Upon arrival at Café Hampstead, guests enter an elegant dining room adorned with deep green velvet chesterfield sofas, while skylight roofing provides a bright and airy feel. There is also the presence of counter top dining facing the open-plan kitchen, nestled towards the back of the restaurant away from the buzz of the ground floor bar.
Highlights from the menu include the burnt aubergine, served on a bed of fresh tahini and topped with fresh Israeli salad. The aubergine was expertly singed and provided an optimum level of smoky flavour without overpowering the dish. Elsewhere, the chicken schnitzel dish we sampled as a main was succulent and caked in golden breadcrumbs but could have benefited from a more imaginative side than mashed potato.
Whilst it may not have the dazzle of some of its more well-known Middle Eastern contemporaries Cafe Hampstead is likely is likely to appeal to locals seeking a more imaginative midweek casual dining experience.