Stringray Cafe

Stringray is our local and it's absolutely amazing value for money. You can have a couple of pizzas, a salad and a bottle of wine and escape for under £30.

Try the mexican pizza - its delicious, and the steak, chips & pepper sauce for £10.50 is the best value anywhere i've found in Islington. The food is basic - but very reliable.
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QZ - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 21, 2008

Stringrays is quite simply legendary. Why did you go to Stringrays for steak? Stick to the amazing value, vast portions of simply yummy Italian classics and you can't go wrong. Grumpy staff only add to the atmos. Then again, maybe you should continue with the crummy reviews so we can keep it the Highbury secret gem it is.
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Lucy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 08, 2008

I was living extremely close to Stringray until very recently and have been there numerous times as it is good value for money.

It is such as shame because, until about 18 months ago, the food was excellent - I'm not keen on pizza so I can't comment on these but the other options were great.

I don't know whether it changed hands or whether there is a new 'chef' but on the two last occasions I visited, I had to send my food back (moules mariniere because they were all bad except two or three and steak because I couldn't physically cut it because it was so tough).

I do love the restaurant for the atmosphere and value but I won't be making the trip from my new home. Were the food to its original standard, I would have made the effort.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Saturday, December 22, 2007

I agree with the previous review. Stringray is not wonderful but for the price it's nice enough. The two course menu is very good value - though the main course has to be pizza or pasta. Decor, ambiance, wine quality are all average, I have had a couple of not so good menu options there - the cod for instance, but generaly it's okay. My teenage children like it.
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claire richards
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Friday, September 08, 2006

This is a cheap and cheerful Italian. Actually, service can be rather uncheerful, but it is cheap, and the food is average. Pizzas are big and fine - but not great. Pasta is okay, but I agree about the frozen spinach, and I have nearly choked on large parsley stalk pieces and peppercorns in the food before! But hey, you don't go to Stringray for fantastic food - it's a good place for a large group of people, none of them willing to splurge large amounts of money, for lunch or dinner. Service is competent, food is fine, and the bill is low. Don't knock it.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 27, 2006

This is my local restaurant and it is great. I have been there with my family countless times and we have never had a bad meal yet, quite the contrary, we have always been very satisifed. It is not haute cuisine, nor does it claim to be. It has a varied menu and offers exceptional value for money especially when the special offers are on! The staff have always been friendly, the service prompt and the atmosphere warm. New Year's Eve was full and yet service was still great and free champagne! All 2 mins walk from my home, what more could I want! I dine out both home and abroad frequently and consider myself lucky to live near Stringray.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 30, 2006

Despite the unfortunate frozen spinach - I think the post below is a bit harsh, and off the point. I've been to Stringray a few times having recently moved to Highbury and always found it fine. It doesn't claim, or come across as a 'nice little Italian' - and certainly doesn't come across as 'authentic'. It is meant to be cheap and cheerful cafe/restaurant- pizza, pasta and other Mediterrean style dishes. Pizzas are huge - and yes, not remarkable, but can you really expect 'remarkable' when you are paying £6 ?? Service can be a little slow at times true, but if you are looking for a cheap bite, then it really does hit the spot. If you want something more authentically 'Italian' you need to look elsehwere like San Daniele Del Friuli down the road.
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Jack
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 19, 2006

What a terrible restaurant! Having just moved into the area we tried Stringray and it is quite possibly the worst italian that I have tried. The pizzas are unremarkable (large but unremarkable) and the pasta was made with frozen spinach that had not been mixed into the ricotta and it was like eating - well frozen spinach. The staff were surly and took a while to come and take our order - despite the restaurant being fairly quiet. Possible the worst thing about this restaurant is that they have an electric pepper grinder which is not really what you expect from an italian restaurant. Shame as the menu looks quite good, it's a cosy restaurant but it just doesn't meet expectations of what looks to be a nice local italian.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Thursday, January 05, 2006

I love this restaurant. It's great value for money, a real family atmosphere and the food is to die for. This is definately one of my top five restaurants. Highly recommend it!!
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Tuesday, November 15, 2005