Les 2 Garçons in Crouch End has been named London’s best local restaurant by The Good Food Guide.
The French restaurant, a classic neighbourhood venue, serves hearty Gallic country food, with dishes such as confit duck with haricot beans, steak frites, and roast sea bass.
The accolade is one of many regional winners in The Good Good Guide’s list of Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants, published today, and which looks to champion Britain’s accessible, neighbourhood gems that serve their communities.
The list was compiled after 37,000 public nominations for restaurants across England, Scotland and Wales, with each to make the final 100 visited by guide inspectors.
The overall winner for 2023 was named as Tallow in Royal Tunbridge Wells, which editor Elizabeth Carter praised for its cooking, affordability, and service.
She said: “Tallow stood out, head and shoulders above what is a very strong list this year. For a chef of this quality to be so happily focused on running a neighbourhood restaurant is extraordinary.
“There’s a level of commitment here that would sit happily in many top restaurants. Everything is beautifully thought through, from food you really want to eat — delicious, simple, seasonal — to the remarkably at-ease service and the care of customers.
“The menu offers choice (à la carte or tasting), is affordable, completely changes each month, including the bread and the snacks; regulars like to visit at least once a month in order to try it out. Most live close enough to walk or are a short taxi ride away. They are very lucky."
Tallow owner Donna Taylor said: “What an unexpected and humbling acknowledgement for the whole team at Tallow, and such a privilege to be considered alongside restaurants we love and respect.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive confirmation from our guests that Tallow has become what we had hoped, an accessible, relaxed dining experience that they wish to enjoy over and over again.”
Joining Les 2 Garçons in London are regional winners including The Kinneuchar Inn in Leven, Scotland, Rocket & Rye in Cowbridge, Wales, and Wild Artichokes in Kingsbridge, Devon.
Higher Ground, a bistro in central Manchester, was also picked out for merit by the guide after a public nomination which described it as a “friendly, welcoming local restaurant in the heart of the city centre, creating a much-needed link to the local food system.”
The restaurant uses local produce from the restaurant’s partner farm, Cinderwood Market Garden, and has helped to create a sense of community in the city.
Kate Nicholls, the CEO of UKHospitality, said the list is important in shining a light on smaller operators.
“Local restaurants are so often the heartbeat of communities, providing jobs, generating economic growth and, most importantly, providing fantastic food,” she said.
“It’s brilliant to see such huge support from the public for their local restaurants and deserves recognition for their hard work. This sort of support is invaluable as venues face ever-rising costs and is essential in keeping valued businesses viable.”
London’s best local restaurants, according to The Good Food Guide
- Les 2 Garçons, London
- Copper & Ink, London
- Sam's Riverside, London
- The Holland, London
- Giulia, London
- Akub Restaurant, London
- Hawthorn, London
- Church Road, London
