The Best Restaurants in Finsbury Park

Palmyra’s Kitchen is a super cosy Middle Eastern joint. With its stone walls and floors, it almost feels like dining inside a cutesy cave — and we mean that in the best way possible. The vibe is warm, homely, and full of charm. The menu reads like a book, packed with every dish one could ever crave from a Lebanese and Middle Eastern spot, plus plenty of things we didn’t even know we needed to try.

We started off with their hummus (obviously, no explanation needed) and the chilli baba ganoush. Dare we say it — this actually beat the hummus. The aubergine had the most incredible smokiness, and the burst of garlic and chilli flavours had us scraping every last bit from the bowl. We also got the feta cheese pastry, perfectly fried to a golden crisp. Honestly, we could have demolished ten of these without blinking. Fried cheese will forever be undefeated.

Mains were a tough choice — so many unique options to choose from. As much as we love a classic shawarma, we decided to branch out and went for the Kafta Yoghurtieh. Charcoal-grilled lamb topped with lashings of aromatic, slow-cooked creamy yogurt, served alongside fluffy, flavourful vermicelli rice. So different from anything we’d had before, but easily one of our favourites.

Dessert here is a must. We went for the Mouhallabieh — an indulgent milk pudding. It comes topped with rosewater syrup and crushed pistachios, giving it the perfect balance of sweetness and freshness. Speaking of freshness, their juice list is impressive too — the pineapple one in particular is elite.

Have to try: Chilli baba ganoush and fresh pineapple juice
Perfect for: Casual lunch out
Approx price for 2: £40-£60

Yard Sale Pizza is quirky and casual — exactly what we expected. Checkered floors, diner-style seating, fuss-free service, and quick turnaround.

Whenever we get pizza, we already commit to the carb overload. Hence, for starters, we simply couldn’t resist the chilli cheese garlic bread. Yes, we know it’s essentially a pizza starter before our pizza main, but that garlic-buttery sauce the bread is lathered in is an absolute must-try.

The menu has a range of fun, innovative pizzas alongside the classics. Usually tomato sauce is an afterthought, but not here. It’s slow-cooked, packed with flavour, and generously spread across every slice. We went for a classic Margherita, because after tasting that cheese on the garlic bread, we knew we just needed this. It really speaks for itself. Currently, they’ve partnered with Dishoom, and we tried their Vada Pow pizza.  The same base topped with masala potatoes, green chutney, tamarind chutney, and fresh coriander. It’s so unique, and somehow it just works.

And of course, they know pizza isn’t pizza without a stack of crust dippers. We probably went through three pots each of the garlic & herb and BBQ dips. It’s a law.

Have to try: Chilli cheese garlic bread
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £25-£35 (starters and dips)

Want to take a wild guess at what Max’s Sandwich Shop brings to the table? What we love most is that sandwich shops are usually tiny hole-in-the-wall joints where we end up queuing for hours — but not here. We got to sit down in a wholesome café vibe, catching our sandwiches as we devoured them, because trust us, these things get messy.

And honestly, that’s always a good thing, right? Getting big bang for our buck — they are not stingy here. Usually we love a meaty sandwich, but we couldn’t resist the “How Am I Samosa Now?” Warm, fluffy bread stuffed with marinated chickpeas, peas, spring onions, samosas, lime-pickled mayo, and a bunch of other herbs and crunchy bits we didn’t care to know, but just knew were damn good. If there’s room, grab a side of the soy and marinated vinegar chicken wings. They come topped with creamy spiced yogurt and more of those tangy pickled onions — an absolute delight.

And yes, they even have a range of alcoholic drinks. What kind of sandwich shop does that? And the cherry on top? Dessert is cookies with a glass of milk. If there’s one thing they know, it’s how to tap into our inner comfort-food cravings.

Have to try: Sandwiches and chicken wings
Perfect for: Casual lunch
Approx price for 2: £30

With a name like Frank’s Canteen, we expected cutesy, wholesome café-diner vibes — and that’s exactly what we got. Simple but effective, homely yet still feels like a treat.

