4.6
4.6
- 4.5Food
- 4.7Service
- 4.8Ambience
- 4.5Value
Noise • Energetic
The Old Queens Head
4.6 (482)
£25 and under
Gastro Pub
44 Essex Road, London, N1 8LN
Make a booking
The Old Queens Head
4.6
£25 and under
Gastro Pub
Islington
Make a booking
2 people
8 Nov 2026
10:00 pm
About this restaurant
- Neighbourhood gem
- Good for groups
- Lively
Additional information
- Dining styleCasual Dining
- Price£25 and under
- CuisinesGastro Pub
- Hours of OperationMon–Wed 4:00 pm–12:00 am Thu 12:00 pm–1:00 am Fri 12:00 pm–2:00 am Sat 12:00 pm–3:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–12:00 am
- Phone number
- Payment OptionsMastercard, Visa
- Dress codeCasual Dress
- Location
- AreaIslington
- Parking DetailsNone
- AdditionalBar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Wine
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Reviews
OpenTable reviews from verified diners
Reviews from people who have dined at The Old Queens Head.
Loved For
London
Best Service
London
Gastro Pub
North London
Best Service
North London
Best Ambience
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
482 Reviews
- S
Sarah
London1 review
4.0Dined 7 days ago
- Overall 4
- Food 3
- Service 4
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- K
Kate
Nottingham/Nottinghamshire1 review
5.0Dined 7 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- M
Michael
London3 reviews
5.0Dined 7 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- G
Graham
London3 reviews
5.0Dined 7 days ago
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- B
Bridget Coates
London17 reviews
5.0Dined on 18 October 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 3
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- E
Elle
Essex2 reviews
5.0Dined on 11 October 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 4
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- J
Jessie
London2 reviews
5.0Dined on 27 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- M
Mia
London1 review
5.0Dined on 27 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- O
Osei
London1 review
5.0Dined on 27 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- A
Anja
London1 review
5.0Dined on 20 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
Additional information
- Dining styleCasual Dining
- Price£25 and under
- CuisinesGastro Pub
- Hours of OperationMon–Wed 4:00 pm–12:00 am Thu 12:00 pm–1:00 am Fri 12:00 pm–2:00 am Sat 12:00 pm–3:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–12:00 am
- Phone number
- Payment OptionsMastercard, Visa
- Dress codeCasual Dress
- Location
- AreaIslington
- Parking DetailsNone
- AdditionalBar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, Wine
Featured in
2 October 2026
CODE Neighbourhoods: Highbury
The Old Queens Head is described as a beautiful old pub on Essex Road, with Hot Saint Pizza serving New York-style pizzas from its kitchen.
Published in CODE Hospitality
7 July 2026
The best pubs in Islington
London’s pub culture is the soul of the city—an inviting blend of history, hospitality, and seriously good food. And nowhere captures that spirit quite like Islington, home to some of the best pubs in London. From polished gastropubs serving elevated seasonal dishes to characterful neighbourhood locals perfect for a pint, the area offers unmatched variety for every occasion. Whether you’re planning a long, leisurely Sunday lunch, hunting down the best pub roast London has to offer, or simply searching for the best Islington pubs for group dining, this guide brings together the standout destinations that define modern British pub excellence. Expect exceptional pub food, warm interiors, generous Sunday roasts, and the kind of atmosphere that turns a casual meet-up into something memorable. Book your table on OpenTable and experience the very best of North London’s pub scene.
Published by OpenTable
23 April 2026
Hot Saint Pizza at The Old Queens Head - Review
The review finds Hot Saint Pizza’s pies satisfying, praising the crisp, lightly charred cheese pie and flavorful pepperoni. It notes that the pepperoni pie is a little floppy, but says the pizzas suit a casual pub visit.
Published in The Infatuation
17 February 2026
Top pizza chef brings New York-style pizza to the Old Queen’s Head
Tom Budakan, formerly of Dough Hands, has opened Hot Saint Pizza at the Islington pub, serving New York-style pizzas, pizza sandwiches and banana miso soft serve. The menu includes classics and inventive toppings such as Spicy Hawaiian and Vodka Pesto.
Published in Time Out Worldwide
9 February 2026
Tom Budakan to open Hot Saint Pizza at Islington’s The Old Queen’s Head
The Old Queen’s Head is launching Hot Saint Pizza, a New York-style pizza offering led by former Dough Hands chef Tom Budakan. It will serve pizzas, pizza sandwiches and banana miso soft serve.
Published in restaurantonline.co.uk
2 July 2024
Where To Go If You Want To Run Into Paul Mescal
The Islington late-night pub is described as a long-time spot for Paul Mescal sightings, with Negronis and decent burgers. The article says he may still frequent it after his time at the Almeida Theatre ended.
Published in The Infatuation
FAQs
Sunday, The Old Queens Head is especially celebrated for its Sunday roast, and the team takes bookings specifically for Sunday roasts.
Yes, The Old Queens Head offers outdoor seating: guests mention a pub garden and enjoying cocktails outside after a meal.
Yes, for Sunday roasts you can book online for parties up to six, and groups of 7+ should email bookings@theoldqueenshead.com; guests also report the team accommodating celebration notes and dietary/allergy needs when booked in advance.
Yes, The Old Queens Head's cosy upstairs dining rooms and attentive service make it a lovely choice for special evenings, with several guests celebrating anniversaries and being warmly looked after.
Guests regularly describe the portions as generous, Sunday roasts in particular are called big or huge, with many diners saying they left comfortably full.
Expect The Old Queens Head to be busiest for its popular Sunday roasts and on weekend club nights, the upstairs club room often fills up; arriving earlier (around 6pm) usually makes finding seats easier.
The Old Queens Head feels like a gorgeous, historic pub, stained glass, cosy upstairs rooms and carved fireplaces create a warm dining setting, while weekends bring a lively, DJ-driven club energy upstairs.
Guests describe The Old Queens Head as dog‑friendly, reviewers mention the garden and note "Dog friendly too."
Yes, families regularly visit for the Sunday roast, with reviewers mentioning children dining happily and generous portions that suit family visits.
For the classic visit, head to The Old Queens Head for Sunday lunch, reviewers repeatedly call it the perfect spot for the Sunday roast, and the pub even takes online bookings specifically for Sunday roasts; if you’re after cocktails, guests note Wednesday evenings for £6 cocktails.
How FAQ content is generated
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Make a booking
The Old Queens Head
4.6
£25 and under
Gastro Pub
Islington
Make a booking
2 people
8 Nov 2026
10:00 pm