Isarn

Sooo good! We went for a Saturday afternoon lunch and took in the lunch special. The food was delicious and a great deal. It even came with a slice of watermelon :) I have nothing bad to say about Isarn. The atmosphere was great — nice enough to feel like you’re out for a nice meal, but comfortable as well. The staff were even friendly. I don’t know why I haven’t been back yet. This place is GREAT!

Isarn has some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had — fresh, healthy, and never overcooked. I especially love their peanut-​laden pad thai. The atmosphere, both inside and in the outdoor courtyard (when the weather’s nice), is comfortable and quiet, and the staff is very friendly. I haven’t had a problem with slow service, as a couple of the reviews have mentioned, and really have no complaints at all.
In fact, my wife and I moved from Islington to San Francisco a few years ago and still reminisce about one of Isarn’s most remarkable features, the delectable item that is alone worth coming for: the warm raspberry and chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream. It is ecstasy in dessert form. When you go to Isarn, do not miss this. We’re moving back to London this summer, and Isarn will be the first stop on our list.

A group of us were looking for dinner in the area and I promptly Unilocal app-​ed our way to this place, starry-​eyed at all the positive reviews. Sadly the service was a real let down — whether it was a particularly busy Friday eve I’m not sure, but it took a while to even get menus let alone have our order taken. 45mins later, stomachs growling, we considered walking out but were assured our food was ‘on its way’. If that was true then the kitchen must have been a mile up the road by the time our food arrived!
By then I could have eaten the decorative banana leaves I was so hungry, but to their credit the food was tasty and flavourful, and it’s reasonably priced too. I really liked the look of the place and all the deep purples in the colour scheme — though the long narrow shape of the room is a little impractical so check for incoming traffic before deciding to pop to the loo.
Maybe we were just unlucky, but the staff seemed fairly uncaring at our long wait so sadly I wasn’t left feeling the warm and fuzzies for this place.

Absolutely fantastic food and service!
This Thai restaurant is easy to miss amongst all the quaint boutiques and restaurants lining Upper Street. But passing by would be a mistake! The store front is unassuming but the inside is quite spacious and nicely decorated. I consider the prices to be bargin considering the quality of the food and the environment.
I ordered the set lunch (Vegetable Green Curry) for 6.95 and the Pad Thai (with prawn and chives) for 9. Both dishes were flavorful– the curry had the right amount of spice and the Pad Thai struck the right balance between salty, sour, and sweet notes.
In truth, the food and décor warrant a solid 4-​star review. However, the excellent service earned Isarn another star.
There was an issue with my order due to miscommunications (as least partially my fault) where I was charged for 2 sets of the same dishes for both dine-​in and take out. Once I spoke with the manager/​owner, this issue was quickly resolved.
Tip–
For my fellow Americans, the Brits do takeout (or take-​away) a little differently, so always ask, don’t assume!

We ordered takeaway, so I can’t speak to the restaurant atmosphere. The staff was very pleasant over the phone though. We requested the curry to be spicy, and they definitely delivered on this front. Unfortunately, the papaya salad was disappointing. The very unripe papaya was immersed in more of a soup of dressing rather than being lightly dressed. This made it very salty and spicy, and impossible to finish. Feeling disappointed and still searching for great Thai in London.

The set lunch is a fantastic meal, and a great bargain. The veggie green curry was the highlight, it had great depth, and the spices were fresh like they’d been assembled that day. We got the calamari starter too, which was also excellent. The shrimp pad thai was very good, but not quite as good as the other two dishes, it was a little too sweet.

This is the second time i go to that restaurant. first time was great, the thai food was for real. but yesterday, they seemed to have replaced everybody, and worst of it, the cook who clearly was not thai. we had ginger duck and chilly beef stir fried, it did not taste thai at all. i did n feel all the spices and sweet sour taste i am expecting when i eat thai. the duck was supposed to be cooked with ginger, and they put the marinated ginger you can find in a sushi restaurant (what a shame!)
the cooking seemed to be rather low level chinese (same thick oyster based sauce).
a huge desapointment, as i clearly enjoyed that place the first time i ve been there.
i put 2 stars for the service that was not so bad

Unfortunately we didn’t discover this place until the end of our trip, so we didnt have the chance to try all the dishes on the menu we wanted to. The pad thai was perfect, the mango sticky rice abundant and delicious. The betel leaves with duck and pomelo drowned a bit in the amount of coconut, but was otherwise a great starter.
It was a bit disruptive having them come by and refill our water glasses all the time instead of just leaving a jug on the table.