We went for their weekend brunch, served all day, and they keep it fun here. Sure, sometimes all we crave is a full English, but most of the time we want something fresh yet hearty that won’t leave us sluggish for the rest of the day. And that’s exactly what they deliver. Don’t worry, if you’re in the mood for the classic fry-up, they’ve got that too. We went for the fluffy tomato focaccia, stuffed with a fried egg, cream cheese, pickled shallots, and broccoli. The perfect balance of indulgent, carby, and fresh. We added a side of smoked chipotle cheesy beans, because every good breakfast needs beans. Let’s just say Heinz will never do it for us again.

And of course, no brunch is complete without a breakfast dessert. As tempting as the croissant-cinnamon-sugar-mascarpone French toast sounded, we were already pretty stuffed. Instead, we shared the orange and cardamom yogurt, topped with fresh rhubarb compote, dates, and coconut granola. Health queens, right?

Have to try: Breakfast focaccia and yogurt bowls
Perfect for: Brunch
Approx price for 2: £40

Tollington’s may seem pretty unassuming from the outside — we’re not even exaggerating. The vibe is full-on old-timey chippy (which, let’s be honest, is sometimes exactly what we crave). But don’t be fooled. While it’s kept its authentic, lowkey interiors, it’s actually been transformed into a Spanish-inspired fish bar serving up slightly more elevated cuisine.

Although it’s predominantly a seafood restaurant, not everyone’s a die-hard fan — and that’s fine here. They’ve got a solid range of meat and veggie options too. But really, the seafood is the star. We kicked things off with the mussels and chorizo, and obviously no Spanish tapas moment is complete without crispy patatas bravas. The garlic aioli served with these needs to be bottled and sold. For something seriously indulgent, go for the lobster rice. Generous portion of tender chunks of lobster sitting in a buttery, moreish rice base. Naturally, it all pairs perfectly with one of their Spanish wines.

After all those fishy moments, a sweet treat was calling — and the bread pudding is an easy winner. Served with sherry butterscotch, it’s a fun British-Spanish fusion that just works.

Have to try: Lobster rice
Perfect for: Seafood lovers
Approx price for 2: £70 (including drinks)

The Plimsoll is honestly everything we want and need from a pub. Gorgeous traditional mahogany interiors, yet still open, modern, and effortlessly sleek. Maybe it’s just us, but our pub visits usually end up being drinks first, food second — often unexpected food because we’ve had a few too many. But not here. You come for the food, stay for the food — it’s all about the food, really. Of course, drinks will be ordered (a couple of ciders never hurt anyone), but save the calories — you’ll want all the space for what’s coming.

The fried potatoes with aioli cannot be missed. Yes, it’s basic, but there’s a reason every restaurant serves it — it just never disappoints. Not everywhere nails that crispy-outside, fluffy-inside perfection, but The Plimsoll absolutely does. Then comes the real star of the show, what this place is known for: the Dexter cheeseburger. Beautifully indulgent, meaty, cheesy, buttery. We tried to savour it slowly, trying to make it last, but truthfully it was gone in minutes. They’ve also got a range of fancier dishes like grilled meats, fish, and pastas, but honestly, they can wait. Get this burger on the table, no questions asked.

We finished things off the same way we started — with a classic that never misses. The ooey gooey chocolate brownie with butterscotch and cream. Doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, this is getting ordered every single time.

Have to try: The Dexter Cheeseburger
Perfect for: Family meal out
Approx price for 2: £40- £70

Ever heard of Uyghur cuisine? Yeah, we hadn’t either — until we tried Dilara, and now we’re obsessed. Honestly, we feel like we’ve been missing out for way too long. The food here blends Chinese and Middle Eastern flavours, and really, what could be better than that combo?

Never thought we’d see hummus and dumplings on the same page of a menu, but hey — no complaints here. The dumplings come stuffed with perfectly seasoned lamb and onions, and the texture on these things is unreal. For a bit of freshness, don’t skip the cucumber salad — it’s light, crisp, and balances everything out perfectly.

