Harden's survey result
Summary
It’s “hard to beat PoTL” for “fantastic, fresh and tasty fish and seafood” – a restaurant/fishmonger on Highbury Corner which is supplied daily from Devon and Cornwall (it has a sister venue in Padstow). Staff are “knowledgeable and friendly”, and there’s “a great matching wine list”. The only – but frequent – complaint is that it’s “teeny-tiny”, so you “have to book ahead, and can’t always get a table when you want one”.
Summary
“Fish at its best: fresh, dressed and novel – seared, crispy and spiced; or as a mountain of fruits de mer au naturel” is the reason this “fabulous”, “almost caff-like” local on Highbury Corner (which doubles as a fishmonger) is “always very busy”. It’s “a rarity in London”, and “every bit as good as its Cornish cousin” in Padstow. One caveat: it’s “far too tiny and cramped and always needs to be booked days ahead – wish they would expand”.
Summary
“Fish at its best: fresh, dressed and novel – seared, crispy and spiced; or as a mountain of fruits de mer au naturel” is the reason this “fabulous”, “almost caff-like” local on Highbury Corner (which doubles as a fishmonger) is “always very busy”. It’s “a rarity in London”, and “every bit as good as its Cornish cousin” in Padstow. One caveat: it’s “far too tiny and cramped and always needs to be booked days ahead – wish they would expand”.
Summary
“Top-quality fish, simply cooked” and “served tapas-style” in an “informal setting” make this fishmonger/seafood bar on Highbury Corner (with a sibling in Padstow) a “great neighbourhood place”. “Can be busy and cramped, but the food is very good.”
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Prawn on the Lawn?
Restaurant details
Prawn on the Lawn Restaurant Diner Reviews

"Small plates: Dover sole, scallops in green curry jus, hake, fried crushed potatoes (fab), tomato and tarragon salad, anchovies, Muscadet, salted caramel pot. Not a very comfortable place, small, but the food was top class. Not fancy, just whatever was good that day from the market. "

"Ideal lunch for pescatarians as we are! Small plates to share and larger ones for whole fish. It's not cheap as plates are around £11-16 each and you need 4 for lunch plus sides. The fish is really fresh, simply prepared, delivered when ready and in batches. A sort of super tapas bar without the rubbish. Dessert was a rich and different caramel cream with chunks. Free water. Decent wines at fair prices. Service is delightful, cheerful and professional. They do have 2 staff to look after only a few tables so they have time. On the down side, the chairs are strangely less than welcoming and the windows were dirty - not expected in a restaurant and fish shop. No fixed price lunch."

"A very intimate small restaurant with fresh seafood. Service is prompt but due to its popularity it is always busy. Well worth visiting and expect many returns. "
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £27.00 |
Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
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Service | 12.50% |
292-294 St Paul's Rd, London, N1 2LH
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | CLOSED |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
Saturday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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