Sawyer and Gray in Islington

Lovely food, very tight on space! We were squeezed into a 4 person bench seat but had no room to move elbows!

I am vegan and came here for breakfast - ordered the avocado on sourdough. Very small portion with no options for add ons like hashbrowns or vegan sausages. Left feeling disatisfied and still hungry. For £9 you expect something a little more substantial. The fresh green juice was very clean tasting and delicious.

The Coffee was really good but the food (though tasty) was expensive

Great place that I could only highly recommend ! The food was excellent, with a large choice. Extremely fresh. The manager (I guess) was extremely welcoming and willing to help. All the staff was charming. Super good quality of coffee and several options to get it (V60 for instance). And on top of that, it actually happens to be a very good value for money ! Which is definitely not easy to find in London, and in Islington in general. I will definitely come back !

The lovely Italian waiter squeezed me in on a busy Saturday morning for some breakfast, which I really appreciated. The service was quick, friendly and on point, and you can see the effort put on the food (and the coffee) presentation. The ambience is really cozy as well, and I noticed from conversations around me that they have a lot of regulars, which is always a good thing. Tutto è stato fantástico. £22.51 for the 3 items + service.

Lovely brunch with wonderfully fresh and tasty ingredients. Coffee and matcha excellent. Great service and exceptionally dog friendly. Definitely one to return to. Booking looks advisable as gets very busy.

Had a family Brunch, food and hot drinks were excellent, my Grays Brunch was delicious with quality ingredients

Nice and cozy place. Good coffee and pastries.

Fantastic coffee and other drinks, food is delicious, staff are supernaturally friendly and a cozy atmosphere.

Lovely place with a good variety of brunch options. Corn fritters were really nice. The place is dog friendly too. We will definitely be back.

We've been regulars at Sawyer and Gray for years now. The food, coffee, cocktails and Marco's hospitality and warmth are unmatched! Highly recommend if you're in the area :) We love the Sawyers brunch in particular!

Welcoming, relaxed atmosphere, delicious food - would highly recommend.

Brunch with family, small venue, very rustic and homely atmosphere if a little snug. Excellent food and portion sizes just right

Delicious brunch and lovely atmosphere

One of my favourite brunch spots in London. Cozy, high quality ingredients, and the best cappuccino. Can’t ask for more.

Lovely place with a very friendly team. Great homemade cakes and the french toast breakfast is my favourite.

Really nice cosy cafe with friendly owner and staff. The food was delicious although vegans will have to have to order a veggie option and omit the halloumi and egg etc. But the seasoning and sauces were nice. A shame there were no vegan cakes. Great coffee and juices.

Very quirky style. Lovely atmosphere. Friendly staff.

Amazing cake, incredible coffee and super friendly staff! Loved coming in today and will definitely come back

Best brunch in Highbury. I highly recommend

Absolutely fantastic food. Fresh and tasty very nice decor amazing hospitality. This is a nice spot for a brunch when you in the area

Delicious food and really friendly staff. They have lots of different options for brunch, including for people who are vegetarian/DF/GF. Coffee is good too and the decoration is lovely. The only thing I did not like about this place was the strong smell of mould in the toilet, it's hard to breath and the landlord should definitely get this problem sorted out, since is bad for everyone's health.

Cute little place to have a proper brunch. Dishes was a bit simple but it gets the jobs done! I should come back during winter, I spotted a little fire place in the basement.

Giovanni our waiter brought out the best experience. Utterly honest in what we should get, and he was NOT wrong, cannot to come back again for brunch

Stopped by for bruch following a Friend's suggestion. Great Service and truly excellent food! Thoroughly recommend it.

Posto molto carino. Torte deliziose. Caffè italiano ottimo. Un saluto a Marco da Ravenna.

Enjoy your coffee with super test like no other here atmosphere is good

Fabulous find for a great breakfast with my friend

Seriously good food and great service. This will become our no.1 breakfast stop!

Small and cozy is the description I would give this brunch spot. There are 2 levels (street level and basement) and both are pretty tight, but not that you feel crampe in it. Decoration is rustic, with visible brick and fireplace at the basement. The food was really good, a decent portion, and a price is on par with other spots... 10 quid average per brunch plate.

