Reviews Vivo

Came for breakfast around ten on a Saturday morning. Plenty of option regarding seating: out front, inside or on the roof terrace. I had the full English and my friend the eggs Benedict. Food was tasty but my coffee could’ve been hotter as I asked for extra hot. Would like to return for evening drinks.

Tasty and freshly made Italian food on the main road of Islington. Open front lets the air through on a summer day. A great place to meet with friends for a light bite and drinks. Rooftop is also available but can get a bit crowded. Pastas are deliciously authentic!

Everyone knows that dessert is the best ice-breaker. First of all, you're supposed to share. So... hello spoon action ;] Secondly, let's be real if you're talking about chocolate and cream, you're already flirting. Right, now all you need is a location.

Similar concept to princi in soho but bit smaller in size, less busy and the layout of food is better. I had the melanzane parmigiana which was very tasty while my boyfriend had the lasagna. I also tried the cannoli but I was but disappointed as it taste of cream cheese instead of ricotta cheese. I would love to go to the rooftop garden in the summer!

Islington isn’t exactly known for being void of great restaurants and cafes, and Angel in particular is the home of the yummy-mummy/ single young person scene. The area is a real mish-mash of middle class cultures, and thus from that lots of boutique eateries have popped up there over the last few years. When I moved to London four years ago we used Angel simply for it’s massive Sainsbury’s and Waitrose and a few clothing shops, but now it is a real destination for foodies.

Vivo is a refreshingly modern addition to the Angel food scene thanks to it’s simple interior design, glass frontage and 14ft long counter of delights. All the food is out on display which avoids the awkward “ooh I’m not sure if I will like that” that can come from overly wordy menus. In fact Vivo doesn’t have a menu at all, which saves on paper (yay for trees) but also visually entices diners to get stuck into as many dishes as possible. When we arrived brothers and co-owners Ben and Will talked us through this choice, explaining how they had seen this on their visits to Italy. With chunky Roman pieces at one end (seriously they were like foccacia with topping), stunning French patisserie style cakes in the middle, and a wealth of salads and hot dishes at the other we really were spoilt for choice.

You are also spoilt for choice when decided where to tuck into your food. Do you chose the seats outside the restaurant (perfect for afternoon coffee), the large communal benches in the middle (great for lunch time chats), or the heated terrace upstairs. We chose the terrace and started with drinks. As I have given up alcohol, we ordered two non-alcoholic cocktails and asked the barman to surprise us. We ended up with a citrusy sweet combination of orange, passion fruit, mango, strawberry and caramel topped with passion fruit seeds and ice. Who needs alcohol when you can get cocktails this good? 

The food, as a general, was good. Fresh, flavoursome and packed with different textures, I felt transported to Italy on that roof terrace. I find if the food manages to stop conversation for the right reasons, then it’s pretty good. Our deep chat about all things post-graduation and the ‘being an adult’ stuff was regularly interrupted by both of us exclaiming our love for each mouthful, which may explain why were were sat there for so long! My beef lasagne was lovingly layered with soft, slippery pasta, red wine rich beef, delicious umami packed tomato sauce and a creamy, comforting white sauce. Although the top was packed with cheese it was not at all greasy and brought a real crunch to each mouthful.

The salads were also fantastic and I would thoroughly recommend getting a mix of these for lunch if you’re in the area. My favourite was the endive, pomegranate and fresh mozzarella topped with a light olive oil. I saw fresh mozzarella on Saturday Kitchen several weeks ago and was really intrigued by its milky, soft texture. The salad at Vivo really lived up to my expectations and the cheese contrasted really well with the crunch of the endive and pop of the pomegranate. I also loved the mint rich panzella salad and the cucumber slices were to die for. I didn’t think much of the Caesar salad, but I am no fan of the dressing anyway so I guess that’s not much of a reflection!

Vivo opened this year on Islington Green and I have been a fan ever since. It successfully manages to incorporate both bar and restaurant, creating a chilled eating and drinking environment.
The interior is extremely modern, with sleek white walls and strips of stone behind the bar and serving area. Food, both hot and cold, is displayed along a glass counter next to the entrance. Food mainly seems to be pasta dishes and salads. I particularly love their salmon and black rice salad. I have also eaten their vegetarian lasagne which, against expectations, was rich and moist despite being served from the counter.

It's bar, which stands as the focal point at the back of the restaurant, serves a range of tasty cocktails and a glass of prosecco is a bargain at only £4. If you are a smoker there is also a great heated roof terrace, that mirrors the modern interior with its all wood decking.

If you haven't been to Vivo yet, why haven't you?! Great food, great service and a beautiful roof terrace which is a hidden gem in the centre of Angel in the summer. I'd also heavily recommend their martini and prosecco cocktails - the entire list is my favourite.
There's such a fantastic range of food and for your money, you really do get a lot. One of my favourites in Angel. A lovely addition to the area!

Nice rooftop terrace for a sunny day. The melon and Parma ham was great and they also have a nice selection of cocktails. Top service!

Italian bakery and restaurant Vivo brings a touch of Milanese chic to Islington with authentic regional food and slick, minimalist design.

Vivo is in good company with Upper Street’s Ottolenghi and Fig & Olive, but the all-day dining spot’s concept is quite different, taking inspiration from northern Italy’s high end pasticcerias and designer bakeries.

The stylishly presented salads, pizza al taglio, hearty mains and artisan cakes not only look tempting but are exceptionally tasty. Best of all, the relaxed, counter service concept makes it easy to choose as much or as little as you like, setting your own pace and sharing dishes.

To start, we ordered a slice of Pizza Bianco with Prosciutto, Scamorza, Potato and fresh Rosemary to share. The excellent pizza base had an airy, chewy texture and the toppings were authentic with bold flavours.

My only criticism is that the denser potato-filled pizza slices should be heated in the oven for longer, as it was a little cold in the middle.

I was immediately drawn to the colourful Pumpkin & Ricotta Salad (£4.80), which I was told is a best-seller at Vivo. Crisp lettuce, rocket and radicchio were mixed with chunks of soft, roasted pumpkin, just the right amount of high quality, creamy buffalo ricotta, large pieces of walnut and finished with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was a deliciously light yet indulgent salad that works well as a light bite or accompanying a slice of pizza.

This hidden Italian oasis has stunning interiors and one of the best kept hidden secret terraces in London! The staff are extremely friendly and a good selection of Italian eats from small salads to large pasta and pizza dishes. The food was amazing, check out the photos to see the quality. We were very impressed and eat out a lot! We stopped for drinks and a cake in the terrace and it was lovely. A bit pricey but that is reflected in the quality of the place.

I went here with my Italian friends who recommended it. The pizza was amazing!!! The tomato sauce made it incredible. We ordered the burratina and I think caprichosa. I liked the caprichosa best. The service is friendly and helpful. You have to sit and come to the counter to order. It has a terrace which would be lovely place for summer.

I visited on a Wednesday night for a quick bite to eat. The restaurant has a laid back ambience, and the waiters were all very attentive. I had a pot of tea and the vegan mushroom/lentil burger with courgette fries. Everything was delicious; the 'fries' were light and perfectly crispy, and the burger wasn't dry at all. I'd recommend everything :) the only drawback is the cocktails are a little pricey, but I think they have a happy hour.

Amazing for breakfast! I had the pancakes and they were so fluffy and yummy. The full breakfast was a really big portion and delicious. Would go back

Quick bite and yummy brunch. Reasonable price and the pina Coladas is goooood. I recommend checking it out.

Fast and friendly. Perfect for a quick bite as well. A bit expensive

I ended up having lunch in Vivo because the restaurant I was going to was closed on a Tuesday. It was a very pleasant surprise. Seating is more communal high tables and seats than luxury. Choice of food was limited but plenty for vegetarian or meat eaters. You made your selection at the counter and paid. The food was then brought to where you were sitting. We were there for a late lunch so had a whole table, about 12 seats, to ourselves but I could imagine at times you are sitting with strangers. This sort of arrangement is quite common at the cheaper end of the food market in London these days. No concern but don’t expect the sort of chat that I’ve come across in similar setups in Sydney or midwest USA. Food was certainly Italian influenced but quite eclectic with flat breads and middle eastern salads alongside the pasta. It was good to eat and not very expensive, though not quite at the ‘meal deal’ level. Still the decor was nice, if slightly dark, and welcoming enough. Staff were helpful so certainly a place I would visit again if I was in the areas. Overall a good lunch at a reasonable price in a place that was a cut above average.