St Pancras: The London Station for Foodies

Here’s one tip that most travel guides won’t tell you. If you’re an devoted foodie visiting London, take some time out from a tight travel schedule and visit the interior of one of its refurbished train station.

St Pancras International caught my attention when it became home to the Eurostar in 2007. We have journeyed across the channel aboard the high speed train twice before, both times in the direction of London to Paris. While it may be a fast train ride that echoes modern times, it appealed to the romantic notion of train travel of yesteryears. No doubt, it had something to do with a defining moment, the day I sighted the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at London’s Victoria station many trips ago.

Today, the sight of the sleek Eurostar fills me with the kind of frisson that anticipates travel adventures across the channel.

St Pancras International is easily accessed from central London by the underground station, Kings Cross St Pancras to which it connects directly. In very little time, we were navigating the underground maze to arrive at the station.

Once more, ditching the guide books and abandoning thorough research have both paid off. We soon discovered that St Pancras was no ordinary station. It was a place for foodies.

Under the dominant feature of arched blue steel and burnt orange bricks, we set out to discover the combination of art and eateries.

The upper concourse is where the Eurostar departs and is characterised sleek lines that draw the eye into the distance, a little symbolic perhaps. The clock on one end draws attention to the bronze statue of man who appears to be studying the roof.

The statue of former poet Sir John Bentjeman was designed by sculptor Martin Jennings and stands as commemoration to the poet’s efforts to save the station from being demolished in the 1960s.

“And in the shadowless unclouded glare / Deep blue above us fades to whiteness where / A misty sea-line meets the wash of air.” – Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman

Further along at the southern end is the bronze statue by artist Paul Day named The Meeting Place of a couple embracing.

St Pancras is also home to the opulent St Pancras Renaissance Hotel with the famed The Gilbert Scott restaurant by Michelin starred chef, Marcus Wareing.

The lower level is dotted with retail outlets and coffee shops much like the interior of major shopping malls. Le Pain Quotidien, the popular Belgian restaurant is situated opposite the Eurostar Arrivals.

Upstairs on the platform level, Carluccio’s, a traditional Italian restaurant with an “alfresco” area complete with parasols is located by The Meeting Place statue. Antonio Carluccio’s Saffron ice cream shown on Australian television is the reason I had rushed to own his book, Carluccio’s Complete Italian Food.

Upstairs, the Oyster Bar displayed a saucy poster showcasing the oyster festival with their Mangez Moi! (eat me) slogan.

Champagne and smoked salmon often spell temptation, particularly within view of the Eurostar.

The Champagne Bar at St Pancras boasts the longest Champagne Bar in Europe, offering from an extensive range of Champagnes by the glass accompanied by a choice of light snacks.

St Pancras hosts foodie events such as the Foodie Fortnight which we had just missed out on in September 2009. If you’re planning on visiting London, it is worth checking their website for what’s on.

Next time I’m at St Pancras station, I hope to be bidding farewell to London in the Champagne Bar just prior to taking the Eurostar to Paris. Bien sûr.

St Pancras International Station
Pancras Road,
London, NW1 2QP