Nuala

Offering a fresh take on the traditional Irish pub, Nuala is the latest opening from Niall Davidson. Formerly a chef at both The Chiltern Firehouse and St John Bread & Wine, Davidson named this new casual take on bistro dining for his sister, and appointed from Fat Duck and Dinner by Heston alumnus Colin McSherry as head chef. 

Located just a stone's throw from the Old Street roundabout, Nuala is reinventing the old image of the sticky-floored Irish dive bar. The 75-cover restaurant serves a varied menu with dishes ranging from bone marrow doughnuts and cauldron soup to flamed clams and cider and rotisserie goose with greengage chutney and barley pancakes. 

Set over two floors, the ground floor consists of the main dining area, including fire pit centrepiece, while downstairs lives Nuala Bar; a place for cocktails and the what just might be the best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland. The cocktail list comes courtesy of head bartender Lauren Taylor, formerly of Hawksmoor Spitalfields, who has compiled a selection of whiskey-based cocktails and punches with a serious kick to them. Meanwhile, sommelier Honey Spencer has curated a mean list of biodynamic and natural wines.