Amazing poached eggs and salmon,the hollandaise sauce was the best ,would highly recommend this restaurant.Steve and Marco are so friendly and welcoming ,my new favourite place.

A hidden gem! The vegetation brunch is one of the best in London.

Very cool posh British guy served me tea it was really great next time I go to the uk I’ll go there

Great brunch spot with good service and more seating downstairs. Priced moderately. With excellent service. Would recommend!

friendly service and beautiful coffee, lovely setting too!

The perfect place for brunch. High quality, fresh food, absolutely delicious. Charming rustic interior, feels a bit like being on an old sailship. Friendly and personal service. We have become regulars and always return happily!

What an amazing find. Such a cosy, welcoming place with lush decor. The staff are really lovely and relaxed, it feels like you’re in a friends house. And the breakfast was absolutely gorgeous! Will defo be back for dinner next time!

Absolutely love this place. Food is amazing and quirky decor inside. Thank you Marco and Stephen. See you again soon x

One of the best places in north London to go for brunch… I am very picky with my eggs and their Eggs Florentine never disappoints… I order the same every week :) Love their capuccino too, very nice coffees. The place is very chilled, privately owned and run and the owner, Marco, always goes the extra mile to make you feel welcomed. It has definitely become a regular spot for me and my friends, highly recommend!

Gorgeous little place and a very entertaining host are Marco and Steven ! Wonderful service and food to match x our go-to when in London x Will be back xxxxx

Arrived very late in the evening without a booking but couldn’t have been more accommodating. Fantastic pasta and tiramisu, excellent wine and reasonably priced. However, the real highlight was the service, which was incredibly warm and friendly.

Very cozy decor and a comfortable, warm environment in this café, but unfortunately the service we received was anything but. We ordered coffees and spent the next few minutes catching up and hadn’t yet looked at the menus. A few minutes later the visibly annoyed server interrupted and asked if we were ready to order, when we said no and apologised, he scolded us like we were school children. He then loudly complained to his colleague right next to us that “no one was ordering.” I felt really uncomfortable for the rest of the meal after this. I’ve never been spoken to like that in a restaurant. I can understand Sunday brunch can be a busy and stressful time for servers but I still don’t think such unpleasantness can be excused.

The place is amazing! Super cute and comfy. Food was absolutely amazing as well, can recommend the corn fritters. The owners are very lovely and I will definitely go there again!

Such a secret hotspot for dinner, the food and service was so good. The atmosphere is cosy yet sophsicated. Great cocktails and very reasonable prices. We had the most incredible tiramisu we have ever had in our life.

Honestly, the best breakfast I’ve ever had. I can’t stop thinking about it! It was so fresh. (Shakshuka & quesadillas) Coffee is incredible as well — the best cappuccino ever. Loved the beans they used and milk was perfectly frothed. Their pastries are outstanding too😍!!!

Delightful spot for coffee and brunch. Perfect coffee in artfully designed cups, delicious breakfast options, warm rustic interiors, and friendly and welcoming staff. Had a flat white and the avocado and feta on toast and it was a delight. The owner was incredibly welcoming and treated us first timers just as well as the regulars next to us. A wonderful spot to discover!

Locale molto carino e accogliente in un bel quartiere, personale molto attento cortese e disponibile, buon cibo! Consigliato

Bello e buono. Locale bello, caldo e accogliente. Cibo buono. 🔝

Lovely little place for breakfast. It has a good atmosphere and the food was amazing. One of the better places for coffee in the area.

Tolles Frühstück mit super leckerem Kaffee. Das Ambiente ist sehr schön im Boho Stil gehalten. Die Kellner sind sehr sehr freundlich gewesen. Das Essen war super lecker

Amazing Italian dinner this Friday evening! Marco is amazing and we can’t wait to come back again and again to eat his delicious food!

Excellent service and great food.

One of my absolute faves. Marco and the rest of the gang are so friendly and welcoming. And the food is great too - I'm a big fan of the French toast, breakfast sandwich and the Sawyer's brunch. It's usually packed at the weekend but opens early so a top tip is to go for breakfast before work on a weekday.

