Saltine

Back when 11 Highbury Park was Famous Chicken N Pizza, you might trudge in post-match to bemoan Arsenal over a few hot wings and fries. Now, it’s Saltine—a light-filled and gallery-feeling space, where you’re more likely to drink pét nat and eat crab on toast as your friend absent-mindedly rocks their newborn. Knowing its crowd, the front bar-cum-coffee shop is prime for pop-ins after a wander across Highbury Fields, while the back dining room is best used for lazy lunches and midweek date nights. Yes, the walls are consciously dilapidated and the chairs are art deco gems, but this airy restaurant feels purposefully unprecious. The food is European-ish and the chef comes from one of London’s favourite finishing schools, St. John—so expect things like an elegant pumpkin or a glimmering slice of sticky toffee apple cake. Both of which are downright devourable.