Frank's Canteen

Tucked between kebab shops, Franks’ simple, chic frontage screams at you to enter. Inside, there’s a cosy front-room feel to this daytime café, encouraged by genuinely welcoming staff. Come for great coffee, breakfast and brunch, from a menu featuring fry-up staples of bacon, sausages, beans and black pudding – plus the occasional globally inspired dish. Yes, we spotted sourdough, but there wasn’t an avocado in sight (though these are sometimes available). Nasi goreng with tender pulled pork (flavoured with soy and ginger), together with a glistening fried egg, put the sun into our Sunday. The oozing shakshuka is another favourite, served with tangy labneh, sunflower seeds, buckets of fresh coriander and chunky confit garlic bread. Plates cost around a tenner, but the warming bowls of home-cooked goodness keep you feeling full all day. Add the breakfast gelatos, staff that treat you like mates, and portions to make your grandma proud, and Franks has great claim to be Highbury’s prime brunch spot.

Just a short stroll along from Highbury Fields you will find Franks Canteen, an all-day dining spot that places an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. This petite cafe was opened up by former-wedding caterer, Paul Warburton, back in 2014. Initially open only in the daytime, Franks has since proved itself to be much more than just a breakfast spot. With a dinner menu designed by former Kudu chef, Eloise Dawes, Franks Canteen is serving up your morning bap, as well as inventive sharing dishes.

For breakfast, Franks delivers their interpretation of the classics, often with a slight twist. Think bacon baps, but with a smoked garlic chutney. You can expect the highest of quality in the most simple of dishes, even their eggs and toast are elevated, using Burford Brown eggs and St John sourdough. Or, if you want to start your day on a sweeter note, indulge in their croissant french toast, served with cinnamon sugar, mascarpone and maple syrup.

The lunch options change weekly, depending on what's in season. While the breakfast offerings veer more towards the classic, by lunch time you can expect to see flavours from various cuisines. From Monday to Thursday, Franks offers a prix fixe lunch deal, for £18 you can get one of their weekly specials along with a drink of your choice.

By the evening Franks is serving up a selection of modern European sharing plates, the menu highlights seasonal ingredients, often making the fresh produce the star of the show. Grilled nectarines are served with creamy stracciatella and topped with a maple vinaigrette, one of the vegetarian-friendly dishes.

If you were hoping for a wine to pair with your dinner, you’d be in luck. Not only does Franks double up as a wine bar, but on Wednesdays and Thursday's dinners are BYO wine with no corkage fee.