The Lighterman

British, Modern European·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of The Lighterman

Bronze Award

Set against the banks of Regent’s Canal, the Lighterman beckons with its three-storey restaurant and expansive terraces. It’s simple, yet elegant, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of Granary Square.

Floor-to-ceiling windows win us over immediately and we feel in our own little world with our canalside table. It’s a refined and neutral backdrop, from the Scandi-style furnishings to the bursts of life from potted foliage sprinkled around the room. The lights are dimmed, leaving the setting sun to do most of the work, accentuating the natural charm of the waterside location.

The restaurant hums with life, despite being early on a Monday evening, a testament to the site’s popularity. There are even a couple of diners braving the April chill for a prime seat along the towpath.

Menus here boast the kind of gastropub cuisine you might expect from such a place, with the focus put on simplicity and quality. We kick off our evening with a crab salad. It’s delicate and uncomplicated but incredibly fresh, perched atop a circle of creamy avocado. The whole dish works as a spread and we slaver it on our toasted soda bread triangles - wishing we had more when they quickly run out.

There’s a whole section on the menu dedicated to flatbreads and we’re intrigued, ordering one to follow. These are not to be missed and arrive ‘when ready’ to maintain that incredibly crisp base that proves it’s straight out of the oven. Chorizo, sweet chillies and shaved fennel are a winning combination, as we rip apart the incredibly cheesy slices. Mussels arrive steaming in a never-ending pot that means we don’t quite reach the creamy sauce, despite our best efforts.

We finish with a lemon and vanilla cheesecake served with a raspberry sorbet. The base is full of seeds and nuts, an unusual addition that helps enhance the flavours and we devour every bite despite being incredibly full.

With its unpretentious charm, attentive service and refined dishes, an evening at the Lighterman is one well spent, with pretty reasonable price tags considering its picturesque location.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
British, Modern European
Ambience
Cool, Fun, Lively, Unique
Food Occasions
Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Sunday roast
Alfresco And Views
Great views, Outside seating, Rooftop, Terrace, Waterside
Special Features
Dog friendly, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+]

About

If you’ve wandered into Coal Drops Yard, the fashionable restaurant and shopping quarter by King’s Cross, you’ll have spied The Lighterman. One of the first restaurants rising to meet the eye as you cross into this gentrified hub, its sleek exterior, boasting Brutalist-esque architecture and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, stands out immediately. And, it’s a nod to the experience that can be enjoyed inside; The Lighterman is a contemporary pub concept with a modern British menu and a be-seen atmosphere. 

The menu is generally all-day dining, with some special dishes at the weekend. To start, the flatbreads are somewhat of a speciality, cooked in a clay oven. There are toppings such as Suffolk chorizo, fennel, smoked mozzarella and chilli, as well as asparagus, pea and lovage pesto with macadamia cheese. Other starters include Lighterman's fried chicken with chilli and lime, British burrata with orange and toasted walnuts, and British charcuterie with toast and chutney. 

Classic mains tick off some gastro-pub classics but with a decidedly Lighterman twist - Hake and chips come with crushed peas and homemade tartar, chicken schnitzel is accompanied by confit tomato, rocket and Parmesan, and the Lighterman burger includes smoked Cheddar, bacon and fries. 

Carnivores will enjoy the grill selection which offers up the likes of Saltmarsh lamb cutlets with green beans, 32 day aged rare breed sirloin and grilled prawns with tomato and garlic salsa, all cooked on open coals. And, whether your taste is more fresh and zingy or rich and indulgent, the pudding menu aims to please. Think rhubarb and ginger pavlova with vanilla bean yoghurt; warm cinnamon doughnuts with berry compote and tonka bean ice cream; or chocolate and peanut butter tart with salted caramel ice cream. 

At the weekend, feast on the brunch selection with pancakes piled high with tasty toppings, eggs any way you like and those delicious flat breads. The team recommend topping everything off with a Bloody Mary, of which there are many types.


FAQs

What’s on the menu?

There are a few different menus to choose from depending on the time or day you dine. For the most part you’ll be choosing from the main menu, but there is also a special Sunday menu, a Saturday brunch menu and a kids menu too. The modern British dishes have a light European touch woven through them, and you’ll have the choice of plates like Norfolk lamb and wild garlic pie or pan-seared salmon with crushed potatoes and a seaweed butter.

Helpful? 1

Is there e a terrace?

Yes, the restaurant is famous for its terraces, which stretch across the restaurant’s three levels at King’s Cross. All of the Lighterman’s terraces have parasols and heaters to cater for all weather conditions.

Helpful? 1

How do I book a table?

You can book a table directly using the widget above, which allows you to check availability for your chosen time and date.

Helpful? 1

Videos and 360 tours

The Lighterman

Location

3 Granary Square, King's Cross, London, N1C 4BH

020 3846 3400 020 3846 3400

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 12:00-23:30
Tue 12:00-23:30
Wed 12:00-23:30
Thu 12:00-23:30
Fri 12:00-00:00
Sat 10:00-00:00
Sun 10:00-22:30

Reviews

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12 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Roland J

22 October 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Jacintha B

13 August 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 1
Service 1
Atmosphere 1
Value 1

Robert M

29 June 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Keith G

12 May 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 2.5

Joanne W

02 May 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 1.5
Atmosphere 2
Value 2

Robert M

08 June 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Lunch meeting

Nice vibe and great setting in Granary Square. Only had a salad and my colleagues a few starters but what we did have was good. Service was very good. Ideal for a lazy summer lunch or meeting venue.

Anon

14 May 2022  
Food & Drink 1
Service 1.5
Atmosphere 1
Value 1.5
Obnoxious scary host

Most obnoxious host ever.
Attended today at 5.40 pm for dinner and drinks.
Host, Caucasian male, wearing a navy/black with thin white stripe polo shirt with shaved black hair, was so obnoxious. When I asked for a table on terrace he became rude and aggressive , arguing and "staring me out" I was so shocked and scared. I have never been treated so badly. Reported to manager and she was lovely and our drinks bill was waived. We chose not to eat there after such an awful experience and went elsewhere where the host was lovely and we had an amazing time.

Awful, awful man. Lighterman management- Please please ensure this awful man is not allowed to treat other customers this way.

Joanna H

08 May 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Amazing - a real find !

Anon

07 July 2021   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 3
n/a

n/a

Jillian

07 July 2019  
Food & Drink 3
Service 3
Atmosphere 4
Value 3
Disappointed

I had one of the priciest meals, sirloin steak and half a garlic bulb , extra for chips! Steak way to dry , chips already salted and garlic cold. Not going back.

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