Smokehouse

Restaurant · Canonbury

Smokehouse

Restaurant · Canonbury

4

63-69 Canonbury Rd, London N1 2DG, United Kingdom

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Highlights

Smoky global BBQ & Sunday roasts, extensive beer list  

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63-69 Canonbury Rd, London N1 2DG, United Kingdom Get directions

smokehouseislington.co.uk
@smokehousen1

$$ · Menu

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63-69 Canonbury Rd, London N1 2DG, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 20 7354 1144
smokehouseislington.co.uk
@smokehousen1
𝕏
@smokehousen1

$$ · Menu

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Aug 14, 2025

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@infatuation

The 12 Best Steak Restaurants In London

"Ordering a steak off of a blackboard is a real mood. The mood being “I am a carnivore with a penchant for the countryside”. Smokehouse, a British spot in Islington, not only has an excellent blackboard menu and top fresh cuts of quality meat, they also have the perfect setting to enjoy it in. Think roaring fires, a bar with plenty of rich red wines, and that countryside pub look that will warm your cold little London heart. The meat offerings change regularly, but if the smoked featherblade is on, make sure it’s also on your table. " - rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley, jake missing

https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/best-steak-restaurants-london
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16 London Restaurants For When You Want To Get *Cosy* - London - The Infatuation

"Nothing, absolutely nothing, is cosier than an open fire. This is the exact thought we have every single time we make the great decision to go to Smokehouse on a chilly evening, and feel like we’ve escaped to one of the home counties. This Islington pub is complete with roaring flames and a blackboard listing the best cuts of meat. It’s also worth knowing that there are some great vegetarian options and the roast is one of the best in London. " - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Rianne Shlebak, Sinead Cranna

https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/cosy-restaurants-london
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The 23 Best Restaurants In Islington - London - The Infatuation

"You come to Smokehouse to eat some of the best fire-cooked meat in London. You’re not going to need starters, but you’ll order them anyway, so have the pork tacos and prawn toast. After that, get whatever form of beef, pork, or lamb is on the menu. Lamb shoulder is the speciality. And the Sunday roasts are among the best in N1. Formerly a pub, Smokehouse has a beer selection that itself makes a visit spiritually rewarding. Some people do just come just for a quiet pint. But it’s at its best visited with a gang, for way too much beer and way too much meat. " - Team Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/the-best-restaurants-in-islington-best-bars
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Smokehouse - Review - Islington - London - The Infatuation

"Nothing, absolutely nothing, is cosier than an open fire. This is the exact thought we have every single time we make the great decision to go to Smokehouse on a chilly evening and feel like we’ve escaped to one of the home counties, complete with roaring fires and a blackboard listing the best cuts of meat on offer. The setting matches the food perfectly–big slabs of pork chop with smoked apple and black pudding, simple no-brainer sides, and comforting British classics for dessert. It’s also worth knowing that despite being a destination for meat lovers everywhere, they do have some great vegetarian options. Come here for a pub dinner with a difference. Come here for a date night when you’re toying with the idea of moving to Hampshire. Or come here every single Sunday for one of the best roasts in town. You’ll love it." - Heidi Lauth Beasley

https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/reviews/smokehouse
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Lily Ly

Google
I came for Sunday roast and really enjoyed the atmosphere and food here. The service was good, very attentive. We ordered sourdough bread with beef dripping and butter, simple but DELICIOUS. Then continued to order our roast lunch. The quality of the food was great with all the usual trimmings, I would have preferred a more medium rare beef, but it was more medium so a little tough. But otherwise a decent Sunday roast!

Georgina Conlan

Google
Not surprised that I enjoyed this one! We got the lamb roast to share and it was spectacular!! The meat just fell right off the bone. And the mint sauce! Trust me, get the mint sauce. The sticky toffy pudding as well I think is my favourite. It’s moist, sweet (n but not overly) with a slight chew on the outside. Stunning interiors too

Benedetta Prizia

Google
I went there with my husband, of course on a Sunday, to try their famous Sunday roast! What can I say, it was delicious! We had the lamb and it melted in our mouths — not to mention the gravy, out of this world! The staff was young, well-prepared, attentive, and friendly! Unfortunately, I don’t live in London, otherwise I’d go back every Sunday!

Andrei Riley

Google
I visited The Smokehouse for a Sunday roast, and, while I enjoyed it, I feel the experience fell just a little short of expectations. I had sourdough bread to start, the porchetta (pork belly) roast, and a glass of wine. The bread came with oil & butter and was a simple, yet satisfying way to kick off the meal. Next came the roast & while the sides were up to standard, I was disappointed to find that they don’t do crispy skin on the porchetta. It wasn’t the best tasting pork I’ve ever had, but I wouldn’t say it was bad by any means - however, the lack of crispy skin emphasized the fattiness a bit too much, and made it a little bit harder to enjoy. The wine complemented the meal well however, and, with the fine service also taken into account, I would still say it was an enjoyable, positive experience overall.

Béa G

Google
Really delicious Sunday roast. The beef was tender, the vegetables still a bit crisp and the gravy was bursting with flavour. Good cocktails too.

Stylianos Vacharelis

Google
We visited Saturday evening for dinner with friends. Very disappointed with the food, first impression was that nothing on the menu is actually smoked (funny for a place called smokehouse) apart from the anchovies, which are served with tinned red peppers. Tartare was really chunky and tasted of mayonnaise?! Anyhow, meat was cooked as requested however didn’t have any aged flavour neither felt premium for £100+ per steak. Also you would expect sides to be served with the steak but no, only sauce comes with it so add £12-18 for sides on the price. Wine list is good same as the cocktails , dessert menu is very simple almost boring I’d say. We won’t revisit

Charles English

Google
I have been coming here for years - the Sunday roast is really amazing and to be honest it has gotten better (in particular the gravy, thicker with deeper flavour). The beef is really good quality and the Yorkshire puds are delish. Staff are friendly and kind (however when I doggy bagged my dessert I wish they had given me a proper container instead of pouring it into some aluminium foil which wasn’t ideal but whatever - no biggie). Overall definitely worth stopping by. P.s. the bread and butter starter is worth the calories, go for it.

sona visavadia

Google
A lovely pub serving a great sunday roast! The food was great and the staff were so lovely and helpful! Will definitely come back :)

Rachael C.

Yelp
WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE. OVER PRICED BASIC FOOD. ordered via Deliveroo at 6.30, by 8pm nothing had turned up and the app still showed "finding rider". called the restaurant to find out how long it would be and the woman who answered didn't apologise or seem bothered. she said she'd call back and didn't. I took this up with Deliveroo and they said the order had been given to the wrong driver and they would remake it. by this time we didn't want the food as it was now nearly 8.30pm, told them not to make the food which they ignored and charged us anyway. food arrived and was basic, tasteless crap. £85 for an order worth about £30. no wonder they don't have Google can you imagine the rating!
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Fatima M.

Yelp
This was recommended to us by a friend. I would say I expected more. We had their lamb and beef for Sunday roast. Their cocktails were good. The food was delicious but then the potatoes were too hard and some Of the veggies such as the parsnip was actually hard as well. The flavor was great but I expected their Veggies to be perfectly cooked as well.
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Katie S.

Yelp
This was my first time eating a Sunday roast and I have to say I'm impressed. I had the lamb and it was fantastic and everything on the plate paired wonderfully together. Such a great atmosphere too! It felt like, and was, really, a classy pub.
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Jordan R.

Yelp
What a fantastic outdoor space! The garden has a covering which is so helpful for the weather. It's also beautiful with the hedges and lights. We came for a Sunday roast, and my husband got the beef and I got the nut roast. I've had a few roasts here and there aren't usually tasty options for vegetarians. This is the place!!! I loved the nut roast, potatoes and greens. It was really tasty. We also had some sparkling and rose, and they have a really expansive wine list with good pricing. Would recommend!
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Kelsey B.

Yelp
Oh so cozy pub and smokehouse in the middle of Islington. Very unassuming perched on the corner with a small courtyard, but you'll smell this place from a mile away. This restaurant's tiny, so be prepared for tight quarters and noise. However, there's still a bit of breathing room and the wait staff are very kind so it makes the environment comfortable. We ordered the bone marrow to start, which was kind of disappointing given the fact no marrow was on the bone and we had to send it back. It was quickly replaced by filled bone marrow but I did wonder why we were given low quality bone marrow to start with. The Sunday roast itself was great! Very good flavour. I think there could have been more food on the plate but still it was delicious. Overall pretty great experience here! Children and families welcome, I'd recommend coming with a group of friends.
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Brad H.

