The Gate Islington - OLD

For bookings of more than six people, please contact the restaurant directly.

The Gate Islington was initially opened by brothers Adrian and Michael Daniel while they were refurbishing their flagship vegetarian restaurant in Hammersmith, by then approaching its 25th year. Not surprisingly, The Gate Islington quickly blossomed into an award-winning eatery in its own right, wowing critics all over again. Inspired by the exotic blend of Indian, Arabic, and Jewish culinary traditions they were exposed to growing up, the Daniels’ Islington outpost of The Gate, down St John Street, is an even more central London location to see – and taste – what all the fuss is about. To quote one critic who nailed it right: The Gate isn't a good vegetarian restaurant; it's simply a good restaurant.

It would be remiss of any vegetarian restaurant to not be strictly seasonal. The Gate Islington, as one of London’s premier vegetarian restaurants (or restaurants full stop), keeps it strictly so at its St John Street premises. At the time of writing, their spring a la carte menu is in full flower, proudly showcasing dishes characterised by the unusual blend of Indo-Iraqi, Jewish (plus a sprinkling of French and Italian) cuisines that the Daniels brothers and their two masterful restaurants have become famous for. Aubergine teriyaki, grilled asparagus rotolo, Thai green curry, and a handsomely apportioned Middle Eastern meze featuring ingredients that you may have to ask your friendly wait staff about.

There’s also a special lunchtime menu, a children’s menu, and a popular weekend brunch menu alongside The Gate Islington’s a la carte offering that demands an advance booking if you want to get a table. Come Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 3pm, the kitchen at The Gate’s St John Street premises turn out such curious fusions as sweetcorn and chilli Scotch cakes, Hispanic classics such as huevos rancheros and tortilla Espanola alongside Arabic shakshuka, and simple delicious truffled vegan eggs. Whether you choose to dine here in Islington, or at The Gate’s other London outpost in Hammersmith, this is an unmissable experience for curious foodies of all stripes, strictly meat-free or not.