The Barnsbury
209-211 Liverpool Road, London N1, 020-7607 5519

Ticks all the gastropub boxes: stripped floors, eclectic furniture, shabbily sophisticated crowd. The kitchen knows its stuff. Gazpacho was vibrant orange, like an Iberian afternoon. For main, three slabs of pink grilled lamb sat on a heap of garlicky French beans. Raspberry ripple cheesecake was a triumph. The wine is fairly priced, and the range of real ales balances the gastro and pub aspects of a first-rate establishment.
Stuart Hulme
London N5

The Junction
101 Fortess Road, London NW5, 020-7485 9400

Twenty-five years ago, it was full of men who matched the carpet, fraying and beer-stained. Now it's my first port of call for a meal out. You can satisfy everyone. A vegan friend squealed when she saw more than two things she could eat. My partner is happy with steak and chips. And us middle-of-the-roaders are catered for, too. Go. Actually, don't. It's already too popular.
Clair Chapwell
London NW5

The Drapers Arms
44 Barnsbury Street, London N1, 020-7619 0348

A week after our second baby was due, we'd been at the hospital to ask when they wanted us to come back. Instead of going back to work, we went to the Drapers Arms. What a good decision that was. First almonds and a cold beer, then for her a pink steak and for me a medley of Spanish sausages with sautéed potatoes. We sat smiling at each other, enjoying everything - and imagining what would happen when our child arrived.
Jeremy Ettinghausen
London N7

The Lord Palmerston
33 Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5, 020-7485 1578

This was a gastropub before the term was invented. Simple, seasonal food, and quality wine and beer. Modest starters (carrot soup, £3.50) lead on to a good range of mains - pan-fried monkfish with spinach, potato cake and a crevette bisque sauce (£12) is well judged. Ginger crème brûlée (£3.50) rounds off a satisfying meal.
Sarah Mitchell
London N6

St John's
19 Junction Road, London N19, 020-7272 1587

The predominantly modern British menu changes often, with around eight starters (£4-£7) and eight mains (£10-£15). It is in the details that it excels: a starter of scallops with bacon is lifted above the ordinary by the addition of squash purée; beef tagine has a deep, tangy, prune-based sauce. The wine list is interesting and well priced, the service friendly.
Stuart Brand
London N19

Maid of Muswell
121 Alexandra Park Road, London N10, 020-8365 4851

A hybrid of eccentric aunt's lounge and art deco furniture showroom, the Maid is just the right side of kitsch. Feta and roasted peppers made for a graceful start, then it was on to BBQ piri-piri lamb with aromatic couscous washed down by a glass of Leffe. Chocolate puddle pudding won for dessert. With music you'll want on your iPod, too, the Maid hits all the right notes.
Barry Gibb
London N10

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