Set in London's beautiful and leafy Hampstead village - just a short hop to the centre but with the glorious Heath on our doorstep - La Gaffe is an award-winning, family-run guesthouse and Italian restaurant. Ever since we opened in 1962, La Gaffe has been a well-loved Hampstead institution and favoured haunt of locals and travellers alike.
We are proud to have won the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for many years, and to be included in their Hall of Fame. Our restaurant is also a regular winner of OpenTable's prestigious Diner's Choice Award. We look forward to welcoming you to La Gaffe - join us as we approach our 60-year anniversary!
We are proud to have won the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for many years, and to be included in their Hall of Fame. Our restaurant is also a regular winner of OpenTable's prestigious Diner's Choice Award. We look forward to welcoming you to La Gaffe - join us as we approach our 60-year anniversary!
Services
We are proud to have served London locals, domestic, and overseas visitors since we opened our doors in the swinging Sixties, when we hosted some of the world's greatest celebrities - including The Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Hampstead has changed considerably in the many decades following, but we continue to provide a warm, friendly welcome in one of the most beautiful parts of London.
Set in London's beautiful Hampstead, La Gaffe is an award-winning guesthouse, with a welcoming team, who will do their utmost to help you enjoy your stay in the capital. We have the advantage of a bar and restaurant that serve delicious, freshly-made Italian cuisine, which our guests can enjoy after exploring the sights.
Hampstead is one of the loveliest parts of London, boasting a fascinating history, great bars, shopping and restaurants, as well as walks and swimming on glorious Hampstead Heath - the lungs of London. Take a tour with a local guide or wander the streets and look out for the blue signs on buildings to spot the famous person who lived there.
All our rooms are ensuite, containing a shower, lavatory and sink unit in our standard rooms. Our Double Deluxe (honeymoon) rooms have bath tubs/ Jacuzzi as well as separate shower enclosures. All rooms have television, telephone, tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers. We also offer free WiFi.
Reviews (14)
You Don'T. Mess With Zorro
Dec 06, 2021
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Such a disappointment….
Where do I begin?!
£18.95 for a portion of LIVER?! Which contains two 1/4 inch slices and nothing more… it is absolutely outrageous.
£5 for 8 finger-sized slices of fried courgettes
Unfortunately, a first and a last. We’d rather save our money and not pay a babysitter and a £80 bill on top for such a waste
Such a waste!
Where do I begin?!
£18.95 for a portion of LIVER?! Which contains two 1/4 inch slices and nothing more… it is absolutely outrageous.
£5 for 8 finger-sized slices of fried courgettes
Unfortunately, a first and a last. We’d rather save our money and not pay a babysitter and a £80 bill on top for such a waste
Such a waste!
Oliver Goldstein Oliver J. Goldstein
Oct 21, 2021
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Katherine L.
Sep 07, 2021
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Staying at La Gaffe was such a great experience. Right away I felt known by the team and like a local to the area. Lorenzo is a gem, he'll remember your name, what you're up to during the day, and how you like your coffee. The wifi is fast and supported three days of video and conference calls from my room. Lots of plugs in the rooms. Firm bed and ceiling fans that made the hot days feel breezy in the evening. The continental breakfast has a spread of eggs, ham, cheese, a variety of breads. I thought I'd go out to a coffee shop for breakfast at least one day, but found I enjoyed eating at the restaurant
Jane Mawn
Aug 18, 2021
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Lorraine Dudley
Jul 24, 2021
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Stephen P.
Jun 14, 2018
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Hmmm, this is a difficult one. The location, the interior, the service, were all lovely. But unfortunately, we went there primarily for the food. This was average and rather disappointing. Bread appeared to be conventional supermarket fare, the salad was very boring and flavourless and the main dishes were just ok. I would expect this as a quick mid-week meal at a friend's house, where things are not up to restaurant standards, but no more. Shame that this was not on par with the interior, service and the atmosphere.
Martina C.
Apr 30, 2017
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Belen C.
Aug 20, 2016
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Lovely little rustic Italian restaurant with so much history! The food was great. I had the Filet Al Pepe Verde cooked to perfection! the meat was tender and the sauce was amazing! I couldn't believe the prices, my husband and i both had a starter, main course and dessert and a bottle of wine for under $60 pounds. The wine list was good and they also have a wine room. I gave it 5 stars because i wasn't too crazy for the Creme Caramel.
Philip H.
Apr 26, 2016
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Jeannie R.
Dec 20, 2015
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Wow! More than a restaurant, a transportive experience. It's my favorite restaurant in Hampstead and one of my favorites in London...or anywhere. An intimate, family-run place. super-reasonable (most entrees under £10), and the atmosphere transports you to 1920's Italy with large, Mucha-like murals on the walls. The place is run by Lorenzo, the son of the Italian/Corsican couple who started this Italian-French fusion restaurant (which they called La Gaffe, or "the joke" because it's funny that they started a French/Italian fusion place). He and the staff are really warm
Peter B.
May 10, 2014
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Qype User Hampst
Mar 09, 2012
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I've only eaten in La Gaffe a few times but will say this service and food are excellent a great Italian in Hampstead that's not a chain! The Italian food here is delicious from typical pasta dishes to specials including fish. It's family run and you can taste it in the preparation. The ambiance is spot on for this eatery. Again, if you're looking for a special Italian meal that's not a chain and upscale, you can't go wrong. Note, it's dinner only though and on some nights it can be busy so I'd recommend a reservation on a weekend night.
Ashley V.
Feb 18, 2012
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When I heard it was a restaurant of a hotel I had my doubts. But I guess things work differently here in Hampstead. Lovely little italian restaurant underneath a small hotel (but not inherently attached to a lobby with people walking in and out. Im looking at you premier inn). Kind of off the main road, a but up a hill, nice that most people probably don't know about it.
I came here for late lunch/early dinner...linner?... and had the mushroom rissotto. Really good, but I got the large portion and couldn't handle it so be warned.
I came here for late lunch/early dinner...linner?... and had the mushroom rissotto. Really good, but I got the large portion and couldn't handle it so be warned.
Rozwana H.
Dec 27, 2011
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5 Stars and it deserves every one and more of them.
I was given the task of organising Christmas team lunch and had the following criteria to work with:
*Caters vegetarians
*Based in or around Hampstead
*Maximum £30 per head
*No pub/ No chain restaurant.
I found this place while speaking to a work colleague who told me that she has booked rooms at the hotel for clients visiting and that they also have a restaurant.
At first i was like hmmmmmmm an hotel that has a restaurant .........really.
But i kept an open mind and contacted Lorenzo, the manager who not only helped me with the above criteria
I was given the task of organising Christmas team lunch and had the following criteria to work with:
*Caters vegetarians
*Based in or around Hampstead
*Maximum £30 per head
*No pub/ No chain restaurant.
I found this place while speaking to a work colleague who told me that she has booked rooms at the hotel for clients visiting and that they also have a restaurant.
At first i was like hmmmmmmm an hotel that has a restaurant .........really.
But i kept an open mind and contacted Lorenzo, the manager who not only helped me with the above criteria
