Auguste is a neighbourhood restaurant and bar in London Fields from chef Mike Bagnall (Elm) and GM Dylan Walters (Bambi). Set in the former Papi site, Auguste is built around arrosticini – the traditional flame-grilled skewers of Abruzzo – served across counter seating, paired with lively, low-intervention wines and a warm, convivial atmosphere.
The cooking draws deeply from the pastoral traditions of central Italy, where sheep farming and mountain pasture define the region’s food culture. Arrosticini, once a simple charcoal-grilled snack eaten standing up with a glass of wine or beer, takes centre stage here. Bagnall, who spent time living in Abruzzo, flame-grills everything from lamb and cull yaw to wagyu, liver and wild boar. These skewers sit alongside a concise menu of regional dishes: Carciofi alla Romana; La Latteria stracciatella with ibérico tomato; crushed smoked potato with Hikari miso; capoletti in lamb brodo; and larger plates such as market-fresh whole grilled fish.
The restaurant’s name nods to Edward Hopper’s Soir Bleu and its melancholic figure, Auguste the clown – a symbol of belonging to the crowd rather than standing apart from it, an idea reflected in the restaurant’s easygoing spirit.
Upstairs, Auguste seats 31 guests, with a compact standing counter for walk-ins and an open kitchen anchored by the charcoal grill. The aesthetic channels the energy of European bistros, combining white tablecloths, rich walnut, and soft pastel tones. Downstairs, an intimate bar offers a more relaxed setting for late-night drinks.
Drinks are straightforward and generous. Think classic cocktails – including a £5 Camparino – alongside Negronis, Martinis and Italian lagers. The wine list champions small producers, with a focus on Italian and Abruzzese bottles, five by-the-glass options and a weekly magnum. Digestifs and amari round things off, including a seasonal house limoncello.