London Archway Restaurant Guide

This “neighbourhood gem” near Archway (named in tribute to the tiny Fiat 500) is a “truly brilliant family-run Italian” with an “ambience that takes you back in time”. Opened in 2007 by chef Mario Magli, it’s “still a go-to for a top-notch Italian meal”, with “imaginative food and the feeling that the owner really cares”. Its fan club is more-than-local, and numerous best meals of the year are reported here.

This well-known Archway pub (George Michael’s favourite back in the day, apparently) benefits from a beautiful, high-ceilinged dining annex (originally a ballroom) and serves “what you might call traditional food with an international twist (particularly Spanish with some tapas evenings”).

“Best bubble ’n’ squeak in town” – this tiny, faux-traditional caff in Tufnell Park (est. 2020 as it says on the website) is the kind of greasy spoon where beans on toast comes with Red Leicester; the coffee is filter; and you can view the playlist online #caff.

“There are plenty of pizza options but this is one of the very best” up North London way, with the five-year-old Archway original joined in 2023 by a branch in a pub near Angel. The “hand thrown” sourdough pizzas are “thin-crust and cooked super-fast, with a range of interesting toppings” washed down with “great craft beer”. “The interior is a little basic but always busy and with good reason” – it helps that staff are “super-friendly”.

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”.

A converted pub on a residential street near Archway (fka The Prince Alfred) now serving Indian food from Chef Jolly of MasterChef India. In his February 2025 review, Observer critic Jay Rayner declared himself a fan, recommending the Punjabi lamb curry and dal makhani.