Tucked away in one of London’s trendy areas, this pub serves generous portions at reasonable prices – and the stunning Art Nouveau stained glass windows are worth the visit alone
Visiting London is perpetually thrilling, and during a recent stay I savoured a family meal at a captivating pub featuring a striking display of Art Nouveau stained glass windows. Located on a bustling street with a bohemian atmosphere – and flanked by independent shops and appetising-looking bakeries – the pub proves an excellent destination for couples, families or groups of mates to relish.
I reside in Devon, but I’m thoroughly acquainted with London having lived there for over a decade (until 2007). Previously, I worked as a fashion model in the capital which meant I travelled across the city for castings and auditions, so I became familiar with the north, south, east and west of London.
During my recent visit to London (in May 2026) I explored the highly desirable area of Crouch End, frequently characterised as an urban “village” – and on the vibrant street, Broadway Parade, stands a Grade II listed public house, The Queens.
The welcoming pub with helpful friendly staff serves scrumptious food with generously-sized portions, it was a Sunday so their popular roasts featured on the lunchtime menu.
I actually opted for fish (typical Devonian choice) selecting a monkfish starter and cod main, both proved exceptionally flavoursome.
The starter I ordered was nearly the size of a main course and I must say, the prices were reasonable, no more costly than a comparable pub in Devon, perhaps even marginally cheaper than some dining establishments local to me in Plymouth.
Those in my party who selected the roast or pork belly dish equally lauded their meal for taste, serving size and quality – leaving us all far too stuffed for pudding, despite the dessert menu being rather enticing.
The fascinating establishment was initially constructed as The Queen’s Hotel by architect John Hill – and boasts stunning stained glass windows which make an excellent backdrop for photographs.
The Queens dates back to circa 1898 and the Art Nouveau stained glass was crafted by Cakebread Robey, a London-based builders and manufacturing firm of the era.
The watering hole was described in Pevsner (an architectural guide magazine) as “one of suburban London’s outstanding grand pubs” decades ago. It once stood directly opposite the Queen’s Opera House, but the opera house building sustained severe damage during the Second World War and was subsequently demolished.
Nowadays the neighbouring streets are tree-lined with numerous green spaces making it amongst London’s verdant thriving suburbs.
Crouch End commands higher property values than certain parts of the capital, with Foxtons reporting an “average house price” as £733,889.
Nevertheless, it’s not ranked within the “top ten” most costly boroughs and is surpassed by another north London suburb, Hampstead, where the typical house price reaches a staggering £1,254,801, while a flat commands an eyewatering £894,429, according to Foxtons.
