Welcome

Great restaurant list courtesy of Time Out. Plus opera, pottery and Barnet's only martyr.

Look's like the sun's coming out this week. 🌞

👩‍🍳 6 Time Out Restaurant Must-Trys

Time Out has refreshed its list of 50 best restaurants in London following the latest Michelin Star announcements as well as new openings. We’ve selected the best Finchley-adjacent names for you to check out.

​ Tollington's N4​

A trendy Spanish fish bar in a one-time chippy. Tollington’s, from the team behind The Plimsoll, serves standout Basque small plates in a former Finsbury Park chip shop. Its unchanged interiors give it real San Sebastian bar charm, while dishes like smoked eel omelette, cod cheeks and Txakoli shine.

172 Tollington Park, Finsbury Park, N4 3AJ.

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​Ling Ling’s N1​

Ling Ling’s, chef Jenny Phung’s roaming Cantonese-inspired pop-up at Godet, pairs bold, seductive cooking with an eccentric pub setting. Highlights include crisp pork wontons, radish cakes and exceptional charred hispi cabbage, transformed by pickles, hoisin and a deeply umami, nutty sauce.

382 Essex Road, Islington, N1 3PF.

​ Palmyra’s Kitchen N4 ​

Palmyra’s is a cosy, affordable Syrian-Lebanese restaurant that delivers on every occasion. Rustic interiors, warm service and smoky grilled aromas set the scene, while standout mezze, baby chicken and spicy tomato-topped kafta khosh-khash make it especially memorable.

5-7 Wells Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JU.

​Rake N1 ​

Rake, a lively residency at the Compton Arms, comes from talented chefs Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver. Their seasonal spring menu is packed with flair, from buttermilk ranch cuttlefish salad to roasted courgette and the already-iconic ray wing tenders crumpet.

4 Compton Avenue, Highbury, N1 2XD.

​ Köfteci Metin N8 ​

Kofteci Metin, a Turkish köfte house on Green Lanes, wins with simple, perfectly executed cooking. Choose plain or cheese-filled köfte, then personalise your meal with classic sides like piyaz, çoban salad and creamy cacık.

553 Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, N8 0RL.

​ Trullo N1 ​

Trullo is an Islington pasta institution, proving great restaurants do not need gimmicks. Since 2010 it has served exceptional Italian food in classic trattoria surroundings, from famed beef shin ragu pappardelle to buttery ravioli and bright, lemony crab tagliarini.

300-302 St Paul's Road, Highbury, N1 2LH.

Lower down the list you can check out Dzo Viet Kitchen N1, ​

the controversial Yellow Bittern N1 and that old favourite Olso Court NW8. 👩‍🍳

Events

ARTS

Thursday 19th March

​OperaUpClose: Gianni Schicchi (or Where There's A Will) | Thu, Mar. 19 | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | artsdepot | Tickets from £19 | OperaUpClose returns with a brilliantly subversive and satirical take on Puccini’s enduringly popular family farce.

Friday 20th March

​Bisila Noha: ‘Ile Ọkàn (House of the Soul) | Fri, Mar. 20 | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | OmVed Gardens, 1 Townsend Yard, Highgate, N6 5JF | Free | Bisila Noha: ‘Ile Ọkàn (House of the Soul) is a solo exhibition by Bisila Noha, a Spanish-Equatoguinean London-based ceramic artist, researcher and writer. Expanding on Bisila’s first Ile ọkàn (House of the Soul), originally built in Ikise, Nigeria, during a residency in 2025, the exhibition reflects on a four-year journey of material and spiritual exploration.

Saturday 21st March

​The London Potters 40th Celebration Ceramics Event | Sat, Mar. 21 | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | The Art Workers Guild, 6 Queen Square ,WC1N 3AT | Free | Celebrating 40 years of creativity, craftmanship, and community, Ceramics exhibition and sale of 40 miniatures by invited ceramicists.

COMMUNITY

Friday 20th March

​Our North Finchley Quiz Night Fundraiser | Fri, Mar. 20 | 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm | St Alban's Catholic Church, 51 Nether Street, N12 7NN | £20 including food | Join us for a fun and friendly quiz night in support of Our North Finchley (ONF) – a community campaign working to ensure North Finchley develops in a way that benefits local people. A lively quiz night with a range of rounds to test your knowledge. Fish & chips (or vegan options) supper included in the ticket price. A raffle with great prizes.

Saturday 21st March

​The London Festival of Railway Modelling | Sat, Mar. 21 | 10:00 am | Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY | From £8 | The London Festival of Railway Modelling returns to Alexandra Palace in March 2026 to celebrate 25 years at the venue. This is one of the UK’s largest and most respected model railway exhibitions. Explore 40+ model railway layouts in a variety of scales and gauges, showcasing outstanding work from the UK, Europe, and the US. From classic steam railways to modern scenes, the exhibition offers inspiration for beginners and experienced modellers alike.

MUSIC

Saturday 21st March

​Brent Symphony Orchestra's Spring Concert | Sat, Mar. 21 | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | St Martin's Church, 132 Mortimer Road, NW10 5SN | £16.17 | Join for an evening of orchestral masterpieces – with Beethoven’s dramatic Leonore Overture No. 3, Martinů’s lyrical Rhapsody-Concerto for viola, and Brahms’ profound and emotional 4th symphony.

