Best restaurants in Islington: a local insider shares their favourite spots

To its locals Islington has always been known as a foodie hotspot, offering everything from independent cafés to artisan bakeries and destination restaurants worth making a pilgrimage for. Stretching well beyond the bustle of Angel and Upper Street, there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered if you’re willing to wander off the main drag. Local insider Gina Jackson, who lives in the neighbourhood, gives us the lowdown on the best places to eat and drink.

For more London food guides, check out our review of the best restaurants in Notting Hill, best restaurants in Chelsea, best restaurants in Camden and best restaurants in Paddington.

Best places to eat and drink in Islington

Sunday, Hemingford Road

This all-day brunch spot in leafy Barnsbury has a cult following: on weekends you’ll need to queue early to snag a table. It’s very much worth the wait. Feast on thick buttermilk pancakes loaded with maple syrup, bacon and honeycomb butter, banana bread slathered with espresso mascarpone, and crispy courgette fritters. @sundaybarnsbury

Westerns Laundry, Drayton Park

Westerns Laundry is tucked away on a residential street minutes from Highbury Fields. The daily-changing menu is scratched onto a blackboard and always includes a mixture of handmade pastas, seasonal veg dishes and expertly grilled meats. In summer, candlelit tables spill outside under the leafy canopy. westernslaundry.com

Giacco's, Blackstock Road

This tiny wine bar on Blackstock Road is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of place. Inside, expect a carefully curated list of low-intervention wines and a rotating calendar of chef residencies that always keeps things interesting. giaccos.bar

Quince Bakery, New North Road

Islington has no shortage of standout bakeries yet Quince is a quietly brilliant under-the-radar spot that deserves your attention. Founded by pastry chef Anna Higham, this takeaway-only bakery focuses on dense cookies, sourdough loaves, scones and seasonal cakes and tarts. quincebakery.co.uk

Half Cut Market, York Way

York Way might seem an unlikely setting for a buzzy wine bar but evenings at this neighbourhood spot see locals gathering around the roadside tables, working their way through an expertly chosen list of natural wines. The food here is no afterthought either, with a menu featuring creative charcoal-grilled dishes and shareable plates. halfcut.world

LOT 103, Newington Green Road

Bordering Newington Green, Lot 103 is a stylish all-day café pairing thoughtful design with excellent coffee and Danish-inspired breakfast plates: think softly scrambled eggs and rye bread with cheese and jam. The interiors feel closer to a carefully curated homewares shop than a standard café. @lot.103

Trullo, St Paul's Road

Widely considered one of the best Italian restaurants in London, Trullo has become an institution among those in the know. Slurp up plates of thick, chewy
cacio e pepe pici and silky pappardelle ribbons tangled with slow-cooked ragù. There are perfectly grilled meats and indulgent puddings to follow too. trullorestaurant.com

The Tamil Prince, Hemingford Road

From the exterior you might assume The Tamil Prince is a regular neighbourhood boozer but instead of pub grub you’ll find tingly curries and flaky roti on the menu, all washed down with fresh mango lassi. Sister restaurant The Tamil Crown is also located in Islington and is a little easier to get a reservation at. thetamilprince.com

The Baring, Baring Street

Sitting on the cusp of De Beauvoir, this polished pub feels a cut above a typical weekend local. Expect a refined, seasonally driven menu that utilises the best British produce: tuck into hearty cuts of meat paired with fresh veg and thick, proper chips. The Sunday roast is one of the best you’ll find in Islington. thebaring.co.uk

Try The Baring’s recipe for financiers with poached plums and pumpkin gnudi.

More Islington restaurants from the olive team

Lupa, Highbury Park

Inspired by the osterias of Rome – where co-owner Ed Templeton lived for a time – this neighbourhood corner spot champions comforting, simple dishes and a casual, friendly atmosphere. The bright, breezy room feels fresh but keeps lots of the original charm intact, notably the beautiful, almost floor to ceiling original windows. Chef Naz Hassan's concise menu means a table of four could happily order most of the menu. Start with a punchy martini, heady with Malfy gin and fig leaf liqueur, and a snack of courgette flower stuffed with burrata, deep-fried and served on an umami courgette purée uplifted with dashi. There are pasta greatest hits, too – order the cacio e pepe with handmade pici in a generous slick of peppery, cheesy sauce. Mains feature a thick slice of porchetta stuffed with apricot, gorgeously burnished with deep, crunchy crackling – try the creamy green vignarola veg as a perfect accompaniment. There are only two puddings but the tiramisu delivers – feather light and creamy with a proper kick of booze. Punters may book hoping to see a glimpse of co-owner Theo James (of White Lotus fame) but they’ll come back for the spot-on cooking. lupa.restaurant

