What: Scandinavian restaurant, cafe and bar Kupp, with its waterside terrace, is an airy space with a pleasing, colourful menu of smorgasbords, all gravadlax, cured fish and pickles-a-plenty.
Where: West London’s version of the King’s Cross development is similar to the pioneering behemoth, yet quite different too. They’re both zeitgesity mish-mashes of steel-and-glass towerblocks, water and cute boats, but King’s Cross definitely has the edge over Paddington in the dining and drinking departments. That said, we do like the floating gardens and outside spaces that adorn the basin which, on a weekday lunchtime visit, buzzes with lunching office workers in holiday mood under a very hot midday sun.
Why: Swerving serviceable chains like Pizza Express, we popped in to Kupp for lunch and enjoyed a generous plate of house-smoked mackerel with soft boiled egg, avocado, the sweet crunch of pickled veg and slim discs of red onions, for £8. There’s a much more pricey a la carte too.
Don’t:Â Forget to head to the pared-back small London chain Draft House for a decent pint before – or even a two-thirds (or third, for that matter) – of craft beer. It also boasts views over the water and fountains.
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Notes: Afterwards take a walk back around Little Venice, admiring the palatial mansions that line the canal at St John’s Wood, before veering northwest at the ZSL London Zoo Aviary and into Primrose Hill. Or follow our guide here on how to do a perimeter of the Zoo without forking out: it’s amazing how many animals and birds you’ll spot.
Main image – Kupp is on the right (Stephen Emms)
