London Archway Restaurant Guide

Near Archway, this “great little local” (named after the diminutive Fiat Cinquecento) is both “reliable and good value”. It may “feel a tad old school”, but chef-patron Mario Magli and his team serve up “wonderful food with love and enthusiasm”. (“I have had many meals here with friends and it has always been delightful and an example of how delicious Italian cooking can be”.)

Fans hail this Archway tavern as “the best for miles around” (it was George Michael’s favourite back in the day) – “always welcoming”, and with a “terrific menu of mainly British cuisine” served in the dining room, which has “some charm as a former ballroom”. Top Menu Tip – the “great roast beef” is a treat for Sunday lunch.

“Proper caff food done right” in Tufnell Park by two highly skilled chefs “will whizz you back in time to your school days or nursery – except I don’t remember it ever tasting this good!”. Elliot Kaye and Richard Hayes quit their jobs at Leroy and Lyle’s four years ago to “make the best fry-up in London” at this “utterly brilliant” re-creation of the traditional greasy spoon. Top Tip – “arrive early as there is no booking system, so the queue is often around the corner for this tiny cafe”.

2023 Review: “Two minutes’ walk from Archway tube”, this “tiny Italian” comes “recommended for its homemade pasta and specials” and “delicious Italian sourdough pizza”, all delivered by “polite and considerate staff”. Top Menu Tip – “the olives Ascolana appetiser – fried breadcrumbed green olives stuffed with minced meat”.