Yelp
Had a great bank holiday lunch here. Just stuck to the starters, but they were excellent, the service was very attentive, and the beer selection had plenty of quality options.
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Kenny C.

Yelp
I never thought I would go to London for Korean fusion gastropub BBQ, but that's exactly what Smokehouse was. It's run by the same people as The Pig and Butcher, but with an experimental twist. Smokehouse is oddly shaped, but a very large space (was probably two different pubs merged together). My friend and I had a reservation and they sat us in the back room by the kitchen. It was more well lit, and there were a few bigger groups as well. Also love that they have a chalkboard telling you exactly which farms every single one of their animals are from. They butcher in house too! We started out with prawn toast with smoked bone marrow and kimchi onions. Just re-read that. What a crazy combination. Throw it all together and you get the crunch of the toast, the gelatinous textures of the bone marrow and some kick from the kimchi. Wonderful. We also split a chopped brisket roll, which was basically a large croquette. Definitely big enough to share, and tasty, especially with the spicy gochujang chili sauce. For my entree, I had the shortrib bourguignon, which was a hefty chunk of beef with mushrooms, fried onions, and of course, bacon. Everything was reasonably priced too (mains were all under £20 each). A great meal all around, but definitely come with an appetite! One of my favorite meals I've ever had in London!
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Debbie H.

Yelp
Sunday lunch. A beer, red wine. Roast beef + all the trimmings. Slow cooked lamb + all the trimmings. Highlights...crispy Yorkshire puddings, creamy, mustardy cabbage, salty potatoes and tender, tasty meat. All delicious. The double-d pudding of chocolatey-nougaty-peanuty loveliness was a great ending to a really great meal. White chocolate and peanut cup was peanut-heaven. We will most certainly return.
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Julie A.

Yelp
Quintessential British pub feel but with elevated menu. The pork belly starter and lamb main were favorites.
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Liam R.

Yelp
Came for a second Sunday roast, and this place is the real deal. Solid lamb option, excellent beef shin tacos, sticky toffee pudding to die for, along with reasonably priced wine by the glass and Beaverton gamma ray pale ale on tap. Would not hesitate to eat here again. The mains and the apps do get a little pricy but the quality is second to none. I like it here as much as I like the princess of shoreditch and can't wait to come back for more. Islington has a good selection of pubs and this one definitely takes the cake.
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Laura C.

Yelp
Recommended by a colleague - "definitely go" - off I duly went with some pals before seeing a play. The mains are on the pricey side - more than £15 - and you have to order carbs separately, which always irks me. So, I went for a starter and a side: the gnocci and Korean pulled pork. The gnocci looked bizarre but tasted divine. The pulled pork was a huge portion for a side, enough for a main, a little dry but still well seasoned with a spicy kick. My mate's roast potatoes were perfect = crispy, salty and fluffy. Her lamb tacos were reportedly delicious, as was my other pal's main lamb dish. Sadly, we didn't have time for dessert, but from fellow Yelpers' photos, I'm confident it would've been exquisite. Service was attentive and courteous, and the waiter was mindful we needed to leave promptly. This is a great place to treat yourself (or someone else). We were lucky to get a table without a reservation, so I'd book if you're planning a visit. Oh, and we saw Kit Harington while we were there; if it's good enough for Jon Snow, it must be a smokin' establishment.
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Ahmed A.

Yelp
MEAT!! So much and so goddam tasty. We got a massive platter of starters between 6 along with a platter of every kind of meat they had on the menu. The starter of breaded brisket was a revelation, would seriously advise anyone to try it! The mains were fantastic. Spicy pulled pork blew me away and the numerous steaks and other cuts just added to the already enjoyable aura the place held. There was a great atmosphere with the food arriving in a timely manner, staff were friendly and a selection of beers that would put the local brewery to shame. I would advise anyone to try this restaurant as you won't be disappointed
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Suzanna F.