KIDS

Saturday 21st March

​Up and Away - Summit, Pinnacle & Apogee | Sat, Mar. 21 | 6:00 pm | The Bull Theatre, EN5 5SJ | £21.38 | The Bull Theatre is delighted to welcome back Fortitude Dance Company. Join them on a sky-high adventure to islands beyond your imagination.

NATURE

Friday 20th March

​Spring Equinox Forest Bathing | Fri, Mar. 20 | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | Kenwood entrance (full meeting details on book) | Free | Join the Spring Equinox for a 1.5-2 hour gentle walk on Hampstead Heath to discover and explore the practice of forest bathing, and reconnect with nature through mindfulness exercises. Children aged 12 or over are welcome, but should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Saturday 21st March

​Litter Pick | Sat, Mar. 21 | 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | Heath Info Hut, Highgate Road, NW5 1QY | Free | Join for a Saturday afternoon litter pick. All welcome and all equipment provided. Meet at the Heath Info Hut (the former Tennis Bookings Hut), Hampstead Heath, near the Parliament Hill tennis courts. No need to book.

​Wassail At Clitterhouse | Sat, Mar. 21 | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Clitterhouse Farm, Claremont Road, NW2 1AP | Free | Join everyone on the spring equinox for an afternoon wassail, including a seed swap, plant sale, refreshments and kids' crafts.

Sunday 22nd March

​ReWear The Revolution, Fast Fashion, Eco Action Mending, Clothes Swap, Catwalk and More | Sun, Mar. 22 | 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm | JVS (Jewish Vegan Sustainable) | £6-10 | An inspiring event looking at how fashion connects to the climate and ecological crisis, creativity and justice. Bring any clothes you want to mend and learn hand-stitching techniques.Join in interesting conversations about fashion, the environment, and climate and racial justice.

Events - Book Ahead

Saturday 18th April

​Spring Brass Concert | Sat, Apr. 18 | 7:30 pm | Church House, 2 Wood St, Chipping Barnet, EN5 4BW | £10 | Join everyone at St John the Baptist Church for a wonderful evening of live brass music as they welcome back the Borehamwood Brass Band for their Spring Concert. The band promises you an uplifting programme filled with brass band classics and light music favourites.

Sunday 26th Paril

​Unique Handmade Two Sake Cups Or Bowl Making Workshop x Noriko Nagaoka | Sun, Apr. 26 | 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm | Kanpai London Sake Brewery & Taproom, 48 Druid Street, SE1 2EZ | £40 | Come join us for a fun hands-on workshop where you can create your own unique pinch pot two sake cups or bowl with different textures. Please bring anything you want to use for texturing the surface, such as shells, leaves etc.

Saturday 11th July

​Big Beat Playground 2026 | Sat, Jul. 11 | 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Victoria Park, Finchley, N3 2NE | £14.50 | Big Beat Playground is a family-friendly, dance music festival with a warm, welcoming and safe environment for children, young people and their families and very much community-focused.

Local Lowdown

Orbiting

• All aboard the future. The new West London Orbital Overground line has scored a £6.65m boost to speed things up. Running from Hendon to Hounslow, this route would go through Brent Cross, Harlesden, and Neasden. It could change travel and fortunes in northwest London. Public consultation is expected this summer, with final decisions due by 2027.

Community brewing

• Locals are supporting independent operator Hoxton Beach. They are fighting to keep their cafes in Hampstead Heath, Queen’s Park, and Highgate Wood. A 25,000-signature petition and crowdfunded legal challenge aim to overturn the City of London’s decision to bring in new operators.

Greening

• Bus stop glow-up. Cricklewood Lane now has Barnet’s first ‘living roof’ bus shelter. It features sedum plants, thanks to Fiona Quinton’s award-winning idea from the BarNET ZERO Challenge. The leafy rooftop lightens pollution, welcomes pollinators, and proves even a bus stop can be a small but mighty eco haven.

Projecting

• Barnet’s big art moment has landed. Artist Matthew Rosier and UP Projects are creating 'Ascendance'. This huge outdoor projection reflects residents' stories about movement, migration, and belonging. It’s the headline act of the year-long Light + Flight programme, set to dazzle at a free festival this November.

Deli-ing

• Sit, stay, sip. Camden’s chic corner store STORRD is turning into a “doggy deli” from March 21st - 27th, serving free puppacinos and coffees from 8:00 am – 9:30 am. It’s their thank-you to loyal early-morning walkers and a chance for pups (and people) to mingle over treats at their Jamestown Road shop.

The Finchleyite: William Hale

​St. John The Baptist Church, known locally as "Barnet Church" is in Wood Street in the London Borough of Barnet. Although it has an "EN" postcode the Church is in NW London.

The Church, which is Grade II Listed, was built around 1272, although some rebuilding has been done since especially in 1420 and between 1871 and 1872, the nineteenth century work being done by the famous Church architect William Butterfield. The area around the Church was known as "The Squeeze".

The Church stands in what was the centre of the town and was erected by the Abbot of St. Albans, John de la Moote.

It was near the Church in Church Passage that William​Hale was burnt at the stake in August 1555 for being a Protestant.

He is the only person known to have been martyred in Barnet. It is thought that the event may well have taken place at the site of the Pillory.

Editors' Note - From Tessa

Big week in the Davis Household (well, for me anyway), with my birthday and Mother's Day in the same month.

Went out with the Littlest Davis for a marshmallowy hot chocolate.

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Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze