Baracca in Islington

Delicious food and friendly staff, what more could you want?

This is a gem of an Italian restaurant hidden away in Whitecross Street, Clerkenwell.It is family run, and stays open pretty late, particularly handy if you've been to a show in the Barbican( only 5 minutes away), as I had been.A good test of a kitchen is how they manage veal-- not easy to serve up tender. But their veal in marsala- based sauce was perfect! However, you need to order side plates of veggies.There is no pizza oven, however.My starter of crispy melt-in-the-mouth whitebait was fine, and didn't add much to the bill.I will keep going back.

Really Really nice Carbonara, been here over 10 times now and superb every time. Staff are really nice and friendly and service is good. 5 years later and I can say it hasn't changed, still a great place to eat with great service and food.

Lovely meal before we see the show at the barbican. Makes a great change for us going out on a week night. We Hope to visit again. Xxxxx

I only recently discovered this restaurant, and have been there twice. The food is quite good. I live nearby and had intended going at least once a week. But tonight was a major disappointment - especially since on the last occasion I dined alone there I left a £5 tip in addition to the service charge on the bill, because I was only one 'cover' for them.I arrived and stood by a small table with two place settings, one either side. It took a little while for anyone to look after me, and just as they came up to where I was standing, a couple entered the restaurant behind me. The waitress (I think she is the wife of the owner) told me the restaurant was full, and then proceeded to give the table I was standing at to the couple who had come in after me.It's regrettable, but I will never again try to eat there and risk being treated so badly.

What a find. I loved the spaghetti vongole, decent house wine and good service. I can’t wait to go back.

Such delicious pasta! I had a take away order for lunch - was made fresh and to order - extra spicy and extra saucy! So happy to have discovered this place.

Lovely place. Don't be off-put by the overall look or you'll miss out. Small and family run. My meal was delicious and the staff were attentive without being disruptive. The spaghetti carbonara was exceptional.

No. Group of eight, many of us didn't even finish their meal. The bruschetta wasn't too bad, the calamari really enjoyable. The prosciutto on the other hand far too young. My pasta with tonno should be renamed to pasta aglio. How can you destroy food with that much garlic. Got the sirloin al pepe and the sauce seriously lacked substance, and the meat quality was poor. Apparently the scampi weren't cooked through, the lasagne was bad as well. The service was unresponsive and didn't pay attention. There are a few nice Italian restaurants in London, Zia Teresa comes to mind, but this isn't one of them. Seriously, even Ask Italian is much better.

A family-owned lovely place. Their carbonara is amazing! Full of foodie Japanese professionals working around there during lunch time.