Moro Restaurant in Islington

Having enjoyed Morito next door very much, I was excited to come to Moro for dinner. Overall it was less enjoyable than Morito, though I would come again. Positives: nice room, nice bar area. Food was generally of a high quality. Good fino options if you're so inclined. Chocolate tart was really nice. Negatives: the service was unfriendly, and the wine expensive (£13.50 for a 175ml glass of fairly unremarkable Mencia). Starters arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering, which felt a bit rushed (but the mains arrived at a better pace). I thought it was overall a bit overpriced, but not crazily so.

Visited Moro as it was highly recommended from friends, so we came with high expectations but were unfortunately slightly disappointed. Food: the menu is diverse, with Spanish and Moroccan influence. We were a table of four so decided to get multiple dishes to share. We had the Pumpkin Kibbeh, Cuttlefish kofte and the Oxtail for starters. The standout was the Oxtail, but the others were just okay. For the mains, we had the Cod, Seabass, and the Lamb. The lamb was cooked to perfection, but the Cod and Seabass were once again just okay. We also shared one bottle of wine and a couple of desserts. Price: the bill came to £70pp, which is not super expensive but you would probably expect more for the price. Ambience: the restaurant is lively and can get very busy on the weekends - we came for dinner on Saturday. The tables for four are small, so another small note is that there is barely any space on the table for the food and drinks.

Food was outstanding. Not pretentious in any way. Drinks paring again were ideal way to enjoy the dishes to their best. Apologies no pictures was enjoying Moro as we moved away from London it’s now a rare treat but always worth the effort.

Amazing, high quality food and seasonal menu. I appreciate that they do not try to be trendy, the focus is on the quality of the food rather than being instagram famous. It is true that prices are higher than average but in my opinion they are appropriate for the standard of this restaurant which is well above London levels. I've been here multiple times, I have never been disappointed and I keep returning every time I want a solid meal. The service is attentive and not pushy. Tables are slightly on the smaller side but this is only a minor issue.

Superb food in a great, lively atmosphere, with great service. The cocktails (Old Fashioned!!!!) were sooooo good and the wine list was really interesting with lots to tempt

Moro is a good find in London serving Mediterranean cuisine. I had lunch at their outdoor seating area, which was a pleasant experience on a nice day. The restaurant has a cosy atmosphere that works well for both casual lunches and dinner. The outdoor space is well-arranged and comfortable, providing a nice option for al fresco dining when the weather allows. The staff were super friendly and attentive throughout the meal, which made the experience particularly enjoyable. Service was efficient without being intrusive. The restaurant size is manageable, creating a comfortable setting that doesn't feel overcrowded. The location is convenient and the overall ambiance is relaxed and welcoming. A solid choice for Mediterranean dining in London, especially if you enjoy outdoor seating options.

I think the food wasn't as good as one expected and for the price, I wouldn't recommend it. It took no time to be bought the food once ordered, so was all pre-prepared and not hot. I will not return

Overpriced. Two of us. A main and a glass of wine each came to £108. Main was good but not £36 good (and lukewarm), red wine tasted cheap. No starter, no dessert, water and bread on the side - £108. One hundred and eight pounds. One hundred and eight pounds.

Loved the sort of open kitchen concept. Food was quite nice but on the safer side of things. I enjoyed the fried courgette flowers and the wood grilled chicken. Desert (chocolate and apricot tart) was a bit on the heavy side but maybe that was on me. Bread and oil was delicious!

Gorgeous meal, food consistently impressive.

Seated at six and really impressed by the cocktails and welcome right off the bat. The liver as a starter was ideal as a protein hit to share. We all enjoyed our mains, but agreed the fish was the most tasty, best seasoned, and nicely plated dish of the three we ordered. See captions for details. Note that the bread is very, very good and is generously served. We skipped dessert out of lack of interest in the offerings but did order a couple of mint teas. A hug teapot of fresh mint in very hot water arrived and so all three of us enjoyed plenty of glasses of tea. Wonderful and surprising.

