Chubby Bowl

You know that feeling when you walk into a restaurant and immediately sense everyone's actually enjoying themselves? That's Chubby Bowl. Tucked away on Upper Street in Islington, this Vietnamese spot has built a genuine following without any fuss or Instagram theatrics. The kitchen takes its craft seriously—their pho is built on stock that tastes like it's been simmering for days, and the bánh mì sandwiches arrive with that perfect balance of pickled vegetables, herbs and properly seasoned fillings. It's the kind of place where locals outnumber tourists, where you'll see the same faces at the counter, and where 4.9 stars out of nearly 300 reviews isn't luck.