasty, but not over-priced. Thanks for any suggestions.

The area absolutely isn't the gastronomic centre of London. But for tasty:
- Kitchin (absolutely no relation to The Kitchin: a high quality place in Edinburgh): 8 Caledonia St (www.kitchinn1.co.uk)
- Several good Indian veg places along Drummond St, the other side of Euston. Standard staples for decades (esp Shankar): excellent value £5 or so lunch buffets
- A really grotty-looking Chop Chop noodle place, opposite KX station
- You're not that far from North Sea Fish in Leigh St. Generally accepted as the best chippy in London (anyone with other nominations either doesn't know what they're on about, or has this silly Northern thing about using lard)
- I've not tried the Itadaki Zen (www.itadakizen.com) but it gets good reviews

I was impressed by the Grand in St Pancras station. Pricey, but very high-quality British ingredients (oysters, properly hung beef, and the like)

Another vote for North Sea Fish.

I loved the Norfolk Arms, a pub with really enjoyable food. It's on Leigh Street.

Here's the website: www.norfolkarms.co.uk

We went there when staying near Russell Square. I liked it so much, I'm going to go again on our next trip -- even though my family is staying near St. James Park.

St Pancras is well connected to every part of London. You don't have to eat in the neighborhood. You'll be 3 stops from Covent Garden and a few stops from most anyplace in the central city.

I find whether in a flat or hotel, I seldom end up eating nearby unless there is a particular 'must' in the neighborhood. I usually eat where I am out and about (shopping, the theatre, sightseeing, whatever).

I only mention this because so many post asking this sort of question -- getting around London is easy and safe so you can eat <u>anywhere</u>.

There are also quite a few places to eat inside St Pancras. There is a pub (upstairs I think), Carluccios - nice Italian chain, Le Pain Quotidien - good for coffee and cake or lunch, Paul - a French bakery with baguettes, cakes etc. Some of these are quite casual. There is also a Yo Sushi, a burger place etc.

Kay

Just remembered this website, it shows you what is around a specific London area and you can also narrow it down by cuisine:

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/

Kay

I second flanneruk's recommendation of North Sea Fish Restaurant.

Kay has just summarised perfectly how, apart from at the Grand, St Pancras station offers an abundance of eating places and nowhere you eat anything worthwhile.

I'll add my vote to those who have already mentioned North Sea Fish and the Norfolk Arms, as well as the variety of Indian places in Drummond Street. There are a bunch of casual sandwich shops in Chalton Street that are popular with British Library readers at lunch time, and there is a pub (in Judd Street?) called The Skinners Arms, which is popular with the same group in the evening. Janisj is right though, in that you won't necessarily have to eat close to your hotel.

<I only mention this because so many post asking this sort of question -- getting around London is easy and safe so you can eat anywhere.>

Janis there are folk like moi who enjoy returning to their accommodation after a rugged day of sightseeing, walking, etc, clean up and then in early evening would just like to stroll to a nearby place to eat and this is what the OP I think has in mind and what I think many folks would like to do - that is not have to get to the Tube perhaps some blocks away - tube to resto and back, etc. But would just like to find some local nearby places to hop to and back.

and what I like is getting to know the area I stay in and going to local eateries - it makes me feel more like moving into the neighborhood.

Getting to know your local environs around my accommodation is one of the joys of being in London - why take the Tube around town to hit some acclaimed eatery rather than just exploring the area around the hotel and making some find of your own?

And in the Kings Cross/St Pancras area there are more and more various types of eateries and a short walk south of the British Library is the University of London area with lots of little restaurants tucked away - nice places though not the famous (and really expensive) ones that janis is often on about - but really local fare.

Getting to know your local environs around my accommodation is one of the joys of being in London - why take the Tube around town to hit some acclaimed eatery rather than just exploring the area around the hotel and making some find of your own?

And in the Kings Cross/St Pancras area there are more and more various types of eateries and a short walk south of the British Library is the University of London area with lots of little restaurants tucked away - nice places though not the famous (and really expensive) ones that janis is often on about - but really local fare.

Charp45, also remember that you are merely one tube stop from Angel, where you will find a whole street of restaurants (Upper Street). It's also the chance to see a neighbourhood place free from lots of tourists – most local residents in the area are young professionals, so the choice of cuisine at reasonable prices are very very very many.

Look up places online at Hardens.com – very reliable restaurant review site (and book). Here's a seacrh on your local: http://www.hardens.com/restaurants/london/kings-cross/

I can recommend 06 St Chad's Place for a nice contemporary eatery in King's Cross walking distance from where you're staying.

Here's the link to St Chad's:

http://www.hardens.com/az/restaurant...hads-place.htm

Chilli Cool in Leigh Street is close and serves good Sichuan food.

I walk often thru the area just south of the British Library and St Pancras - well southwest of St Pancras, which at first glances is still a rather takcy area - but more to the west in the Univ of London area you see quite a few really small restaurants, with just several tables serving Italian, Greek and a multi-national brigade of other ethnic foods - whilst these restos may not (or may for all I know) appear in any guides or draw hoards of tourists they are intimate and look inviting - the thrill of exploration and trying a place that you have not already reviewed (and do not have to travel long ways on the Tube to get to) is another factor IMO. But though in general the British Library- St Pancras area does not have as many restaurants as many London venues it is not a culinary wasteland IMO - certain areas north of the British Library seem to be such wastelands but there are many areas around it that are not.

I really appreciate all the suggestions! PalenQ, you are right! We would prefer to eat in the area near where we are staying. We tend to be skittish about hopping on subways unless it's in broad daylight, but will certainly try to get out of the area after the library research is done. Someone mentioned that we really must see Greenwich, so we will try taking the Tube and perhaps a river cruise to that area. Also, we have not been to The Tower of London.

Oh -- my goodness. Don't worry about the tube/buses in London. If you limit yourselves to only traveling in daylight -- you will be stuck near the Library for half of your time in London.

You can eat every meal there if you want -- but please don't hunker down in Kings Cross/St Pancras every evening. Just don't.

I really appreciate all the suggestions! PalenQ, you are right! We would prefer to eat in the area near where we are staying>

Well this is not to say that folks like janis, who wish to travel to destination restaurants they have read reviews about or that others have raved about are not also correct in that feeling. Whatever one likes it good for them.

But others like me just enjoy the spirit of adventue in finding out places - places we've not read reviews about or are going to because of what others say - just finding local places that may turn out to by nice and we enjoy the thought of returning to our hotel and going back to that local place again and again perhaps. Or we may find a place that does not rate any Michelin stars, etc. But I at least find it fun to take a chance and explore the local area rather then hopping on a crowded tube perchant and going long distances to places that are famous.

Each to their own and who says who is right?

BTW - yes there is no danger IME of riding the Tube for decades at night or anytime - that should not be a factor. More a factor would be to me after a long day of sightseeing just wanting to go back, have a glass of wine and then leisurely walk to some nearby place.