Excellent Indian restaurant with a mainly local clientele hidden away on Cross St in Islington between the A1 & A104. Food was great & service (late on a Friday evening) was attentive, The ambiance was modern (less ornate than many similar restaurants). They have recently expanded from 45 to 95 seats - presumably an indication of their success. Meal for 3, with wine, came to £99. read more

Disappointing experience. I've become a big Indian food fan, so I was excited to run across this spot in the neighborhood. Atmosphere- the place could use some work. The menus weren't cleaned, they were torn and literally had sharpie hand written over things that are out. Just reprint new menus. Service- there is a younger guy that's in there that is very nice. The older guy with the mustache, not so much. He was huffy and rushed us and didn't answer our questions about the menu. It's a huge menu and we didn't understand some of the items. We just randomly ordered a few things because he made us so uncomfortable. Food- the paneer and spinach croquettes were tasty but could have used some salt. The chicken biryani was so damn hot. We asked him in advance how spicy it was and he gave us a noncommittal not too spicy and well it was. We had to order another raita just to eat it. The daal was interesting. It had too many vegetables for my taste. The man brought out a dish we had not ordered on accident. Because we had no explanation of the items we didn't even realize it. We were mid dishing it out when he came over and asked if we wanted to keep it since we didn't order it and then ended up just grabbing it since we didn't order it. Weird and bad service. read more

They brought me the wrong (less expensive) dish and charged me the higher price. When I asked for the check, one of the waiters practically threw the plastic with the check on the table. The waitstaff is all smiles, but they don't seem reliable or trustworthy. read more

Zaffrani is a hidden gem just off Upper Street that always hits the spot. I wouldn't feel out of place wearing a dress or my jeans. The white tablecloths make it nice enough for a date night and seeing locals come in and being surprised to see someone they know already seated gives it a certain warm chumminess. For about £55 (gratuity not included), two of us shared a huge starter (bazaar ki bajias), two mains (laal mirchi murgh & laal maas), saag malai paneer, nan & raita on the side as well as a bottle of white. A friendly place with yummy food. What's not to love? read more

This might be daring statement, but I believe this is the best Indian restaurant in town! Well, at least for me it is... I love this place so much! The service is superb, everything is super clean and so beautifully almost pampered.. You really can see how at Zaffrani's take so much attention to provide genuinely impeccable service. Food wise, it has always been AWESOME!!! I mean, there is a choice from good old beloved 'plain Jane' menu and some regional picks. The portions are smaller and organised almost as an Indian tapas place. The food is so tasty and I have to praise the coconut naan.. The best thing, I've ever tasted from Indian cuisine.. Wine selection is pretty good as well!! read more

Best Indian restaurant I've been to in ages. We were warmly welcomed on entry and shown to our table in a relaxed yet smart restaurant. Straight away you get a sense that this place is going to deliver, it has that laid back confidence. Vegetarian mixed starters arrived, a mix of pakoras and almost tempura like vegetables, crisp textures and spices. The menu consists of classics plus regional specialities plus a good range of vegetarian options. Everything we ordered was excellent and well presented. Highlights included a lamb dish marinated in red wine with a sour cream and ginger sauce. Subtle and tender. Great bhindi dopiaza side dish and pilau rice packed with vegetables steamed in the rice. A good spicy chicken jalfrezi. Flavours well balanced and a notable lack of oiliness. Friendly and efficient staff and relaxed ambience overall. Good value given the high standard, definitely top notch. Looking forward to going back. read more

This is a great Indian restaurant just off Upper Street in Islington. They come 'under fine dining' but I think their food costs less than some of London's other 'fine dining' restaurants. Food is fabulous, they even have a beef curry on their menu. Everything is fresh, tasty and great value for money. They have some dishes that you would not see in the usual curry houses. Staff are friendly, atmosphere is relaxing and the drinks menu is good too. It is a great spot for locals ( I have seen Paul Whitehouse eating here - from Harry & Paul fame and also the same people on a number of occasions. I really recommend this place, if you like great Indian food - even if you are not in the area, it's worth a visit. read more

