Bellanger | Classic Islington Brasserie
For almost the past decade, Bellanger has been Islington’s answer to the question: where can I take the Tube, but pretend it’s the Eurostar?
After a little pandemic-related hiccup, the quintessentially charming French-style brasserie & cafe reopened last year after a top-to-bottom refurb (to generally excellent reviews too), and they’ve just given the menu a nice little tune-up too, with an all new lineup of spring dishes inspired by the Southern French coast.
Step inside, and you’ll enter a spacious area at the front that spills in a gloriously continental way, through concertina doors, onto the terrace overlooking leafy Islington Green. There’s a huge, pewter-topped bar, behind which smartly dressed barkeeps stir together light, apéritif-style cocktails with unmistakably French flavours like Suze, Pernod and lavender.
Venture in a little further, and you’ll find yourself enveloped in warmly wood-panelled walls decked out with striking vintage posters, and lined with intimate red leather booths. Even the bathrooms give you the impression of being in an art deco first class train carriage. Basically, if this restaurant were a person, you’d want to go out with them.
The new spring menu, like previous incarnations, is packed with generously sized dishes, and includes the likes of hot smoked salmon salade Niçoise; some confit duck à l’orange with endive, orange and red wine jus; and a classic pan-roasted cod a la Provençal with capers, olives, and anchovies. If you’re into brunch, then you can feast on everything from a roast porchetta sandwich to a simple potato rosti with a fried egg & kale, or smoked salmon & dill cream cheese.
It’s all utterly convivial, and the one thing that will never really changed about Bellanger is the service, which is still second to none. And the kicker? They’ve brought in a little entertainment too, with live music every Friday & Saturdays, plus brunch on the weekends.
C’est bon, n’est pas?
NOTE: Bellanger is open daily – you can make a booking and find out more at the website right here.
Bellanger | 9 Islington Green, The Angel, N1 2XH
Looking for al fresco dining? Check out our list of the best outdoor dining spots in London
