The Albion

The Albion, a Georgian pub in the heart of Barnsbury

The Albion is a Georgian-style pub located in Barnsbury, within the London borough of Islington, a few metres from Upper Street and in the Barnsbury conservation area. The establishment presents itself as a long-standing local institution, formerly surrounded by fields and farmland and a regular stopping point for Londoners strolling beyond the city. Its wisteria-covered façade, log fires and a careful restoration of the interior, which preserves the original wood panelling, are all part of its character.

Restaurant, garden and private dining room

The French windows of the restaurant area open onto an English garden of more than 450 square metres covered in wisteria, described by the establishment itself as one of the best beer gardens in Islington and used for long lunches, drinks and gatherings throughout the year.

The private dining room, designed by interior designer and neighbourhood resident Bettina Schmid, occupies the former office space and retains the pub's Georgian atmosphere. It has a single long table with a maximum capacity of 24 diners and can be booked for a lunchtime or evening slot, Monday to Sunday. It is intended for board meetings, lunches, dinners and celebrations, and its use carries a minimum spend.

The venue can also be booked exclusively, including the garden, for a maximum of 120 guests, with canapé menus and seasonal banquets. Full-day exclusive hire is available Monday to Saturday, and half-day hire Monday to Friday; both involve a hire fee and a minimum spend.

Seasonal British cuisine

The main menu includes snacks such as Toklas sourdough with whipped butter, Perello olives, pork and sage Scotch egg with whisky mayonnaise, aubergine fritti with honey, mint and harissa ketchup, short rib beef skewer with horseradish sauce and chimichurri, smoked haddock rarebit croquettes with dill aioli, Charleston peppers with smoked sea salt and romesco sauce, and Colchester oysters.

Starters include beetroot gin-cured trout, roasted Delica pumpkin soup, burrata with radicchio and balsamic glazed fig, apple cider glazed pork belly and beef tartare with Burford Brown egg yolk. Main courses span roasted corn-fed half chicken, baked whole plaice, harissa roasted cauliflower, rigatoni with lamb ragu, the Albion burger, battered haddock with triple cooked chips and a selection of meats grilled over charcoal: 10 oz Barnsley lamb chop, 8 oz flat iron steak, 12 oz pork tomahawk and 22 oz côte de boeuf to share between two. Sides and desserts complete the offering, with pistachio tiramisu, English plum and Bramley apple crumble, chocolate and Guinness cake, sticky toffee pudding and a Neal's Yard cheeseboard.

Sunday roast

The Sunday roast menu is served until 9pm and includes starters such as crudités with romesco and mojo verde, smoked chicken Caesar salad, crispy cod cheeks, tuna niçoise salad and Colchester oysters. The roasts themselves are 45-day dry aged sirloin of beef, Saddleback porchetta with Bramley apple sauce, harissa roasted cauliflower, free range chicken and slow roast shoulder of lamb, all served with beef fat roast potatoes, honey and mustard glazed root vegetables, butter beans and Yorkshire pudding. Baked whole mackerel with confit heritage tomatoes is also offered.

Festive menu and service policies

The festive menu is available by pre-order only, from 23 November to 24 December, and requires booking by email. The establishment is dog-friendly, can accommodate allergies and dietary requirements with advanced notice and accepts bookings for large groups. Drinks reservations are accepted only for groups of more than 20 people. There is a corkage policy: £30.00 per 75cl still bottle and £35.00 per 75cl sparkling bottle. Bringing a celebration cake incurs a charge of £10 for groups of up to 10 people and £25 for larger groups. The venue does not accept cash.

Noble Inns group

The Albion is part of the Noble Inns group.

Location and contact

10 Thornhill Rd, Islington, London, N1 1HW · Phone: 0207 607 7450 · Email: reservations@the-albion.co.uk