Where to eat in London with a close group of friends?

[EachandEveryone]

Evening. A group of eight central or North ish
London. Not Gordon Ramsey prices but we can spend a bit. Preferably somewhere where we can go for a drink after. I’m waiting to hear some news and it will be the day after that so we want to be somewhere we can talk but has an atmposhere. It’s getting closer to Xmas I don’t think it will be that easy. Thanks. I have looked at Gallipoli in Islington but I don’t know if it’s too casual? Looks nice though.

What type of cuisine? The world is represented.
Where are you staying?
Have you looked on foodie websites?
Price PP?

There is so much to choose from down here. I've had fabulous food in an ordinary Italian cafe all the way up to a fine dining, Michelin starred restaurant.

We live in the Suburbs we will all arrive at Kings Cross we are familiar with London but I don’t want Mayfair prices as I feel they are already coming out for me.

German gymnasium in kings X?

There's some great places in coal drops yard too.

Op I always love restaurants where you can share food like Turkish / Greek / tapas. King’s Cross has a Dishoom where you can get tiny plates of curry and I think there is a Tas within walking distance for more Turkish food. I have had amazing food from that TAs and a different Dishoom.

Vinoteca in Kings X, reasonably priced food, great wine.

I was also going to suggest Coal Drop Yard. I’ve been to Dishoom and Hoppers there

Had a lovely meal with friends at Bellanger in Angel, food was excellent and atmosphere smart/casual. French Bistro-type place with amazing soufflés, roast chicken, truffles for dessert. From The Wolseley people but more casual than that. Cosy atmosphere, quality food. Bellanger.co.uk

Good shout. These are my favourites in that area.

If you like Spanish, then any of the Salt Yard group are worth going to. My particular favourite is Ember Yard They do wonderful cocktails. The original, Salt Yard is in Fitzrovia, which is walking distance from Kings Cross. There's a few nice restaurants around that area and some cocktail bars as well.

I like
Foley's restaurant
Pinch for cocktails

Kings Cross Dishoom.
Or go central and go to Brasserie Zedel, it’s PERFECT at Christmas and wildly affordable so you can splash out on starters, puddings, cocktails, coffees, etc, without selling a kidney.

Brasserie zedel would be perfect...then the bar afterwards.

We went to Arabica in kings cross recently. Really amazing food and nice atmosphere. A bit further away than some of the other suggestions but worth the walk.

I also loved Hoppers, and German gymnasium is nice although portion sizes are tiny.

Brasserie Zédel is a great idea. Dishoom Kings X is fab but you must book - they take group bookings in the evenings.

Caravan kings x

Camino near King's Cross does great tapas!

Caravan in Coal Drops yard is lovely, it's big as well so you will be able to talk easily.

Just to say Gallipoli is fabulous, been going for years and never had a bad meal there, however it's quite cosy and the tables are pretty close together so maybe it would be better for another time.

Oh I wanted to go here but it looks like the whole of December is blocked out after 1630

4 of us walked into Brasserie Zedel the other Saturday at about 5.30/6 -and got a walk in. they always keep walk in tables, maybe not so good for you OP but anyone else reading this - it's always worth a try.

@stuntbubbles and @Notsympatheticenough

What do you eat in there? The menu looks challenging to me as oppose to say balhezar?

I'd avoid Central as service always suffers with the pre Xmas parties and crowds.

Drapers Arms, Islington
The Albion, Islington
1251, Islington
Trullo, Islington
Fredericks, Islington
Megan's, Islington
Camino, Kings X
Barrafina, Kings X
Bleeding Heart, Farringdon
Luca, Farringdon
Sessions Arts Club, Farringdon

The noise in Caravan in King's X is deafening. I like The Coal Office there. Zedel is great or Demartino or Iberica in Great Portland Street.

Challenging how? It’s French brasserie food. We usually get the prix fixe and I generally opt for the carrots, chopped steak and a pudding, plus a cafe gourmand, then we generally get a variety of vegetable sides for the table like green salad, creamed spinach, etc. And as many French martinis as I can handle and a bottle of cremant.

Or steak tartare and frites, or mussels and frites; always with the carrot starter.

Camino's (not extortionate but definitely not cheap) or Harrison's.

Another vote for Hoppers in King’s Cross. So delicious and not too pricey.

All the suggestions I was going to make are in this post, particularly Trullo and Camino.