500 Restaurant

Great little restaurant. I am new in the area and tried it on a Saturday lunch. The tagliere 500 is just amazing. So much food to share for two people for just below £12. It was in it some fresh raw artichokes... just delicious, i am from south Italy where we do eat lots of artichokes... I was taken back home with that artichoke. WOW. I then had the sole that was on their special. That sole was huge and succulent while my girlfriend had the rabbit. Both plates went back in the kitchen completely empty, a part from the bones! Well, can only be happy about the visit to 500 and looking forward to be back.

Awful restaurant and it is somewhat strange that it was rewarded so many stars in the Times Out. Rude service, ingredient far from fresh and local and poor standard of cooking. If you are after really authentic Italian food in a more charming ambience there are so many lovely places in nearby Soho.

I live in Archway and wish I could be more positive about this place, but I've been 3 times in 2 years and it's never lived up to other reviews. I'm very partial to rabbit, so had it on 2 visits (the menu changes surprisingly little) - the first time it was passable (not amazing) the second time tough as old boots. And sweet - why do people put sugar in savory dishes? Smacks of bad cooking to me. And it's overpriced - rabbit is pretty cheap meat! If you want a good local Italian, go to Pane Vino in Kentish Town - way better than 500. In Archway, so far the best places are The Sitara Indian next door to 500 (freshly cooked food, not packet-sauce based as in many Indian restaurants) or Harman over the road. I would like to say St John, as the menu is really interesting, but it's a bit pricy and all the food is far too salty.

I live around the corner and have been a fan for several years. It's the best italian restaurant I know by a very long way. The menu is short but full of seasonal wonders, especially if you order the pasta or risotto which is always beautiful. In fact it's worth going for the basket of bread alone. Order the Sardinian Ravioli and the olives as an appetiser, I recommend the starter plate if there's a few of you and then go large on a main of pasta. All I can say is just go. Really.

I am not sure the review below is talking about 500. I have been more than twice to 500 and food is the complete opposite of "disappointing" as well as the complete opposite of "overpriced"! If i want fine dining woudn't go to 500 but central london where i'll spend at least double what i would spend there. Don't bother about these reviews guys, you're going great. I love your food and will come again and again.

I can't understand the ratings for this restuarant, they were so glowing that despite my better judgement I visited twice - putting the first disappointing visit down to a one off poor evening. For what it is the food is disappointing... it is overpriced, crudely plated blandly flavoured and swimming in oil - it is trying to be fine dining but unfortunately lacks the finess. Pizza Papagone in Stroud Green is much better value for money and taste.

This is the best Italian restaurant i have ever visited. The food, service and atmosphere was delightful. I would strongly recommend it and now i will go for every occassion. Please don't let the area put you off once you are inside you forget where you are.

Had to try it. I have to say that i am very happy i did. Menu isn't huge which means all fresh ingredients. Food is lovely. service is relaxed but attentive. The area isn't really attractive but once inside you really feel like you ar ein an Italian restaurant! Packed of people, nice smell of food. Really worth the travel. Will get there back as soon as i can.

I'm surprised at the good ratings this restaurant gets. A very limited and unimaginative menu, and a sparse, charmless room with tables packed too closely together. We asked the waiter to suggest a wine to go with our meal and what we were presented with tasted like water. Having said all that there is a great dessert menu though and very friendly, engaging waitress.

500 was a great surprise - a really fine restaurant with good service on the Holloway road. I know the location will put off many people which is a great pity as the food is by far the best in the whole of this part of North London, Highgate included. I thought the food was close to Michelin star quality at a totally reasonable price and the wine list, although rather small, was interesting and well priced.