Restaurant Reviews

88 Upper Street, London N1 0NP

Hainan House, previously known for pop-ups and supperclubs, has now settled in Islington. Founded by Sunny Wu, the restaurant showcases Southern Chinese cuisine with influences from Qiong, Canton, Hakka, and Min regions. The menu, crafted with head chef Irene Hua, offers dishes like steamed aubergine and tiger skin quail's eggs, making it a unique addition to Upper Street.

51 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL

The team behind Dalston's Dan's wine bar is also behind Ken's in Exmouth Market, in a much a larger venue than its predecessor. here, there's a seasonal menu with Basque influences, featuring small plates and sharing dishes cooked on a Koro grill. As for drinks, the extensive wine selection focuses on smaller producers, offering both natural and classic wines.

Arch S12 Water Lane, Hawley Wharf, London NW1 8JY

Chef Paul Foster, of Michelin-starred Salt in Stratford-Upon-Avon, is behind Grassfed in Camden's Hawley Wharf, focusing on grass-fed beef cooked over coals. Menu highlights include a beef hotdog with truffle mayo, a shareable beef rib, and BBQ dayboat fish. Foster aims to promote quality British-sourced meat and raise awareness about regenerative farming.

11 Highbury Park, London N5 1QJ

Saltine is a neighbourhood restaurant in Highbury that comes from Fink's founders Mat Appleton and Jess Blackstone. Inside a somewhat tardis-like space that opens up at the back to a glass-roofed dining room it has coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go dishes during the day, while the evening menu is "led by provenance, joyful cooking and sustainability".