Best restaurants in North London

If you're on the hunt for the best places to eat in North London and aren't sure where to start, we don't blame you. North London's restaurant scene is growing by the minute, which means that there are a lot of fantastic restaurants to choose from. The good news is that you need not worry! We’ve got you covered with our round-up of the best restaurants in North London. From Italian spots in Islington to Thai food in Highbury - and everything in between - you won’t be short of options when it comes to dining in North London once you’ve perused this guide.

Updated on 12 July 2023

North London boasts some of the city’s top names as far as eating out is concerned, so we thought it might be handy to round them all up in one easy-to-use guide (think of it like a little tick list which you should most definitely try to work your way through). The most popular postcode – Islington – is a fashionable North London area, with streets full of independent boutiques, great gastropubs and an array of restaurants. Situated close to the City and the West End, this corner of the capital has a strong cultural and arts scene too, and is home to the legendary Almeida Theatre. Elsewhere, Stoke Newington is another exciting part of North London for eating out, with the village-like ambience of Church Street always a popular choice.

We’ve hand-picked the very best places to eat in North London to help you in your search. However, if you can’t find what you are looking for here, then you can refine your search even further with our handy area guides, from restaurants in S toke Newington to places to eat in C rouch End.

We've done our best to bring you tried-and-tested North London restaurants, whether that's by our own in-house critics or SquareMeal users. Once you’ve found something you like the look of, simply click through to view the full listing which includes opening hours, menus and more.

Farang

Farang

72 Highbury Park, Highbury, London, N5 2XE

Highbury restaurant Farang deals exclusively in big-flavoured Thai food. Having originally started as a street food stall, Farang’s menu largely revolves around their amazing curries and no one is complaining.

£30 - £49

Thai

Perilla

Perilla

1-3 Green Lanes, Canonbury, London, N16 9BS

Overlooking Newington Green with large sweeping windows is Ben Marks’ European restaurant, Perilla. Expect simple but elegant interiors and a small menu which uses basic ingredients but lifts them to great heights.

£50 - £79

Modern European

SquareMeal London Top 100

Primeur

Primeur

116 Petherton Road, London, N5 2RT

A long residential street in Stoke Newington is the home to Primeur, a French restaurant in a converted garage. The menu changes daily, with simple ingredients used at the highest level to create exceptional dishes.

£30 - £49

French

Smokehouse Islington

Smokehouse Islington

63-69 Canonbury Road, London, London, N1 2DG

Part of a trio of London pubs, Smokehouse is a lovely gastropub in Islington with large wooden tables giving it a rather rustic vibe, yet the delicate and refined food is anything but rustic.

£30 - £49

Gastropub

500

500

782 Holloway Road, London, N19 3JH

Named after the iconic Fiat model, 500’s first impression is that of a rather cramped Italian café but then the amazing Italian food arrives and you quickly realise that this place means business.

£30 - £49

Italian

The Drapers Arms

The Drapers Arms

44 Barnsbury Street, Islington, London, N1 1ER

Tucked away from the business of Upper Street in Islington sits The Drapers Arms - the Georgian style dining room of this gastropub is the perfect place to enjoy its crowd pleasing food.

£30 - £49

Gastropub

Frederick

Frederick's

106 Islington High Street, Islington, London, N1 8EG

Having been open for over 50 years now, Frederick’s is a classic establishment and its food has really kept up with its reputation over the years, with a high level Modern European menu on offer.

£50 - £79

Modern European

St John

St John's Tavern

91 Junction Road, Archway, London, N19 5QU

This Victorian pub in Archway is a great spot for drinkers and diners alike, and the impressive menu, which changes daily and is written up on a big blackboard focuses on traditional British cooking.

£30 - £49

Gastropub

Bull & Last

Bull & Last

168 Highgate Road, London, NW5 1QS

A wonderful old-school gastropub in Highgate, the Bull and Last feels like a posh country affair and has décor to match. The menu of refined classic dishes is an all-round winner too.

£30 - £49

Gastropub

Black Axe Mangal

Black Axe Mangal

156 Canonbury Road, London, N1 2UP

A certified Hipster Haven, Black Axe Mangal is a wonderfully chilled out spot just opposite Highbury and Islington station. The food is all of a very high level and served alongside a great drinks menu.

Under £30

International

Soutine

Soutine

60 St John’s Wood High Street, St John's Wood, London, NW8 7SH

This causal bistro-style café and restaurant in St John’s wood takes its inspiration from the streets of Paris. Serving food all day, the menu covers the French classics from a Croque Monsieur to Confit de Canard.

£30 - £49

French

Trullo

Trullo

300-302 St Paul's Road, Highbury, London, N1 2LH

If you’re wanting a top notch Italian meal and amazing pasta in particular, then Trullo is the spot for you in North London. Based near Highbury and Islington station, Trullo is the sister restaurant of Padella.

£30 - £49

Italian

Jolene

Jolene

21 Newington Green, London, N16 9PU

Bakery by day and restaurant by night, Jolene serves a simple French menu with some clear Italian inspiration. The spacious dining room gives off a relaxed feeling and is the perfect place to enjoy the wonderfully comforting food.

Under £30

French

Likya Ocakbasi

Likya Ocakbasi

68-70 Golders Green Road, London, NW11 8LN

There are a number of Turkish restaurants in North London but you won’t find any better than Likya Ocakbasi in Golders Green which serves the most brilliant kebabs alongside a whole host of bread and appetizers.

Under £30

Turkish

Westerns Laundry

Westerns Laundry

34 Drayton Park, Islington, London, N5 1PB

In a somewhat unlikely location in Drayton Park, Westerns Laundry occupies the ground floor of an ex industrial building and serves wonderful seafood dishes which are written up on the large blackboard and change daily.

£30 - £49

Modern European

Fish

Want to shop around North London a bit to find the perfect spot for your next meal? Have a look at our guide to the best restaurants in Islington for our top tips on restaurants in one of London's trendiest neighbourhoods. Or, check out our list of cool restaurants near Highgate for a funky evening of stellar food and drink.

If you're looking for a spot to host your next special event, such as a big birthday or corporate dinner, then make sure to take a look at our list of private and group dining rooms near North London.

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