Ottolenghi Islington

"Ottolenghi has become something of an institution in London, now with three branches and numerous (less than successful) imitators. Serving great, less than obvious breakfast dishes but really shining at lunchtime with their colourful middle eastern, Turkish & Balkan salads. Brightening up the greyest of city days! Leave space for a cake, they are also the most beautiful you will see.And their jars of spices, pickles & jams make a great gift." - Present & Correct

"For:Mince pies. Ottolenghi is a man of many talents. Namely causing countless people to ask themselves what exactly nigella seeds are. But it turns out that he’s also making some of London’s most popular mince pies. They’re available to buy from the Ottolenghi online shop and fun fact, the fruits and spices filling is softened in brandy and rum from August onwards. Just like our livers. Heads up, there are plenty of festive hampers, Christmas cakes, and panettone available too." - heidi lauth beasley

"Back in 2002, when Ottolenghi first arrived in London, some people were still looking at the inclusion of fruit in a salad with the same suspicion they would reserve for anyone calling the home phone post-8pm. Things have come a long way since then, but Ottolenghi is still one of the best places to get a very tasty salad. The kind you could only dream of making at home. With branches in Belgravia, Notting Hill, Spitalfields, and Islington, it should always be kept in mind." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak

"Shakshuka  Shakshuka never fails to result in a smile and a tomato stain down our shirts that we dutifully blame on not having had enough coffee. Let’s focus on the former and leave the latter to Vanish, shall we? A good morning medley of spices, onions, labneh, tomato, and—dun dun dun—braised eggs, the shakshuka at Ottolenghi is the stuff of London breakfast legend. A mini-chain of great little restaurants where vegetables reign supreme, there are a few Ottolenghis dotted around London but the Islington location is our favourite due to the impressive cake display in the window. Shakshuka and a Persian love cake, anyone? " - heidi lauth beasley

"Your order:The chicken soup. Winter survival comes down to two things, maximum heat, minimal effort. Or in our opinion, maximum heat, minimal chewing. Enter Ottolenghi’s soup, your classic chicken number made even better with the addition of Grana Padano cheese, grated tomato, garlic oil, and pasta. Mafalde in a chicken soup? Huge flex. All you’ll need to do is heat it up, and if you’re after more winter warmers they’re also doing pulled lamb tagine, spicy tandoori chickpea, and ricotta meatball ready-meals too." - heidi lauth beasley