Arancini Brothers Factory Café

Restaurants, Italian Camden Town
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
(31user reviews)
Arancini_JaelMarschneJPG.JPG
© Jael Marschner

Deep-fried risotto balls are the stars here, but breakfast, sandwiches and great coffee all play their part at this Kentish Town favourite.

What began as a market stall on Brick Lane has now turned into a small chain of venues serving up delightful balls of deep fried risotto rice – arancini. This Kentish Town residence was the first foray into the world of bricks and mortar for founders Dave and Dave, and it’s safe to say it’s more than a one hit wonder.

Rice is slowly cooked with herbs, onions and garlic and then bound together with a vegetable stock and a variety of flavours, like mozzarella, cheddar, parsley and lemon. It’s then rolled in to balls and fried in rice flour until crispy.

But that’s not all, there’s lamb wraps and burgers on the menu as well as salad boxes and stew pots up for grabs. The risotto balls themselves are wheat free and vegetarian. Furthermore, there’s good coffee and a selection of cakes if the mood takes you. Note there’s a little garden eating area at the back of the property.

 

 

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Arancini Brothers Factory Café says
G'day say the Arancini Brothers! London's favourite Australian-Italian Vegan street food concept.
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Posted:

Venue name: Arancini Brothers Factory Café
Address: 115 Kentish Town Road
London
NW1 8PB
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 8am-7pm; Thu-Fri 8am-9.30pm; Sat-Sun 9.30am-9.30pm
Transport: Tube: Kentish Town tube/rail
Price: Main courses £4-£7.95. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £16
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Average User Rating

4.4 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:20
  • 4 star:8
  • 3 star:0
  • 2 star:2
  • 1 star:1
LiveReviews|31
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tastemaker

I've been trying to write a review for the Old Street branch and after failing miserably to add it to TimeOut, decided that this great review could wait no more, so here it is. Situated across the street from the infamous "Look mum no Hands" cafe, we had heard a lot about the Arancini Brothers. In my head, it was a sit down restaurant, but once we got there, it looked more like a pick-and-go, which still didn't stop us from getting comfortable on one of the four tables inside. After trying our free samples, we settled for a wrap and a salad. The wrap was divine with hot sauce and raisins!?! and the salad was deliciously decadent and enough to fill us both up. It is incredible value for money and a must-try to give you new appreciation for the forgotten arancini!

tastemaker

Arancini Brothers started out as a Brick Lane market stall and now have a sweet little cafe in Kentish Town. Located about a ten minute walk from both Kentish Town and Camden Town stations, they serve up tasty arancini balls in different variations. The risotto balls, which form the base of each meal, are rice mixed with slow cooked onion, garlic and herbs and then different flavours are mixed through for example mozzarella or cheddar before being coated in rice flour and fried up! The balls are wheat free, veggie and they can cook vegan on request.

The cafe is modern and attractive and the staff are very friendly. We decided to try the Original Salad Box; with aubergine and mushrooms and of course arancini! The salad included crispy apple and chickpeas and tasted fresh and very yummy! The arancini balls were flavoursome and the accompanying chutneys (tomato, roasted pepper and caramelised onion) were the perfect combination. We also tried the Classic Wrap which was really tasty and had just the right amount of fillings (including arancini balls”). Of course we had some fries on the side, they were crispy and coated in paprika and a nice big portion. I also tried the iced mocha which was great; it packed a big chocolately coffee punch!The arancini was really tasty and worked well in the options we chose. The portions were filling and you can tell a lot of effort goes into presenting tasty and good looking meals for reasonable prices. You can also get risotto burgers and hot stews and extra portions of arancini if you’re feeling hungry! There’s the option to eat in or take away and they also have a big selection of very tempting cakes – including gluten free and vegan options!
tastemaker

It’s a very small place with a few tables and chairs and lacked atmosphere.The service was also very slack. My food took over 20 mins to turn up which was odd as the place was empty so why it took so long I don’t know. Also the staff even forgot a few items I ordered such as my can of coke which I paid for so I had to remind them.Food was ok but nothing that I would rush back for. I ordered some risotto balls and they were very dry and a bit too salty for my taste.


Been at the Kentish Town branch for the first time, was positive surprised. The waitresses were super friendly and even gave my friend and me a Risotto ball for trying as we never been to one of their restaurants before. At the end I had all 3 flavours of the Risotto balls, my favourites where definitely the Mushroom Zucchini Balls. They have Sweet potato and original as their other two flavours, both quite nice as well. We had two Burgers the Chimichurri one and the Vegan, I must say the Chimmichurri one was sadly really oily, so less is more with this, but flavour wise amazing. The vegan one, just perfect from texture and flavours, so defo worth a try and if I could this every day I would think about turning vegan. I like their simple interior design, could be on some bits a bit more cleaner tho. The range of spicy sauces on the tables are great, here as well I would be happy if they bottles would be cleaned every evening. So if you like good food but don't mind so much on a super fancy restaurant, this is your spot. 

