St. JOHN Restaurant in Islington

The top restaurant in London. The food is truly delicious, innovative and always fresh. We love to come back here since the menu changes everyday. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff very friendly and attentive. We will keep coming back ❤️

Amazing meal at St. John’s in London! Each dish was bursting with flavour and cooked to perfection. The staff were warm and friendly, creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The roast lamb, John Dory and house wine were particular highlights. It easily ranks among my top five restaurants in the world, and I can’t wait to return!

I went to this restaurant about a year ago and forgot to give a review. Highly recommend for excellent British cuisine and often a creative twist to the dishes. The interior is minimalist and quite bare, not my preference and can get a little loud sometimes. But a very good restaurant and worth making the effort to visit.

Great and authentic English cuisine, worth every penny you spend

Attentive service. Food was great. Bone marrow tasted great but very little substance. The butter was nice. Madeleines was perfect. Ambience a bit plain and run down. Feels not so clean.

One of my favorite restaurants in the world. Authentic, honest, and incredibly delicious food. A must visit once in London

Perfect for people who want good cooking with adventurous options! Got a drink at the bar as I arrived a little early, house wine was great. Our waitress was wonderful, and spent extra time recommending dishes for us. I got the Pig and Ox Liver, both of which were amazing. The madeleines cannot be missed, I would go for them over a regular dessert. Easy recommendation, get a reservation early!

Ate alone. Loved the informal setting and friendly, no judgement service. Didn't feel out of place as a sole diner at all. Loved the menu. Loved the fantastic bread served immediately with great quality butter that hasn't been messed with, whipped up, carved into the shape of a Phoenix etc. And whoever makes the mayo here deserves a prize. But... ...didn't love the chewy pigeon I had. It was served 3.5 seconds after I finished a shell-on-crab (and you need a short break after picking meat for 20 mins). Maybe the bird wasn't rested enough. The pickled walnut sauce with it was just too vinegary and overpowered the plate. Overall ok, just lacking care and attention.

Absolutely excellent quality of food here. Service brilliant. Vibe is as you would hope for, and better

5 stars.. staff were amazing. Food was out of this world. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Great value for money. Highly recommend

This restaurant is truly one of a kind — the atmosphere, the setting, and the character make it stand out. The quality of the food is consistently outstanding. Special mention to the bone marrow, which has remained unchanged over time, and to the impeccable, almost clinical-level service we’ve received on each visit. We’ll keep coming back on every future trip to London. Can’t wait to return and end another joyful meal with the best madeleines in the UK!

Except surprise with nice meals

It's a vibe. Not fine dining but gives you the sense that you're about to witness something special. People in regular clothes going but having a delicious and well crafted meal

Excellent food for choice, service was immaculate. Would recommend to family and friends. Great place to eat and great service…

Still a great place for a trad small plates lunch. Eh Seed cake and a glass of Madeira. Delish!

Unreal food, great service. It is expensive but worth the experience

Exquisite food, a beautifully pared-back ambience, and kind, fun people all around. A big plus for me was the draught beer available at the bar, which paired perfectly with the meal.

Good wine, good food and friendly attention 🔁

Service was great and it was good to experience some authentic style British cooking. Unfortunately the food was not as good as expected for the price and hype. There wasn't much to eat in the bone marrow and half of the lamb was just fat. At best bib gourmand, no way this place is Michelin 1 star.

Received Telegram msg from a random person asking me to write a 5 star review in return for Money. Googled this and it's a scam. No thank you!

A had a reservation! You should be careful with the order-i realized there, that im not a fan of english food🥲 but that my problem

Good restaurant, good location, good food

Overall it was OK but the portions are small, and the dressing on my snail salad was overwhelming, likewise the mussel salad. My Sons roast Hogget (teenage lamb) was tough and 2 small slices for £34.00. My Skate was very small but tasty but have had much better elsewhere (I know its a meat restaurant but for £32.00 I was expecting a bigger portion). Bone marrow was good but it should be as its their specialilty at St. John. Bill for 3 people including puddings, a bottle of Cremant (£57 very good), and x3 cocktails at £10 each came to just over £300. It was an underwhelming and expensive experience in my opinion. My Son's seemed to enjoy it, but not were not overly enthused.

