Islington, Italian Restaurant Guide

“A gem, well worth a visit to darkest Highbury Corner”: as it enters its 10th year, Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda’s “great neighbourhood Italian” remains the survey’s most-mentioned destination in north London, buoyed by its “excellent, simple fare” and “efficient service”, served in a “compact” but romantic setting that “exudes a tremendous warmth” (“want a first date in a light airy space? Book upstairs, especially in summer; want a sexy tryst? Book a booth downstairs, especially in winter”). On the downside, some former fans feel it’s “dropped to middling” of late: “a local place, but with a centre-of-town bill”.

“There’s no better choice if you’re going to Islington’s Almeida Theatre” than this “cheerful Puglian” nearby, which serves “way better food than its touristy appearance suggests”: “simple, flavourful Italian dishes” washed down with “sensibly-priced, rustic, southern Italian wines”. “The atmosphere is unfussy, friendly and easygoing: you get a great meal and a very reasonable bill”.

It’s a “spacious, modern and stylish” venue – on the site of Islington’s Almeida (RIP) – but owners D&D London and respected chef Francesco Mazzei “really ought to up their game” here: it “beats a pizza chain”, but should deliver much more. As it is, being “convenient for the Almeida Theatre” is one of the best things that reporters have to say about it: “without this neighbour they probably wouldn’t survive”.

2017 Review: “Consistently good thin-crust pizza” makes it worth remembering this cute, family-friendly Italian, hidden off Upper Street.

2019 Review: “Tucked away off Upper Street”, this genuine “small” deli/restaurant “has ‘Italy’ sprayed all over it” – “a busy and popular” spot, featuring “lots of regional ingredients”, and with “great fresh pasta” and “consistently fantastic pizza you can take away, too”.

Drawing inspiration from Milan's pasticceria, panino shops and pizzerias, everything at Latteria - cakes, pastries, pizza and pasta - is made in-house, with ingredients sourced from Italy; it's open from breakfast to 'aperitivo time'.

Another pasta-only opening, this time from Naples-born Elia Sebregondi and Enzo Mirto who have worked together at Soho House and Kiln; this one incorporates a pasta workshop.

Artisan bakery with branches in Islington and the new Arcade Food Theatre at Centrepoint; this branch also serves homemade pasta dishes in the evenings (Wed-Sun).