Gem Restaurant is a lively Mediterranean restaurant at 265 Upper Street in Islington, serving Turkish, Kurdish and Greek food close to Angel and Highbury and Islington. Fresh ingredients, charcoal cooking and generous sharing plates shape the experience, while brunch, live music and private events give the venue a broader social character.
Cold meze includes hummus, tabule, tzatziki, smoked aubergine, taramasalata and giant beans, creating a colourful spread with bread and olives. Warm plates such as falafel, grilled halloumi, sucuk, borek and padron peppers add crisp and savoury contrasts, making the starters especially well suited to a group meal.
Charcoal grilled choices include chicken shish, chicken wings, lamb shish, lamb chops, Adana kebab and mixed barbecue platters. Calamari, sea bass and sea bream provide seafood alternatives, while salads, rice and vegetables bring freshness and balance to the deeper smoke and spice of the grill.
Traditional dishes such as manti dumplings and moussaka extend the menu beyond meze and kebabs, with vegetarian choices available across several sections. Baklava, rice pudding and cheesecake offer contrasting finishes, and the drinks, brunch and entertainment programmes make Gem suitable for both a straightforward meal and a longer celebration.
Address: 265 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2UQ, United Kingdom
Most loved here
Based on diner reviews and ratings
- Gem Platters Mixed Meze Platter £46.95
- House Specialities Lamb Shish £21.45
- Gem Platters Meat Platter £58.95
- Cold Mezes Hummus £5.95
- Cold Mezes Calamari Fritti £8.95
Gem Restaurant Menu
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Cold Mezes
Hummus Loved
Hummus served with pitta bread.
Minty Minty
Mint, dill, cucumber and light garlic yoghurt mixers. Served with pitta bread
Raki Cheese
Turkish white Ezine cheese, oregano, pepper powder & olive oil….
Atomic
Strained yoghurt, dried cayenne pepper & butter.
Carrot Taratore
Carrot, suzme yoghurt, garlic, mayonnaise, garlic and olive oil….
Tabbouleh
Finely chopped parsley, fresh mint, spring onions & tomatoes mixed with cracked wheat.
Patlican Soslu
Aubergine, potato, pepper, light garlic with tomato sauce….
Pepper Borani
Green pepper, suzme yoghurt, garlic, oregano and olive oil.
Feta Cheese Salad
Tomato, parsley, cucumber, green pepper and feta cheese….
Borek
Stone oven baked, handmade filo pastry filled with feta cheese & side salad.
Hummus Kavurma
Hummus, pan fried diced lamb on top served with pitta bread.
Calamari Fritti Loved
Fried calamari served with mixed salad & tartar sauce….
Boards
Veggies
Nocellara Green olives, Hummus, Minty Minty, Z.Y. Fasulye, Falafel Padron Pepper and Pitta Bread.
Coldies
Black Olives, Atomic, Carrot Taratore, Hummus, Pepper Borani, Baba Ganoush and Pitta Bread.
Hotties
Grilled Halloumi, Grilled Mushroom and Cheese, Grilled Sucuk, Calamari Fritti, Falafel and Pitta Bread….
House Specialities
Grilled Veggie Mix
Charcoal grilled onion, garlic, kapya pepper, charleston peppe, tomato served with pitta bread and herbal buttered yoghurt.
Gem Burger
Handmade Irish lamb pate, sucuk, cheddar cheese, pickles, tomato served with steak cut chips….
Beyti
(Chicken or Lamb) – Skewered blend of kofte fused with onion, parsley & garlic. red peppers, and mixed spices, wrapped in tortilla bread and topped with a tomato halep sauce.
Lamb Shish Loved
Marinated lamb shish served with rice and side salad.
Lamb Pirzola
Marinated lamb on the bone served with rice and salad.
Gem Platters
Meat Platter Loved
Adana – Lamb Shish – Lamb Ribs – Lamb Pirzola – Chicken Shish – Chicken Wings with Rice & Salad.
Fish Platter
Swordfish – Sea Bream – Grilled Octopus – Tuna – Mackerel Fillet Served with Roquette Salad….
Mixed Meze Platter Loved
Borek – Falafel – Hummus – Minty Minty – Atom – Aubergine Herse Raki cheese – Melon – Calamari – Halloumi Cheese – Medi-Kofte, Chicken Cubes, Chicken Wings & Freshly Baked Bread….
Salads
Greek Salad
Tomato, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, olives, oregano and olive oil.
Chicken & Avocado Salad
Charcoal grilled chicken breast cubes, avocado, tomato, mixed leaves, cucumbers red onions, lemon juice with extra virgin olive oil.
Sides
Bread
Rice
Greek Yoghurt
Pan Fried Vegetables
Steak Cut Chips
Sweet Potato Fries
Baby Potatoes
Grilled Asparagus
Mashed Potatoes
Side Salad
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