Harden's survey result
Summary
This “neighbourhood gem” near Archway (named in tribute to the tiny Fiat 500) is a “truly brilliant family-run Italian” with an “ambience that takes you back in time”. Opened in 2007 by chef Mario Magli, it’s “still a go-to for a top-notch Italian meal”, with “imaginative food and the feeling that the owner really cares”. Its fan club is more-than-local, and numerous best meals of the year are reported here.
Summary
Near Archway, this “great little local” (named after the diminutive Fiat Cinquecento) is both “reliable and good value”. It may “feel a tad old school”, but chef-patron Mario Magli and his team serve up “wonderful food with love and enthusiasm”. (“I have had many meals here with friends and it has always been delightful and an example of how delicious Italian cooking can be”.)
Summary
“This gem of a restaurant” near Archway “doesn’t look like much – tables are too close and it can be noisy” – but don’t be put off: you’ll find “excellent, inventive Italian food” and “always great service – I travel across London for a meal here”. Milanese-born chef-patron Mario Mugli named it after the small but perfectly formed Fiat Cinquecento.
Summary
This “proper neighbourhood gem” near Archway “fully deserves its loyal following” for the “exceptional Italian food and wonderful service” it provides. Inspired by the diminutive Fiat Cinquecento, it was founded 15 years ago by Milanese-born chef Mario Magli, who previously worked under Jamie Oliver’s mentor, Gennaro Contaldo.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at 500?
782 Holloway Rd, London, N19 3JH
Restaurant details
500 Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Everyone should have a local Italian restaurant like this. The cicchetti are fantastic value: Sardinian percorino with honey and Sardinian salami are delicious and a snip at £5 each. For anti-pasta, the fritto misto of prawns and strips of courgette is a delight - the batter is light and crunchy, almost tempura-like. The Sarde en saor was equally good with a perfect sweet/sour balance. Pasta is always very good - this time I had tagliatelle with mixed fish ragu and rocket and walnut pesto. This dish is typical of the way 500 gives traditional Italian dishes a gentle twist. Rabbit is almost always on the menu in one form or another and not to be missed. This time it was as good as it sounds: slowly cooked in white wine with pine nuts, black olives and herbs, and served with delicious, fudgey sautéed potatoes. The all-Italian wine list is excellent and very well-priced - there are not many places in London where you have a choice of six white wines under £30 (though my advice is spend a bit more and get a bottle of Sardinian vermintino)."
"Lovely neighbourhood Italian. Interesting Sicilian food. Good fish."
"A good neighbourhood restaurant with friendly staff. Traditional trattoria dishes sometimes with a twist. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £21.80 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.30 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
782 Holloway Rd, London, N19 3JH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
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