The Hampstead Butcher & Providore

After shopping here for months having been told their meat is organic, I’m shocked to hear it isn’t. Their website refers to ‘ethically reared’ meat, but it’s still pumped with hormones. What’s the point in paying twice the usual price if it’s no different from other meat?

I called earlier today and was told that the meat is additive free. I then went into the shop and asked them to confirm it’s additive free. The butcher said ‘Yes, it’s free range.’ When I pointed out that, in fact, additive free and fee range are two separate things and asked to see the additive free certificate he then backed down and admitted it’s not additive free. They seem to be pulling the wool over peoples eyes on this one. They promote themselves as a ‘natural’ butcher. What does that mean exactly? It’s just a marketing ploy. And people are buying it (literally)! Look at the other reviews — ‘real meat at last’. How is it more real than meat in a supermarket? In fact much supermarket meat is labelled and certified organic. It seems to be a policy at this butcher than they try and insinuate (and even state verbally) it’s additive free (growth hormones, antibiotics etc…), yet only when pushed to show a certificate do they back down and admit it isn’t. Unless you want to stuff your body full of growth hormone, antibiotics and other artificial rubbish, don’t shop here!

Finally! A return of the local shop! There are far too many supermarkets around this area that wouldn’t know a good cut of meat if it slapped them around the chops. Instead The Hampstead Butcher ‘raises the steaks’ and provides great meat and even delivers it to your door!
On my visit to the shop itself I found them to be friendly and just what you’d expect from a local butcher. They are obviously pricier than the supermarket but it is real meat!
Circumstances meant that I would have been carrying any purchases around with me for over an hour so it was a relief to know that they deliver to your home, using refrigerated vans with Hubbub (
) Their bacon, heated on a high heat in the oven (in a metal tin) makes for excellent crackling and a top bacon sarnie! Can we have a ‘The West Hampstead Butcher’ soon please?

A beautiful place with beautiful quality meat.
They have wine tastings and larger dinner and wine pairing events that are a fun way to meet your neighbors.

I love this place! Not only is the butcher fantastic, but they also know their wines and cheeses. My wife and I started going to the butcher after it was converted from Rosslyn Delicatessen a few months ago. Little did we know that it was going to become our favourite place in Hampstead.
Each Saturday from 1:00 — 4:00 they offer a complimentary wine tasting. Through this event, we’ve gotten to know Avie, one of the partners that is responsible for distributing the wine. Avie is incredibly knowledgeable about wine and always makes a wonderful recommendation. He also recommends in-​store goods that pair nicely with the wine. I’ve enjoyed tasting the foie gras, chicken parfait, chirizo, peppercorn salami, etc. — all of which are affordable and available in small portions (100 – 200 grams). We’ve also had the opportunity to meet Keiko, who works behind the cheese counter. She is equally as knowledgeable about the cheeses. As you can tell from this review, we’ve gotten to know the staff — and can’t say enough positive things. They are all very helpful, kind, and the quality of goods at the Hampstead Butcher is unmatched.
Tip: They have a great selection of Italian reds. I recommend the 2008 Poggiobello Pinot Nero from the Friuli-​Venezia Giulia region. Take home a bottle of this wine and pair it with some Manchego cheese and peppercorn salami.

Finally a butcher is back in Hampstead.
Since the closing of the old butcher on Flask Walk in late 2007, there’s not been a single place to buy quality meat in Hampstead. Desperate barbecuers like myself had to flee to Finchley Road for the Waitrose or brave the «meat» section at the Tesco Express, where I actually once saw meat with maggots in it. No joke.
The meat quality here so far is excellent and the butcher clearly takes pride in his work. I got a few kilo of mince for burgers and it was both exceptionally lean (probably 98% I reckon) and tasty. I also picked up two sirloin cuts that were fantastic. Among the best meat I’ve had ever, including Argentina, Venezuela and Texas.
This is now my go-​to place for any meats now, Ocado be damned.