Gem Restaurant Menu
Welcome to Gem Restaurant, a culinary treasure located in the heart of Islington, London. Nestled at 265 Upper St, this family-run establishment excels in serving delightful Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on authenticity and flavor. The menu features an array of dishes, from charcoal-grilled kebabs to vibrant mezes, all accompanied by freshly made pita bread.
What sets Gem apart is not only its delectable offerings but also its warm, welcoming service. Diners often rave about the attentive staff who treat guests like family. The lively atmosphere is enhanced by unique experiences such as the downstairs venue, "Hidden Gem," which hosts live entertainment including belly dancing and DJ nights.
- Must-Try Dishes: The tender lamb shank and flavorful adana are favorites among regulars.
- Brunch Delight: Don't miss the popular bottomless brunches featuring a variety of dishes.
Whether you're a local or a visitor, Gem Restaurant promises a memorable dining experience that truly lives up to its name.
COLD MEZES
Black Olives
Mediterranean Black Olives, oregano, paprika & olive oil.
Nocellara Olives
Italian Green Olives, oregano and olive oil.
Pepper Dolma
Stuffed pepper, rice, pine nut kernels, cinnamon & olive oil. on a bed of light garlic yoghurt.
Hummus
Hummus served with pitta bread.
Minty Minty
Mint, dill, cucumber and light garlic yoghurt mixers served with pitta bread.
Raki Cheese
Turkish White Ezine Cheese, Oregano, Pepper Powder & Olive Oil.
Atomic
Strained yoghurt, dried cayenne pepper & butter.
Carrot Taratore
Carrot, suzme yoghurt, garlic, mayonnaise, garlic & olive oil.
Patlican Soslu
Aubergine, potato, pepper, light garlic with tomato sauce & olive oil.
Tabbouleh
Finely chopped parsley, fresh mint, spring onions & tomatoes mixed with cracked wheat.
Pepper Borani
Green pepper, suzme yoghurt, garlic, oregano and olive oil.
Feta Cheese Salad
Tomato, parsley, cucumber, green pepper and feta cheese.
Tarama Salad
Smoked cod roe with olive oil & fresh lemon juice served with toasted pita bread.
Z.Y. Fasulye
Fresh green beans, tomato, light garlic, onion, orange & olive oil.
Aubergine Herse
Grilled aubergine, kapya pepper, onion, garlic, olive oil & pomegranate sauce.
Octopus Salad
Marinated boiled octopus slices, grilled kapya pepper,corriander, mixed lettuce, olive oil and lemon.
Lamb Croquet
Tender boiled lamb mince, delicately stuffed & marinated in Middle Eastern spices, served on a bed of light garlic yogurt.
Falafel
Chickpeas, broad beans marinated mixed with natural herbs.
Padron Pepper
Charcoal grilled padron pepper, olive oil and rock salt.
Grilled Halloumi
Charcoal grilled Cypriot halloumi with honey sauce and oregano.
Grilled Mushrooms & Cheese
Charcoal grilled mushrooms filled cheese, olive oil and oregano.
Grilled Sucuk
Charcoal grilled beef sausages served with mix salad.
Borek
Stone oven baked, handmade filo pastry filled with feta cheese and side salad.
Chick-Wigs
Charcoal grilled marinated chicken wings.
Hummus Kavurma
Hummus, pan fried diced lamb on top served with pitta bread.
Calamari Fritti
Fried calamari served with mixed salad & tartar sauce.
Medi-Chick
Charcoal grilled marinated chicken breast slices on pita bread.
Medi Kofte
Charcoal grilled mediterranean lamb koftes on pita bread.
Prawn Fritti
Deep fried tempura prawns served with mixed salad & sweet chilli sauce.
Soup Of The Day
Served with black olives, rocket salad and pitta bread.
HOT MEZES
MEAT DISHES - CHARCOAL COOKED
Chicken Flat Wings
Marinated flat chicken wings served with steak cut chips & sweet chilli sauce.
Pirzola Chicken Thighs
Marinated chicken thigh on bone served with rice & side salad.
Chicken Shish
Skewer of marinated chicken served with rice and side salad.
