A Hot Dinners exclusive

Ever since they first opened their doors in Highbury in 2017, Bourne's Fishmongers have been on a mission to share their enthusiasm for British seafood with Londoners. The duo behind it are Lee Bourne and John Long. Bourne trained as a chef at Islington restaurant Fredericks before heading into the fishmonger trade at top London fishmonger Steve Hatt. He teamed up with fellow Highbury local John

The duo behind neighbourhood favourite Fink's Salt & Sweet are expanding - but they're not going far. Their second place will be a coffee shop on nearby Gillespie Road.

Popular Kentish Town brasserie Patron is expanding - they've picked Blackstock Road for their second site, serving up all manner of classic French wine and dishes.

Five years ago, wedding caterer Paul Warburton opened Franks Canteen in Highbury as a weekend only brunch spot, just a few doors down from popular Thai spot Farang.

Now, having built up an incredibly loyal local trade, and dabbling with some supperclubs, he's about to open Franks Canteen permanently in the evenings.

"Our plan is to run in a similar way to our daytime operation," he told Hot Dinners, "which is food influenced

Highbury wine bar

This Highbury burger spot boasts a head chef who's worked in Michelin-starred kitchens and has burgers on the menu which really deserve a gourmet label. Expect BIG burgers, with pork belly, oxtail, bone marrow and more thrown into the mix. 

Fresh on the heels of Chinese Laundry's successful sojourn there comes news that AngloThai will be the next residency at the Mountgrove Bothy.

If you haven't been lucky enough to try their food to date, let us enlighten you. The chef is John Chantarasak who was twice shortlisted for the Young British Foodie ‘Chef of the Year’ and until four months ago was working at som saa. He's now branched out on his own, and after some time cooking around the UK, Europe

With wine as its focus, but some cracking cocktails as well, this neighbourhood small plates spot is a welcome addition to the area.

The people behind Three Sheets are getting into the wine bar business with Top Cuvée in Highbury. Expect food from an ex-Naughty Piglets chef, a decent wine list to drink in or take away - and a few of their great cocktails too. 

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

When it first opened on Islington's Upper Street, Chinese Laundry quickly developed a fan base. Giles Coren loved it, saying in the Times; " they have done exactly what hipsters do, and they have done it brilliantly. So welcome to Chinese Laundry – Britain’s first Chinese Hipster Restaurant". And Olive magazine dubbed it "Quirky, fun and super-friendly".

But when fire damaged the building and then squatters moved in, it was all

Three times Time Out neighbourhood cafe winner Beam is coming to Blackstock Road with its quality weekend brunches and a dedicated evening menu.

Ever since it opened early last year, the praise has flooded in for Seb Holmes's Farang in Highbury. With a background of Smoking Goat and The Begging Bowl, as well as a lot of street food under his belt Holmes brought some properly authentic Thai food to the area. 

However - there was always the worry that it wouldn't be a permanent venture. Farang was set up on the

Taking over the spot vacated by Prawn on the Lawn, this is a new wine shop and restaurant in Islington - run by half of both Oklava and Boustead & Bidois.

Featuring a wine list from the GM of the Laughing Heart, this is a wine bar worth seeking out.