As a 9-5 resident of Kentish Town, when a fresh-faced neighbour pops up on the street offering a new lunchtime choice… well I’ll be one of the first ones in the door. So when Lazy Hunter opened up shop opposite my day job, I immediately got the team together and have been back time and time again. Last week I introduced my good pal Reena to their meatalicious menu and we didn’t regret a mouthful.

Since opening late last year, Lazy Hunter hasn’t seen an overload of PR; they didn’t even have a finished website until recently. Yet the place is glowing with warmth and loyal customers despite the few bare benches. It feels like a secret of the city that for once I want to shout about. Go forth! Dine! Just don’t book my favourite lunchtime table, one of the cosy casual booths just opposite the kitchen where I can see the Chef stack ‘em burgers before my very eyes.

The restaurant takes after its name. The waiters are cool as a cucumber and the vibe is refreshingly not vegan-friendly (soz but it’s the hunting way). The décor at Lazy Hunter is very Canadian cabin meets hipster burger joint. Everything is wooden – including the trays your food comes in – and the walls are donned with antlers and controversial but cool sketches of animals dressed as hunters.

Sitting in my favourite booth, Reena and I started our evening on a glass (or two) of Argentinian Malbec before I began the ‘aaah everything looks so good… and I know because I’ve tried it!’ dilemma.

The menu at Lazy Hunter is a meat and carb lover’s heaven. Don’t come here if you’re a vegetarian. You can have a salad and there is a veggie burger… but that’s all you’ll get. Instead embrace the pig.

Each section of ‘things’ is worth a gander. We began with a selection of dishes from the ‘easy’ group including a Woodman’s meat board and Farmer Harry’s veggie board. Three huge platters of smoked sausages, hams and various roast veggies made our eyes light up.

Artichokes, roast bell peppers, courgette and cherry tomatoes were beautifully cooked and coated in delicious creamy goats cheese. The portions were incredibly generous and I could have quite happily sat there with my wine all night, piling up charcuterie onto thick slices of homemade sour bread.

But then it became decision time. I’ve previously had a few dishes at Lazy Hunter and so know that each and every plate is going to be equally scrumptious. The apple and pork sausages ‘Big Woods Banger’ is a hearty warming dish and the grilled chicken Caesar burger is a perfect lunch time choice.

Reena made a firm decision picking the Lucky Shot Venison Burger served with chutney, caramelised onions and pickles. I finally got myself together and ordered the Dark Forest Hog’s Burger. A black bun (using squid ink, naturally) of roasted slices of hog, streaky bacon, mushroom, caramelised onion chutney sprinkled with chestnuts and pickles (Lazy Hunter really like their pickles).

We ordered some ‘extra things’; sweet potato fries with fresh thyme and a very wild rocket salad. Reena stated her burger although a little dry was filled with rich taste and we both agreed our sides were worthy of a picture.

My burger on the other hand was heaven on a tray. The roasted hog topped with perfectly crisp bacon was bursting with flavour and was made moist (it’s a word get over it) by the sweet chutney and mushrooms. It was a beautifully served burger and I would quite honestly go back again and again just for it. Oh and the truffle mayonnaise. Ask for more, you’ll want it.

Although full and carb-ed out… curiosity got the better of us as we saw under ‘naughty things’ was a dessert of the day. And boy did we smile as it was revealed, ordering one with two spoons.

A perfectly round warm treacle tart, mixed with walnuts was sweet gooey goodness that had me going back for bite after bite. Amen Lazy Hunter. You might just have one dessert on the menu but it’s a bloody brilliant one.

Filled to the actual brim, we ordered a relaxing cup of Earl Grey with the hunter’s touch of a mini milk urn which made our girly selves aw in ridiculous cuteness.

Once again Lazy Hunter impressed with the quality laid back ‘come on in!’ vibe. Each dish continued to warm me to my core (or was that the Malbec?) and leave me stepping back out onto the quiet Kentish Town Road feeling relaxed, filled and with a smug grin on my face.

Our meal at Lazy Hunter was complimentary, although I have and will continue to happily pay for their delicious food.

Pin it for later!