Guide to the best restaurants in Islington

Islington is home to St. John, a well-established restaurant that’s been leading the food scene since 1994. It’s held a Michelin star since 2009 and gives diners classic British cooking, with dishes like potted pork and grilled ox heart on the daily-changing menus. It’s a meat-centric menu but vegetarians are catered to.

One of London’s most iconic Italian restaurants just happens to be in Islington. Trullo serves classic Italian cuisine, with freshly-prepared pasta and seasonal and sustainable produce on the menu. This clean, contemporary local restaurant has been in business for over 10 years and continues to attract diners from Islington and further afield.

Bellanger transports diners to a Mediterranean brasserie with framed artwork, comfortable booths, and checked tablecloths. You can sit inside or on the terrace and enjoy all-day dining menus, including a choice of set menus. There's an extensive bar menu to complement a meal, including French wines and classic and signature cocktails.

Tucked away on the northern edge of Islington, Max’s Sandwich Shop is making a huge splash with adventurous diners. Forget simple sandwiches – this neighbourhood eatery turns a classic into a full meal, loaded with memorable combinations of ingredients. This is a place for unique food and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

12:51 on Upper Street is award-winning chef James Cochran’s signature restaurant. A choice of five course tasting menus is offered, as well as a traditional roast on Sundays. You can expect vibrant dishes made from seasonal ingredients like chilled courgette soup and crispy pork belly, with optional drinks pairing available.

Warm and cosy restaurant Afghan Kitchen cooks up traditional recipes from Afghanistan. Seated at communal tables in the simple dining room, you can sample comforting classic dishes, including vegetarian options. The portions here are generous and the flavours are unique. Locally-brewed beers are available to wash it all down with.

Farang is an award-winning restaurant in Highbury that serves Thai street food. Diners come here to discover authentic dishes like blooming onion and curries. Tasting experiences are available to book too. There's also a larder at Farang where you can buy Thai delicacies to bring the flavour home with you.

At Wolkite you can discover authentic Ethiopian food and culture. This family-run neighbourhood restaurant is humble but serves up crowd-pleasing dishes on top of injera bread, made to eat with your hands. The menu includes plenty of plant-based dishes. You can also enjoy Ethiopian beers or tej, a traditional honey wine.

Laid-back European restaurant Frederick’s promises quality cooking and a focus on service. This elegant venue includes a bar and a spacious garden with a manicured lawn. Classic European dishes like beef carpaccio and salmon en croûte are on the menu, and there are lots of vegetarian and vegan options too.

After taking over The Cuckoo pub in Islington, The Tamil Prince quickly shot up the ranks of London's gastropubs and became one of the hottest bookings in town. The cosy, welcoming pub showcases South Asian cuisine as taught by the famed Roti King. Flavourful dishes such as onion bhaji, butter chicken masala and crispy roti have won widespread praise from local punters and professional critics alike.

Located in a Grade II-listed building, Sessions Arts Club comprises a bar, restaurant, and performance space. The minimalistic yet beautiful decor complements an international menu featuring the likes of 'nduja, quail, and white asparagus, and the entire establishment emphasises creativity and collaboration. Private hire of the various event spaces is also available.

If you fancy something different, head to Little Georgia and get a taste for Georgian cuisine. Don't miss the kachapuri, an infamous traditional bread oozing with melted cheese. Across the menu you'll find comforting dishes that are full of flavour. Traditional wines and spirits from the country are also served here.

La Petite Auberge is a sophisticated French restaurant on Upper Street, boasting an elegant interior and relaxing pavement terrace. The menus feature a variety of classic dishes like frog's legs, baked brie, and galettes. There are plenty of desserts to choose from too, plus a large choice of wines and cocktails.

Nem Nem has a warm and friendly atmosphere and serves traditional and tasty Vietnamese dishes. Lots of small plates are on the menu that are great for sharing, and you can also enjoy authentic meals like pho and noodles. The menu includes plenty of choices for plant-based diners too.

Luca is a leader in London for contemporary Italian food made from quality British ingredients. Enjoy cocktails and snacks at the bar, choose the express menu for lunch, or luxuriate over a long meal in the airy dining room or private dining spaces. Luca is a hotspot for innovative versions of classic dishes.

Caravel is a Dutch barge that’s been converted into a contemporary restaurant with an open kitchen. Its limited size gives it an exclusive feel that really creates a buzz. The menu features vibrant dishes with a range of European influences, like duck croquettes, crab and fennel tagliatelle, and mussels and chips.

Food from the Xi'an region of China is booming in London and Xi'an Impression is the place to get your fix in Islington. Try street food like burgers or shredded bread served in broth or choose from a wide selection of hand-pulled noodles. This cosy restaurant offers a fresh take on Chinese cuisine.

Gallipoli Again is a vibrant and popular venue for Turkish and Mediterranean food. You'll find a lively atmosphere in the richly-decorated interior, or you can relax outside on the pavement terrace. All-day dining is available, including breakfast, and you can choose a traditional Turkish raki to finish off your meal.