Great service, nice romantic atmosphere. I didn’t get to try some of the dishes I wanted to, but what I had was more Chinese than Thai. That said, it was nice and I’d go there again.

Went here tonight looking for take out ended up sitting in the back outside. Lovely resturant with very attentive and friendly staff! We split papaya spring rolls and both had the pad thai. Great portions and tasty! It’s been a long time since having such a great service and food that’s worth every penny. Will defiantly be going back.

Short story: Prawn red curry with extra heat, do it. Gorgeous presentation, thick sauce mmmmm, the prawns don’t look like they’re enough but it’s actually quite filling (with an order of rice).
Long story: Going to try and avoid making this sound like Eat Pray Love, but my friend and I walked into Isarn absolutely a stressed hot messes and I, at least, walked out a new woman. Great service all through the restaurant — took their recommendations on the prawn curry and my friend who had something with aubergine (I think) also really enjoyed her meal. We went at night when it was dark out so there was perfect mood lighting — I would come back for a date night, for sure.

This is one of my favourite restaurants in London.
The service is excellent. You will instantly be greeted by all their staff as you enter the place. Whether you like your meat or are vegetarian, you will find something to suit your tastes in the menu.
We chose a selection of starters including the traditional chicken satay and nems with papayas. It was all delicious ! The mains didn’t disappoint either with a tasty seabass and a veggie pad thai.
If you are wandering around Angel and are looking for a nice Thai restaurant in the area, I would strongly recommend this place.

this is just one of my favourite restaurants in London! I don’t live in Islington anymore
but there is a Bikram Yoga place not far from here that I go to just to have an excuse to go here for dinner.
The service is super friendly the beer is cold and it is just has such a nice atmosphere in there.
My favourites on the menu are the spicy duck salad (crispy duck fresh chillies fresh salad an crunchy peanuts, is does tend to come quite spicy so if that is not your thing make sure to tell your waitress)
The spring roles are nice and the spicy and sour soup is one of my favourite lunch dishes when it starts to get cold out (if you are on a budget and want to pop in for lunch take the bento box !)
But my all time favourites are the duck curry and the prawn curry the prawns are crispy and and the sauces are just so moorish I cant just get enough of them ! If I wasn’t trying not to get fat I would probably order 3 portions of this and devour them all by myself.

After being seated, it took them ten minutes to give me water. I had to literally wave down a server to get served a beverage to quench my thirst after having walked a couple miles from my hotel. I ordered quite a few dishes: garlic prawns for app, and pineapple fried rice and a noodle dish (something like Pad kee mao — I uploaded pictures). The fried rice tasted old (like they made it two days ago) and the noodle dish was bland (and portion too small). The only good thing was probably the garlic fried prawns. I’ve certainly experienced better, but perhaps that’s because I live in LA next to Thai Town. When I come back to London next month, I won’t be considering Isarn. Btw, the service remained terrible for the remainder of the dinner service.

I gotta give it to Isarn for making pretty damn good Thai food. The atmosphere is lovely and although the food is catered more towards non-​Asians, that’s alright. I came here last night around 8:30PM and only about half the restaurant was filled up. After breezing through the menu, I decided on getting myself the Papaya Salad with Satay Chicken and the Pad Thai for my main.
First up to bat were appetizing prawn crackers and my friend and I nibbled on these until our starters came. He got the ¼ Crispy Duck while I had my Papaya Salad. Crispy duck was good, but not really one of my favorite things. The papaya salad was unlike any I’ve ever had before. The chunks of papaya were thick cut and the sauce it was in was thicker than what I was used to. I’ve also never had it with chicken before, it’s usually crab or no meat at all. Although it wasn’t the traditional type I’m used to, it had great flavor and a nice spicy kick to it. I actually really enjoyed it and as I’m typing this review up right now, my mouth is watering for it. I guess that’s saying something.
For my main, I got the beloved Pad Thai. So, I like to say that you can judge a restaurant based on the quality of its Pad Thai. It’s a very popular dish and if a restaurant can’t get this right, they’ve got themselves a problem. Isarn happened to make a fantastic Pad Thai. It was the right flavor and consistency and I may even go as far to say that it’s the best I’ve had in London. Isarn has passed the Pad Thai test.
My friend got the Cashew Chicken with Egg Fried Rice which was actually very good as well.
I’m glad I found a new place to get my Thai food fix here in London. It may not be entirely traditional, but the twist they add to traditional dishes is done well.