For mains, we had to try their traditional Uyghur laghman noodles — hand-pulled noodles tossed with fried lamb and vegetables in a rich, savoury sauce. Pro tip: ask for their flat hand-pulled noodles. It genuinely changes the game. For those less keen to experiment (though seriously, live a little), there are plenty of Middle Eastern classics too. Think shish, chargrilled meats, and rice dishes that never miss.

Added bonus, it’s a super affordable spot where they have deals running nearly all the time. Quality food at a decent price? Yes, please

Have to try: Hand pulled flat noodles
Perfect for: Trying something new
Approx price for 2: £45

Giacco’s is a homely yet refined Italian spot located on Blackstock Road. The interiors are simple and minimalist — and honestly, they don’t need to be anything more. The food and the vibe completely speak for themselves.

It’s a restaurant and wine bar, so obviously we treated ourselves to a bottle of white. We already knew before even looking at the menu that a creamy pasta was making its way onto our table one way or another. And nothing pairs better with that than a crisp white. The menu changes seasonally, but the starters stay relatively consistent. We began with the fluffy rosemary focaccia, because duh — bread and wine, holy combo. Pro tip: order the burrata and use the focaccia as a scooping mechanism. Thank us later.

As we mentioned, we had our sights set on a decadent pasta dish — and wow, did it deliver. Fresh tagliatelle in a black truffle sauce combined with Japanese wild mushrooms. Rich, earthy, and utterly indulgent. No meat needed (or missed). All the heartiness came straight from that truffle sauce, and we were this close to licking the bowl clean. But… not very classy, is it?

Have to try: Tagliatelle in black truffle sauce
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £60-£90 (with wine)

Petek carries all the vibrant, fun, family-oriented energy we want from a Turkish restaurant. Colourful lights hang from the ceiling, picture frames cover every wall — it’s full of warmth and personality.

We already knew we were in for a meat-filled feast for mains, so we kept starters veggie. And honestly, if there’s one cuisine that makes us not miss meat, it’s Mediterranean. The selection of dips here is unreal — all we need is a simple, carby dipping vehicle. We went for the cacik and hummus, perfect with warm pita. Pastry lovers, the borek is a must-order — cheesy, fried, and dangerously addictive.

For big groups (or anyone looking for a hearty pre-night-out meal), the mezze tasting menu is a winner. It comes packed with all the dips and grilled meats we love. Tapas-style sharing with a few good drinks — perfection for a late lunch or early dinner vibe.

For mains, we’ll admit it: we’re suckers for a chicken shish, and we’ll proudly keep ordering it. This time though, we went for the upgraded version with yogurt and harissa — bringing the perfect balance of fiery kick and creamy richness. Served with a fresh salad and fluffy za’atar rice, it’s a full-on flavour explosion.

Have to try: Mezze testing sharer menu
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £40-£60

Baban’s Naans is a lowkey gem tucked away on Blackstock Road. Yes, there’s some seating inside, but it’s very much a grab-and-go kind of spot — ideal for a quick lunch break or a pre-night-out bite. For something that’s served up so quickly, we were honestly shocked by how hearty and delicious everything was.

We all love naans, right? Well, forget build-a-bear — this is build-a-naan. We got to choose our naan flavour, toppings, and sauces. Absolute genius. Think Subway, but better… and fluffier. We went for the classic garlic naan, stuffed with their mix of seasoned chicken mince, rice, veg, and potato. And don’t worry — this isn’t some sad supermarket flatbread. The naans are homemade throughout the day, super soft, and served piping hot.

Fair warning though: with that much stuffing, it’s pure carb on carb on carb action. Luckily, we had a long train journey after, and it put us straight to sleep in the best way possible.

Have to try: Chilli garlic naan
Perfect for: Quick grab and go lunch
Approx price for 2:  £20- £30 (with a drink)