Delicious restaurant both tapas and mains were yummy. The mezze plate is AMAZING.

I used to go to Moro regularly after a performance at Sadler's Wells and it used to be fantastic. What happened? The last few times have been disappointing but last night was actually terrible. I had tuna which should have been seared but wasn't and various vegetables thrown over it. Has the ownership changed? The chef? Very poor show.

Very enjoyable. Waiter was excellent.

Best pan con tomate in London! All tapas were exquisite. Edit: Desert was so good I had to edit the review 😍 chocolate mousse with sea salt and olive oil was too good to share.

Delicious interesting food. Very friendly service. Tiny bit loud but atmosphere really good.

Buen ambiente, la cena muy buena, cocina similar a la española. El servicio estupendo. Recomendable. Pasamos una buena velada en familia.

It was reasonably quiet when we arrived so we were able to be seated early which made us more relaxed about the 1 1/2 hour time limit on the table. The starters were good - pigeon and sardines, and the recommended wines went well with the food. By now it was getting busy and noisy. Mains were reasonable but not overly inspiring. Smaller portions with better quality would have been better. Service was good throughout. By the time we left we couldn’t hold a conversation with each other - The noise was almost unbearable. So we won’t be going again.

Went to Moro for dinner during the working week. The restaurant, as expected from the location, was buzzing. We were sat at the table as soon as we arrived even though we were slightly earlier than what we had booked for which was nice, however, throughout service some of the waiting staff seemed not too bothered (inc. what seemed like the management - although I may be wrong). Food was nice, however not anything I would consider outstanding. Having been to other middle eastern / north african restaurants in London my expectations where somewhat elevated. Overall it was a nice evening, however I would probably not repeat.

Wow. A truly awful experience for a birthday meal. Staff are condescending and snobbish, they don't bother to ask how your food is, even when clearing a practically full plate. Probably because the food is bland, poorly presented and incredibly overpriced. Don't bother.

This was a good place to dine after a visit to Sadler's Wells Theatre as they were open late. We went there often but, alas, the quality of the menu and dishes has become disappointing. Our recent meal was poor with a pathetic little entre and the main course was served up looking like a dogs dinner with lumps of mixed vegetables dumped on the plate. We could not fault the service as the team looking after us could not have been better but ...... the choice of dishes and the standard of food was very disappointing. We will not return in the near future.

Dinner Friday with good friends. Wonderful service and food.

Just brilliant, food is excellent, great friendly service. Highly recommended

Such a great restaurant. Haven't been for a while, but as ever fantastic. Great food done really well. Friendly, great service. Highly recommended

Great food, staff were brilliant at adapting the menu to my gluten and diary free requirements (though note there is possibility for cross contamination). Pricing could be slightly cheaper but food was very high quality and I would go again on a special occasion.

Obviously they offer the same menu for lunch and dinner, but when I dine during the day, I find it to be more delicious. This MORO located in Exmouth Market𥚃 is so special. I visited this place for the first time many years ago. I made an appointment with a British friend to have lunch here. I was very satisfied. Later, I made an appointment with another group of friends to have dinner. The food was still good, but I just felt that something was missing. Today I went there again at noon, and I finally found out why. The location of the restaurant is full of various restaurants. Every noon, all the working people nearby flock in. Most of the customers and merchants know each other. Whether they pass by or enter the restaurant, they will chat for a few words. If the weather is nice, sit down When dining outdoors, seeing this kind of human interaction makes you feel particularly relaxed, and you will also feel that the food is particularly delicious. Quail with cous cous as the current course, and ray with eggplant and vegetables as the main course, both scored points. Another interesting phenomenon is that in order to capture the working consumer group, the restaurant set up a temporary tent about 100 meters away from the restaurant to sell bento boxes and simple meals. When I came out after eating, it was time for lunch at 1:30 noon. As expected, there was a long queue in front of the stall. It's great to allow all kinds of diners to get what they need according to their budget and time.

