Islington

• Islington's Compton Arms reopens with a new landlord and refined pub classics menu

  The pub that inspired George Orwell's famous Moon Under Water essay has been taken over by the landlord who runs The Gun in Hackney and he's brought in help to serve up some interesting bar food too.

• The London Jukebox is coming to Islington with world music and Indian food

  The London Jukebox runs world music concerts in London and now they're settling on Upper Street. Expect small music events paired with Indian sharing plates. 

• Test Driving Bababoom - an Islington kebab restaurant worth hitting up on Upper Street

  A commitment to sourcing well and cooking everything - even the condiments - from scratch makes this new Islington kebab restaurant stand out from the crowd.

• James Cochran's new project is 1251, a modern British restaurant 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).

• Test Driving Vins in Canonbury - the neighbourhood's wine bar

  Tucked away in the heart of Canonbury, Vins is a neighbourhood wine bar with an interesting, ever-evolving menu. We pop by for a look.

• Alphabet bar returns - this time on Islington's Upper Street

  It's been closed in Soho for five years, but now Alphabet bar is on the way back to London. This time it's setting up shop in Islington matching cocktails with a Mediterranean menu. 

• Test Driving Llerena - a slice of Extremadura on Islington's Upper Street

  Sourcing their food direct from their own farms in Extremadura, the family behind new Islington tapas spot Llerena can be quietly confident their food is worth crossing town for.

• BabaBoom's Middle Eastern kebabs are coming to Islington's Upper Street

  They already have a kebab restaurant in Battersea, and now they're coming to Islington's Upper Street. BabaBoom will be serving up all their favourite kebabs with meat and vegetables cooked over coal and some cracking Middle Eastern sides too. 

• Hot Stone Steak and Sushi Bar

  Sushi and wagyu in Islington

• Yipin China

  Hunanese cuisine in Islington

• Pophams Bakery

  Next-level bakery in Islignton

• Vins

  Wine bar hidden away in Islington's Canonbury

• Dalston fave Jones and Sons is coming to Islington with a second restaurant

  With five years of success in Dalston under their belt, it's now time for Jones & Sons to expand. They're coming to Angel - you can expect a damned good Sunday lunch and more...

• Brother Marcus are bringing their brunches and more to Islington's Camden Passage

  Having built up a loyal following in Balham for their combo of top brunches, Brother Marcus are hoping that formula together with a new menu of Mediterranean small plates and cocktails does equally well in North London.

• Test Driving Prawn on the Lawn - the restaurant and fishmonger impresses in its second coming

  Top Islington seafood restaurant and Fishmonger Prawn on the Lawn moved down the road to a much bigger spot. We head along to see what's new.