It was fine at best. I will not remember this meal next week. However, with all the fame, rave reviews, and a Michelin star, I expected a lot more. First, they ran out of the ham in hay so we settled for the roasted lamb substitute. It contained 4 small slices of the most flavorless meat - for 40 pounds this seemed absurd to say the least. The bone marrow tasted like pretty much every bone marrow I’ve ever had. The hogget was slightly dry. The bread pudding tasted like bread pudding from a supermarket. The madeleines were good, that’s the best I can say for the entire meal. One last thing to note - during the middle of our dinner, food and cups were spilled on our table, creating a mess — which isn’t a big deal but what was disappointing was the fact that no gesture of hospitality was made. I would have expected at least a complimentary drink. To be frank, we were very excited for our dinner reservation but left feeling like this was one of the most disappointing meals that we’ve had in recent memory.

Amazing food, great service and excellent atmosphere.

The luxurious amenities, exemplary services, and prime location

The luxurious amenities, exemplary services, and prime location

Hi everyone it’s amazing place and food to eat

Had a wonderful time the service went above and beyond well worth a visit

Really enjoyed my time here excellent service

The restaurant has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. The soft lighting and comfortable seating made it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a casual gathering with friends

We were a part of six for midday lunch. The food was wonderful and the service was even better. Most dishes are heavy and strong in flavor. Very hearty.

We stopped here for lunch while exploring England, drawn in by the restaurant’s strong reputation. Our group ordered a wide range of dishes—from tripe to a simple roast chicken—but unfortunately, none of them left much of an impression. My roast chicken, in particular, was disappointing: moist but bland, and honestly not as good as what my mom makes at home. Surprisingly, the appetizers were more enjoyable than the mains, which helped salvage the experience a bit. Overall, we left feeling underwhelmed and less enthusiastic about exploring British cuisine—unless it’s the classic fish and chips.

This has been one of my favourite restaurants for two decades. The ox heart sounds difficult but my goodness it opens you right up to the rest of the menu. Not everything is for everyone but that’s eating out I guess.

Definitely would eat their again. Had a great time with the kids and wife we all had a fantastic time 5*****

this restaurant asks people to leave them reviews on telegram

Treatment of clients is royalty. Staff friendly and professional, environment is clean and tidy.

The people are very friendly and helpful. There food are great.

The food is lovely and the service was very good. Atmosphere was home from home ; they staffs make you very welcome to eat from there restaurants. Thank you all

3 of us went to St. John and all ordered different orders so we could try lots of different options. This was a great idea. Excellent food and wine. However the starters were amazing and better than the main which was a little disappointing. I’m now saying it was bad it was great.

The restaurant of my dreams. Had wanted to go for ages with my partner and our visit did not disappoint in the slightest. Staff were friendly and attentive, without being overbearing and really made us feel at ease. There is an old school charm to proceedings, without ever feeling stuffy or exclusionary. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the light, airy dining room cultivates a lovely buzz. The food was everything I'd hoped for. Rustic, traditional, comforting and incredibly satisfying. Our favourite dishes were the smoked cod's roe, sweetbreads, and the Eccles cake, but everything was done masterfully. Even a simple bowl of spring greens tossed in butter and a little bit of broth were a delight. Please be aware, this is not for the tweezers and foam crew; it is nose to tail cooking, with the focus being on the ingredients, not avant garde presentation. All in all, a fantastic lunch and I can't wait to return

Good place to eat defo will return

Lovely place to chill and food is out of this world will be visiting again

Went for a birthday dinner and was beautiful. Would highly recommend

A lovely meal. Delicious food. The Eccles cake with Lancashire cheese was a highlight. The service was particularly good which is a rarity these days. Staff were attentive and friendly but unobtrusive. Will return.