Rustic style cooking with excellent taste. It seems to be enjoying a long-lasting fame of gastronomy. Their choice of ingredients are attentive to details and creative. For instance, the roast chicken I got was using almond and fig salsa. The sweetness of fig and the crunchy texture of almonds perfectly compensate for the plainness of chicken. I love this careful and well-thought design. Ideal for dating or meeting friends. They also serve tapas at bar.

Ate here on a Monday evening with a friend. Sadly the food was really average, the kind of thing I could make myself. For the prices I was hoping for something with flavour and complexity. Two small starters, one main and a side of average patatas bravas, with a bottle of wine came to £90 a head. Food was very…ok. Service was unsmiling (they’d had enough by 9.45). Really used to like this place - now it all feels a bit cynical. Shame.

Lovely meal at Moro. We called in hoping for a table and were very lucky. I had the stuffed flat bread with peach salad which was lovely followed by the lamb which was very tasty. We had a bottle of Rioja which was very nice. Service was good (although a bit over zealous at times). I’m glad that I have finally managed to eat there.

Amazing meal. Great ambiance, fantastic service and excellent food. I definitely recommend the lobster rice “Arroz de Lagosta” and the monkfish. Reasonable priced and a very good wine list. I definitely recommend.

Great service, food, and ambiance

This restaurant had been highly recommended by friends, and rightly so! The restaurant is unassuming, in a busy street of multiple bars and restaurants. The service from Sofia was excellent, as was the food. The mezze plate was outstanding as were the main courses. The wine recommendations were a perfect match. We arrived early when there were few people but it rapidly filled up and the atmosphere was great. Well done all around!

There food is mind-blowing but the service was a bit late. We waited nearly an hour for appetisers. Not good if you are here for office lunch and need to head back.

It was quite nice, little too pricy for what it was

Food and ambience are excellent. The cocktails are at best coldrinks (not for adults) full of ice, look good, but low on alcohol despite being £12-£14 pounds a drink. Very cheatish. Best stick to their wine recommendations.

Utterly disappointed! I've been to Morito next door and had a fantastic time so expected great things from Moro. The food was good - but everything else about our experience left a lot to be desired. First off is the pricing - we came for lunch and tapas, but were curtly told that tapas is only served on the bar. Instead we were given lunch menus where the minimum main dish was £30. To me, that is a joke and totally unjustifiable. Then the service: cold and lacklustre. We didn't order alcohol and had a slightly snooty response because of it. Food took a while to get to the table, but was tasty and good portion sizes (however the pork pictured was absolutely not worth £34). The servers took an age to clear our plates, give us the bill and pay. I had to ask twice for them to bring us the card machine. Not a hint of conviviality to them, no explaining the menu, no warmth or chat. If I hadn't had been for a birthday meal there is no way I would have paid for service (12.5%). Won't be coming back 😔

It’s pricey but worth it - simple, tasteful dishes with the best ingredients, all absolutely delicious, and the staff were really attentive and accommodating. I can see how it’s lasted so long in a difficult market. Would definitely recommend.

Food was lovely and staff nice. We did get put in a corner room so the atmosphere wasn't as lively as other parts. But nice spot!

First in for lunch on a Thursday. Had the charcoal grilled mullet which was excellent. Perfect lunch dish as not too heavy. Also managed to get in and out in an hour - great service.

I’ve been going to Moro for over 18 years - food is still generally very good. It’s a little bit plate slop at times with their use of filler accompaniments and some overuse of oil. However my big complaint of Moro is lack of heart and soul and the below average service. I booked a wedding anniversary dinner - even noting on the form the fact that this was the location of our first date. Not even a nod or offer of congrats - more than a little disappointing given the sentiment of the place to us and even the added “insult to injury” of the reminders to give the table back (we were less than hour and 40min). The normal table service could be better as well - ordering some dipping tapas and no offer to include flat bread even for a fee. Oh well- maybe i just expect a little more from a 80gbp a head dinner (with wine).