Yelp
Wow. This place is awesome! I so badly want to give it 5 stars, but they have just a few too many kinks to work out before I can do that. They just opened last week though, so I am sure they will get there. To start with the positives: - The beer list is extensive and any beer lover will find something to love. Seriously. My husband could have stared at the menu for a very long time. - The food is amazing! We started with the duck confit, which was salty, chunky, and downright delicious. I had the corn on the cob with bearnaise sauce for my entree and my hubby had the short rib bourgignon. Yummmmmy! - Love the fairy lights outside! - Our waitress was very nice! The kinks: - No way to wrap up our leftovers, so we ended up eating an uncomfortable amount because we didn't want such deliciousness to go to waste. - The layout of the tables could be better, as we kept getting bumped by people trying to get by. - Our food took forever to arrive. We will absolutely 100% be back here. We live only a few blocks away and I can tell this is going to be our new favorite neighborhood haunt!
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Katy G.

Yelp
What a great experience! I've been to Smokehouse twice now - once for a date night and again just this past weekend with my girlfriends for our Secret Santa Christmas dinner. And what a great spot for both types of eating out. For date night we landed a table near the (non-working) fireplace - The pub has a very intimate feel to it so although we were in a rather open room, the acoustics are good which makes any dining experience much more enjoyable. For our Secret Santa, we got a larger table closer to the back. Service was great - a few members of the staff came over to check on us throughout our 4 hour (!) meal and each time were super friendly and accommodating. The wine list was quite extensive for a small pub and throughout the evening we shared a prosecco, wine and dessert wine. The great ratings, though, go to the food. We were a bit annoyed when going through the Christmas dinner booking process where as a group you need to basically order in bulk (rather than individual dishes). I'm all for family style dining but this doesn't always bode well for all groups - so something to keep in mind. The food - DELICIOUS. To start we shared sourdough bread with bone marrow butter. The appetisers, for me were the best part of the meal: the mullet bergamot, lime, chilli & charcoal oil was delicious - though my girlfriends couldn't stop raving about the pulled pork. For mains, we split the two christmas menu choices, duck with cranberry glaze and pork with a pea and baby gem mashed salad. The duck was particularly glorious in that it was done in such a way no matter what part of the meat you enjoy. If ever in Canonbury or near the Highbury and Islington tube, I would definitely recommend. You won't be disappointed!
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Alice C.

Yelp
Go for the pork belly and the foie gras. Melts in your mouth. Maybe double portions of it!!! Yum yum yum!! Cozy place with the dim setting and the fireplace. Definitely a nice place to frequent and loud enough to make it kid friendly. Haha I would definitely come back here.
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Lisa C.

Yelp
Came here with my flatmate, as it is just a 10 minute walk from our house, on a quiet residential road just off of Highbury Corner. I'd heard about it from a few fellow Islington residents, so I'm glad that I finally made it over! Smokehouse has the cutest outdoor garden area, perfect for drinks on a summer evening, and inside it has a great neighborhood pub feel, so it would be lovely to pop by in the winter too. On this particular summer evening, the windows/doors were wide open and we sat outside but could see into at least half of the restaurant inside. On one board, they have pictures of a cow and a pig, with different cuts of meat labeled and explanations of how they are featured on the menu. The waitresses are all very helpful and took the time to explain various items on the menu to me as I waited for my flatmate, and my main takeaway was that the shortrib bourguignon and/or the dino rib to share was the most highly recommended. We ended up getting the dino rib for two... and I can see why it's the signature dish. It is one giant rib (in the serving for 2) that is at least 1 foot long, and looks like it's from a dinosaur. It was served with delicious bacon lardons and mushrooms, along with mashed potatoes. It was like a hearty pub meal rather than a light summer dinner (they did have salmon on the menu). But it was so memorable... definitely an item you must come here to try (and then write a review about)!
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Caren H.

Yelp
This place is great! I always loved this space back when it was The House. It is a hidden gem in the quiet Canonbury Area, but I have to say that now that it is Smokehouse, it was quite buzzy. And I like places with buzz. Packed with people eating at 9pm on a Thursday. The service was incredible. Our waitress sat at our table and described everything on the menu in great detail. I nearly cried. I asked her if she had worked in the States, but she hadn't. But good for her for putting her heart and soul into waitressing and knowing that menu inside and out and taking care of us with a smile. I was sorely disappointed with my crab salad starter--thought it was bland and overly inundated with tomatoes. However, I loved my smoked oxtail special and also the taste of my dining companions' Korean sloppy joe special and the burger. I would have liked something more exciting than fries on the side of my oxtail though. I also loved the beer selection and cold IPAs. Thank you :) Desserts for some reason didn't call to me....they all sounded either too rich or too sweet. (I know that sounds weird for someone that loves dark chocolate cake but there was just something off about hearing the words marshmallow and peanut butter after such a heavy meal). My friend had a cheesecake mousse and it just seemed like a big heap of whipped philadelphia with some figs and mint on the side. So, while this place isn't perfect, it is pretty darn good.
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Rebecca S.

