Negroni At Polpo Smithfield - Islington

I am currently working my way through restaurant reviews and recently stumbled upon Herman ze German during a late evening out. This place had been on my must-try list for a while and I was almost embarrassed that I had not tried it sooner. It was only by chance that we came across it while looking for a place to eat after work in Farringdon - and there it was: Polpo!

Oh Polpo is a delightful little plate in a relaxed, cozy setting perfect for enjoying some amazing negronis - what's not to love? We wrapped up a lovely Friday evening here. It was my first visit to the Smithfield location, but the ambiance was inviting, comfortable, and the perfect way to unwind after a busy week.

This restaurant is a great small space to grab a relaxed meal. The ambiance is charming and cozy, with a gin bar on the ground floor for drinks before or after your meal. The service is friendly and quick. The wine list is somewhat uninspired, with no standout options. However, all of the dishes are consistently good. I highly recommend trying the crab linguine, arancini, and the classic meatballs. Overall, it's a great spot for a quick and affordable meal.

Polpo serves Italian tapas. it is about eating simple, good quality and sharing wein in a humble environment. After we last night friends after work in a busy pub of farringdon station (packed and we couldn't talk) we decided to look for somewhere – less rammed and loud – to eat. polpo on the cowcross street of smithfield market seemed calm and relaxing.

Walked past this restaurant on Thursday night with my boyfriend with the intention of going to another tapas restaurant down the road. We changed our minds when we saw the crowds spilling out of the restaurant and the incredible atmosphere. The setting is intimate and warm. The loud music playing in the background only enhances the experience. We shared the arancini, pizette with bresaola and rocket and the spicy pork and fennel meatballs. The highlight for me was definitely the meatballs I absolutely love the combination of pork and fennel. Highly recommended! Darren Grindlay