Last Updated on August 27, 2025
All-day neighbourhood café, bar and restaurant
Morty & Bob’s is situated in Kensal Rise in North West London. It’s an area which has become increasingly hip over the past ten years thanks to a host of independent shops, cafes and bars giving it a real village feel. Now, in College Road, in a café which was regularly used in Netflix’s successful series Motherland, there’s a new kid on the block in the form of Morty & Bob’s, an all-day restaurant, café and bar. Situated next to a trendy lifestyle shop, a health food store and across the road from the Island Pub, it’s the ideal setting for this friendly neighbourhood one-stop foodie destination.
Morty & Bob’s is a family-owned business headed up by owner and restaurateur, Charlie Phillips who lives in the area. It is named after his grandfathers, Bob, a fruit and veg buyer in Old Spitalfields Market, and Morty, who owned a restaurant in downtown Montreal. Charlie initially launched a street food stall in East London’s Netil Market. The brand then toured the UK music festival circuit and ran a series of pop-ups then went on to set up Morty & Bob’s restaurants in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, Westfield Shepherd’s Bush and now in Kensal Rise.
On the evening of our visit, the restaurant had only been open for three days but was already buzzing with a curious crowd keen to discover what was in store for them at their exciting new neighbourhood venue. I met with Charles, who as a local resident understands what the area needs and was wholly enthusiastic about his latest venture. Morty and Bob’s provides a relaxed all-day hub serving everything from morning coffee from Allpress and all-day brunch through to dinner and cocktails.
The decor is simple and stylish, with white-washed walls, wooden banquettes, black-topped tables and wooden vintage dining chairs, with a central standout white tiled bar and open plan kitchen. In the warmer months, you can look forward to eating at one of their two outdoor, covered, and heated terraces.
The Menu consists of locally sourced fresh seasonal ingredients and American-influenced dishes. For breakfast, there’s the classic smoked salmon, chive and cream cheese bagels, Confit Duck Hash and Brunch Buns stuffed with bacon and soft scrambled egg with parmesan, chives and harissa. Lighter options for lunch include the Grain Bowl with roasted greens, beet houmous, avocado, cashew and chilli oil.
However, we had come for dinner… We began with a couple of crafted cocktails, my classic Negroni had a good kick to it my friend’s Picante- el jimador was a sublime combo of tequila, fresh lime, agave and Cointreau garnished with fresh chilli. They also serve soft drinks and mocktails and a range of local options such as beers and ales from Camden Brewery and quality wine and champagnes.
We began with perfectly crisp croquettes with soft oozing centres filled with creamy mushroom and cheese, served with cool fresh mint yoghurt, and some tasty festive Pigs in Blankets – juicy pork sausages wrapped in bacon with a lusciously sweet and sticky maple and wholegrain mustard glaze.
For mains my vegetarian friend enjoyed her Mufalde Pasta, it was served with a rich and flavoursome Pomodoro sauce with aubergine, salty olives and crispy kale. However, this was the only veggie option on the mains menu.
My schnitzel was delicious – a thick and juicy breast of free-range chicken coated in crunchy breadcrumbs, bathed in a glistening burnt butter sauce, topped with piquant dill pickles and capers with some beautifully braised chicory. On the side some tenderstem broccoli, a house salad and, because it’s Christmas, some indulgent Parmesan and truffle fries with a mighty aioli.
Other options included Bob’s burger & fries, made from aged chuck and rib cap patty, burger sauce, Emmental and slow-cooked onions in a brioche bun; Steak & Eggs with fries and chimichurri and salmon fillet with warm beluga lentils, peas and dill. We accompanied our meal with a Spanish organic white wine Soñadora Airén /Verdejo 2019, crisp and dry with a touch of exotic fruits.
Puddings also feature, counter cakes, tempting warm choc chip cookies and ice cream or fresh doughnuts with homemade Nutella, we shared a bowl of Hackney gelato which hit that sweet spot and was the perfect end to our meal.
Morty & Bob’s is sure to be a hit with the Kensal Risers, it’s great for solo diners, groups of friends or for the whole family, providing a lovely welcoming home-from-home hangout which offers everything from morning coffee to evening cocktails and light and healthy dishes through to inviting comfort food.
Lunchtime tasty and affordable lunch combo, including half of its famous Grilled Cheese or a weekly sandwich special, alongside a choice of soup of the week or a seasonal salad for just £10
Morty & Bob’s
Kensal Rise 118 College Road London NW10 5HD
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