Yelp
We didn't eat here and just had a drink but I must say the place looks beautiful and the team insider is super friendly. It's full of wooden decor and represents a really romantic and cosy vibe. I'll try to add a couple of picaro show you what I mean. Would think it's lovely in the summer too as it has a nice terrace surrounded by a hedge
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Chris D.

Yelp
Really enjoyed my meal at Smokehouse tonight. We had a table booked and most of us arrived late but the waiter was very accommodating, in fact he was one of the best waiters I've ever been served by in London. He was brutally honest about his opinions of the food, even to the point of steering us away from ordering certain items. His enthusiasm for the menu was contagious - we ended up going for the full three courses despite not intending to. I'm so glad we did. The foie gras, apple pie and duck egg starter (as seen on press shots and all over twitter) was fantastic, as was the brisket roll and crab toast. The shortrib bourguignon blew my mind and the ox cheek was also very good (but a little fatty for my tastes). If you've got a sweet tooth then you can't really turn down the Friday pie (chocolate pie on hobnobs base with honey ice cream). Our bill came to £41 per head which was not unreasonable in my book. I definitely intend to go back.
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Gross A.

Yelp
A lovely little bar bistro rustic restaurant kind of place that bridges the gap between hearty home meals and fine dining with a good bar full of cocktails and ales to back it up. We had the brisket for starters followed by pork belly for mains. It was pretty good. Nothing I'd consider exceptional but nice quality and good atmosphere helped a lot. Staff were incredibly fun and friendly. Check it out.
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Sid I.

Yelp
This is just a fantastic venue ... Overly fashionable hair cuts (and facial hair) check. Drinks menus filled with boutique beer and wine ... Check. On trend food idea ( smoked ingredients) .. Check. Ridiculously near to back street location (long pas t Union Chapel in Islington)... Check. Ridiculously high quality ingredients beautifully Cooked ... Check. Seriously just got eat here and speak nicely to the staff they remain polite and charming no matter how risque my jokes :-)
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Linos O.

Yelp
In short - amazing, quaint spot with a lot of character. Came here for lunch based on a recommendation from a friend, and I'm very glad I did. They have a great selection of drinks at the bar, and the food was delightful. We tried a lot of items on the menu but would definitely say you can't come here without trying the squid pad thai and the chicken fried pork rib (although it's pretty hard to go wrong with anything on the menu). Finally, staff are very friendly and attentive - just adding to the great experience of dining here. I'll definitely be back!
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Gary S.

Yelp
I went for the Foie gras, apple pie & duck egg (£10), which had apparently been getting a lot of good reviews but I wasn't blown away by it. It was a very balanced dish, with silky, rich textures and flavours but I prefer dishes to kick me in the face, which is exactly what Jack2's Chopped brisket roll with gochujang (£5.50) did for half the price. Tender, juicy brisket smoked for about 14hrs, wrapped in kimchi and deep-fried with a spicy, intense gochujang mayo. Stunning dish. On to the main course Jack2 ordered the Peppered ox-cheek with cauliflower cheese & gravy (£14.50), which he had his heart set on before we even got here and I had the Shortrib bourguignon (£16.00). Both dishes were delicious with beautifully cooked meat, rich mash and intense sauces. We also had a side of Korean Pulled Pork (£5.50), which is hands down the best pulled pork I've ever had. The addition of chilli, slices of spring onion, and crispy pieces of skin took it to a whole new level and we ordered a second portion before we'd even finished the first. Neither of us fancied a sweet dessert so we had the Cheese board (£7.00) - Fourme D'Ambert, Westcombe and Ragstone with a glass of Woodhouse Ruby Port each (£3). We thought about ordering a board each but were advised by our waitress that one would be enough, and she was right.
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Daniel F.

