Bistro in Brighton

“Food was out of this world and so was the service. Made our weekend away special”

“Superb food and a good selection of beers”

“The Fig Tree, located at 35 Upper Street in Islington, London, is a Mediterranean restaurant that offers a diverse menu featuring Italian, Spanish, and broader Mediterranean cuisines. Its proximity to the Angel underground station makes it a convenient dining option for both locals and visitors. **Ambience and Atmosphere** The restaurant boasts a casual dining atmosphere, making it suitable for various occasions, from family gatherings to casual outings with friends. The interior is designed to be warm and inviting, with a layout that accommodates both small and large groups. The establishment is also noted for being kid-friendly and offers great options for outdoor dining, enhancing its appeal during pleasant weather. **Cuisine and Menu** The Fig Tree prides itself on an extensive menu that caters to a wide range of tastes. Diners can expect a variety of Italian dishes, alongside Spanish tapas and other Mediterranean specialties. This eclectic mix ensures that both traditional and adventurous palates are satisfied. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine list, curated to complement the diverse menu offerings. **Service and Hospitality** Patrons have praised the attentive and genuine nature of the staff. The owner is often highlighted for being warm and welcoming, contributing to a positive dining experience. The service is efficient, with staff members demonstrating a good understanding of the menu and providing helpful recommendations when needed. **Location and Accessibility** Situated in the vibrant area of Islington, The Fig Tree is easily accessible via public transport, being just a three-minute walk from the Angel underground station. This central location makes it an ideal spot for those exploring the city or looking for a convenient dining option in North London. **Operating Hours** The restaurant operates from Sunday to Thursday between 10:30 am and 10:00 pm, extending its hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 11:00 pm. This schedule accommodates both early diners and those looking to enjoy a later meal. **Customer Feedback** While The Fig Tree has received positive feedback for its food quality, service, and ambiance, it's worth noting that some reviews suggest variability in experiences. For instance, on OpenTable, the restaurant holds a 4.0 rating based on one review, with high marks for food, service, and value. However, the limited number of reviews indicates that more feedback may be necessary to form a comprehensive assessment. **Conclusion** The Fig Tree in Islington presents a compelling option for those seeking Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed and friendly environment. Its diverse menu, attentive service, and convenient location contribute to its appeal. Potential diners might consider making a reservation, especially during peak hours, to ensure a seamless dining experience. For more information or to view the menu, visiting their official website or contacting the restaurant directly is recommended.”

“I have visited Arcobaleno on many occasions and always a fabulous time. Lovely friendly atmosphere and LGBTQ+ friendly based on Wizard of Oz theme. Cocktails are fun and the Maltase menus is fabulous and great if a cabaret show is on. Had Sunday roast yesterday with a group of friends and all arrived at the same time and it really is the best roast I have tasted in Brighton. Vegans and vegetarians also catered well for. The staff are great and welcoming. This is a unique place in Brighton, very chilled away from the louder places in town, which I would highly recommend. Don't miss out and tell your friends.”

“An absolutely wonderful experience. First time have visited and what a treat. The menu is seasonal. The food was delicious well flavoured and cooked to perfection. Staff are wonderful very welcoming and great knowledge of dishes served and the wine menu. Can't wait to go back.”

“Top-notch local café. We most recently stopped in for coffee but the food and wine are all excellent too. Very calm, lovely place to be and easy to recommend. A gem.”

“As I vegan, I never expect to be able to eat anything special when I’m not in my home town of go to comforts.. but I was so blown away by their vegan rainbow sandwich! (Can’t remember it official name!) It was so beautifully presented and in abundance, it was such a treat! One of the best bites I’ve had in ages. Thank you! Left so happy !”

“Snail garlic and parsley butter is so fragrant! And the Grilled pork chop also very juicy, the monkfish is very fresh”

“We were quickly greeted and seated and there was a lovely buzz as the restaurant was full. There was plenty for the vegetarians among us on the menu, and the waiter advised the abstainers from alcohol as well as suggesting wine to go with our food choices. I had a very good cocktail. When the food came it looked lovely and tasted wonderful. Some Spanish people at the next table seemed to be enjoying theirs, so I think it must be up to Spanish standards. We had ordered rather a lot, but there wasn’t much left! We had a lovely evening, and will be back as soon as we can find some more greedy people to share with!”

“Lovely food and drinks. Our waitress Flo went above and beyond, so attentive and always kept our glasses full, as well as being so lovely and friendly! She definitely made our experience even better! :)”

“I found your restaurant on Google Maps and am grateful for that. As a Persian fan of Kebab, I can say that this restaurant, Joojeh, was precisely what we have in Iran. Its taste and flavour were perfect. The service and the servers were excellent. She was so welcoming and made my experience even better. I can only say that there is room for improvement in toilets. There was no tissue paper, but the soap smelled very good.”

“I had the best night at The Gingerman and now consider it one of the best dining experiences in Brighton. The food was to die for. Though not cheap (except a ridiculously good value prawn to start), it is well worth a visit on a special occasion. The staff and service and ambience created an unforgettable evening that will be difficult to replicate. To start I had snacks salmon tacos and a grilled prawn. Despite the salmon tacos being delicious, the prawn stole the show, being meaty and sweet, and for £3.50 with the seaweed Alioli, I cannot complain. For starters, the bbq squid was the best looking dish of the night, stunning, with perfectly cooked squid, a sauce maybe a touch too sweet, but interesting textures and bold flavours. For mains, the lamb saddle could’ve been cut with a butter knife, paired with some simple but lovely veg, a jus made from the belly and some majorly crispy 100-layer chips, and you’re on to a real winner. The puddings were also solid, and a great way to end a great meal!”

