Ottolenghi Islington

Walk up Upper Street and you'll spot the queue snaking outside Ottolenghi before you even clock the window displays. Inside, it's all high ceilings, natural light, and that particular kind of chaos that happens when everyone's trying to order at once. The food reads like a greatest hits of the brand—proper hummus, charred vegetables that actually taste of something, salads that make you rethink what salads can be. It's not fine dining, but it's rarely less than excellent, and the wine list shows genuine thought rather than just being expensive.