Yelp
Fantastic roasts. Nice setting inside but the food is the real star. One of the best roasts I've had in London and that's saying something. They know their meats here.
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Christopher K.

Yelp
Lovely restaurant with great atmosphere and good food plus a very good selection of beers and wine Try the Goat Tacos, they were amazing full of flavour and were a fantastic way to start the meal off. I really enjoyed them, definitely be getting them again. For main the pork belly with black was very tasty with a lovely smoked flavour, the black pudding was a bit of a let down I'm a big fan of black pudding and from a place like this i expected something more. Overall a good place to eat. I've heard the burger is good so will have to come back and try it.
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Marina K.

Yelp
Went to Smokehouse last night for the second time after an hour of not being able to decide what take away to get! We were not disappointed! The food is delicious, the combination of flavours within each dish work perfectly with one another. For starters we had the beef shin tacos and the prawn toast with bone marrow and shared! Delicious, the perfect way to start your meal when you're left wanting for more.... For the main my partner had the beef bourguignon and I had the lamb chops! Everything was cooked to perfection oh and I also had the caramel roasted potatoes. I probably didn't need them as the food is filling, but I'm glad that I did, I love a roast potato and these were to die for. I could have easily sat there and eaten them all, but I wouldn't have been able to walk out! No room for dessert this time. The staff are friendly and accommodating. If there is something you don't eat (I don't eat pork) they are happy to speak to the chef who in turn is also happy to make a dish without it. A nice relaxed environment, you don't feel rushed and the food is delicious! We will definitely be back!
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Steve B.

Yelp
First time here eating but had dropped by for a drink in the summer when you could sit outside. Although it looks like a pub Smokehouse is definitely more restaurant than pub. You can sit at the bar, there are a few spaces but it's really a place for eating. On an evening during the week it was packed. In fact we could only get a table after 9:30pm. Super attentive on cue service from the moment we stepped inside the door and our group was shown straight to our table. Rustic, woodsy vibe and low low lighting, almost dark. But what hit me was the noise. It looks like a cosy romantic place from the outside but inside the din from the boisterous diners is at the point where you can't talk comfortably but almost need to shout which I'm not a fan of. We did have one of those large groups seated next to us so maybe it was extra loud that night? For mains, I resisted the pork belly which I order too often and went for the signature shortrib bourguinon with a side of kale with sesame and chilli. Our dishes came in good time. The short rib was served with good rich, creamy, soft mashed potatoes and was a large meaty short rib with some of the bourguinon sauce and a few mushrooms and bacon bits. The flavour was deep and had that long cooked satisfaction. I would have liked a bit more of the sauce and more potato to balance the heavy meat. The meat was mostly tender and had a rich almost tarry wood smoked flavour (in a good way) but have to say that the outer portions had been rendered to the point of dried beef jerky which was very chewy and hard to even cut into due to the dryness. Overall the dish worked well but not sure if the contrasting texture was meant to to be that way or not. Since it's not a cheap place and smoked meat is their specialty I think a bit more care on the meat would be in order. Side of kale was really spicy, too much so. But then kale is a boring vegetable in my view, it needs something. Decent wine and beer list and the mid priced wine we ordered was pretty good. Desserts were great. I had a banana pie concoction which was caramely, creamy, satisfying and not too sweet and my fellow diners were pretty happy with their meals but overall portion sizes aren't too generous we thought. Service was great and our waiter knew about the dishes and which ones to order. Overall good experience with some dips so I give it four stars but could be a 3.5 if we had that option on account of the uneven meat, loudness and overall value.
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Alex D.

Yelp
Start to finish this was an excellent experience. Arrived early and was seated at the bar and enjoyed a very very good negroni. We were seated promptly and looked after very well with one additional placing set as requested. (We had the feast menu preordered) The starters were an interesting selection, all very fresh and perfectly cooked. The mains were a step up from there and again a really beautifully balanced offering of flavours. I would have perhaps liked a few more greens as a side but that is a minor note. The waiter made intelligent wine suggestions and the Rioja we took was magnificent. Deserts were outstanding however it would have been good if them to make it clear there were peanuts as one of the group is allergic and came close. I strongly suggest you check out this restaurant and venue, where many before have failed I can see Smokehouse sticking around (I hope) for many years to come Alex
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James D.

