Bursting with flair and with its finger constantly on London's pulse, Camden sticks out thanks to its unique vibe and cheeky charm. Stepping out of the tube stop, you're immediately greeted by a wave of bright colour and a whole host of different aromas. Add to that the many languages you encounter as you walk down the High Street, and you've got an area that perfectly embodies everything that London stands for. Camden is now engulfed in a battle between old and new, having once been the centre of London's urban music scene. Fighting its instincts but always looking to experiment, it's being heavily moulded by a number of quirky bars, street side pop ups and daring new restaurants. Here are our 5 favourite spots that each remind us why Camden's so special.
Inamo, Camden
Since opening their first site in the West End, the forward-thinking minds at Inamo have made a massive splash with their interactive dining experience; so much so, they've taken their name to other parts of London. Now with a Camden site under their control, the restaurant showcases an impressive range of recipes and flavours from across Far East Asia. But of course, it's the virtual aspect that really draws in the crowds. Order your food, change the colour of your tablecloth, and watch the chefs prepare your food in the kitchen with a few simple clicks on the touch screen.
Exquisite Pan-Asian fare is just a few clicks and swipes away at Camden's Inamo.
Jazz Cafe
With its roots firmly planted in the Camden community, Jazz Cafe has been showcasing the biggest names in the music industry for well over two decades; think Amy Winehouse, Roy Ayers and Bobby Womack. The venue was recently revamped and now boasts a laid-back restaurant on its mezzanine level that overlooks the main staging area. But crucially, it's the venue's carefree, devil-may-care approach that makes it a favourite of ours. The music is and will continue to be great, but it's the warm decor and limited capacity that makes every night here an intimate one.
Sultry saxophones and heavy double basses rule the roost at Camden's Jazz Club.
Proud Cabaret, Camden
Combining delicious dinner and excellent cocktails with flirty, alluring burlesque performances, the team at Proud Cabaret have taken the idea of 'dinner and a show' to a whole new level. Grabbing your evening by the scruff of the neck and elegantly twisting it in a completely bizarre yet brilliant direction, the team of fire-eaters, sultry dancers and cheeky striptease performers certainly know how to tantalise their audience. Charming but with a hidden streak of mystery running down the venue's spine, Proud Cabaret is without question a highlight of Camden's late night scene.
Expect dropped jaws and a few mesmerised diners at Camden's Proud Cabaret.
Blues Kitchen, Camden
The name Blues Kitchen means many different things to many different people. For some, it pulls images of huge plates of Southern-inspired. For others, it means bourbon heavy cocktails, balanced out with various liqueurs and chilled with a ball of ice. Blues Kitchen in Camden lives up to the brand's impressive reputation and has become a popular spot with the area's after-work drinkers and group-night-out crowds. And of course we have to mention the quirky decor; distinctly rustic in nature but brought to life by brightly coloured drinks and unfinished surfaces.
The menu is vast, but we'd always recommend the Dino Bone, served with chips and cool slaw.
Kerb Street Food Market
The Kerb Street Food market is the only spot that's able to follow every trend and remould itself as and when they appear in Camden. London's most well-known street vendors and food companies have embedded themselves around Camden Lock, and offer the hungry hordes an impressive variety of worldly flavours. And better still, as it's open all year round, the menus are amended to feature only the best seasonal offerings available. Craving some steak fries? No worries. Fancy a thick, ice-cream milkshake? Consider it done. Kerb has it all.
34 different street food vendors feature every day at Kerb. In truth, you're spoiled for choice.
