Beautiful Primrose Hill in London, a village like area of grand Victorian terraces and pastel coloured townhouses. Remember the movie about Paddington Bear? Famous Primrose Hill park has stunning panoramic views and sunset over Regent's Park and the city of London. Upmarket delis, chic eateries and cute boutique fashion shops cluster along Regent’s Park Road. And even the surrounding streets are dotted with gastropubs and lovely tea rooms. The Regent’s Canal towpath leads to nearby Camden Town Market and further down to the upcoming Coal Drops Yard area near Kings Cross. Even Hampstead Heath is on a relatively short distance.
We were lucky enough to live in Primrose Hill for almost six years. We used to live on Regents Park Road, Calvert Street and for the last three years on Chalcot Square. Primrose Hill, you stole our heart and you will always be my second home.
This local guide will tell you where to eat, drink, shop and other things to do in Primrose Hill. Please find our favourite Primrose Hill restaurants, bars, bakeries and shops below.
Breakfast | Brunch | Coffee | Lunch | Pubs | Restaurants | Shops | To Do
What is Primrose Hill famous?
Primrose Hill became famous because it was home for London-based celebrities like Kate Moss, Ewan McGregor, Sadie Frost and Jude Law. Also known as the “Primrose Hill Set” during the 1990s. Most of them have moved out. But if you care, you can still occasionally bump in to other famous people.
Where is Primrose Hill in London?
Primrose Hill is a Grade II listed public park located north of Regent's Park in London.
How to get to Primrose Hill?
The nearest tube station is Chalk Farm. Cross the bridge and walk along Regents Park Road. At the end of this shopping street you will find the park. You can also walk along the Regents Park Canal from Camden Town tube station. Or walk through Regents Park, pass the zoo and walk into the park from the other side.
Primrose Hill Cafe for breakfast, lunch, brunch or coffee
Anthony’s Delicatessen - Our go to Italian deli on the weekend. Fresh baked bread, pastries, coffees and delicious sandwiches. Great place! 146 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XN -facebook.com/pages/Anthonys-Delicatessen Greenberry Cafe - A light, bright café. It does get too busy on the weekend when other Londoners visit Primrose Hill. You can't really go without a reservation which doesn't make it the best experience for me. However, breakfast is good so there is a reason why people queue. 101 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UR - greenberrycafe.co.uk
Little Bread Pedlar - An artisan bakery making sourdough bread & pastries. Grab your coffee and cinnamon roll for a stroll through the park - Various locations in London.
6 Erskine Road, Primrose Hill, London, NW3 3AJ - lbpedlar.com
Melrose and Morgan - A cute deli grocery store specialising in artisan and British-sourced produce. Yummy biscuits. You can find the shop on your way to Camden. 42 Gloucester Ave, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8JD - melroseandmorgan.com Primrose Hill Bakery - Cupcake galore. You can't go wrong with cake from this local institution. We always used to go their for a birthday. 69 Gloucester Ave, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8LD - primrose-bakery.co.uk
Reenies Ice Cream Bar - All-natural, award-winning artisan ice cream and so much more! Primrose Hill actress, Sirine Saba, opened a retro ice-cream shop parlour Reenie's. Keep it sweet guys!
3 Erskine Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW3 3AJ - instagram.com/reeniesicecreambar/
Ripe Kitchen - Fresh baked goods, toasts and sandwiches, green juices and artisan coffee. Delicious banana bread too! A real treat to the neighbourhood. 136 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL - ripe-kitchen.business.site Sam's Cafe - A welcome addition to the neighbourhood. All day breakfast, lunch and dinner cafe. New location. 40 Chalcot Road, London, NW1 8LS - samscafeprimrosehill.com
The Little One Coffee Shop - I wish I could take this Little One with me all the time. Does that say enough? Great coffee and a tiny outside space on the parking lot. Always busy. 115a Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UR - tlocoffee.co.uk
What are the Best Primrose Hill Restaurants?
Restaurants like Lemonia, La Collina and Odette’s are highly recommended.
