I visited London pub with huge food portions in bohemian 'urban village'

A trip to London is always a thrill, and during a recent stay I enjoyed a family meal at a fascinating pub boasting a striking feature of Art Nouveau stained glass windows. Nestled on a bustling street with a bohemian vibe — and surrounded by independent shops and bakeries — the pub is an ideal spot for couples, families or groups of friends to gather.

I am based in Devon, though London is no stranger to me, having lived there for over a decade until 2007. During that time I worked as a fashion model in the capital, which took me to every corner of the city for castings and auditions, giving me an intimate knowledge of north, south, east and west London. On my most recent visit to London in May 2026, I headed to the highly desirable neighbourhood of Crouch End, frequently described as an urban "village" - and sitting proudly on the lively thoroughfare of Broadway Parade is the grade II listed public house, The Queens.

The welcoming pub boasts warm and friendly staff, serving up delicious food in generously-sized portions. As it was a Sunday, their much-loved roasts featured prominently on the lunchtime menu.

I opted for fish — a quintessential Devonian choice — selecting a monkfish starter followed by a cod main, both of which were thoroughly enjoyable.

The starter alone was almost the size of a main course, and the prices were pleasingly reasonable — no more expensive than a comparable pub in Devon, and perhaps even slightly more affordable than certain dining establishments near me in Plymouth.

Those in my party who opted for the roast or pork belly dish were equally full of praise for the flavour, portion size and value – and we all found ourselves too stuffed for pudding, despite the dessert menu proving rather tempting.

The characterful pub was originally constructed as The Queen's Hotel by architect John Hill and boasts stunning stained glass windows that make for a spectacular selfie backdrop.

The Queens dates back to circa 1898 and the Art Nouveau stained glass was crafted by Cakebread Robey, a London-based builders and manufacturing company of the era.

The beloved watering hole was described in Pevsner (an architectural guide magazine) as "one of suburban London's outstanding grand pubs" many decades ago. It once stood directly opposite the Queen's Opera House, though the opera house was severely damaged during the Second World War before being demolished.

Today, the surrounding streets are lined with trees and numerous green spaces, making it one of London's most verdant and vibrant suburbs.

Crouch End is a pricier area than many parts of the capital, with Foxtons reporting an "average house price" of £733,889.

However, it doesn't feature in the "top ten" most expensive boroughs and is surpassed by fellow north London suburb Hampstead, where the average property price stands at a whopping £1,254,801, while the cost of a flat reaches an eyewatering £894,429, according to Foxtons.