Lucky Skewers

Lucky Skewers is a compact, buzzing Chinese restaurant on Penton Street in Angel, recommended by Time Out as one of Islington's best for in-the-know locals. Time Out describes it as "shoulder to shoulder with Angel's legendary Lexington pub" and "a dinky but delightful Chinese restaurant" where "tried-and-tested UK-Chinese classics like sweet and sour dishes and cumin lamb are cooked and seasoned extremely well -- casual food prepared by people that care about what they're serving." The air-fried green beans with minced pork and the gong bao chicken are particularly praised: "compact, charming and highly addictive." Tripadvisor rates it 4.9 out of 5 -- one of the highest-rated Chinese restaurants in North London.

The restaurant specialises in authentic Chinese grilled skewers -- 上上签 (Lucky Skewers) in Chinese -- with lamb, beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian options cooked to order over an open flame. The broader menu covers dim sum (steamed prawn dumplings, xiao long bao soup dumplings), soups, noodle dishes, dumplings and classic Chinese dishes. Conveniently located near both Angel tube station and King's Cross. Website: luckyskewerslondon.co.uk.