Hoxley & Porter

You know that feeling when you walk into a restaurant and immediately sense the owners actually care? Hoxley & Porter has that in spades. Tucked into Islington's Upper Street—that stretch where locals actually eat rather than tourists wandering past—it's all stripped brick, warm lighting, and a genuinely knowledgeable crowd at the bar. The kitchen does straightforward, seasonal British food done properly: think roasts that taste like roasts, impeccable fish, vegetables treated with respect. The wine list is thoughtfully curated without being pretentious, and staff chat to you like they know what they're talking about. It's the kind of place you end up at three times a month without planning to.