Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in London Islington
Hardens guides have spent 25 years compiling reviews of the best Islington restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 88 restaurants in Islington and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing Islington restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured Islington Restaurants
1. Oldroyd
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
344 Upper St - N1
That it’s “very cramped” and “cheek by jowl” is the main accusation made against Tom Oldroyd’s “tiny” Islington two-year-old (“basically a house made into a restaurant, where upstairs is quieter and lighter”). “As you head up the rickety staircase and cross the wonky floorboards, a hint of doubt may cross your mind – don’t let it!”, say fans, applauding the “unpretentious”, “individual” and “full-flavoured” food from “a limited but well-put-together menu”. That said, ratings were “off the boil” compared with last year – perhaps the pressure of opening the Duke of Richmond (see also)?
2. The Wilmington
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
69 Rosebery Avenue - EC1R
Worth knowing about near Sadler’s Wells – an “extremely busy” Clerkenwell corner pub, well-rated in all reports for its “reliably good food: from top burgers, to well-thought-out veggie options”.
3. Salut
International restaurant in Islington
412 Essex Road - N1
“Beautifully presented, interesting and well-cooked” modern dishes of a high level of ambition justify the trip to this Canonbury two-year-old at the ‘wrong’ end of the Essex Road. But it loses some points for “close tables”, “small portions” and “high prices given the location”.
4. Lucky Voice
International restaurant in Islington
173-174 Upper Street - N1
Lucky Voice is the UK's leading private karaoke experience with bars located in London Soho, London Islington and Brighton, as well as a number of franchised venues around the UK.
Lucky Voice Soho has 9 private rooms catering for 4-12 people. Each pod comes fully equipped with ...
5. Cured Bar
Mediterranean restaurant in Islington
209 - 211 Liverpool Road - N1
Cured Bar is an up and coming Mediterranean style restaurant in Islington. Our aim is create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for all ages, while we serve produce and wine of the highest quality. Open for dinner on week nights, as well as just for a drink. Or come by on the ...
6. Frederick’s
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
106 Camden Passage - N1
“None of its charm has been lost over the years”, say fans of this “romantic” and “spacious” Islington stalwart, where the best spot is “eating on the terrace overlooking the lovely garden”. “The cooking is old school, but very enjoyable”.
7. Pig & Butcher
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
80 Liverpool Road - N1
“For carnivores and beer lovers”, this attractively located Islington gastroboozer butchers its own meat on site, so “always produces the best cuts, excellently cooked”. There’s a good selection of craft ales too, “but really it’s more a restaurant than a pub”, and manages to “attract, train and keep very friendly and knowledgeable waiting staff”.
8. Humble Grape
British, Modern restaurant in Islington
11-13 Theberton Street - N1
“Unpretentious, relaxed and with a wide choice of wines and small plates” – with the latter “nicely judged to complement wines” – plus “enthusiastic and knowledgeable service” win particular praise for the Battersea original of this small group, and also its EC4 spin-off “hidden away and almost under the crypt of St Bride’s Church”. Last year, a further outlet also opened in Islington (no reports yet), and in 2018 a new City branch opened near Liverpool Street. Top Tip: “Monday nights is the time to go as wine is sold at retail price”.
9. Kanada-Ya
Japanese restaurant in Islington
35 Upper Street - N1
“The best ramen in London” (“the pork broth is wonderful – there’s nought better on a cold day, when it really hits the spot”) scores nothing but high praise for this small Japanese noodle chain with bars in Soho, Covent Garden and now also in Islington. Top tip – look for the “Burford eggs done just enough with a slightly runny yolk” and “don’t miss the truffle ramen, which is absolutely the best!”
10. Gem
Turkish restaurant in Islington
265 Upper St - N1
Turkish-Kurdish outfit near Angel that offers “exceptionally good value for Upper Street”. “No fireworks here, simply decent portions of good food in a friendly place”. Top Tip: the “set menu of mixed mezze is an especially good bargain”.
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