Hampstead: A London Local Guide with Chef Louis Bird, French Society
Head chef at French Society, Louis Bird grew up in North London and has long been connected to the area. Half-Belgian, with family in France, his cooking and the places he gravitates towards reflect a natural blend of those influences: “what I like about this neighbourhood is the mix of independent businesses — places with real people and stories behind them.”
For Taste France Magazine, Bird shares his go-to local spots, where he returns to for good produce, simple cooking and a strong sense of community.
French Society
Opened in May 2025 in West Hampstead, French Society is the second project from the team behind Patron in Kentish Town, where Louis Bird led the kitchen for over a decade before taking on this new challenge. Unapologetically Parisian, this elevated French bistro embodies the intimacy of a classic dining room across the channel, with dimmed lighting, white tablecloths, and timeless elegant flair.
The menu is a celebration of French cuisine, mixing all-time classics with a touch of creativity. Duck confit is prepared traditionally with a rich marchand de vin sauce, while the mousse au chocolat is generous, just like your grandma used to make. Elsewhere, 30-month aged Comté PDO is paired with smoked chilli jelly, and Saint-Marcellin comes with truffle honey — it’s London after all. A neighbourhood gem that feels both casual and special.
📍 French Society
77 Mill Lane, London NW6 1NB
frenchsociety.co.uk
© French Society
Le Coq Epicier
A decade after his first épicerie, delighting Islington locals since 2016, Yohann Meignen just opened his second shop in Hampstead with the same ethos at heart, celebrating small French producers.
“You’ll find a solid selection of well-sourced French products, cheeses and charcuterie. Things like Comté PDO, soft cow’s cheeses (like Fleur des Alpes) and also seasonal specials. A good cheese, some charcuterie and a bottle of wine with my partner at home is one of my favourite ways to eat when I’m not in the kitchen, and this is exactly the sort of place I’d go for that”, shares Bird.
Taste France Magazine recommends: indulge in a few slices of rosette de Lyon dry sausage, organic pork rillettes with Agen prune PGI and Armagnac PDO, and sweet calissons d’Aix.
📍 Le Coq Epicier
6 Flask Walk, London NW3 1HE
Dionysus Wines
As Louis explains, Dionysus Wines is “a really easy, relaxed wine shop and bar just off West End Lane. They’ve always got a well curated selection, including French bottles. It’s more informal, which I like and you can just as easily stop in for a quick glass as pick up something to take home.
It’s actually somewhere we often recommend to guests at French Society if they’re early for their reservation, or want somewhere nearby for a drink beforehand”.
Taste France Magazine recommends: their wide array of French wines, including red Côtes Catalanes IGP Domaine Gauby Calcinaires and white Domaine Maurice Lecestre Petit Chablis. Look out for their events like Vine & Vinyl or their Wits & Wine Wednesdays evenings.
📍 Dionysus Wines
35 Mill Lane, London NW6 1NB
© Dionysus Wines
The Hampstead Butcher & Providore
The opening of French Society was an opportunity for Bird to meet “this great local butcher” he’s been going back to since.
“They have great meat, particularly their steaks and good everyday cuts that are ideal for cooking at home. They also stock a mix of deli items and ingredients, which makes it useful beyond just meat. It’s the kind of place you go when you’re keeping things simple but want the produce to do the work, careful not to be too hungry when you go”.
Taste France Magazine recommends: French-trimmed rack of lamb for Easter, a veal chop in a fragrant herby French marinade, or a very French gift box including a bottle of Châteauneuf-Du-Pape PDO, Epoisses cheese and crackers.
📍 The Hampstead Butcher & Providore
56 Rosslyn Hill, London NW3 1ND
© Hampstead Butcher & Provider Store
La Crêperie de Hampstead
Bringing a slice of France to North London since 1977, this is a true “Hampstead classic, one of those places that’s always busy for a reason. It’s very simple and unassuming but that’s exactly a part of the appeal. There’s something quite nostalgic about it and it leans into that French street food idea. Whether you go sweet or savoury, their crêpes do exactly what you expect very well, and sometimes that’s all you want”.
Taste France Magazine recommends: a savoury “les asperges au poivre” galette, with asparagus spears in a sauce of peppered butter and cream to celebrate Spring, followed by a classic crêpe Suzette made with butter, sugar, lemon juice, orange and Grand Marnier liqueur. When available, order a nutty buckwheat galette base.
📍 La Crêperie de Hampstead
77A Hampstead High St, London NW3 1RE
© La crêperie de Hampstead
Bon Matin Boulangerie
Supplying French-inspired, halal-friendly freshly baked goods, Bon Matin Boulangerie is the brainchild of husband and wife team Dahmane and Eleanor. Founded in 2010, it now spans across four locations in North London.
For Louis, “it’s always about the basics like a good croissant, traditional pain au chocolat or proper bread. There’s a real beauty in the simplicity, especially with that French influence when it’s done well and this is the kind of place that gets that right. I tend to always go for the more traditional things like plain croissants or seasonal tarts. Nothing overly elaborate, but things that just hit the spot and bring back fond memories of tea time at my grandmas”.
Taste France Magazine recommends: a lunch of caramelised onion and tomato quiche, followed by a sweet treat of blueberry financier.
📍 Bon Matin Boulangerie
9 Flask Walk Hampstead NW3 1HJ
boulangeriebonmatin.co.uk
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