Yeesh - really bad experience here last night. Our dinner location of choice turned out to have made a mistake - ok no biggie. We have been meaning to come to this place and I called them to ask if they would have a table for three in ten minutes. I was assured this was no problem. Then we arrived. By 'we', I mean myself, my mother (not elderly but not someone I would impulsively NOT offer a seat to), my wife and our newborn. When we arrived the host seemed to be completely unaware he had just gotten off the phone with me and agreed to have a table. However, no biggie - there are two tables open. They are clearly reserved but he appeared to think another table was about to leave. Two things were really, really wrong with this: 1. If they are leaving so soon, then offer us one of the other two four tops that are presently open - that way, should the other people arrive, they can take that table when it clears. Further, do NOT leave a woman with a newborn standing at the front of your restaurant where there is barely any space. 2. If a table is paying their bill but still has practically full wine glasses, get a f*cking clue - they are NOT leaving yet. Do you even work in the restaurant industry you imbecile? It was kind of surprising - just pure, unbridled idiocy. We left. Went to Gallipoli where the service and the food was spectacular. Hope this place gets their act together. My immediate thought with people that dumb is, I'm not ever going to sit down in their restaurant and place my time and trust in their hands. read more

Definitely the best Indian in/around Upper Street. I'm not the best person to rate Indian restaurants as I don't like very spicy food, but that does mean that I often eat dishes which are a bit more subtle which don't respond to the approach of sticking in enough chillies and hoping that no-one notices... Zaffrani's milder dishes are not bland at all, they're subtly spiced and don't make you feel like you're eating a warm yoghurt while everyone around you is having spicy fun. I'm a particular fan of the biryanis which come in either mild or spicy varieties of chicken or lamb which is a really tasty, interesting meal with great veg curry sauce. My friends who eat the hotter stuff also love the place and comment that the you taste flavours and not just red sauce... Service is friendly and efficient, the place is packed quite tightly but never gets too loud or feels cramped... I've eaten here a lot and will continue to do so! read more

Very delicious food. Nice decor. Good value for money as well. Wine a bit on the expensive side. read more

I had a lovely evening at this restaurant, it just had that special something that gives a place the hard to get fifth star. Whenever I walk past it, the customers seem satisfied, it has I lovely atmosphere and my own visit to here as a customer was the same. The waiting staff are nice and friendly, proper professionals, more experienced than your standard waiting staff, proud of doing a good job at a genuinly good restaurant and maybe their genuine talent is what makes it work. The decor is nice, food is made from quality ingredients, with good recipes and well presented. The wine was also a very good choice with a good body and flavour for the price. A good choice for a local higher end mid range restaurant, which is probably how it stays quite busy without a noticeable high street location. read more

Just finished my dinner and the food was good. However, the service was weird. The older guy was fine and friendly but the two younger guys hovered over the entire dining room paying more attention to each other rather than the tables. Took me more than ten minutes to get a second beer. If the older guy hadn't walked by I would still be waiting to order another beer. There were only two other table with people at them. When they weren't hovering and staring at each other in the dining room they were off in the kitchen area talking and laughing loudly. After my meal one of the younger guys actually asked me for a tip. I looked at him and said no. He seemed surprised Very unprofessional staff. I will never visit again. read more

Yes. Yes Yes Yes. This is a great restaurant. The Indian food was delicious, fresh and tasty Nan bread. good rice and delicious entrees. If Indian food is always this good , then I might as well be Indian. Excellent, knowledgable wait staff and it was not too expensive. I'll go back, for sure! read more

Excellent food and excellent service. Best curry I've had to date. Would have given 5stars but for the fact it was a little cramped. Our table was almost touching the one next to us. Restaurant is very popular and not that big. read more

Hands down- The best indian restaurant in North London! Indian fine dining at its best! Book a table or be dissapointed read more