Nose to tail restaurant with excellent food and great service.

Good service fantastic customer handing.

I went there to eat my dinner and the food was out of this world and overall I had a nice experience

Fantastic service and one of the best meal I have had in a long time . Will come visiting again .

One of the Best restaurant i ever been

Can only edit to update for this year's experience. Unfortunately was nothing like our first visit last year. The quality of the food was down considerably and service less attentive. Definitely a disappointing visit and unlikely to come again the next time we are in London

I was there for an invited dinner through a scientific event. The food was excellent and my options were all vegan. We had very good wine and food overall and the service and staff were friendly, fast, and particularly welcoming. Of course the atmosphere is very nice considering the old grounds and the nice architecture.

this is horrible. Asked for rec, this is what they provided, horrible taste.

Best place I have ever been it was fun it tasted grateful and the music was loud

The food is really good I recommend to everyone and the staff is also really humble and good

Amazing restaurant great service and food was amazing

Attempted to pay me to leave a good review

Incredibly enjoyable! Will definitely be going back!

It was very good service and the food was very nice.

I had high expectations coming to St. John, given its Michelin star status and reputation, but unfortunately the experience left much to be desired. Service was exceptionally slow and inattentive. Our waiter barely acknowledged us, didn’t explain any of the items on the menu, and never checked in throughout the evening. He was also quite careless—spilled some wine on the table while serving and seemed generally rushed and disengaged. We ran out of water quite early in the meal and weren’t offered a refill until we were already looking at the dessert menu. On top of that, the restaurant had run out of about a third of the mains by the time we arrived. After placing our order, several of our dishes were changed—some more than once—which was incredibly frustrating and suggested poor coordination in the kitchen. While I appreciate the minimalist, nose-to-tail concept St. John is known for, the food itself just didn’t offer anything memorable or particularly special. Overall, the experience felt disorganized and underwhelming—not what I’d expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Just what you want to have great food great service great atmosphere

Delicious food , staff service 10/10

IMO, this restaurant does not deserve a Michelin star. I ordered the flank steak with carrots, and the steak was so tough I could barely eat it. The carrots were sub par, tasting like ones I’ve purchased at a cheap diner. Having worked in a quality role most of my career, I was taken aback by the smell of cleaner and urine as I went into the hallway leading to the toilets. The chef who had longish hair did not have it in a protective hat. I saw him touch his hair a couple of times. These may seem like small issues, but not for a Michelin starred restaurant.

We enjoyed a relaxed and very tasty Monday lunch at the end of a long weekend in town. We've been here before and the constantly changing menu didn't disappoint. Attentive service in a busy dining area that was arranged to provide atmosphere without overcrowding.

We ate at tje restaurant, you have also a bar. it’s luxurious, but more of an atelier vibe. Simple little white tables, super friendly staff, delicious bread, the food is decent, and the bathroom smells nice! But… if you’re like me and went because the place is trendy and you read about it in a magazine, you’ll find the food average but very expensive. Plus, you’ve got to be open to trying some unusual cuts of meat. If it would be my first time again, I will go to the bar.

Cleanliness and service could be improved

The waiter offered us special menu, and it was specially burned. They asked for my feedback to talk with the kitchen, but they did not get back to me.

We went there to see the bakery and we loved the brownie. We want to go back to have a dinner

Underwhelming food from start to finish

We tried four mains and although some of them tasted good (the grey mullet), the others were disappointing (especially the pigeon, so undercooked and hard to chew!). The portion of all dishes were so small that they can be finished in a few bites. The only thing I would recommend are the desserts. The pear upside down cake is pretty good.

Considering the very good review score here, I have to give one star. The portion is quite small considering the price. Pigeon is under-cooked and the bread with bone marrow is literally burnt (and only one slice!).

