The Harbour

We really wanted to like this restaurant, but the service was the worst I've ever experienced. We waited 30 minutes for menus and an hour for our first course. When our waitress did come to our table, she was unfriendly and short.

The food was ok, however our side dishes arrived 10 mins after our main courses, and consisted of 3 boiled potatoes (1 of which was black).

When we opted not to pay the service charge and explained why, the waitress got abusive and suggested it was becuase we couldn't afford it. Needless to say, we won't be going back...
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Emmy
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Sunday, March 16, 2008

The best I can say about The Harbour was that it was very (very) average. If your wandering up Upper Street on a wet Saturday evening you could do worse than stumble in here. However, there are several other places that I would choose if I had the option.

I am a competent home cook and would certainly give this chef a run for his money. Food was, well, average. So average I havent the energy to even write about it.

Oh, and the 20 mins it took to get the bill almost saw me walk out. Indeed, I would have if it wasn’t for my girlfriend holding me back to avoid any potential embarrassment.

In conclusion, I wouldn’t hurry back.
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charlie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Sunday, January 13, 2008

I went to The Harbour 3 years ago and the food was excellent and reasonably priced.

I returned this summer with my family, hoping to experience the same quality, only to find myself bitterly disappointed. The food was inedible. As a fish restaurant, I was surprised to find that they had no idea how to cook fish. Everything was over cooked, greasy and seemed as though it had been re-heated from earlier.

The only pluses to The Harbour are that it provides high chair facilities for children and the staff are very polite.
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Jessica Mufazzil
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Saturday, December 08, 2007

This was one of the worst meals I have ever had the misfortune to eat. My steak was inedible, and my partner's meal similarly unrecognisable as the 'veal' it purported to be.

I've actually never felt the need to write a review before. But I have equally never had such an overpriced, unappetising, generally lamentable meal. And don't even get me started on the (also overpriced) wine.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Service is wonderful, though the sight of the restaurant manager making the waitresses work to 110% capacity by directing orders is not a pleasant sight. The food is good, and the environment is a bit bland. Not the place for a romantic evening, nor any special occasion. OK for an evening out.
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Travis - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Saturday, December 16, 2006

We have been to the Harbour in Islington many times and we have always found the food lovely and very reasonable. I have never had a bad meal here and we eat in many many different resturants. I admit it gets very busy there and sometimes it can be a little crazy but on the whole the staff are always so friendly and always welcome you personally when you come in, This resturant is always very very busy and I look forard to my next visit again shortly
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Jacquie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, December 07, 2006

Service was acceptable but the food was appalling; very very greasy. I will not go there again: price for two with wine £60 but for mouthfulls of fat not good value for money. Undercooked potatoes and overcooked mushed vegetables, if this is British cooking it is definately pre-war (the first).
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Peter Smith-Cullen
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Friday, December 01, 2006

I've been to the Harbour restaurant quite a few times over the past 3 years and have always had a great time, whether for a Sunday roast with my girlfriend or a night out with friends or family. The place is always packed on Sundays so come early or book in advance, though the staff are generally very accomadating if you haven't.

Admittedly the service can be patchy(though friendly), but I challenge anyone to find a better value for money restaurant in Islington - 3 couses with a glass of wine for under 11 quid!! The food is simple but tasty - the soups and roasts are always good. I and all my friends have always left happy and full.
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Hopey
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Saturday, October 14, 2006

Without a doubt the worst restaurant I have been to in London. The food was dreadful- my chicken chasseur was so tough it was inedible- but what struck us most of all was the absolutely APPALLING service. We were shown to our unprepared table forty-five minutes late, the waiters were glib and unhelpful and we asked for the bill three times over the space of an hour, to no avail. Eventually, after watching our waiter saunter over to a table full of single girls and forget our frequent requests for the bill for the third time, we left what we deemed to be the correct amount of money on the table and walked out.

I have lived in central London for five years and have never experienced service (and food) as dreadful as this. I would urge all to avoid this horrendous place.
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Harriet
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 23, 2006

We went back to the Harbour on Sat night around 9pm we had pre booked a table which was a good idea as they were really busy. As usual the food was lovely, I opted for a few different starters as my main meal and my partner went for the chicken princess in white wine sauce with vegtable rice.Both dishes were really lovely and with 3 glasses of house wine and a soft drink the bill was not too bad at 27.00. I really do like this resturant however there is one minor problem they do have quite a few stag and hen parties in the back part of the resturant so when booking make sure you check this out first , we were about to be seated next to a party on sat night but the waitress did a quick turn and seated us in the front arrea ( area), otherwise I think we would have gone some where else. As a foot note they do a set menu for around 11.00 ,3 courses and the selection is really good, this is also available on a weekend night.
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Jacquie
Monday, September 05, 2005