Updated on 01 April 2025
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 Stoke Newington to places to eat in Crouch 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.
72 Highbury Park, Highbury, London, N5 2XE
55 Shirland Road, Maida Vale, London, W9 2JD
The latest smash hit restaurant from Public House Group, The Hero is beautifully designed over multiple levels. You can grab a bite to eat in the downstairs pub, but the real sparks fly one floor up at The Grill, which is the sort of meat and fish heavy grill house that we all dream of. Head up to the Library for snacks and sultry cocktails.
168 Highgate Road, London, NW5 1QS
1-3 Green Lanes, Newington Green, London, N16 9BS
256 Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 2AA
Another of the capital's top gastropubs can be found in Kentish Town, where a pair of former Brat chefs are busy grilling sea bass over coals and generally cooking up a storm. The dining room is very atmospheric too, complete with old-school stained glass and candles on the tables. You can pop in for a pint and a snack and have just as good a time.
177B Blackstock Road, Highbury, London, N5 2LL
One of London's top natural wine bars also serves up a compact but excellent menu of French inflected bistro classics, like steak tartare, leek tarte tatin, and asparagus in a sauce gribiche. If you're feeling snacky, excellent pommes frites go nicely with a glass of something cold and fizzy.
156 Canonbury Road, London, N1 2UP
F.K.A.B.A.M made a name for itself (originally as Black Axe Mangal) off the back of raucous, full throttle cooking, with former St John chef Lee Tiernan using a massive pizza oven to turn out squid ink flatbreads. The name may have changed, but the style has not - F.K.A.B.A.M is still a must-visit.
172 Shepherdess Walk, Islington, London, N1 7JL
The Spiteri brothers (the sons of genius restaurateur Jon Spiteri) have something truly great going on between the walls of this Islington canal barge. Lorcan's cooking harks back to nostalgic favourites, from potato rostis to jelly and ice cream, whilst Finn mixes a mean cocktail and runs front-of-house with his dad's charm.
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.
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, King's Cross, London, NW1 2AR
Victor Garvey (also of Michelin-starred SO:LA) has brought a big slice of gallic panache to the stunning Grade I Listed Midland Grand. One of London's most spellbinding dining rooms meets one of its most precise chefs - this was always bound to be a big hit.
55 Baring Street, Islington, London, N1 3DS
There are some cracking pubs in the quaint little neighbourhood in between Angel and the Regent's Canal, but The Baring is probably the best of them. Expect some genuinely superb, inventive European cooking alongside a quality old-world wine list.
82 Hornsey Road, Holloway, London, N7 7NN
Right up there among the best Ethiopian restaurants in the city, Wolkite is a great choice for vegans and vegetarians, but frankly, everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. The lamb ribs are a must-order, and get in on Wolkite's homemade tej (honey wine) whilst you're here too. Wolkite gets bonus points for wonderful hospitality on top.
52 St. Thomas's Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2QQ
The Plimsoll has become one of London's most in-demand bookings, largely off the back of a borderline mythical burger that sells out every night. To be honest, the whole menu is stonkingly good, but be aware that they turn tables pretty fast and the restaurant is always absolutely packed. It's worth it though.
21 Halliford Street, Islington, London, N1 3HB
Goodbye Horses has been an enormous hit since it opened in 2024, thanks to some rather lovely design quirks, adventurous modern European cookery, and an absolutely killer natural wine list that might just be one of the best in London. It's worth popping to sister site The Dreamery too, London's first ice cream and wine bar.
21 Newington Green, London, N16 9PU
116 Petherton Road, London, N5 2RT
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.
300-302 St Paul's Road, Highbury, London, N1 2LH
208 Stoke Newington High Street, Stoke Newington, London, N16 7HU
One of - if not the - definitive taco spot in London, no-one who ventures to Stoke Newington for a box of Sonora Taqueria goodies has ever been unhappy. Don't underestimate the size of these beauties - they are absolutely stuffed - and make sure you get yourself a quesadilla and a cup of chilled horchata whilst you're at it.
8 Caledonian Road, King's Cross, London, N1 9DU
We're huge fans of Tamila's ultra-accessible, affordable Indian cooking. Out of this world rotis meet fantastic curries, a classy cocktail list and a buzzy, canteen-style dining room where hungry diners are packed side by side.
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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