Yelp
nice spot in a great location inbetween canonbury and highbury/angel. basically a pub inside, allbeit a nice one. country feel in the city and an excellent kitchen to match. nothing on the menu really stood out for me, which made it hard to choose. however the beef short rib was excellent and the the brisket roll...f*cking beautiful. a couple of the other starters were a bit meh....duck rolls? greasy. burnt leeks/artichokes...maybe they'd ran out because it was a tiny amount of veg hidden by parmesan. terrible. the only down point of the night. the wine list is good, not overpriced and the waiter offered a decent recommendation. service overall was attentive and pleasant. would give 3.5 stars but its worth a 4. cheers.
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May L.

Yelp
A friend told me about this new place. Being a meat lover, we decided to try it. I don't live in the neighborhood and it is not a part of town I usually go. It's like a 5 to 10 min walk from Highbury Islington station, nestled in the middle of what looks like a very residential area. I really like the decor, a lot of wood, very homey and spacious. There is also a good sized outdoor area which looks very relaxing. Impressive list of beers on the board. I tried the Odell Cutthroat Porter recommended by the server and I really like it, a coffee/chocolaty aroma. Our server was also very patient and demonstrated good knowledge of the beers when my friend could not quite decide what she wanted. The food I think was less impressive but still a decent effort. For starters, we tried the duck confit and the lobster frittata. Duck confit was just ok. But the lobster frittata was good - very fresh lobster and the interesting texture. For the mains, we shared the shortrib bourguignon and the mutton chops. The shortrib was a bit dry but we really enjoyed the lamb stovies which we ordered as a side. Basically it's shreds of lamb cooked with potatoes in a lamb broth, really tasty. The muttons was tasty but a bit chewy. Interesting selection of desserts, we shared the white peach and bourbon zabaglione, friday pie and a bannoffee pie. The friday pie is a chocolate ganache and is very very rich, recommend if you like chocolate but I think the scoop of ice cream on its side was too sweet. Bannoffee pie we all like, the scoop of salted caramel ice cream that came with it was really good. Peach zabaglione is not that great, will skip next time. This place looks like it has good potential. Perhaps it just needs some time to perfect execution. Overall, there are some hits but also a few misses. Staff was very friendly and I like the decor, looks like a good relaxing spot for brunch as well.
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Rachel F.

Yelp
Went to a birthday dinner here last night. I decide to have starters for both my first courses because I wanted dessert and wouldn't have room for 3 full courses. Everything was cooked to perfection and lots of unusual pairings and flavours that I wouldn't have ever considered putting together myself. Everyone else loved their food too and there was lots of oohing and awing and passing of forks/plates around the table. I tasted the burger too and would definitely put it up there with some of the tastiest, lovely smokey flavour. Staff is friendly, decor is nice - we were sitting in a window seat with a lovely rug thrown over our bench. We left happy, with full bellies and it wasn't too hard on the purse either.
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Charlotte A.

Yelp
Had a great experience here. Excellent selection of local beers. The hubby who is a Guinness drinker was persuaded to try a local craft stout which he was very impressed with. It was all down to the nice bar man who was so knowledgeable. I was impressed with the vegetarian options even though it's a meat focused Smokehouse! The food was so fresh and flavourful and highest quality. You can tell they source well and have high standards. Highly recommended! Need to go back again soon.

X X.

Yelp
We had such a great meal here. This is a cozy place to have dinner and catch up. We sat by the fire and had dinner with friends and it was perfect. We shared the goat tacos and the foie appetizer to start, then 2 of us ordered the short rib bourguignon, and the others ordered the crispy pork belly and the smoked lamb shoulder. The winners were the lamb shoulder (the gold medal entree, just outstanding) and the short rib bourguignon, which was also amazing. The service was great, we had a lovely time and would happily come here again.
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Tom M.

Yelp
Another very satisfying meal at the Smokehouse, not a great deal of difference compared to the new Chiswick branch and the service on the day was extremely charming and lovely which all made the evening much more enjoyable, along with a long but excellent selection of beer, Smokehouse is easily one of the best restaurants in North London at a well affordable price.

Lauren Y.

Yelp
Delicious Sunday roast with a jumbo sized Yorkshire pudding. Both the beef and smoked lamb were delicious. Watch out for the English mustards sneaky spiciness.

