Don’t Tell Dad, the neighbourhood bakery and restaurant from Coco di Mama co-founder Daniel Land, is this month celebrating its first birthday. Since opening in January 2025, Don’t Tell Dad has amassed a cult following with locals and visitors alike, securing a well-earned place in The Michelin Guide. Centred around exceptional food, a buzzing ambience and a warm welcome – Don’t Tell Dad has quickly proven itself as the neighbourhood restaurant every neighbourhood needs.
The restaurant opened to rave reviews from the press and public alike, hailed ‘a class act’ by Jay Rayner and a ‘warm, vintage-feel neighbourhood restaurant’ by Michelin Guide, with further praise from Giles Coren. Inspired by mischievous siblings, Don’t Tell Dad captures a playful spirit of revelry and is an informal, lively spot where everyone is welcome.
Located in the cobbled passage of Lonsdale Road in Queen’s Park, the venue is set over two lateral spaces, boasting an impressive menu of baked goods from Head Baker Keren Sternberg (ex-Layla, Hide), indulgent dishes from Luke Frankie (ex Noble Rot, Drapers Arms) and team, with bold and brilliant design from Nothing is Not Nothing and Daisy Peat.
The Bakery operates from a completely open kitchen, inviting customers to marvel at the making of their goods. Regular weekend queues around the block are testimony to the excellence of signature treats such as Toast and Marmalade Swirl, Cinnamon Bun with Cream Cheese or Salt Beef, Sauerkraut and Mustard Croissant. Fresh loaves and sandwiches are all par for the course too, Keren’s seasonal innovations maintain the element of surprise, and always delight.
The Restaurant sees Frankie’s menu showcasing modern French and British dishes with a playful twist. Mindful of their neighbourhood status, Frankie is keen to refresh dishes on a regular basis to ensure neighbourly revelry is a habit, not an occasion. A selection of signature snacks are hard to choose from, so it’s best to sample them all: Welsh Rarebit Beignet, Salt Cod Croquettes and their widely celebrated Oxtail Crumpet with Dripping Crumb are all an ideal taster of what’s to come. For the wintery months ahead, starters include the likes of tender Roast Pumpkin, Radicchio and Feta to Boudin Noir with Celeriac Remoulade. Comforting main courses promise to banish the winter blues – think Beef Short Rib with Swede and Kale, Hake, Celeriac Mussels and Cider, or Confit Duck Leg with Dauphinois. Be sure to save room for dessert – be it Chocolate Mousse with Poached Pear or the famous Madeleines with Orange Cream, order to share or be devilishly selfish – a sweet finish is a must either way.
Accompanying the food, a well curated wine list offers something for everyone. From exciting bottles to house wine on tap, the wine list boasts a real depth and variety. Importantly, all winemakers are small-scale, hands-on producers who focus on sustainability. Peppered with some newcomers and other longstanding favourites and always keen to encourage exploration, occasionally rare and unique bottles are opened and offered by the glass.
A thoughtfully designed space decorated in a warm colour palette of terracotta merged with hand-made, glazed Moroccan zellige tiles on both the flooring and walls, Don’t Tell Dad can accommodate for any occasion. Whether you pull up a swivel stool at the impressive copper counter dining bar overlooking the open kitchen, want to hibernate in one of their cosy booths, or just sit at a table in their classic horseshoe dining room – no rules apply.
The name itself is a tribute to Daniel’s late sister Lesley, with her handwriting used in signage and menus; it’s the phrase that became their code for fun and mischief, epitomising Lesley’s joyous spirit and celebrating the raucous playfulness of Lesley and Daniel’s 80s childhood. One year on, it’s safe to say Don’t Tell Dad has established itself as one of London’s most popular places to play and the ultimate reason to visit Queen’s Park.