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Trullo
★ 4.0(1 review)Restaurant
rusticwarmlocal-favorite
About the Vibe
Tucked on a busy stretch of St. Paul's Road, Trullo feels like your friend's perfectly imperfect Italian kitchen—where the sourdough is proofed to golden perfection and the pasta is rolled minutes before service. You'll find no pretension here, just serious, seasonally-driven cooking that honors Italian tradition while letting London's best produce shine. The eight-hour beef shin ragu is the dish that keeps locals coming back, but don't sleep on the charcoal-grilled fish or the antipasti that actually taste like they were made with love (and not just from a jar).
Known For
- •handmade pasta rolled to order
- •eight-hour beef shin ragu
- •charcoal grill
- •Tim Siadatan's Italian-inspired cooking
Best For
date nightgroup dinnersweekend brunch
1 review
City InsidersEditorialMarch 30, 2026
Honest Italian in Highbury
Trullo has been a Highbury staple since 2010, and for good reason. The atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming—think scrubbed pine floors, simple furnishings, and the kind of warm buzz that comes from a kitchen that knows what it's doing. The menu changes daily based on what's fresh and in season, which keeps things exciting for regulars. The signature eight-hour beef shin ragu is worth the wait, and the handmade pasta is genuinely excellent. Service is friendly and knowledgeable, though on busy nights you might experience a slight delay with starters.
What sets Trullo apart is its commitment to quality ingredients and honest cooking. They source sustainably, understand their producers, and let the food speak for itself. The bread alone—served with estate olive oil—is enough to win you over. While some dishes might miss the mark occasionally (a recent review noted a disappointing monkfish carpaccio), the overall track record is strong. This is the kind of place where you'll find locals eating twice a week, and where the wine list is as thoughtful as the food.
If you're looking for a no-fuss Italian meal that feels both special and comfortable, Trullo delivers. It's not flashy, but it's consistently good, and that's rare in Islington.