Barry R.

Yelp
On a nine day trip to London this was our final restaurant experience and by far the best. I'm not knocking the other places we went to (there were plenty of very good ones) but Smokehouse was great! Here's why: Atmosphere - This place is a nice, bright and welcoming setting. While it is a pretty standard English pub in some respects, the open flow from the inside to the patio was great. We sat on the patio which was quiet, but still felt like part of the entire restaurant. There were also fresh herbs (mint, oregano, rosemary, etc.) growing all around. I had to stop my son from eating all the mint. It was just a nice place to sit and have a drink and/or dinner. Service - The service here was great. Better than the super posh restaurant we went to earlier in the trip. We were six adults, a 4-year old and a 9-month old and the entire staff was totally accommodating. I have worked in the business and taken my son to many restaurants so I understand both sides of this situation. Our waitress was really sweet and engaging with my son. I really appreciated this as, unlike some restaurants, we consider him a real person too despite his age and occasional erratic behavior. Additionally, they were totally accommodating and did not hesitate on a request for my 9-month old niece. Even though kids have to be out by 8:00 (not sure if this is a law or just a standard rule) we never felt rushed to leave nor did the food come out epically quickly as to get us out faster - I know that trick too. Food - Great! Great! Great! Everyone's food was fantastic as were the shared starters. The highlight was for my wife who said that the salmon was the best she has ever had. Quite a statement considering she often orders salmon when we go out. Also, the chips were so good we had to ask for a second order. I could go on, but I think my point is made. It makes me sad that I live so far away, but I will make sure to get back here next time we are in London.

Jane M.

Yelp
This Korean/Southern mix is one of my favourites in London. Casual (often noisy) with unusual, rich and delicious food, and great craft beers by the bottle or draft. Garden also.
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Nathaniel B.

Yelp
Lovely restaurant set in a quiet residential area of Islington. The food was absolutely stunning - both in terms of the use of smoke (head chef Neil Rankin is best known for this) but also the various flavour combinations. Service was very informal and an impressive range of beers. Certainly not a cheap eat, but with three courses, wine and service coming in at about £50 a head it was very reasonably priced for what you got.
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Louise B.

Yelp
A phenomenal Sunday roast with all the trimmings and exceptional quality meat. We had attentive, warm service and a great wine list. The slow-cooked lamb is a real winner!

Christine W.

Yelp
Meat eaters, this is your place. Strong menu, good presentation and lively ambiance in the restaurant. My husband enjoyed his pork dish. I ventured for the veg option- couscous. It really should have been a side dish. It doesn't stand on its own well enough to be a main. And knowing what a box of couscous costs, this was terribly overpriced for what it was. The side dish of baked pumpkin was excellent. Note-- the sides are extra and don't come with the meal. All-in-all I would return again. It was a nice evening out once they corrected our reservation snafu. In general the level of service and attention to detail at British restaurants is well below the standard in the US, it was fair here.

Chris S.

Yelp
Whilst I can never fault the food in this place they do need to sort out their booking policy. For 2 Sunday's in a row we have tried to reserve a table and on both occasions were told to just pop down. Last Sunday we had to wait over an hour for a table that was free the entire time. This week we were turned away because there were no free tables when there were free tables in the bar area which can't be reserved except they were. If that makes no sense it's because neither does their booking policy. They need to sort out their policy! Either the bar area is for walk-ins or for bookings but not some murky middle ground.

Pamella T.

Yelp
Delicious Sunday roast, the pulled pork and smoked shoulder was amazing. Great selection of beers. Unfortunatelly, the overall experience was not so great, very long wait to be served and very confused staff members, tables outside were not even wiped between customers. Won't be rushing back.

Martyn H.

Yelp
Possibly one of the best roasts you will eat in London, if not anywhere. It really had the feel of a proper home cooked dinner done well. The portion size was perfect and I love the fact that they put up the name of the cow/pig/lamb it came from on their chalkboard. Playing to the craft beer movement they have c.30 taps of craft for you to choose from, though you can't see any of the branding for them as they are in some form of special dispenser system. The roast costs £20 but well worth it and a great place to take the folks when they are in town. Nice, civilised yet buzzy feel without the stink of your local, which would probably also have some form of TV or intense music on.