Way better than 4.5 stars current average. Beautiful and airy interior with authentic touches. Superbly balanced coffee and delicious brunch food.

Delicious food and absolutely lovely owner? The gorgeous man who was our waiter made my shared birthday brunch even more of a joy. Will be back

Wonderful bonus of not seeing people looking at screens. Lovely to see people looking at each other talking,telling stories,sharing real life with each other. Warm service, affordable menu and friendly atmosphere....it feels like I am on holiday, and the home made cakes are delicious!

Lovely brunch place ! Great food !

Love coming here for brunch. Located in few minutes walk from the station. Nice atmosphere and interior, tasty french toast.

I ordered the sawyers brunch. It came quickly and was absolutely delectable. Excellent portion sizes too.

This was a great choice for a relaxed Sunday brunch. Throughly enjoyed our visit. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere and great food!

Great brunch and excellent coffee.

Between a remote hearing from my home in SW London en route to a face-to-face hearing in darkest Edmonton I passed through Highbury & Islington. Near Highbury Corner I’ve been to Brewhouse, Prawn on the Lawn and Trullo but not Sawyer and Gray. A modest but well appointed and decorated little place it seemed just the spot for a quick brunch. Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toast with butter hit the spot until I saw some more elaborate concoctions featuring bacon poached eggs and leaves enjoyed by a rather louche grande dame and her acolytes at an adjoining table. But they had no room for the lemon cheesecake with which I rounded off my repaste with a double espresso whilst gently observing some interesting prints on the walls.

Super nice little café, the owner is so nice and friendly. Coffee is delicious and food is incredible. The eggs benedict and the porridge… Been many times and will be going again. Definitely recommend!

Cheerful service, nice rustic interior and very accessible venue, just by a bus stop. Very good coffee served on a very nice cup and saucer. Ricotta cheesecake is highly recommended to accompany your cup of joe!

We went for brunch on Saturday and it was absolutely perfect - delicious food, cosy interior and welcoming staff. Would definitely recommend!

Had the most amazing brunch earlier today. This has now become one of my fave brunch spots in the Highbury and Islington area, very close to the tube station (only a 5 min walk) and for a Sunday I was impressed that we did not need to queue up for a table. A cosy brunch spot with farm chic/scandi boho interior vibes, this place really does feel like home! I ordered the Sawyer brunch which I felt was very reasonable for the price and tasted divine - runny poached eggs, smashed avocado on sourdough with chilli tomatoes and feta. My partner enjoyed his veggie brunch and would come back again. The owner was super friendly and very welcoming, wasn't expecting there to be Italian food on offer as well but we will be coming back again to try the Italian dishes. Also love that this restaurant supports small businesses and you can pick up plants / little gifts or stocking fillers.

Lovely family-friendly place for brunch. Everything was perfect: delicious food, homemade dessert, cosy atmosphere and above all fantastic staff. Thanks Marco we will come back!

Everything is surprisingly delicious with cozy settings, and all staffs are lovely, THE BEST!!

Highbury would be lost without this gorgeous place. It's like home from home for me. Always a warm welcome and smile from the guys and gals there. People know this place for brunch (which is insanely yummy) but I've recently discovered the fresh homemade to order pasta in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. It's the real deal. The decor in there is to die for too - wish it was my flat! Highly recommend. Grazie! xxx

Refused my teenager step daughter access to the toilet when she was desperate, then called me a “c*nt” for asking. Nice!

Lovely delicious home cooked food and super service

Great atmosphere, very friendly staff and delicious food.

Really delicious brunch, good portion size and a reasonable price. Friendly staff and good service. This is now easily my go-to brunch place in the area.

We were so pleased to see Sawyer and Gray open certain evenings. The food was unbelievably delicious: all home-made with many tasty vegetarian options. Everything on the menu looked tempting. The wines are also delicious including wines by the glass. The decor is perfect- everything thoughtfully done. I'd highly recommend and we will be returning.