Little Bat, Islington Park Street

Sister bar to Callooh Callay in Shoreditch, Little Bat is casual and fuss-free yet stylish, with refreshingly affordable cocktails. Dark, sultry and dimly lit, it’s a great choice for low-key birthday drinks with friends or perhaps one last drink on a night out.

A refreshed cocktail list has plenty to enjoy. Flutter By is a light, pretty agave cocktail with Codigo Rosa tequila complemented by floral, fruity notes from strawberry aperitif and elderflower liqueur. Little Bat also nails the classics: we tried a warming, spicy boulevardier (the negroni’s winter cousin) with Fielden rye whisky, and there’s also a pithy roster of ‘Cold AF’ martinis. Our vesper did not disappoint, crystalline, boozy and icy cold.

There’s also a revamped food menu courtesy of chef-consultant James Cochran – those looking for bar snacks can try the likes of toasted sourdough bread with whipped gravy butter, seriously addictive buttermilk fried chicken with jerk spiced hot honey glaze, and beer-battered Whitstable oysters. Or turn it into a proper dinner and add mains such as jerk spiced slow-braised shoulder of mangalitza pork or torched Cornish mackerel with hazelnut tahini, finished off with aged Berkswell basque cheesecake for dessert. littlebatbar.com

The Brave, Essex Road

Taking over the site from the former The Engle Field this year, The Brave bills itself as a pub bistro and, although it looks like a pub from the exterior and signage, it definitely leans more towards the bistro end of the scale with its light-filled, airy dining room and elevated menu. Stephen Bunch (ex-London Shell Co) has recently taken over as head chef bringing more of a seafood focus with him. From the gently spiced cuttlefish arancini with curry emulsion to a spankingly fresh cured stone bass with a zingy passion fruit, tequila and miso jalapeño dressing, and a main of perfectly cooked Brixham hake with artichokes and smoked haddock chowder, the fish dishes here really sing. For those who just fancy a pint and a bar snack there are some real gems – try the deep-fried beef nugget topped with Russian dressing, cheese and gherkins, or the incredible confit potato ‘chips’ (like those viral thousand-layer potatoes) served with a punchy black garlic mayo. There’s also a delicious Baron Bigod gougère, which is like eating a cheese cloud. Puddings are on the indulgent side – don’t miss the sea salt caramel tart served simply with ice cream, and perfect for sharing. thebravelondon.co.uk

Topa, Holloway Road

By day it’s a neighbourhood deli specialising in continental cheeses, charcuterie and fine wines. But by night, Wednesday to Saturday, Provisions transforms into Topa: a slice of San Sebastián, just seven minutes’ walk from Highbury & Islington station, where chef Simon Shand creates classic Basque dishes from the shop’s quality produce.

A communal table runs the length of the cosy venue, encouraging sharing and chat. Or grab a barrel that serves as a table for a more intimate evening. The pintxos (snacks) to start are a must. The menu changes but, during our visit, stand-outs included nutty ossau-iraty cheese with roasted pickled onions, and morcilla blood sausage with apple – a surprising contrast of savoury and sweet. And gildas, the best we’ve experienced outside Spain: this trio of Guindilla pepper, anchovy and olive is a symphony of salt and heat, crunch and creaminess.

From the plates, delve into fall-apart pork cheek stew served on silky polenta; and wild mushrooms with raw egg yolk and wafer thin guanciale, reminiscent of the best carbonara. Make sure you save room for dessert, especially deconstructed mont blanc – sweetened chestnut cream with orange segments.

