Highbury-born chef Ben Allen trained up at Michelin-starred Alyn Williams at The Westbury and Steirereck in Austria before becoming sous chef at Brat. He now heads up the kitchen at the hugely popular (and critically rated) The Parakeet in Kentish Town. Born and raised on Blackstock Road, he's agreed to share his favourite food and drink recommendations in Highbury with us.
Farang
72 Highbury Park, London N5 2XE
I love Farang’s take on Thai food, Chef Seb has worked at some of the best Thai restaurants in London, and sources all his ingredients twice a week direct from Thailand. Their neighbourhood vibes spot offers great takes on Thai classics, with bold, flavour-packed dishes. It's my go-to for a proper feast, especially when craving something punchy and spicy. Their Spicy jungle curry uses succulent braised aged beef, pea & apple aubergines and is a must-have dish. Recently we had the honour of working with Seb and the team on a collaborative menu here at The Parakeet, where we worked together to combine their Thai flavours and ingredients with our fire cooking for a one-off menu and it worked a treat.
Dusty Knuckle van
42 Highbury Pl, London N5 1QL
I, like everyone else, think Dusty Knuckle is possibly the best bakery in London at the moment. It’s more than just a bakery though and their van in Highbury Fields is a wicked spot to pick up something on the go. Generally, DK is all about their incredible potato sourdough which is legendary, and the focaccia sandwiches they make for the ultimate lunch pick-up. I also love their morning buns - a croissant style dough, coated in sugar and ground cinnamon is the perfect way to start the day and a regular haunt for me and the kids on a rare weekend off.
Nem Nem
279 Upper St, London N1 2TZ
This family-run Vietnamese spot is where I go for a comforting, steaming bowl of pho. The broth is deeply aromatic, packed with rich umami flavours, and the fresh herbs they use make all the difference. A proper Highbury and Islington staple for a quick, satisfying meal.
Trullo
300-302 St Paul's Rd, London N1 2LH
Trullo is one of my newest finds in the area, though it’s been here for ages. It’s a wicked little neighbourhood Italian but it’s more than that. They serve amazing handmade pasta and simple, elegant dishes that let their quality ingredients shine. Their pappardelle with beef shin ragu is a must-have for me.
The Woodbine
215 Blackstock Rd, London N5 2LL
A proper no-nonsense Irish boozer with a great pint of Guinness and a cracking atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where the bartenders know your name, the sport is always on, and the vibes are spot on. It's a no-frills kind of place, serving Thai food in the week and classic pub grub at the weekends. None of the food is going to blow your mind by any means, but it's also not going to break the bank. It is a great local spot to kick back, watch the football with some mates and beer and some cheap pub food.
For more of these local area guides, visit the My Manor page.
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