Outstanding - the food, service, atmosphere and price are exceptionally good. We came here for lunch, and then again for the evening meals they do on Fri/Sat, and both experiences were excellent. This place is a gem, and their prices don’t reflect how good they are (in a good way). Eg we had a fantastic gnocchi with pesto for £8, which is unusual for the area, and especially unusual for the quality

Amazing brunch, homemade cakes and coffee

I have become a regular. The food is nice, the coffee is great and the owners are really sweet.

Discovered this by accident a few years back and went back this weekend with the same friend, friendly and attentive staff and lovely food, would recommend !

Popped in for brunch and was so impressed with the tastiest coffee and food. Everything from the decor to the cups was fabulous. It’s such a nice vibe and the staff are so friendly.

Delicious brunch in a lovely peaceful cafe. Had a fab time catching up with a pal and the staff were so attentive and friendly. Thanks for a lovely morning, Emilia and Kate x

Marco was such an attentive host, the place really looks nice too. The food is of superb quality, everything cooked fresh. The menu is just the right size with a very good variety for all tastes. The French toast (both versions) was tasty and fluffy. All the other food we had (porridge, vegetarian breakfast) was all as nice. Coffee excellent and we had americano, flat white, cappuccino, latte. Highly recommended, come with no hesitation.

Hands down The BEST ciabatta sandwich I’ve ever eaten. I highly recommend the Avo on toast (ciabatta), and my bf had the Sawyer sandwich that was also incredible. Coffee is great and super friendly service (which always seems to be missing in the cafes on this street???). Loved it and is now our new local weekend fave.

I went here today in the search for Chai latte syrup and had the best experience. The staff were super helpful and covid friendly as they helped me find the best chai infusion for my coffee. Such a lovely store and will defiantly be coming back! Have the perfect Christmas stocking fillers for coffee lovers and such genuine lovely people who work here.

Great brunch, big plate full, very tasty, good service

A lot of love has clearly gone into Sawyer and Gray, and it translates into an excellent brunch. The owners are very friendly, the food is great (and the serving sizes are generous), and the vibe is cosy, friendly, and relaxed. I really hope they survive the second lockdown, it is top of my list to go back to once cafes are allowed to open again

A lot of love has clearly gone into Sawyer and Gray, and it translates into an excellent brunch. The owners are very friendly, the food is great (and the serving sizes are generous), and the vibe is cosy, friendly, and relaxed. I really hope they survive the second lockdown, it is top of my list to go back to once cafes are allowed to open again.

Always a delicious brunch when I have come to this place. Great size portions and really good coffee. I’ve been here a few times and will definitely be back.

Origin coffee & great brunch menu. I had the brioche french toast & it was to die for (fyi there is a vegetarian version avail too).

Lovely place and good healthy food.

Wonderful hidden gem in Islington. The food is top quality, everything is made fresh and the staff is accommodating to allergies. The decoration is very charming too. Make sure to check out the floor downstairs

Perfect brunch. Perfectly done poached eggs, smashed avocado, sourdough and chilli jam. Excellent coffee and friendly service.

SUPER COSY place I have been wanting to go for a very long time. The decoration is just beautiful and makes you feel like you’re escaping the city for a little bit, the food is delicious and nicely presented. It’s a must ♥️

Good, coffee, crafted by artisans, delicious brunch menu. Space a little cramped and no WiFi. But everything else was so good...

One of my favourite brunch spots in east London. Fast, friendly service and fantastic food. Portion sizes are great too so feel in line with the price tag. Would come back here any day!

Amazing food, really, reaaly good. I haven't been for a few weeks and still keep thinking about the fritters! Great coffee and chilled atmosphere.

Very cute place. Coffee is amazing. Brunch choices very good and quite tasty

Came here for Saturday breakfast. Everything was delicious. Would highly recommend. Place is very cute, staff very friendly and the menu is amazing.

Great when it's open but never open - even when it's meant to be...

Cozy place, well styled and relaxing for your day off breakfast or lunch. Food and drinks are good, the place is clean. Staff looks to do a bit of pressure on orders and my sandwich arrived cold but was busy so could easily happen, it was delicious anyway

Beautiful little café, I could spend hours relaxing here, and delicious coffee and food.