“Went with my family (wife and three children aged 10, 14 & 16) for dinner. We ordered a couple of starters and prawn crackers between us, followed by 4 main courses and three portions of rice (two of my kids don't each much rice) and some soft drinks. Bill came to £90 including tip / optional service charge. The food was all very tasty, service was prompt and friendly; our water jug was refilled without us asking, and they were very accommodating about changing a starter (spring rolls) that's usually in 4 pieces into 5 pieces so we could each have one. Would definitely go again, but find somewhere else to park. We looked at the dessert menu but decided to drive to the seafront and buy ice creams instead.”

“THIS PLACE REALLY DESERVES 10 STARS. Before you enter, you’ll notice the place is beautifully decorated, colorful, and welcoming—and it truly is like that. Before we were seated, we had to wait about 3–5 minutes, but it was no problem at all. The staff here are very dedicated; they don’t try to upsell or do aggressive marketing—they just want customers to have the best food experience possible. My friend is gluten-free, and they took great care of this, asking about allergies, which is why the food preparation took quite a while. My friend needed a lot of advice, but the staff patiently explained everything, and we had a really great experience at this place. I ordered the Salmon & Horseradish and Bread, which was quite fitting for the slightly chilly weather. My friend ordered a Taco, which was very large, so it took us quite a while to finish eating. Also, the restrooms are very spacious and clean. We will definitely come back.”

“Busy café with so nice tarts ‼️”

“We had a lovely lunch there. I got a jacket potato with coronation chicken, and a lovely salad. My husband got a panini. The service was friendly and prop mpt. The bathrooms were clean. And there is even a play area for the kiddos, inside the restaurant!”

“This is by far the best and most authentic Thai food I have experienced in the UK! My wife is half Thai and has lived there and even she was amazed at some of the dishes available here that we haven't found anywhere else except Thailand itself. Its a BYOB, which we didn't mind at all. There is a corkage fee but it wasn't over the top by any means. The staff were lovely and were very quick to accommodate anything we asked for, including things like providing small bowls so we could share a larger soup like a starter and other random requests. If you are a fan of Asian food or especially Thai food and can get over to this restaurant I cannot recommend it enough! The venue is small, however, so it's best to book in advance as there's no guarantee you could get a table otherwise.”

“Wow, a lovely little pub with BIG personality! Cozy areas, fun decor, great drinks, everything about this place wants me to live here! A great range of drinks, including non alcoholic cocktails! Roast dinner is a winner! Doggies welcome too! Go and enjoy well done staff, u make a huge contribution to the business, happy, friendly, informative, excellent evening thankyou. Philippa”

“Really loved the scene and vibes here on a Sunday morning . The eggs Benedict was perfect, couldn't have asked more to start the day.”

“Amazing food and service. Was recommended to us and we will come again.”

“From the moment we walked in, the staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The service was impeccable throughout our visit—friendly without being overbearing, and always on hand just when you needed them. It’s clear the team takes pride in creating a relaxed yet polished dining experience. The food lived up to every expectation. Fresh, vibrant ingredients shine in every dish, from the beautifully presented starters to the generous mains. To top it all off, dessert was a true indulgence, a perfect end to the meal.”

“Been out walking and just called in on the off chance as hadn’t booked. Was really busy but they fitted us in without a fuss - thanks. Had the Sunday roast (beef of course) and was not disappointed - it was fabulous! Bella took our order and a young lass with blonde hair served us (Jenni? I think, sorry didn’t get her name). We could see it was busy and the staff were busy but they kept an eye out for everyone. Really pleased we called in & will call in again next time we are in the area. Thank you.”

“I love this cafe. Can be difficult to get a seat due to its popularity. But I can't say anything bad about it. The smashed avocado with poached eggs, crispy bacon, sourdough toast and pimenton is unbelievable and possibly one of my favourite breakfasts/brunches. I definitely recommend”

“Tasty food and great service. I loved my pistachio dessert!! I was instantly in Italy and the terrace is lovely on sunny days! Thanks Ruby”

“I would highly recommend this place! The staff were incredibly friendly, and the food was absolutely exceptional. Wishing you the best with the recent reopening, I'm confident you'll do great!”

“Lovely evening. We had the steak and lamb chops... both were lush.”

“Very nice food ten times better service and really nice owners or family run”

“Stopped for a cuppa & bacon sandwich at this cafe, which I often pass while walking my dog . The staff were very welcoming, food served , perfection, noted as i waited for mine ,prices on board extremely reasonable , breakfast & lunch served , plenty of customers were eating , which is always a good sign. I will visit again. The cafe is also dog friendly , there is siting outside , there is also a carpark. Recommended”

“I couldn't believe their specials were exactly what I wanted. Seafood starter and main both very good. A nice bottle of corked wine and good service. I just hope they kept the tip ! If I was picky about the food I'd say the tiramisu was bang average. I will be back no doubt which is the biggest compliment you can give a restaurant. Hugely impressed. I think it could do with a tad more heating. Inexpensive to boot.”