Superb Spanish cooking with a great buzz

The food was great. And our wait staff were lovely, but the evening was ruined by the manager, man in pink framed glasses. We were seated at the bar. We had finished our meal but were sharing a bottle of wine. I don't know if he was trying to hustle us out, but he very rudely leaned between the two of us, while we were mid-conversation, and started giving lengthy and mundane directions to the waiter to fill up water carafes. Both our thoughts were that this done purposefully to make us feel unwelcome and to leave. If this was his intent, it worked. We left soon after and I won't ever go back.

Excellent food wine and service

Probably one of the best meals I’ve had in London. Exquisite.

Nice to see such a great place last so long! Keep going!

Very disappointing, the food is a huge amount of mismatched ingredients very far from authentic spanish cuisine. The tables are uncomfortably tiny and the service is not welcoming at all. It is very overpriced and quite frankly I don’t understand how it can be so highly rated in google.

Great food, good service. What else can you ask for.

One of the few places that are not located close to me but I have visited several times and will definitely visit in the future. Food dishes are excellent, the atmosphere unique and the service very professional. A bit pricey to be honest but definitely worth it. Definitely add it to your list.

Before coming I heard fantstic news about the restaurant. Unfortunately my experience was veru different. Long wait (at least 30 minutes. Waiter gave us drinks then took order of other people) expensive service charge which does not equal de service given (I understand hospitality is tricky but I dont like being called "guys wait a second" and with a continuous serious face), food was good but not worth the money, and the place was super loud

Food ok, kinda like gastro pub ok, not £35 a plate ok. Waaay overpriced for the experience, super loud, tiny tables, ok service… wouldn’t recommend

Fantastic dinner at Moro Restaurant. The food is really creative and the quality is very high. Sofia was the waitress at our table, she was extremely helpful and she gave us great advice on food and drinks!

Never disappointed with the food and service here. Recommend for casual dinning. Starter varies a lot from time to time. The lamb never disappointed me as the main. Finish with yogurt cake. The cookbook sold in the restaurant (original and newer one) are both popular.

We sat at the bar. Food was excellent and atmosphere really buzzy. Would definitely recommend.

I love Moro. It's close to the perfect restaurant.

Was violently ill after dining at Moro. Called them and they initially confirmed they would refund me my meal IF I presented a doctors cert. Doctor confirmed today I suffered from toxic food poisoning. Today, upon confirming that I could get a cert, Moro decided not to refund me. I would avoid this restaurant.

Moro is a lovely Moorish restaurant in exmouth market, nice big place and has some great food. The lamb was really nice as was the ice cream. I wish they sold the bread they make in house, it’s superb!

Moro has been a fixture in Exmouth market for getting on for 30 years, and there is a simple reason for that. The food is really very good, and its backed with excellent service. I visited recently for the first time in a few years, and its still absolutely bang on. Fads and fashions come and go, but excellence will never get stale. If you want a truly excellent meal, in a wonderful welcoming environment, then head to Moro. It really should be on everybody's list of restaurants to visit in London.

Really good feel about the restaurant as soon as we walked in. Lovely welcome, relaxed atmosphere. We were really well looked after by Isabel. Food was really creative and amazing flavours. The trout main and Malaga ice cream desert, bring my standouts. We will be back.

Staff at the market stall were really rude.

Fantastic! We were constantly kept topped up with wine all evening, and loved the food options. Tapas starters and main courses were great.

The food was delicious. I chose the lamb which was cooked to perfection. The bread was very tasty too. Had to ask for more.

We had a fantastic post show dinner here last night. We were served by Sophia who was excellent she recommended a delicious and unusual wine paring and really took care of us. Both our dishes were perfect with bold flavours and interesting combinations. Will definitely be back.

Had an absolutely wonderful time — food and drinks were fantastic, the place was beautiful, and Sofia is a star!