Overpriced and overhyped. I had a lamb and broccoli dish, the meat was okay but the broccoli side was horrid, it was over flavoured with anchovies (could have been nice if it wasn’t over done) and they for some reason had mushed the broccoli intentionally. Not very nice. I fed this back to the waitress who said absolutely nothing but gave me a face like “that’s your problem”. I wasn’t the only person on my table that had it and didn’t like it either. Drinks were crazy prices, the cheapest non alcoholic drink was still £8 - nonsense. The atmosphere was nice and the pudding was okay but other than that I’ll not be going again

good food and wine. The bread is amazing!

I had high hopes for St John as I had previously dined there in 2018 and had a wonderful time. However, although the service was good, I was sorely let down by the quality of the food. I ordered a range of dishes but not a single one was prepared properly. The bone marrow was entirely flavorless, the haddock was so salty it was bitter and the pigeon was tough. It’s a shame because you can tell the ingredients are very fresh - something just happens to have gone amiss in the kitchen.

Loved it, casual but great food and wine!

Nose to tail pig and good prices

St. JOHN is a must-visit for lovers of bold, authentic British cuisine. Their Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad is a standout dish—rich, indulgent, and perfectly balanced. The minimalist setting keeps the focus on the food, while the attentive service adds to the experience. A true London institution for those who appreciate expertly crafted, nose-to-tail dining. Highly recommended!

One of the best restaurants in London. The food was exquisite. Definitely recommend.

Loved this place and Lewis knew how to engage with all the customers

They cancel my table for minutes late they ask me for a card because I came alone and they bring my bill before my water

The staff were incredibly knowledgeable about the food and provided excellent guidance and suggestions. The food itself was on par with any other I’ve had, if not better. I would definitely love to go back!

Beautiful lunch yesterday. Hearty, delicious food and drinks. Would definitely recommend getting the Madeline’s for pudding and taking some in a to go bag for later!

Was everything OK? Sigh *YEA*. However, what was the point in complaining? Sending it back would have only resulted in the same thing, and that's not the maddening experience one needs. All was as the kitchen intended, but nothing was right. Seriously underwhelming, verging on the reason why other nations have notions that food in the UK is terrible. Thankful for the brown crab and pigeon. Bored by the bread that came with many items and required a hacksaw, as well as the sad tasteless marrow. A true disappointment, set in a space that seems to have have the joy sucked out of it, close to resembling a morgue. Simple done well is hard to do, and St John has done it (once upon a time), but might now be time to give it a hard pass.

In a room of white so still, Where linens drape and time stands still, Plates arrive, a work of art, Each a feast, a perfect start. The menu shifts with each new day, Check ahead, don’t lose your way. The staff will guide if you’re unsure, A dining haven, calm and pure. For six we booked, a lucky find, Weeks ahead, the stars aligned. Crab and herring, bright and bold, Flavors fresh and stories told. Gurnard, golden, placed with care, Pork cheek rich beyond compare. Greens and potatoes on the side, Simple joys that none denied. Then dessert—a final cheer, Honeycomb and sponge appear. Sticky, sweet, and deeply spun, Every bite a perfect one. Steep the price, but worth it all, A meal to hold, a night to call. For here, the food alone will shine, A masterpiece in every line.

Sad establishment, sad people. Pretentious and unpleasant. The service is ice cold and lacks any modicum of attentiveness. We waited ages upon arrival to even be acknowledged, while lots of staff kept passing by just straight up ignoring us. The concept is rustic (paper tablecloth and menu, minimal decor, old crockery) and yet the staff were so uptight. Please treat your clientele with a bit of basic respect. The food was satisfactory at best (cabbage swimming in water, carrots weren't properly trimmed). It wasn't terrible, but it resembled something I could haphazardly throw together in my kitchen. Perhaps they've taken the "rustic" concept a little too literally. Overall a forgettable experience, and most definitely overhyped.

Had a tremendous lunch here, food, wine & service was top notch. The Welsh rarebit was incredible and the freshly baked madelines a delightful end.

