500 Restaurant

About 500 Restaurant

In a rather unlikely position at the Archway end of north London’s Holloway Road, 500 Restaurant offers an oasis in the form of a neighbourhood Italian restaurant with fabulous food. Like its namesake (the Fiat Cinquecento, or 500), the dining room is compact; that, combined with charming service from Italian staff, give the place a welcoming feel and buzzy atmosphere. As good as the service is, though, the real drawcard here is the food – it’s authentic, rustic Italian food, and it’s all great value. In terms of starters, the star of the show is the tagliere 500 (serves two) – a wooden board heaped with a bounty of cold meats and olives, plus small portions of all the other starters. The pasta here is sublime, with light, springy gnocchi with fennel and sausage being a highlight, though heartier mains like slow cooked rabbit are perfect for cold winter nights. The extensive wine list is mostly Italian, and prices start at a very reasonable £13.