Islington

• Slaw takes the place of Rok in Islington with a plant-based residency on Upper Street

  

  We'd heard recently about the sad news of the closure of Islington's Rok - but things move fast on Upper Street and there's already a replacement.

  Taking over is plant-based restaurant Slaw. They had a series of successful supperclubs and now they're going to the next level - with a residency in the old Rok space. They say "Our ethos is to produce deliciously healthy food in a sustainable and

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• X-Upper is bringing gourmet sausages to Islington's Upper Street

  A new restaurant that's specialising in just the one thing is opening in Islington. X-Upper is all about gourmet sausages and they've rustled up some impressive chefs to create them. 

• Homeboy Bar brings Irish food, drink and cheer to Islington's Essex Road

  Expect Irish food, drink and hospitality at this Islington bar which is serving up everything from cocktails featuring Barry's Tea to curry chips and Tayto crisps.

• Maison Bleue Canteen is the nearby sister cafe to Islington's Maison d'Etre

  

  One of Islington's most popular cafés is Maison d'Etre, just on the opposite side of Highbury Corner from the station (right next to another Islington fave, Black Axe Mangal). They've been doing storming business there for the past few years in a tiny space and now they've expanded with a second cafe, Maison Bleue.

  The second spot is a mere 5 minutes walk away, so if you've ever

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• Wild Food Cafe is bringing its vegan delights to Islington's Upper Street

  Plant-based menus and vegan pizzas will feature at this new Islington outpost

• Test Driving 1251 - James Cochran's innovative Islington restaurant

   

  You've seen him on the Great British Menu, you've heard about his travails over the use of his name, now try James Cochran's food at his wonderful new Islington restaurant. 

• The next Chick n' Sours is coming to Upper Street, Islington

  The masters of fried chicken are back with their "third album". This time they're on Islington's Upper Street with new dishes, an outside space and all the fried favourites from the original (yes, the Szechuan Aubergine). All that and their signature sour cocktails too. 

• Test Driving Plaquemine Lock - a Cajun and Creole pub in Islington

  Tucked down a residential side street in Angel is a canalside pub turning out Cajun and Creole food. We along for a taste of the Deep South.

• 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.