Tastemaker

Service and atmosphere really let this place down. Combined with only mediocre food (too salty and greasy for me) means I probably won't bother returning even with 50% as a member of Time Out Black. For £5 (usually £10) I got their risotto burger and fries. The portion certainly was big and I couldn't finish it however the chips tasted like they were from Burger King and the risotto burger itself was SO salty. Alongside this there was a 20 minutes delay with no one else in the cafe, it was served luke warm and the waitresses were either rude or confused.

Tastemaker

I have not been here, but I have been to the Old Street branch a few times. I would really recommend the food here, it is great value for money and tasty! 


I love the chorizo wrap - it comes with arancini balls in it and is packed with the salad and veg of the day. Personally I hate the apple they put in their wraps, but since the first shock I have been asking for it without apple and I much prefer it!


The portion sizes are HUGE. In the wrap you get the balls, cooked chorizo, delicious garlic mayo, chutney and a tonne of veg/salad. The only problem is that it gets cold very quickly because of all the fresh cold food that goes in it, but its still great despite this!


I have bought the balls on their own, but I have to say I was slightly disappointed having them not in the wrap - they are slightly more stogy than I was expecting and not at all crispy, but maybe I just got a dud bunch.

Really nice place, with friendly staff and generous yummy portions!

tastemaker

I visited the Clerkenwell branch of Arancini brothers last weekend and was very impressed. I had a delicious salad bowl topped with their famous warm arancini balls. The restaurant was quiet, but the staff were incredibly helpful despite being pretty busy with takeout orders. The food is great value and even better with 50% off thanks to my timeout black card. I'll be back for lunch sometime. I'm keen to try out their burgers!

tastemaker

This is a great little place for lunch multiple times a week! The portions are filling and hearty as well as being delicious and they have great allergy options, the vegan arancini are really an achievement! I'd recommend everything on their menus, but their Hot Pots with rice, stew and arancini are particularly lovely at this time of the year. 

Tastemaker

I'm a big fan of arancini but had always just had it as a starter until I tried the arancini stew at this place! It's amazing and the perfect lunch for a cold winter's afternoon. Since then I have also been converted to arancini wraps, the chicken one is especially good...and it tastes even better now that I can get 50% off with my Time Out Black card ;)


Discovered this place for lunch the other day. Amazing food! Great staff and a lovely restaurant.


Friendliest place around. This cafe specialises in arancini balls any way you like. I love the variety and the fact that as a vegetarian, you are not an afterthought.

Tastemaker

I could honestly live on food from this place for the rest of my life. It really is to die for!! The hot stew box of the day is my usual go to, and at £5.50 for the box, it's a steal. I've tried a few of the wraps too, and would recommend those puppies as well. All the prices are deal reasonable, and you will not be disappointed by the taste and quality of this place!


Well, these guys know how to do arancini! Which is obviously no surprise. Try one of the stews too though - worth the trip alone. 

Tastemaker

All I can say is that Arancini brothers cheese burger is to die for! I could simply eat that all day everyday.

For a small branch in Camden, they were rather busy and my food took a while to come. But one bite of my burger and all was forgiven! Others say the risotto ball stews are amazing so try those if you please, but do remember my words- cheese burger!


Great coffee and really really wonderful arancini. Lovely place to sit and fantastic friendly staff


Ask for the breakfast that includes everything. It's a great deal!! I love this place and the desserts are like heaven. The people that work there are really nice and it's really pleasant. I love it ! ! !


I live locally and came here after reading the good review but was extremely disappointed! Spent just over 20 quid on a takeaway and food was average at best! One was very badly burnt I ended up throwing it away! There are so many better places to eat locally and this place won't be missed


This place is such a good find for Kentish Town. Super nice arancini balls - wrap, salads or boxes. The cakes are awesome and when I couldn't decide between two of them, the nice man gave me tastes of both. Lovely atmosphere and great coffee too.


Really enjoy here and regularly travel from South East London just for a bite then to look around Camden Town for a bit! Love their stews and such a nice homely feel here everyone is made to feel welcome


Amazing fresh and varied ingredients. I had the chicken wrap and it was probably the best wrap I've ever had! Great value too as it was a big portion. Definitely going back soon.


Amazing food! I love how fresh everything tastes and the coffee (made by a blonde girl) was the best coffee I've ever had in London. Give it a go! Friendly helpful staff and great food. You couldn't ask for more! I found out the opening times 8am-4pm weekdays 10am-5pm weekends


Fantastic local venue: great food, lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and most importantly, for me at least, a Flat White to make the Antipodes proud. Important to note, the Time Out review was carried out before the new weekend opening hours so now a fab choice on the weekend too.


Everything Arancini is fresh, seriously tasty and done with a warm smile. I love this place. The blondies are sublime, the coffee delcious, great for breakfast too. Great event caterers too.


Love it! My most recent visit was to shelter from the pouring rain and their amazing lamb and feta meatball stew with arancini warmed and cheered me. Really good value and I'm pretty sure they've started opening on weekends now too.


Absolutely love this place! A welcome addition to Kentish Town. The arancini are just perfect - a real comfort food. And the coffee deserves a special mention, by far the best cup for miles around. They do a mean carrot cake too :-)


Love this place, was there on the weekend for brunch, all I can say is yum yum yum.