Last Updated on February 10, 2026
A Michelin-listed neighbourhood spot in Queen’s Park
4.5 out of 5.0 starsYou need to know about Don’t Tell Dad. Situated on Lonsdale Road, an arty cobbled stretch just off Queen’s Park’s main drag. This part-bakery, part-neighbourhood restaurant strikes exactly the right balance. Founded by Daniel Land of Coco di Mama fame and a Queen’s Park local, it takes its name from the owner’s late sister – ‘For Lesley, By Daniel’, and the childhood adventures that always began with, “don’t tell dad.”
Step inside Don’t Tell Dad and you’re immediately greeted by a warm, low-lit vintage atmosphere. When we arrived, a funky soundtrack was drifting over dark wood floors, while super-comfy olive-green velvet banquettes, booths, and bar stools offered a front-row view of the kitchen in action.
Wood panels with coloured glass windows, marble-topped tables set with linen napkins, and vintage cutlery and candle holders hint at 1930s Art Deco elegance, while oval mirrors and playful statement lighting reinforce the space’s French bistro vibes.
Service is informal, setting a friendly mood from the outset. The wine and cocktail list is well curated and eclectic, spanning everything from good fizzes to orange wines. I started with the DTD vodka martini – perfectly chilled, just a little dirty, and finished with an olive, while my companion opted for a bottle of Kernel Pale Ale. With food, we moved on to wine: a rounded, smooth Primitivo Domus 2022 from Puglia with notes of red berries and damson, and the Rocking Horse Cape White Blend 2022 from Thorne & Daughters, a layered, textural Western Cape white with gentle oak, savoury depth and hints of peach and citrus.
The menu is short but compelling, changing every couple of weeks to keep things firmly seasonal. We started with one of the few dishes that never budges, the oxtail crumpet from the snacks section, and it quickly became clear why it’s a fixture. Baked in-house, the crumpets are buttery and light, with a soft, pillowy centre, topped with rich, beefy shredded oxtail and crisp dripping crumb. Honestly, they’re reason enough to come here on their own.
The dishes are ideal for sharing. We started with the roast pumpkin, feta and pumpkin seed salad: crisp, fresh green leaves paired with generous wedges of roasted pumpkin, the saltiness of crumbled feta cutting through, and finished with a satisfying crunch from the seeds.
The monkfish cheeks were exceptional: plump, impeccably cooked and deeply satisfying, set on spinach and silky cauliflower purée, with a warm, fragrant curry butter pulling everything together.
Moving on to the mains, we ordered two dishes, though in truth one to share would easily have been enough. Purées and sauces form the backbone of many dishes at Don’t Tell Dad, and they do them exceptionally well. The generous portion of pollock was perfectly cooked with crisp skin, and accompanied by plump mussels, celeriac and cavolo nero, all brought together by a flavour-packed cider sauce.
The partridge made for an ideal autumnal plate: delicate, beautifully cooked meat seasoned with vadouvan, in a rich gravy, perched on a hash of cabbage and bacon, with dates adding just the right touch of sweetness.
We couldn’t resist adding a side of the Pomme Anna, a dish having a real moment right now. The paper-thin slices of potato were layered generously with butter, then baked until golden and crunchy on the outside and tender within. Rich, very indulgent…but deeply satisfying.
Whatever you do, save room for the freshly baked madeleines, served with whipped orange cream. They’re well worth the 15-minute wait: light, delicate and utterly delicious – quite possibly the best I’ve ever tasted.
We had such a fantastic evening at Don’t Tell Dad. With its friendly, buzzy atmosphere and excellent food – so good it has earned a place in the Michelin Guide. It’s the kind of neighbourhood restaurant everyone should have on their doorstep, but it’s also worth making the effort to travel a little further afield. I know I’ll be back for madeleines and coffee just as soon as I can!
Bakery (daytime) – Daily
• Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (pastries, bread & coffee)
Restaurant (evening/dinner)
• Tuesday – Saturday: 5:30 PM – 11:30 PM
• Sunday: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Don’t Tell Dad 10–14 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RD, United Kingdom
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