First time dining here - food was very good and had a lovely server who was really attentive and recommended a really delicious wine. Thank you Sofia!

An exceptional restaurant. I was going to say ‘local restaurant’ but Moro would be exceptional wherever it was. The food is first class and makes most Italian restaurants seem ordinary. The belly pork was the best I’ve ever eaten. Although we ate at lunchtime and the restaurant was pretty well empty, everything we ate seems freshly prepared. First class Italian wine list as well. We paid just short of £90 for two for three course, three glasses of wine and coffee. Great value.

I enjoyed our meal at Moro, some interesting dishes on the evening menu, my lamb was cooked to perfection, there’s also extensive wine list. The tables are crammed in quite tightly which meant people were forever squeezing past the back of my chair on their way to and from the toilet which became quite an annoyance. On the whole though it was an enjoyable experience and I would probably return.

This place is really amazing. The food was exceptional. I had the fish soup as a starter and the chicken as a main. So flavoursome. Our waitress Sofia was attentive, friendly and made some excellent recommendations. We’re coming back for sure.

They have a stall on Exmouth Market most days, a favourite of mine and my colleagues who can see them from our office window. The spiced lamb is incredible!

Each dish bursting with delicious flavors. The lamb liver and quail starters set the tone, offering a tantalizing beginning to our meal. Sharing the vegetable mezze was a delightful experience, showcasing a variety of flavors and textures. The restaurant's warm ambiance provided the perfect refuge on a cold winter day.

Great place! Would definitely recommend the yogurt!

During our few day stay with family in Clerkenwell, my wife and I were able to escape for a date night. My father in law recommended Moro, and we couldn’t have been any more pleased with the experience. When we walked in from the cold wet English night, we were greeted by our waitress, Sofia, who made us feel welcome the entire evening. While the main menu looked amazing, we settled on a few cocktails and multiple selections tapas menu. Being a Tennessee native, I’ve had my fair share of cocktails, but their Old Fashioned was one of the best I’ve ever had. My wife also enjoyed her Elderflower Sour cocktail as well. Insofar as tapas, we had the olives, potatoes, chorizo, chickpeas, and baba ganoush. Each one was wonderful. The atmosphere was exactly as one would hope, and at no point did we feel rushed - it’s as if we were a guest in their home. Definitely recommended if you’re looking for an excellent meal with great ambiance.

Always a pleasure to visit the place: the flavours, the service and the place are just perfect for a night between friends, family or a date. I like it better when sharing a selection of small plates to test a max of dishes! And the location is great for a little stroll afterwards.

Good enough place for those who love meat and two veg. Unless you are keen on meat and dairy, this is not a place for you. We tried in a busy month but it is probably better at other times.

This remains our favourite restaurant for special celebrations. The food is always amazing and Sofia was such a lovely attentive waitress who made the occasion extra special

Fantastic service. Booked a table of 7, they called a day prior to confirm. Welcomed us, made us comfortable and addressed any needs - including that there were 8 of us. No problem. Loved the open plan kitchen - the chefs looked very relaxed, and I liked seeing them looking out at the restaurant to see that people were enjoying their food. Often with busy open kitchens, they are too busy to look up. If I were going back I might wish there was a seat at the kitchen bench but there is not. Food was fantastic, we ordered a trip of starters and each had mains. I had the duck, but the lamb stole the show by all accounts. We did have a vegetarian in our group, who also happens to be pregnant (so further dietary requirements) and I don’t think the menu is particularly suited - they did try and accommodate with the starters but it wasn’t quite working. She had the fish for main which she loved. As we left, everyone front of house waved and said thanks - which, during a busy lunch service, was a real feel good moment.

Tasty food, cozy place and great service.

Wonderful, fresh, fragrant and creative food. Not cheap but worth it. Great atmosphere. Service varied, sometimes lacking heart.

