The best restaurants in Islington

Michelin-starred James Cochran is going back to his roots with 1251, his new Islington spot where he'll be serving sharing menus, tasting menus and snacks, featuring modern British food, made with Kentish produce (and several nods to his West Indian heritage).

Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, the people behind The Wolseley, opened in this neighbourhood restaurant with a grand cafe feel just off Islington Green. Expect Alsace cuisine and one of the smarted restaurant interiors in Islington.

Lee Tiernan's Black Axe Mangal has made a small site on Highbury Corner into - in our opinion - one of the best restaurants in London. With metal and rock music blaring out on the speakers, it's certainly unlike much else in town. It's described as 'an unauthentic, bastardised take of Turkish Mangal and Ocakbasi, with global influences.' And with an ever-changing menu, rewards repeat visits.

Farang comes from ex-Smoking Goat chef Seb Holmes. Originally a long-term pop-up, it's become a permanent restaurant on Highbury Hill. It's a little trek from the nearest tubes, but you'll be rewarded with some of the best Thai cooking in London.

Linden Stores now rests in the spot that once held the original Prawn on the Lawn. There's a wine shop upstairs as well as a restaurant in the basement. Expect a regular changing small plates menu and some great value wines alongside it.

Previously best known for having a hand in most of the Polpo launches, Tom Oldroyd came into his own at his eponymous Islington restaurant, with a seasonal menu (and excellent croquettes).

After gaining a reputation for cooking Italian in the much-loved Bocca di Lupo, Jacob Kenedy returns to his US roots with a stonking cajun and creole menu at his Lousiana-themed Plaquemine Lock on Regent’s Canal.

Now moved to a larger location, Prawn on the Lawn is a fishmonger and seafood bar - with a wine bar on the side. Expect the usual fruits de mer platters and whole crab as well as some more tapas-style dishes like scallops ceviche and their signature dish - the prawn on the lawn which is toasted soda bread with avocado and prawns.

Malaysian laksa specialists Sambal Shiok have finally found a permanent spot for their critically-acclaimed dishes. Opening up on Holloway Road they're planning some epic weekend brunches and the Riesling wine list sounds good too.

Originally the home of Neil Rankin, both he and the restaurant have moved on, although the emphasis on smoking remains. Alongside the food expect plenty of rotating beers and the outside garden is a surprise oasis just off a busy Islington road.

This Islington pub is tucked down a quiet side street and remains one of the prettiest pubs in the borough. Run by Nick Gibson, the menu is a modern take on British pub grub. Grab a table in the garden if the weather's behaving itself.

Probably Islington's most famous 9and hard to get into) restaurant, this Italian affair sees Jordan Frieda, formerly front-of-house at The River Cafe teaming up with chef Tim Siadatan - one of the original trainees at Fifteen. Expect superlative Italian cuisine. And if you're having trouble getting into Padella, from the same team, then booking a table here will help you avoid that queue.

The people behind the very successful Primeur have opened a second restaurant. British flavours and Devonshire seafood will be at the heart of this retreat just around the corner from Holloway Road.