After visiting The Moonwalkers at the Lightroom, we decided to drop by Hoppers in Kings Cross for lunch. Hoppers draws culinary inspiration from the much-travelled coastal journey from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to the historical Dutch town of Galle. The focus here is on communal dining, with a menu that boasts an array of bar snacks, seafood grills and snacks perfect for the beachside. While Kings Cross may not offer sandy shores, its proximity to Regents Canal provides a similar, tranquil vibe on a sunny day! Hoppers will hit the spot for those dreaming about dosas, craving curries in Kings Cross, or searching for lunch in N1C or dinner in St Pancras.
“Hoppers is a place where friends can indulge in various dosas, curries and other delights inspired by Sri Lankan and South Indian street food, situated in the bustling heart of Kings Cross,” Homegirl London.
Hoppers Sri Lankan And South Indian Menu
Begin your meal with a light snack such as banana chips or curry leaf peanuts priced at £3.50. Or delve into the short eats and kothu selection with a recommended order of one item per person. It includes options like hot butter squid, mutton rolls, or lamb kothu roti, ranging from £7.50 to £13.50. I must say the devilled paneer had a welcoming chilli kick.
Next, explore the hoppers or dosas. Out of curiosity, we tried the restaurant’s namesake hopper, a bowl-shaped, fermented pancake made from rice and coconut milk. However, in comparison, I found myself preferring the dosa. Hoppers are available in varieties from plain to egg or string, priced between £4.50 and £6.
We opted for the plain dosa, but other versions, such as podi, chilli cheese, or masala, are available. Made from a fermented lentil and rice batter, these dosas are delightfully crispy, costing between £5.50 and £9.
Consider adding a chutney or sambol to complement your savoury pancake. Options include coconut or tomato chutney and sambols like pol (a Sri Lankan relish made with coconut, Maldive fish, onion and red chilli) or seeni (caramelised onion relish), priced at £1.50.
Make sure you try one of the karis, a term from Tamil for curry, offering flavours from Sri Lanka or South India. We savoured the upcountry aubergine kari and highly recommend it. Other options include breadfruit, prawn, chicken, black pork, or lamb karis, with prices from £9.40 to £13.50. If you have a healthy appetite, the menu includes larger dishes like tamarind and fennel pork ribs or sizzling beef poriyal, ranging from £12 to £28.
Side dishes such as basmati rice, dhal, or roti are also available. We went for the potato fry, which paired excellently with our dosa, making for a fulfilling meal. In hindsight, the dhal is something I’m keen to try on my next visit. Side dishes are priced from £3 to £5.50.
Although we were too full for dessert, options include chocolate ‘biskut’ pudding, wattalapam pudding, or the soft serve of the day, each costing £6.50.
My partner, a fan of Lassi, opted for the watalappam lassi. He enjoyed it, though he mentioned preferring a larger serving. Meanwhile I tried the lighthouse swizzle, a soda with green mango, mint leaves and cinnamon. You’ll also find a good selection of cocktails, wines, beers and several non-alcoholic options.
Watch My Hoppers Kings Cross Video
Helpful Information About Hoppers Kings Cross
For more details, visit the Hoppers website. It’s conveniently close to Kings Cross and St Pancras stations at Unit 3, 4 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG. Operating hours, as listed on their website, are Monday to Thursday from noon to 3 pm and 5.30 pm to 10 pm, Friday to Saturday from noon to 10.45 pm, and Sunday from noon to 9 pm. Hoppers also has locations in Marylebone and Soho.
The Kings Cross venue features a decor that pays homage to the Bentota Railway Station and the Coat of Arms Bar at Galle’s Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel, offering a vibrant atmosphere for lunch and dinner in a beautifully designed setting. It also benefits from an extensive terrace overlooking the regenerated Kings Cross area.
If you want to explore the area, you may find these articles of interest:
Best Things To Do In Kings Cross:
Kings Cross Helpful Area Guide
Ten Things To Do In Kings Cross
Camley Street Natural Park Kings Cross
London Canal Museum Kings Cross
Best Places To Shop In Kings Cross:
Best Places To Eat In Kings Cross:
Longboys Doughnuts Kings Cross
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the establishment is still in business and the opening times before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.
