London area guide: Muswell Hill

After living in multiple North London neighbourhoods, Muswell Hill stands out as one of the most charming areas of the city. It's the place I go when I need to get out of the house but don’t feel up to facing the chaos of central London. A day spent wandering Muswell Hill never fails to make me wish I lived in one of the neighbourhood's iconic red-brick terraced houses with a window overlooking the skyline.

With striking architecture, incredible views, and an abundance of great restaurants and cafes, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this idyllic corner of London. The slower pace is always a welcome change when the city gets too overwhelming. Here are just some of my favourite places to eat, shop and enjoy in Muswell Hill.

Restaurants, cafes and bakeries

If you're looking for a bite to eat or want to grab a coffee, you'll be spoilt for choice along Muswell Hill Broadway and Fortis Green Road.

One of the most beloved cafes in North London, Beam is a must. With delicious sweet and savoury brunch options and cosy yet minimalist aesthetics, Beam is the perfect place for a chatty catch-up with friends. I especially love the vegetarian breakfast and the French toast.

If you ever want to feel like the main character in a period drama, head to Dunn's Bakery to shop for bread and baked goods. The bakery has been in business for over 200 years and everything about the shop feels old-fashioned, especially the employee uniform which includes wide-brimmed straw hats. I always make sure I'm stocked up on their signature Crouch End sourdough loaf.

For great coffee, I highly recommend Doppio Coffee, a cosy storefront for an artisan roastery, and Rosetta LDN, a minimalist coffee shop with a trendy aesthetic. For gourmet sandwiches and traditional French pastries, Boulangerie Pierre Alix is a great place to pick up picnic supplies before heading to Alexandra Park. Cilica Cafe and Restaurant has delicious Mediterranean small plates served within sleek, airy interiors.

Shopping

Muswell Hill has shopping options for just about anything, from speciality shops to designer boutiques.

London Works is the ultimate "shoppy shop" as the kids on TikTok would say. It carries trendy clothing brands, adorable homeware and gifts. If you're in the market for quirky candlestick holders in every colour and hand-painted coffee mugs, this is the shop for you.

House of Books is a charming independently-owned bookshop, perfect for picking up a new read – to take to a nearby cosy coffee shop. The Children's Bookshop carries titles for the little ones in your life and often hosts events and storytimes. For art supplies, Art for Art's Sake has materials for every medium and a cafe with great hot chocolate.

Muswell Hill Kitchenware stocks all the tools you could ever need to whip up a gourmet meal, while several organic food markets in this area will ensure you have the best ingredients. I especially love Mossy Green and Green & Blossoms for high-quality produce and finding unique brands that are more difficult to come by.

If you're on the hunt for a bargain or love the thrill of finding a diamond in the rough, Muswell Hill also has some of the best charity shops I've found in London. They are all ideally located close together and I always manage to find unique vintage clothing or second-hand books to add to my personal library.

Viewpoints and greenspaces

Muswell Hill's geography lends itself to incredible vantage points of the London skyline. If I could live on any street in London, it would be Hillfield Park. The sloping street of terraced houses frames a view of the city that always makes me think of Paddington wistfully gazing out his attic window at the London skyline.

Muswell Hill's proximity to Alexandra Palace and Park makes it the perfect place to get dinner before a concert or wander over to watch the sunset after a day of shopping. The spectacular skyline views from Ally Pally make it well worth the walk. The path from Muswell Hill takes you past the Alexandra Palace Garden Centre and Cafe where you can browse plants and home goods or stop for tea before continuing to the park.

The green spaces make the neighbourhood feel much more suburban and offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of London. The tree-lined pathway of Parkland Walk North connects Alexandra Park to Highgate Wood and has great views of Muswell Hill and the city beyond.

Beyond the Broadway

While you'll be able to get a good sense of what Muswell Hill has to offer by staying on the main shopping roads, some of my favourite spots are off the beaten path. I highly encourage you to wander a bit further to find some hidden gems.

If you've managed the trek down Muswell Hill towards Crouch End, you deserve to treat yourself to a coffee and pastry or pick up artisan ingredients from Middle Lane Market. This tiny storefront is home to an impeccably curated selection of food and wine and has a parkside outdoor seating area that is a perfect sun trap on a warm day.

As someone who loves knitting and crocheting, Slipstitch is one of my favourite shops in all of London. They always have everything I need for my next project and offer a unique selection of wool and supplies. If you're an aspiring crafter, Slipstitch offers classes for different kinds of projects to help you get started.

A few doors down from Slipstitch, is Owen's Deli and Cafe, a quaint neighbourhood spot with coffee, cakes, and friendly locals. After picking up supplies for our next knitting projects, my friends and I will come to Owen's to get a treat and work on our projects. With mismatched, colourful furniture and comforting food, it's the ultimate cosy, homey cafe.

If having a croissant from London's tiniest bakery piques your interest, you should add Astrid Bakery to your Muswell Hill bucket list. This itty bitty green bakery has gained a lot of social media attention and frequently has a queue, but the speciality pastries and coffees are well worth the wait.

Editor's note: Spot any incorrect information? Or have an article idea for HeadBox.com? Get in touch at submissions@headbox.com