This is one of my favourite Thai restaurants in London. I love coming here in the summer, especially in the outdoor area they have in the back (which covers up like Wimbledon when it starts to rain :), you gotta love London).
Staff are super-​über friendly, with genuine smiles, and a desire to please. The food is very good, although some dishes are hit and miss. I always recommend the crispy duck in betel leaf, but lately, it’s been coming over loaded with shredded coconut, so it gets in the way of the tasty goodness that’s supposed to be inside.
Otherwise, the monk fish green curry is amaze balls, and that green curry sauce is addictive, I tend to finish it off my simply drinking it straight from the bowl. I know, I should watch my manners, but what the hell.
The chicken satay is ok, nothing to write home about, but it’s good, don’t get me wrong… I just think it’s a hard dish to mess up, and this one doesn’t distinguish itself from others I’ve had.
I do love the chicken green papaya salad… my wife thinks that they might be a bit too liberal using fish sauce in the dressing, but I love my green papaya salads hot, spicy, and pungent. So should you.
The surprise dish here is the char-​grilled pork with chilli, garlic and lime. This is a delectable dish, and will have you lick your plate, and fight for the last remaining piece. Perfectly grilled, super tasty, spicy, and highly addictive.
The baked seabass in thai herb is served wrapped in a banana leaf… and is so tender, flavourful, and aromatic that you’re nostrils will be flaring with orgasmic pleasure :) Highly recommended dish.
I’d avoid the sea bream… it sounds nice on the menu «sea bream with kaffir lime leaf and red curry», but the fish is too salty for my taste. I think it’s a personal thing, so don’t take my word for it… it all depends on how you roll with fish…
Wine-​wise… I highly recommend the 24£ Cote de Provence, marries well with most of the food, and is refreshing enough to cool you down on a hot summer night with hot thai food.
One of my favourite places on Upper St. I take everyone I know here. And so should you.

Happy to have found this place open during the long 4 day weekend. We got in half an hour before the lunch special was over which is usually between 12−3pm. At this time they serve set lunch almost like the japanese bento box. In my box, I had vegetable curry which came with 2 little apring rolls, jasmine rice and big chunk of watermelon. My husband on the other hand had the spicy quid, thom yom soup with mushroom, jasmine rice and the chunky sliced watermelon. I must say that both our dishes were spicy but delicious. The portioning was also generous for a mere £6.90 a set. My husband also had the blended watermelon juice, which he described as nice and refreshing to finish off the meal.
As for the décor, this place is clean and modernly embellished. Ohhh the thai/​zen music on the background lulls you through your meal.
Hands off to this place for the impeccable service from entry to exit. Just smiles all the way from all the staff.
Great place for sure. I cant wait to go back for more.

A more upmarket Thai restaurant on Upper St.
Long narrow interior that has been well designed with attractive low key lighting and cool décor.
In the summer there is a small garden space at the back that opens up.
Staff are very friendly impeccably presented and attentive. A smoothly running operation.
On several trips, food has been good but some dishes more successful than others. A slight absence of fresh herbs to balance the flavours perhaps.
The presentation is perfect however and pricing not too bad.
So 4 stars for excellent atmosphere and service and good food.

This is an excellent Thai restaurant with Thai hospitality.
It is amazing how they deal with this space… it is basically a one-​lane bowling alley, so once you get into your table if you are the unfortnate one on the inside there is no moving for you. And if you sit on the outside, please keep your chair in so others can pass by!
But on to the important stuff – the food. Delicious. We had a coconut and prawn steamed dumpling (although the sauce was a bit salty) and a salt and pepper squid salad. My only complaint is that there was no salad with the squid.
Had a nice duck curry and a delcious eggplant and chicken stir fry. Dessert – a chocoate mousse with orange compote.
Really tasty stuff! Wish they delivered.

Looking for a place to bring sexy back? Isarn is your upper street answer.
First off, the space is b-​e-​a-​utiful. Small, dark, sultry, and perfect for a date, Isarn is a dangerous blend of contemporary and traditional that would make it easy to fall in love with a cereal box if it were sitting across from you. (Granted I may have paid more attention to the tiny detailed butterfly hanging tea lights than I did my date.)
While I wouldn’t jump on a soap box proclaiming it the «best» Thai food in London — I will definitely put up a solid argument that it is some of the freshest and healthiest, which is far more commendable in my book. But will warn that the small prices accurately reflect the small portions, so don’t come with your full Thai-​patite, or you may be disappointed.
This ain’t yo mama’s Thai food… but it will forever be one of my top choices in London.