Outstanding - arguably my favourite Indian restaurant in London, and certainly top of my list for local spots in Islington. The whole menu is consistent and tasty - I've had delicious tandoori grills, curries, breads, and desserts (including a surprisingly tasty Mango Brulee at my last outing). Service is top-notch (waiter provided excellent recommendations for our meal, courses were well-spaced, everything was hot and well-presented) and the atmosphere is modern/sleek without being too formal. In short, a regular part of the neighbourhood meal rotation. I am a big fan. read more

I think that this place is fine, but it's not worth the price. The service was odd. Normally I don't harp on the service but it was so off putting that it really put a weird cast on our meal and I feel I should mention. We sat down and felt very rushed to order. Within 30 seconds of receiving the wine list we were asked what we'd like to drink. We asked for water and a few minutes to decide. We never got the water but about a minute later another server asked if we had decided. It felt like we were being rushed to order and not given enough time to review the extensive menu. There were only two of us and I'm pretty sure we ordered plenty - a bottle of wine, the most expensive appetizer, an entree plus rice and naan. When we were finished ordering, the waiter gave us a strange look so I asked if we hadn't ordered enough (it was possible that the dishes were small and it wouldn't be enough, though based on the prices, I didn't think that was so). And instead of answering me, he just turned and walked away. Moments later another man (I think the manager) told us that the policy on a Saturday night is that 2 entrees must be ordered. This information is not available on their menu, the front door, the window, was not given to us when we sat down, nor is it available on their website which is neither informational nor functional. I asked if we could order a vegetable dish and was told that I would need to order two vegetable dishes to count as an entree. I told myself that I'd be willing to forget all of this if the food arrived and it knocked my socks off. But honestly, I thought the food was just okay. The takeaway place I order from is much better. The lamb in the appetizer we ordered was tough and the chicken was dry. The chicken korma was really good but other than that, I wasn't so wowed that I was willing to forget the arbitrary 2 entree policy, the tough lamb, and the unpleasant service. read more

It is my favorite Indian Restaurant in town. Small, modern decorated and cosy corner place. I have been going there since they opened and never disappointed. Attandive service, reasonable price and lovely food. I will be back. read more

Best Indian in London! Nice atmosphere, decor, and service.

I love great Indian, and this place has it. It is delicious, a wonderful menu offering an array of starters and mains from many regions across India. My friend, who is a bit traditional and basic with her tastes, only likes Butter Chicken. Not only did she say it was the best she had had, but she even tried other dishes she's never had before. My only small criticism is I wish they had more interesting wine on offer, but otherwise I cannot fault this place. Love it, will go again, and recommend you do too. read more

Our friends who live in the Islington neighborhood recommended Zaffrani for dinner. It was definitely the best Indian food I've ever eaten. We started with wonderful vino verde and the bazaar ki bajias starter. It was wonderful. For dinner we ordered the raja jeenga masala, simla mirchi murgh, and punjabi saag paneer. The menu is huge, but the owner will make excellent suggestions if you ask. He recommended the raja jeenga masala & it was by far everyone's favorite dish. Also order the at least one tandoori nan. read more

So disappointing. We waited for 45 mn to have our starter , no nan, no water to make us wait and no apology for the delay! Rude service and staff to the point we were wondering what we did wrong ( maybe because we are foreigners?)Food is great, nans are excellent, what a pity!!! read more

Went for a meal with my wife on Sunday. Had a great evening. The food was very nice and the service was very good. The young waiter recommended a chicken dish and it was very tasty definitely going back. read more

Nice ambiance and service. OK Indian food - Cooked well but lacked any punch and flavor of good Indian food - too bland for me. Garlic Nan had not garlic flavor. Would not recommend if you don't like Indian food that is "toned down." Would not go back. read more

This gets five stars from me, as it is a pretty perfect neighbourhood Indian restaurant. The food is fresh, tasty, and lovely friendly service. I go regularly and have always had an excellent meal. read more

We live in Durham but visit our daughter in Islington often. All visits include a trip to this wonderful indian restaurant. The staff are lovely, the atmosphere is great and the food is superb. read more

we did not had a pleasant experience , the staf was not so kind to us and the food they reccomend was not the best !