Cremma takes a chance
Having gone down a storm in their native Bournemouth, coffee dons Cremma (pictured above, courtesy of local hero @SecretArtistNW5) have thankfully taken over the consistently under-performing spot (most recently Giotto) on the corner of Kentish Town Road and Patshull Road. Expect “the best arabica coffee, Belgian chocolate, Turkish ice cream and pastry.” Already it’s looking busier than it was in its previous incarnations. Follow @cremma.uk
Badiani Gelato whips up a storm
This renowned century-old Florentine gelato brand opens today on South End Road, decked out in vibrant blue and pink no less. There’ll be 16 flavours of gelato to choose from, as well as a range of vegan creations, including dark chocolate Venezuela, lemon sorbet, strawberry sorbet and mango sorbet. Also expect pinguionos (gelato on a stick coated in chocolate), gelato cookies (two layers of cookie around a thick layer of gelato) and the signature coppa, a Badiani twist on the traditional sundae. Quirky fact: the most requested flavour is the Buontalenti: made from just milk, cream, sugar, and eggs, it originated in the 1960’s, named after Bernardo Buontalenti, the Florentine inventor of gelato. Follow @badiani1932, 5 South End Road, NW3
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The Lock Inn launches
Meanwhile, down in Camden, a new pub (confusingly nothing to do with its Hackney Wick namesake) complete with rooftop terrace, has just launched this week at 2 Jamestown Road. Yep, the usual attributes are present and correct: vinyl DJs, cocktails, chicken wings, antipasti sharing boards and craft beers, plus a retractable roof for London’s always unpredictable weather. Follow @lockinncamden
Gipsy Queen’s new streetfood Haveli
This Gospel Oak pub on NW5’s western border, is, like its rival the Rose & Crown on the eastern fringes (see below), especially good at sourcing quality food pop-ups: “authentic Indian street food with a vibrant twist” is how Haveli describe their kitchen residency, which launched on Wednesday. Of the many tempting dishes, we have our eye on the chana masala and South Indian prawn curry. Follow @haveli_indiankitchen
Two Als at Rose & Crown
Not to be outdone, a new kitchen pop-up from has just opened over at the Rose & Crown on Torriano Avenue: expect gigantic NY-style sandwiches and fries (ours is the Harlem, with grass-fed beef, onions, cheese and all the toppings), all in time for its 10-year anniversary. Follow @Two_Als
Carry on up the Courtyard
Finally, new 300-capacity streetfood and craft beer yard Camden Courtyard is the brainchild of the nearby (legendary) Electric Ballroom. It’s to open right by Camden Town underground in July with DJs, food stalls and more. Follow @camden_courtyard
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