A few weeks ago on a sunny Friday where my husband was also home we decided it was about time we went up to Hampstead Heath to have a little explore. I can’t believe in all the years I’ve lived in London I’d still not been for a walk on the heath! Walking means there has to be a pub lunch somewhere in the mix. So, after a little shoutout over twitter some of my favourites recommended we go to The Spaniards Inn for food. So we did!
We took the overground all the way from Forest Hill up to Hampstead Heath station. We walked just over 1.5 miles up the heath working up our appetite for lunch! It felt like one of the first proper days of Autumn – it was sunny and crisp and the leaves were rustling on the trees. It was one of those walks that you just want to breathe in and savour.
The Spaniards Inn lies at the top of the heath, just off the main road and a few minutes from Kenwood House. As it was a beautifully sunny day we decided to eat outside at the pub, probably one of the last al fresco lunches of the year!
Having seen the sticky toffee pudding on the menu we already knew there would be no room for starters. So went went straight into the mains.
Luckily my husband likes sharing food as much as me. After our standard food discussions (these usually go on for a while), we whittled down our choices.
A crisp Autumn day calls for pie in my eyes. So order pie we did! The venison and beef pie was filled to the brim with meat and a delicious port and juniper gravy with the perfect crisp to the pastry. The chunky roasted carrots and smooth mashed potatoes were great for sopping up the rich, velvety gravy.
To keep the balance, we ordered the baby kale salad with chargrilled chicken, tomatoes, avocado and mozzarella. This was covered in the most delicious herb dressing. The generous portion of chicken was juicy and although totally different, rivalled the pie. And to bring the balance right back, we ordered the triple cooked chips. They were incredible! Order them. Thank me later.
If there is sticky toffee pudding on the menu 99.9% of the time I will order it. This was no exception! This was a toffee and medjool date pudding with vanilla bean ice cream. I hope this never comes off the menu, it was the perfect sticky, dense sponge. This was meant to be a sharer… I ate at least two thirds, Dave got about two mouthfuls!
We chatted away whilst we enjoyed the rays and finished off our shandies. We walked a different route back down the heath to the station and off home we went. It was a pretty perfect afternoon.
I can’t wait to return to The Spaniards Inn in the winter, on a cold day, because it looks so cosy inside. The food here is just what you want from a pub – full of flavour and hearty. But it’s not ‘over-done’ like many pubs do – ridiculous portion sizes of average food. Hearty doesn’t just have to be stodge, here the food has interesting flavours and is cooked really well. I can’t wait to try more of the menu next time!
The Spaniards Inn
Spaniards Road
Hampstead
London
NW3 7JJ
Other London restaurants for leisurely lunches:
An epic Sunday lunch at Smokestak
Brunch in style at Cafe Monico
Old-school British comfort food at Coin Laundry
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Ohh this post came at the right time! I’ve been thinking about going ever since it was recommended in Time Out last year, and this month I’m hoping to finally go. I went past it on a bus last weekend when it was already dark and looked SO cosy! x
Laura // Middle of Adventure
Go go go!! It’s such a lovely pub. I really want to go back soon for a pie and glass of red and get all cosy inside!x
Oh my days that chicken salad!! I have got to go – thank you for inspiring me!
http://www.stephyttravels.com
It was an epic chicken salad! I definitely recommend the food. And a lovely spot to rest your legs after a walk on the heath!
Look at that pud! ? Used to come here, back in the day, but haven’t been in years. Looks great!
It was a great sticky toffee pudding! The food is fab, you should definitely make a return!
That venison and beef pie looks amazing! I’ve never eaten there but been for a drink so will have to check it out. The location is so fantastic for walks on the Heath
Oh you definitely need to try the food next time you’re there Suze, it was delicious!
I love the Spaniards Inn! It is one of the best pubs in London and it was one of the first ones I visited when I moved to London over ten years ago. Hampstead Heath remains one of my favourite places in London, if you head up there again there is also a wonderful pub called The Angel Inn in Highgate Village which is an absolute gem!
I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to discover it. We loved it there. But will definitely try The Angel next time I’m that way – thank you for the recommendation!