London Barnsbury Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: This aptly-named, all-day café in Barnsbury is the local hot-spot for weekend brunch – “if you can get in before the queues”. “Courgette fritters, pancakes, banana bread” all get a shout-out, along with a “seriously good Virgin Mary”. It’s less frenetic during the week, when they take bookings.

This “very popular gastropub” in Islington has been transformed from an early Victorian boozer by Nick Gibson, and now “does so well you really need to book”. The “consistently good food and great wine list” show a strong French influence, and it’s “lovely outside at the back in summer”.

“I couldn’t love it more”, say regulars of this Islington Vietnamese – “a family-run and family-oriented original, with reliable and delicious food”.

2022 Review: “Brilliant burgers charmingly served in a student-friendly hang-out” – that’s the deal at this indie four-year-old, which is located at the northern end of the new developments near King’s Cross.

“Truly brilliant” – this desi pub (formerly the Cuckoo) in Barnsbury is one of the most talked-about openings of 2022 thanks to “stellar” cooking that’s “expertly spiced and oh-so-moreish”, washed down with “great cocktails and beers on tap”. On the downside, it is “squashed” and “oh-so-noisy” (“they won’t turn the music down!”) but most folks like its “bustling” style. “You have to plan ahead” – “it’s very difficult to get a reservation unless you book four weeks in advance” – but “well worth the effort”.