To drink, try txakoli, a spritzy Basque wine; or patxaran and tonic, a traditional aperitif with a hint of sloe berries. provisionslondon.co.uk/pages/topa

Rake @ Compton Arms, Compton Ave

With a history spanning more than 200 years (including famously being a haunt of George Orwell), Compton Arms in Islington has built a reputation for nurturing some of London’s most promising chef talents. Past kitchen residencies include Four Legs, who went on to open the acclaimed The Plimsoll and Tollingtons Fish Bar, and Schmaltz by Chris D’Sylva who opened Michelin-starred Dorian. Now hosting Rake, the talented duo of Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver (both previously of Acme Fire Cult), who are endeavouring to fill those big shoes with their bold take on modern British food. rakelondon.com

Franks Canteen, Highbury

Franks Canteen is a cosy gem of a restaurant and the intimate setting enhances its inviting atmosphere. The close-packed tables hum with lively conversation as diners deliberate over a menu designed for sharing. From tempting snacks to hearty plates like the celebrated beef cheek and monkfish wellington, it's a haven for culinary enthusiasts eager to explore a variety of flavours. Under the guidance of new head chef Eloise Dawes, the menu showcases inventive takes on classic European dishes, emphasising seasonal ingredients. Picture dishes like the chicken caesar terrine with fried anchovies, soft eggs, chive oil and Butterhead lettuce, or the grilled nectarines with stracciatella, chicory and rosemary-maple vinaigrette. Vegetarian and vegan diners will find plenty to savour. The grilled aubergine topped with vegan 'nduja, lemon dressing, yogurt and pecans is a standout option. Complementing the food, the restaurant boasts an extensive drinks selection and offers BYO nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays, ensuring something to suit every taste and occasion. frankscanteen.com

Morchella, Rosebery Avenue

Light, bright and roomy, this restaurant/wine bar is a new venture from the team behind Perilla. One of its USPs is the individual cutlery drawers in the tables, which house complete table settings – this creates uncluttered tables with more room for food. The menu is modern Mediterranean – salt cod comes in churro form rather than as fritters, on a plate of romesco sauce; panzanella is made with radicchio; and scallops are fluffy with cauliflower mushroom and dripping with buttery juices (you’ll need the pepper dulse focaccia for mopping them up). Spanakopita is reimagined as a neat, ultra-crisp, sausage roll like affair. And there are three desserts, one of which is the lush portokalopita made with crumbled filo pastry. morchelladining.co.uk

Vins Restaurant and Wine Bar, Grosvenor Avenue, Canonbury

Small is beautiful at this cool north London restaurant. Run by a two-person team, owner Vinny Burke handles the front of house and serving duties while in the tiny kitchen Emils Fjodorovs knocks up inventive wine-friendly small plates (the pair previously collaborated at Spitalfield’s Jago). The interior is all dark wood, dim lighting and muted grey walls and although cosy, tables are well spaced so there’s no eavesdropping on your neighbour’s business. It’s a grown-up space (the website requests over 16s only) and the quirky background music is carefully chosen by Vinny to reflect the relaxed vibe.

The menu is fun and eclectic. There are snacks that could be ordered with a glass of wine for a quick pit-stop as well as lots of small plates and a couple of bigger serves to linger over.

From the smaller dishes, chicken liver parfait is silky-smooth, served with thick sourdough toast for spreading and tangy ribbons of pickled cucumber. Crisp golden croquettes have a surprisingly light filling of potato and spring onion and come with rich garlic aïoli. The crunchy fried taleggio sandwich is a must-order (though we recommend you get a plate of house-pickled veg on the side to offset this oozy cheese-fest). A larger dish of roast aubergines, Jerusalem artichokes, skordalia (a purée of potato, olive oil and garlic) and toasted walnuts was a heavenly mix of creamy, smoky, nutty and crunchy.

Vinny’s other passion is natural wine and he curates a regularly changing list (mostly from France, Italy and Spain though there were some bottles from Slovakia on our visit). Vins is the kind of hidden gem that every neighbourhood should have – Canonbury residents are very lucky that it’s on their doorstop. vinsrestaurant.co.uk

Prawn on The Lawn, Saint Paul's Road

Like its Cornish sibling in Padstow, Prawn on the Lawn in Islington is a fishmonger and restaurant all rolled into one. Rick Toogood and his wife Katie launched the restaurant in 2013, and since then it has expanded from its early roots as a seafood bar to a 35-seat restaurant and separate private dining room.

