We love a fancy pub as much as the next Londoner, and this Kentish Town spot hits all the right notes. Taking over from The Oxford Tavern, The Parakeet has traditional boozer energy in the front, with polished flair: think antique furniture, wood panelling, a beaut of a green bar and cosy booths filled with suitably hip clientele. We'd suggest popping in for a pint, but you'll wanna stick around for more than one - best to just block out your evening. 

Especially 'cos that's just the warm-up. The main event is the restaurant in the back. It's casual yet romantic, with the fat candles burning on each table and glorious stained glass windows. The menu's written on the black board on the wall, 'cos the team here like to switch things up depending on the season. Chef Ben Allen used to work at Shoreditch resto Brat, famous for its open-fire cooking, and along with sous chef Ed Jennings, he harnesses the power of the flame to make some next-level dishes. 

The potato bread and smoked butter deserve a shout-out - 10/10 would fill up on toasted carbs alone - and the grilled mackerel was some of the best fish we've had. Pair it all with a glass of natural wine or a cocktail from their tidy drinks list, and you're in for a treat. Pro tip: try to snag a seat facing the kitchen counter, so you can watch the masters at work. Oh, and book in advance - this place gets BUSY.