Beyti
Skewered blend of kofte fused with onion, parsley & garlic, red peppers and mixed spices wrapped in tortilla bread on a layer of Greek yoghurt, topped with a tomato halep sauce.
Adana
Hand chopped lamb minced mixed spicy herbs served with side salad and yoghurt.
Lamb Ribs
Marinated succulent lamb ribs cooked to perfection over hot coal sitting on a thin plank of bread.
Lamb Shish
Marinated lamb shish served with rice and side salad.
Lamb Pirzola
Marinated lamb cutletts on the bone served with rice and side salad.
Kolbasti
Hand-cut lamb steak, sauteed spinach, gravy on top served with mashed potato.
Grilled Veggie Mix
Charcoal grilled onion, garlic, kapya pepper, charleston peppe, tomato served with pitta bread and herbal buttered yoghurt.
Lamb Tagine
A house speciality. Sweet and tender, this spice infused on-the-bone lamb is slow cooked in the oven with prunes, dried fruit, nuts and served with basmati rice.
Casserole Chicken or Lamb
Finely diced meat cooked with tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms served with basmati rice.
Gem Burger
Handmade Irish lamb pate, sucuk, cheddar cheese, pickles, tomato served with steak-cut chips.
Veggie Mousakka
Roasted courgettes, aubergines, mixed peppers, potatoes, carrots cooked in homemade tomato and bechamel sauce served with rice and side salad.
Manti
Mini beef stuffed dumplings topped with light garlic-yoghurt and herbal butter sauce.
Ali Nazik
Delicious tender lamb stew, placed on the top of the smoky eggplant, tahini sauce and light garlic yoghurt puree.
HOUSE SPECIALITIES
SEA FOOD DISHES - CHARCOAL COOKED
Mackerel Fillet
Charcoal grilled Mackerel fillet served with pan fried vegetables and mashed potato.
King Prawn
Large king prawns slow cooking with white wine, garlic, homemade tomato sauce. Served with marinated grilled baby potatoes.
Sea Bass Fillet
Charcoal grilled Mediterranean sea bass fillet served with pan fried vegetables and marinated grilled baby potatoes.
Sea Bream Fillet
Charcoal grilled Aegean sea sea bream fillet served withpan fried vegetables and mushed potatoes.
Swordfish Shish
Charcoal grilled marinated swordfish served with side salad and grilled asparagus.
Salmon Fillet
Charcoal grilled Norway Salmon fillet served with pan fried vegetables and mashed potato.
Grilled Octopus
Charcoal grilled octopus served with side salad & sweet potato fries.
Tuna Steak
Charcoal grilled tuna steak served with side salad & grilled asparagus.
Falafel Roquette Salad
Homemade falafel slices with tomato, cucumber, red onion, rocket, olive oil & lemon juice.
Halloumi Walnut Salad
Charcoal grilled halloumi slices, walnuts, tomato, cucumber, red onion with olive oil, lemon juice and pomegranate sauce.
Greek Salad
Tomato, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, olives, oregano and olive oil.
Chicken & Avocado Salad
Charcoal grilled chicken breast cubes, avocado, tomato, mixed leaves, cucumbers red onions, lemon juice with extra virgin olive oil.
SALADS
BOARDS
Veggies
Nocellara Green Olives, Hummus, Minty Minty, Z.Y. Fasulye, Falafel, Padron Pepper & Pitta Bread.
Coldies
Black Olives, Atomic, Carrot Taratore, Hummus, Pepper Borani, Aubergine Herse & Pitta Bread.
Hotties
Grilled Halloumi, Grilled Mushroom & Cheese, Grilled Sucuk, Calamari Fritti, Falafel and Pitta Bread.
Meat Platter
Adana - Lamb Shish - Lamb Ribs - Lamb Pirzola - Chicken Shish - Chicken Wings with Rice & Salad.
Fish Platter
Salmon - Swordfish - Sea Bream - Grilled Octopus - Tuna - Mackerel Fillet Served with Roquette Salad.
Mixed Meze Platter
Borek - Falafel - Hummus - Minty Minty - Atom - Aubergine Herse - Raki cheese - Melon - Calamari - Halloumi Cheese - Medi-Kofte, Chicken Cubes, Chicken Wings & Freshly Baked Bread.