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10 Best Restaurants in Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green, Cockfosters & Enfield


A Local Chef’s Guide to My Favourite Places to Eat


If you live in Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green or Enfield, you’ll know we’ve got some real gems when it comes to places to eat. While North London often gets overshadowed by central restaurant hotspots, the truth is we have some fantastic independent restaurants, bakeries and neighbourhood gems right on our doorstep. From Turkish grills in Cockfosters to proper local bakeries on Aldermans Hill, there are plenty of places worth knowing about.


As the founder of The Winchmore Hill Supper Club, I spend most of my time cooking for others. But when I do get the chance to go out for food myself, these are the places I keep coming back to.


This isn’t a critic’s list or a “trendiest restaurants” roundup. It’s simply the places I genuinely love eating at locally - and exactly what I order when I go.


The Woodman – A Heartwood Inn

One of the Best Foodie Pubs in Winchmore Hill



The newly refurbished Woodman has quickly become a fantastic addition to the Winchmore Hill food scene. Since the Heartwood Inns team took over, the pub has been completely transformed while still keeping that cosy neighbourhood feel that makes local pubs special. It’s the sort of place you can go for a casual midweek dinner, a relaxed Sunday lunch or just a glass of wine with friends. The dining room feels smart but not overly formal, which makes it great for both date nights and casual catch ups.


My go-to order

During the week, I’m there for the burger. It’s exactly what you want from a good pub burger - juicy, satisfying and perfect with a pint.

At the weekend, it’s all about the Sunday roast. Proper crispy roast potatoes, generous gravy and everything you want from a comforting Sunday meal.



Going Greek

My Favourite Cheap Lunch in Winchmore Hill



Sometimes you just want something quick, tasty and affordable, and Going Greek hits that brief perfectly. It’s a proper local lunch spot - the kind of place you pop into when you want something fresh and filling without spending ages sitting down. Greek street food always delivers big flavours and simple ingredients, which is exactly why it works so well.


My go-to order

The Naked Chicken Souvlaki Box.

It’s grilled chicken with salad and all the flavour of a souvlaki but without the wrap. I always tell myself it’s my “trying to be healthy” lunch, but really it just tastes great.



Red Bamboo

The Best Chinese Restaurant Around Green Lanes



If you’re local to Palmers Green or Enfield, you’ve probably heard people talk about Red Bamboo. Chinese food is something I think works best when it’s shared and when you can try lots of different dishes, which is why Red Bamboo works so well.


My go-to order

The all-you-can-eat deal.

For me, Asian food is always about variety - dumplings, stir fries, noodles, crispy things, saucy things. This option gives you the chance to try loads of dishes in one sitting.


It’s also a brilliant place to go with friends because everyone can order different things and share across the table.



Holtwhites Bakery


A Local Enfield and now Palmers Green Institution


📍 Aldermans Hill / Enfield Chase https://maps.google.com/?q=Holtwhites+Bakery+Enfield


Holtwhites is one of those places that feels like it has always been part of the neighbourhood. Whether you’re popping in for breakfast, grabbing lunch or picking up something sweet, it’s consistently excellent.


My go-to order

It depends on the mood.

Sometimes I’ll grab one of their savoury croissants or pan suisse, which are always brilliant. Their sausage rolls are bloody good and I've been known to have blondie once in a while. If I want something more filling, I’ll go for a baguette sandwich, or one of their salad boxes.


They also make the focaccia I use for the sandwiches at The Winchmore Hill Supper Club, which says everything about how good their bread is.

And their cheese selection is honestly one of the best around.



Skewd

Turkish Food Worth the Drive



If you’ve lived around here for a while, you’ll probably remember Samdan — which many locals still miss. But if you want incredible Turkish food now, Skewd in Cockfosters is absolutely worth the drive. Yes, it’s a bit more of a special occasion restaurant and definitely pricier than your average grill, but the food is genuinely fantastic.


My go-to order

The meal always starts with mezze dips, and I always order the tarama and what we call 'the pink dip'

Then for the main I go for the mixed shish, because I love being able to try different meats rather than choosing just one.

And I always order the rice with vermicelli pasta.

It reminds me of eating at my friends’ houses growing up - that nostalgic comfort food feeling.



Firedog

A Brilliant All-Day Restaurant in Cockfosters


📍 Cockfosters Road, Cockfosters https://maps.google.com/?q=Firedog+Cockfosters


Owned by the same people behind Skewd, Firedog is a really versatile restaurant that works for almost any time of day. You can go for breakfast, lunch or dinner and it always feels lively and relaxed.


My go-to order

If I’m going for breakfast, I’ll usually get the salmon and eggs.

For small plates, the BBQ chicken wings are banging.

And for a main, I usually order the chicken gyro, which is packed with flavour.

It’s one of those places that works equally well for a casual brunch or a fun evening meal.



Pepos

A Proper Neighbourhood Italian



Pepos in Cockfosters is relaxed, welcoming and always busy with locals, which is usually a good sign. It has a glamourous feel to the restaurant, central London vibes but in cockfosters.


My go-to order

I usually go for either the prawn linguine or vongole.

But I always end up stealing a slice of my husband’s Diavola pizza, because it’s too good not to.



La Arte Pizzeria

A Great New Italian on Green Lanes



After many years of Giovanni’s being part of the local area, it was sad to see it close. But it’s lovely that another family-run Italian restaurant has taken over the space. La Arte Pizzeria has quickly become a really welcome addition to the Green Lanes restaurant scene. They also have the most beautiful crockery they serve their dishes in - chef's kiss for that one.


My go-to order

To start, the Frittura di Calamari is a must.

Then I recently ordered Alberto’s Pasta, which was genuinely incredible.



Nissi Restaurant

A Greek Staple on Aldermans Hill



Nissi has been part of the Winchmore Hill restaurant scene for years, and it’s one of those places locals keep returning to. Greek food is always about generosity and sharing, which is exactly what makes Nissi such a great place to go with a group.


My go-to order

The mezze.

But one warning -arrive very hungry.

The amount of food that keeps arriving is wild, and if you manage to finish it all you deserve serious credit.




The Prince – Alexandra Palace


A Great Spot Before or After Ally Pally


If you’re heading to Alexandra Palace for a gig, event or evening out, The Prince is a brilliant place to stop for food beforehand.


Set right next to the park, it’s a lovely spot for a late lunch before heading up to Ally Pally, especially if you want something a bit more refined than standard pub food.

The menu focuses on modern small plates with a seasonal approach, which means there’s always something interesting to try depending on the time of year.


My go-to order

If I’m there on a Sunday, it has to be the roast - and it’s a bloody good one.

Proper crispy potatoes, great gravy and everything cooked exactly how a roast should be. It’s the perfect way to start an afternoon before heading up the hill for whatever you’ve got planned at Alexandra Palace.



And Finally… The Winchmore Hill Supper Club


📍 The Winchmore Hill Supper Club Various venues across Winchmore Hill & Palmers Greenhttps://maps.google.com/?q=The+Winchmore+Hill+Supper+Club


I couldn’t write a guide about the best places to eat in Winchmore Hill without including a slightly shameless mention of my own project. The Winchmore Hill Supper Club started as a passion project cooking from my mum’s kitchen.


Since then it’s grown into a community of over 1500 diners across North London, hosting supper clubs and pop-ups at venues like Kiva, ChiChi’s and Holtwhites.

Every menu is cooked completely from scratch, using ingredients from local butchers, fishmongers and suppliers wherever possible.

The whole idea is simple: bring people together over great food.


If that sounds like your kind of evening, you can see upcoming events here:






 
 
 

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