J Pizzeria e Cucina Italiana - Who ordered pizza? We did! Many times for picnics in the park. A lovely Italian restaurant on the main road. 148 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XN - jpizzeria.com La Collina - A great Italian restaurant with a casual atmosphere. 17 Princess Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8JR - lacollinarestaurant.com
La Ferme London - French cuisine and a champagne bar upstairs. A great addition to the neighbourhood. 154 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XN - lafermelondon.com Lemonia - His favourite. And therefore always my favourite. The best Greek restaurant in London is in Primrose Hill. We can order with the menu's closed. Meat combination and Moussaka. The waiters are super friendly. 89 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UY - lemonia.co.uk
Odette's - A intimate romantic local restaurant. Whether you go for the 8 course tasting menu with pairing wines or order a la carte, you won't be disappointed. All dishes are delicious and the restaurant has a lovely atmosphere. Odette also offers great lunch and early evening dinner menu's. 130 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL - odettesprimrosehill.com
Oka - A tiny Japanese sushi restaurant. A good option for takeaway at home or to the park. 71 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UY - okarestaurant.co.uk/primrose-hill
York and Albany - One of the Gordon's Ramsey group. A stylish hotel, restaurant and bar serving a British dining menu. In winter time you can hire a winter wonderland cabin for small group get-together. A great experience. 127-129 Parkway, London NW1 7PS - gordonramsayrestaurants.com/york-and-albany
Primrose Hill Pubs
The Engineer - A stylish pub in Primrose Hill. It wasn't the one we visited a lot but they do great food. 65 Gloucester Ave, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8JD - theengineerprimrosehill.co.uk
The Lansdowne - Great for an evening of beers and pizza in the pub. They also have a terrace outside in the sun which makes this pub a nice summer hangout. 90 Gloucester Ave, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8HX - thelansdownepub.co.uk
The Queen's Primrose Hill - On the corner with the park. Our local hangout and favourite pub. With a tiny outside terrace and upstairs for a more quite dinner. 49 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XD - thequeensprimrosehill.co.uk
The Princess of Wales - We used to go here quite a lot. The burger from the princess is the best from all pubs in my opinion. Sunday Roast is superb and from time to time there is life music too. The downstairs area and private dining room upstairs are great for private events. 22 Chalcot Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8LL - lovetheprincess.com
What are the best Primrose Hill Shops?
There are so many nice boutique shops in Primrose Hill like women's clothing shop Anna, wine shop Bottle Apostle or the famous Primrose Hill Book Shop.
Anna - A boutique women's clothing shop with international fashion labels like Isabel Marant, Rag and Bone, J brand, Joseph, By Marlene Birger and Baum and Pferdgarten among others. 126 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL - shopatanna.com
Bottle Apostle - Pick up a bottle of wine or specialty beer and drink it in Primrose Hill Park. 172 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XN - bottleapostle.com
Cowshed - Pamper yourself with sassages, facials, nail appointments and the likes. The Cowshed spa, part of the Soho House Group, is a great place for a little bit of 'Me Time'. Come on, treat yourself. 115-117 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UR - cowshed.com/uk
Mary's Living and Giving Charity Shop - A boutique style charity shop set up by famous retail consultant Mary Portas. I used to do volunteer work at the shop. So many great finds here and you support the charity of Save the Children. Win-win for everyone. 109 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UR - savethechildren.org.uk
Primrose Hill Books - A family run and independent bookshop. You want this one to be your local. Lucky you! For every book worm like us. Please try and support. Please do. 134 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL - primrosehillbooks.com
What are the best things to do in Primrose Hill?
There are so many great things to do in and around Primrose Hill, like going to Primrose Hill and Regents Park, the London Zoo or the Primrose Hill Food Market.
Primrose Hill Park - I can't count the hours anymore we spend in our 'back garden'. Lifelong memories. You can eat, drink and play on Primrose Hill. There is also a playground for the little ones. Unfortunately, no barbecue. Let the superb view of St Pauls Cathedral, Shard, BT Tower and London Eye do the talking. Can you walk up Primrose Hill at night? Primrose Hill can be accessed any time of the day or night.The park doesn't have any opening times and is always open, also at night. Please promise me to go back to Primrose Hill in the evening, the experience isn't the same at the top with stunning views of the London skyline.
English Heritage blue plaque spotting - There is more to Primrose Hill than the "Primrose Hill Set". Stroll around Chalcot Square, Chalcot Road and St. Mark's Cresent to view the houses were once lived famous residents like Friedrich Engels, William Butler Yeats and Sylvia Plath.
Primrose Hill Food Market - A Social Enterprise Market run by traders to support the local community. They serve up fresh produce and provide a platform for independent traders from the local community. Every Saturday 9.30-2.30pm on Elsworthy Road St Paul's CE.
Regents Park - Another Royal Park only one street away from Primrose Hill. So much to see and so much to do. Great events all year round, like Taste of London and Frieze Art. The rose garden is one of my favourites and so is the secret garden. You can message me... Regents Park Canal - Walking along the canal to Camden and Kings Cross is such a nice activity. You can explore quirky, grungy Camden or walk to Coal Drops Yard for some great breakfast and lunch places or to do some shopping. ZSL London Zoo - World famous London Zoo. There is a queue every Saturday morning but it is a nice day out. Have you ever seen a tiger? The Regent's Park, Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY - zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo
Reading Books about Primrose Hill
Christmas on Primrose Hill by Karen Swan
Love Nina, Despatches from Family Life by Nina Stibbe
The Lady in the Van by Alan Bennett
Movies featuring Primrose Hill
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Paddington
Paddington 2
The Lady in the Van
Read more about our mini road trips in the United Kingdom.