The couple moved to Padstow two years later to open a second site and now split their time between the two restaurants. Fish and shellfish arrive daily from fish markets and day boats in Devon and Cornwall, ensuring the freshest produce ends up on ever-changing menus.

Dishes might include Porthilly mussels, clams and manzanilla; ray wing with olives, chilli and agridulce; or a whole Padstow lobster with lime and coriander butter. The restaurant also runs seasonal oyster happy hours daily from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, during which time freshly shucked Porthilly oysters are served as they are or deep-fried with garlic crème fraîche. prawnonthelawn.com

Sambal Shiok, Holloway Road

Mandy Yin has gone from street food stall to Malaysian pop up, and now has her own laksa bar in Highbury.

The cosy room is paved with wooden floorboards, dark-blue walls are lined with Malaysian street scenes in gilt frames and bright artwork posters. Mandy and her team hustle away behind a counter in the open kitchen, assembling bowls of comforting laksa and sprinkling fresh herbs onto veggie salads.

Simple Malaysian dishes are executed very well. A vegetarian salad of shredded carrot, thin slices of mooli and pickled cucumber is tossed in peanut sauce with tiny cubes of fried potato, and Malaysian fried chicken is some of the best we’ve tried – super-succulent chicken pieces are marinated in turmeric and fennel seeds with cumin and coriander then tossed in chickpea gram flour and fried until extra crunchy and golden.

There are five laksas to choose from – tofu, chicken, prawn, and a special laksa encompassing all of the above, as well as a vegan special with charred aubergine and sautéed potatoes. Slosh around in the fragrant liquid to find succulent chicken pieces, huge plump prawns, spongy pieces of tofu and crunchy green beans. Slippery rice and springy egg noodles add to the various textures that are slurped up from the rich coconutty broth. Beef rendang is a melting concoction of tender beef in a deep and complex sauce, served with fluffy rice. sambalshiok.co.uk

Afghan Kitchen, Islington Green

Tucked away on leafy Islington Green, this north London institute is a must visit for hearty home cooking. Book ahead for a table in the evening (or join the lengthy queue) before taking a seat at communal tables in the compact dining room.

White, laminated menus list the curries and sides, all of which can be shared. Succulent lamb and earthy spinach is one of the heartier dishes on the menu, while tender chunks of chicken bathe in a light, fragrant yogurt sauce, ready to be mopped up with crisp, fluffy flatbread, generously drizzled in oil. Vegetarians are equally well catered to, with smoky aubergine or roasted sweet potato, both served with yogurt.

Service is fast-paced and breezy (and the restaurant is cash only), so head to the counter to settle up and order some sweet, sticky baklava to take away with you. instagram.com/afghankitchenldn

Tootoomoo, Highbury East

Tootoomoo wants to bring the punchy flavours of Asian street food to a restaurant setting – this time to a cosy and colourful site on St Pauls Road. Expect to find many classics of Asian cuisine here, from miso soup and potsticker dumplings to rendang curry. These jostle with less typical creations like shichimi squid with Japanese pepper and sweet chilli or duck and watermelon salad with cashew and hoisin.

Dishes at Tootoomoo are simply presented but hugely enjoyable to eat. Our crispy smoked chicken with chilli salt and spicy mayonnaise was an umami dream (think grown-up chicken nuggets), while the playful popcorn shrimp with nori dust was addictively moreish, the saltiness of the shrimp pairing well with the subtle citrus tang of a yuzu-spiked mayonnaise. tootoomoo.co.uk/highbury

Check out more London restaurant guides here:

Best restaurants in Chelsea
Best restaurants in Marylebone
Best restaurants in Kings Cross
Best restaurants in Fitzrovia
Best restaurants near Oxford Street
Best restaurants in Brixton
Best restaurants in Notting Hill
Best restaurants in Battersea
Best restaurants in Shoreditch
Best restaurants in Camden
Best restaurants in Covent Garden
Best restaurants in Soho
Best restaurants in London Bridge
Best restaurants in Hackney
Best restaurants in Paddington

Words by Gina Jackson, Ellie Edwards, Janine Ratcliffe, Alex Crossley, Laura Rowe and Mark Taylor

Photographs: David Cotsworth, Safia Shakarchi (Tiella)