Menu was exciting and all food was extremely tasty and well presented Service was very good We were a party of 10 One person’s fish arrived slightly raw but the staff dealt with it immediately and took it off the bill Good selection of wines

Great food, great service, lovely atmosphere. One person said it was the best meal they'd had this year, another said it was the food was the best thing they'd ever put in their mouth. Loved every dish.

Very delicious 🤤 hence we brought our friends on our second visit! It’s amazing that they changed the menu but the dishes are all amazing. The only downside is that it’s a bit too noisy

Phenomenal! Try the chestnut chorizo soup!!!! The duck fattee isn’t to be missed either Update 1 year later…still amazing still recommend the Duck Fattee and the chorizo soup!!! 🤤

Perfect for a long lazy lunch. Recommend the Serranito starter and skate wings main. Make sure you leave room for the yoghurt cake, just superb.

Bonne cuisine assez relevée Endroit assez bruyant mais bonne ambiance

Loved the food and service. Great wine selection. Reasonable vegetarian options.

Great food in a noisy environment. Very busy and tables too close together, but the food was delicious and well cooked. A bit confusing as to whether they only serve Tapas at the bar. Service was attentive but not intrusive. We would probably try again if we were in need of dinner in the vicinity

Good meal all around. If you want to try something new and while having the comfortable feel of a home cooked meal, this is the perfect restaurant.

If you love the tastes and smells of Spain, the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa then Moro is just so tasty. A fantastic lunch of crab, chicken lamb, yoghurt cake with a lovely dark red wine. Great food and atmosphere with friendly staff.

Moro is always wonderful but if you get the chance to have the crab brik take it, it was amazing.

Great pre theatre venue . Lovely food and service . Our meal was served promptly and tasted delicious .

Excellent vibe. Good service. Nice food.

Really enjoyed dinner at Moro. My partner’s been before but I have not and he’s always raved about it. I opted for the croquettes for a starter and the mixed veg mezze for a main, between us we shared a bottle of orange wine. Usually we’d go for the typical starter-main-dessert but we were both super stuffed by the end of the main. Really enjoyable and tasty food. Staff were lovely. Exmouth market is a great spot for this restaurant. Excited to come again.

I’ve been going to Moro for over a decade now. It surprises me I have never tired of it. Small tasty and thoughtful appetizers, generous and delicious wood-grilled mains, simple and spot-on deserts. Go once and you will want to go again. Sit at the bar if you are in your own or you can’t get a reservation.

Love the Moro cookbook and been meaning to visit this restaurant for the past 20 years! Testament to its quality and ethos meant that I could. Loved the bustle and noise of a packed restaurant. Great service, tasty, hearty, healthy food. Kudos to the kitchen team pictured here!

Wow! Great food and friendly service. The flavours were brilliant. They also let me try the wine before committing to a full glass. 5 mins walk from Sadlers Wells so we had lunch before the matinee performance. Will definitely be coming back.

Excellent tapas and cocktails, mains we're nice but parts were a bit cold/undercooked. Overall had a good experience.

Was looking forward to a delicious meal but sadly we got a couple of fairly mediocre dishes (my cold sad starchy potatoes a particular disappointment) The wine was nice and the service friendly but for the price and the reputation I’d expect more.

The food was just delicious. Loving the details, Salt & pepper, table tops, branding, floor tiles… A restaurant that is full of nice details.

What a lovely restaurant- top notch service and incredibly delicious food - will definitely go again. Loved your could have sparkling water at £1 for a large carafe rather than the ridiculously expensive options elsewhere.

I had a very nice time at Moro. The restaurant is on a nice lively street, inside the atmosphere and the decor are simple, elegant and laidback. The food was good and healthily prepared. My partner is vegetarian and found some good options on the menu. However, as many others say, their prices are quite high for the food and service you receive. We paid ~130£ for 2 appetisers, 2 main courses, 2 deserts, and 1 glass of wine. Plus the restaurant is very noisy making difficult to talk without easing the volume of the voice. I would mostly recommend to pre-dine here with some tapas and a glass of wine.

Incredible. One of the best meals I've had while living in London.