If you fancy seafood, Westerns Laundry is a simple and modern venue with industrial touches. The menus change regularly, including both small plates and larger dishes. Expect dishes like baked cuttlefish and mackerel tartare. Diners can also choose from a concise wine list that concentrates on natural bottles.

Around since the 19th century, The Quality Chop House has evolved from a traditional chophouse into an acclaimed modern British restaurant with an accompanying shop. The menu here changes daily, but always places an emphasis on quality produce and premium cuts of meat. The unique historical setting offers both à la carte and set menus, and though the focus is on meat, vegetarian alternatives are available as well.

Pizzeria Pappagone is a classic Islington pizza spot, serving a variety of wood-fired pizzas as well as pasta dishes, meat, and fish. Complete your meal with something from the lengthy wine list that mainly includes bottles from Italy. Takeaway is also available from this humble but much-loved restaurant.

Seafood favourite Prawn on the Lawn has fresh fish delivered every day from Devon and Cornwall. The menu of small plates changes each day, but fish for the table, oysters, and shellfish are always available. A list of international wines is on offer and you can also buy fresh fish here to take home.

Osteria Tufo gives diners a taste of Southern Italian cooking, with a menu that’s strictly pizza-free. This is a cosy local restaurant with an intimate interior and leafy outdoor terrace. The menu changes regularly but always features traditional dishes, including pasta. There’s also a sophisticated wine list, with many options by the glass.

At The Blue Legume you can enjoy homey Mediterranean cooking in a warm and rustic setting. This bustling restaurant offers all-day dining menus full of international flavours like paella, pasta, and burgers. The breakfast menu includes classics like a full English. The restaurant also has a pavement terrace for al fresco eating.

For authentic Turkish food in Islington, there's Liman Restaurant. In modern and welcoming surroundings you can enjoy mezze and main dishes, or choose a mezze platter to share. A set lunch menu is available for a satisfying meal. Parties and large group bookings are also welcome here.

Llerena is a modern tapas bar with striking artwork hanging from the ceiling. There's a diverse range of tapas on the menu, including cold meat, cheeses, and vegetarian choices. Complete your meal with a Spanish wine and come along on Sunday afternoons to listen to live flamenco music for an authentic experience.

The cheerful blue exterior of Le Sacre Coeur stands out, and welcomes diners into an elegant French bistro. The art on the walls creates a cosy atmosphere. Choose from several menus, including a set menu and a lunch option. Expect classics like confit duck and mussels, washed down with French and international wines.

Terra Rossa serves authentic Southern Italian home cooking in a friendly and relaxed setting. You can expect traditional dishes like bruschetta, pizza, and pasta, plus a special menu for kids. On the drinks list you'll find Italian and international wines and Italian beers, including beers on tap.

Skål Nordic Dining offers Londoners a chance to explore sophisticated and modern Nordic cuisine. The restaurant's inviting minimalist setting, featuring a smart blue exterior and a cosy interior, provides a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying fresh and seasonal meals, including fish, seafood, venison meatballs, and more. With a variety of homemade aquavits and signature Nordic cocktails, Skål continues to be a popular choice for those interested in experiencing Scandinavian food in a new and exciting way.

With several branches around the city, Macellaio RC is a must-visit destination for meat enthusiasts, as butchery is a true passion here. This Italian-inspired steakhouse offers a lively atmosphere with outdoor seating options. While various premium steaks are the star attraction, pasta and signature Italian cocktails are also on the menu.

In the late 1990s, Moro emerged as the result of a Mediterranean culinary journey, blending North African and Spanish flavours in inventive Moorish small plates. The restaurant garnered significant acclaim for creatively mingling various culinary traditions, offering dishes like sea bream and gambas roja ceviche, and charcoal-grilled lamb with aubergine, gum mastic & saffron pilaf, and caçik, complemented by fine Mediterranean wines and Spanish sherries.

Well-known chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi operates several restaurants in the capital, including this contemporary neighbourhood spot in Islington. Equipped with long communal tables, the all-day dining establishment offers both dine-in and takeaway options. You can start the day with breakfast items such as shakshuka, followed by an assortment of Middle Eastern fare for lunch and dinner. The salads and the tempting cake counter are worthy of special mention too.

Helmed by acclaimed chef Peter Lloyd, Sticky Mango is a luxurious restaurant that takes culinary inspiration from all over South-East Asia. The à la carte menu features an assortment of fish and meat dishes, including Singapore chilli lobster or duck fried rice. The Islington branch is the group's second opening in 2023, following the unveiling of its flagship Tower Bridge location in August.

La Farola in Upper Street is a tapas restaurant with a cosy and rustic style. There are also a few pavement tables. At this friendly spot you can sample an array of tapas dishes, with breakfast and brunch also served at weekends. Cocktails and wines from Spain and Italy are available to complement your meal here.