Islington is famed for its huge range of great bars and restaurants.
From Upper Street to Canonbury and beyond, Islington boasts some of the best places to eat in London. Whatever your tastes, you’ll have no trouble finding a nice restaurant serving some of the best food.
You could stop by for hearty comfort food at Afghan Kitchen, enjoy elegant Italian dining at Trullo, try a Korean barbecue at Kalbi Korean BBQ, or work your way through a guilt-free sustainable vegetarian menu at The Gate.
Whether you’re looking for the best lunch or dinner, this list will guide you through the top restaurants in Islington.
In this guide:
Best Restaurants in Islington
Afghan Kitchen
If you’re in the mood for hearty home cooking in a warming atmosphere, Afghan Kitchen is the place to be. Its focus on freshness, simplicity and authenticity place it firmly in the list of best Islington restaurants.
Positioned just overlooking Islington Green, the menu offers an equal number of meat and vegetarian dishes. The interiors of this long-standing restaurant are bright and cozy with simple decoration, encouraging you to discover Afghan cuisine in a warm and relaxed setting.
The prices are affordable, with most main courses priced at £7.50 or less. And if that wasn’t enough, you’re able to order half-portions so you can try as many different things as possible.
The best strategy is to go with a large group of people so you can share all the dishes! Be sure to come in the evening so you can make the most of the delicious fresh bread on the side.
12:51
Placed in the bustling heart of Islington, 12:51 is one of the top restaurants on Upper Street. Run by Chef James Cochran, winner of the BBC’s Great British Menu and Eater London Chef of the Year, a range of innovative dishes make 12:51 one of best places to eat.
Named after a song by New York rock band The Strokes, the restaurant combines the chef’s mixed Scottish and Caribbean heritage to offer a creative dining experience. The focus is on sharing – you are encouraged to start by ordering from the ‘snacks’ menu before moving onto the larger plates.
The menu changes often, but is rooted in British cuisine with an exciting twist. Previous plates have included fried buttermilk rabbit, goat’s cheese mousse with mushroom soil, and smoked eel with black pudding and apricot.
Despite the exquisitely crafted menu, the atmosphere is casual and laid back. Enjoy a discounted lunchtime tasting menu, or treat yourself to the full five-course taster with set drinks pairings. Their cocktails are just as inventive!
Petek
Petek is famed for its flavourful Eastern Mediterranean dishes, making it widely known as one of Islington’s top restaurants. Situated by Stroud Green on the border of Islington, you can expect high quality, authentic Turkish cuisine at affordable prices.
The family-run restaurant welcomes you into a homely, rustic atmosphere and offers a wide range of gourmet kebabs, mezze plates and sharing platters. The restaurant even provides complementary warm bread and olives to enjoy while you decide.
The portions are notoriously large, so you won’t leave hungry! For extra value, you can take advantage of their two-course set menu for lunch or dinner. Make sure to order the hummus – it’s served with added zesty pomegranate.
The Gate
If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just excited by healthy and sustainable eating, The Gate is the place for you. Established over thirty years ago, this restaurant combines a number of culinary influences to earn its status as one of the best places to eat in Islington.
Situated only a short walk from Angel tube station, The Gate places a focus on using locally sourced plant-based ingredients to create a diverse range of healthy and flavourful meals.
Conde Nast Traveller named it the ‘jewel in the crown’ of London’s vegetarian restaurants, so it’s no surprise that it serves some of the best food in Islington.
Set in an elegant grade II listed building, you can expect to enjoy luxurious plates such as truffle and mushroom arancini, classic wellington, and miso-glazed aubergine.
This contender for one of the best restaurants in Islington is set to reopen in Spring 2022, but it’ll be worth the wait.
Smokehouse
If you like barbecue, you’ll love Smokehouse. Located on Canonbury Road just off Upper Street, this restaurant has been one of the top restaurants in Islington since it opened in 2013.
Smokehouse is proud of how they source their ingredients, and with good reason. They work with the best farms in the UK, have fish delivered daily from Cornish markets, and have fruit and vegetables delivered fresh from a local London greengrocer.
They work with the best ingredients, so it’s no surprise that Smokehouse is one of the best places to eat.
Set inside a beautiful pub lined with bare wood and minimal decor, you can expect a variety of succulent mains that are slow-cooked and charcoal-grilled. The quality is not exclusive to meat-eaters – there are plenty of full-flavoured vegetarian dishes on the menu.
Keep your eye on the frequently-changing specials board to make the most of what’s on offer. You won’t want to miss out!
Trullo
Italian restaurant Trullo occupies a legendary status in Islington, easily becoming one of the area’s top restaurants since opening in 2010.
Their menu is seasonally-focussed and changes daily to make the most of the freshest produce. Positioned a short walk from Highbury & Islington Station at the top of Upper Street, the restaurant gives off a warm, buzzing energy.
You can expect to start by enjoying fresh, hand-rolled pasta dishes such as pappardelle with beef shin ragu, or tagliarini with chopped Exmouth mussels.
Next, you can move on to robust charcoal-grilled dishes. These are best shared, including a huge 42-day aged T-bone Aberdeen Angus and wild Cornish monkfish tail.
Combined with classic Italian aperativo and an Amalfi lemon tart to finish, Trullo’s authentic Italian experience shouldn’t be missed.
Final Thoughts on Best Restaurants in Islington
It’s hard to go hungry in Islington – the area is practically overflowing with great restaurants and bars. Whatever your mood and your favourite cuisine, you’ll be able to find some of the best food in Islington to match. Add it to your London bucket list!
Islington is also right by Regent’s Canal, home to one of the best walks in London. It’s one of the most beautiful places in London, and easily within walking distance of some hidden gems. It’s no surprise that Islington is one of the best places to stay in London.
After you’ve enjoyed the best food in Islington, you can even take a short walk to bustling Camden where there’s loads of great things to do. It’s also home to one of the most Instagrammable spots in London. Be sure to check it out, especially if you’re a first time visitor to London.
Are there any other restaurants in Islington that serve the best food? Let me know in the comments!
Looking for more things to do in London? Check out these tips:
- London Attractions Map
- 20 Iconic London Landmarks
- 33 Free Things to do in London
- Best Parks in London
- London 5 Day Itinerary
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