Haven’t been to the OG St John in years & it was a joy to be back. Gorgeous food, service & surroundings. A perfect meal.

Lewis is the best waiter in town. And Laurent, thank you for the table. Excellent food, with character. Must go.

Our favourite restaurant. Never been disappointed and the service is always on point, offering everything from great wine pairings to just an all around fun time! We love st. John! EDIT: Unfortunately on our last visit the service was sub par. All the staff we interacted with (with exception of the host) seemed uninterested with our waitress not providing the usual enthusiasm or knowledge we have come to know at this restaurant. We would annually visit St John to meet with distant friends, but moving forward we will be looking elsewhere for our catch ups. It is a shame, as we hold fond memories of the place.

Took a pilgrimage to St. John. Food was stellar except for the guinea fowl which was just a touch dry. The fried tripe, bone marrow (obviously), and the pigs cheek were all delicious. Don’t skip the puddings.

Watch out Literally everyone had recommended this place to me AND rightly so. The bone marrow is exceptional, after trying it The Welsh rarebit looks like a slice you would have at 3 in the morning When you come home drunk and hungry, it's good but you can save it. We made an entree and El pie, which is very good and huge. We ended up ordering takeout. You had to try Les Magdalenes And they do not disappoint, broche de Oro to a good date. They serve the wine in the same glass that they serve the water in. I really liked what your grandmother had at her house. Good carefree and cheerful service at the same time as cordial.

A disappointing visit to what had been one of our favorite restaurants. The quality of the food at St. John has always been the foundation of our love for the institution, but it feels as though there isn’t the same care for the preparation as there has been in the past. The bone marrow was remarkably dry. The other dishes lacked any flavor. The only saving graces were the Welsh rarebit and the lemon tart.

One of the best meals I've had in recent memory, it feels rare that every dish available is individually brilliant. The beef pie for two was amazing, and even better for the sheer size allowing for a second helping the next day!

I wanna say a lot but I can sum it up by saying that this is my favourite restaurant in the world

I enjoyed our meal at St. John. We ordered the squid, fennel and aioli and brown crab meat for starters and they were lovely. We had the trotter pie for our main to share. It was nice and very filling. We also had the welsh rarebit to come with our main, but it was a bit disappointing since the bread was a bit burned and hard.

We had a great lunch for my birthday March 7th. Our waiter did an oustanding job, so did the kitchen with the food. If you‘re a sweet tooth, let room for some dessert. We couldn‘t eat anymore because we had 3 starters, one of them of course the famous bone marrow. For main the fish and devilled kidneys were great. The restaurant dose nose to tail at it‘s best and we can‘t wait to go back.

I enjoyed all the service provided. Lovely place to be!!!

I'm giving this 5 stars overall as the experience and concept were bit spot on. Great service, flexible when we decided to eat further mains and knowledgeable when it came to drinks. The food was not very precisely cooked/prepared (liver over, bacon dry without being crispy ,mussel salad watery) but they were quite busy. Overall 100% recommended. Treat yourself to the Madeline's - ethereal 😍

I was recommended St John’s, and it absolutely lived up to expectations. The space is interesting, with the bar area set in what looks like an old smokehouse, adding a bit of character. The restaurant itself is clean, white, and minimal, with a rustic touch that ties everything together. It’s simple but works well. One of the standout features is the in-house bakery, which seems to handle all the desserts, and they do an incredible job. The service was excellent. My server Callum was fantastic—friendly, helpful with the menu, and went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. He even spoke to head chef John, who then came out for a chat, which was a really nice surprise and made the night even more special. The food itself was outstanding. Every dish was top quality, perfectly executed, and full of flavor. It’s clear why St John’s has a Michelin star and has kept it. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for incredible food in a relaxed and unpretentious setting. It’s well worth a visit!

Wow. It’s been ages since I’ve had bone marrow. It was excellent. On par with Plachutta in Vienna and that’s saying something.