The next time you’re walking around the Stroud Green Road area of Finsbury Park, have a look at some of the people. Particularly those have come out of some of the local restaurants. Specifically, those who have come out of either the Cats or Pappagone restaurant.

See how happy they look? That’s because these restaurants are two of Stroud Green Road’s best.

Cats is a Thai restaurant. The menu has all of the best Thai dishes; at The Islington Company we particularly recommend the massaman beef curry as a main. But at Cats, you have to have at least one starter. Or two – for example, the packed spring rolls and the crispy squid rings.

Every dish we have ever tried here has been excellent. Fresh, spicy - and service comes with a smile. We have never had to wait very long for our food, even at peak Saturday night times.

The décor is special, unlike any other Thai restaurant we’ve visited. A tuk-tuk is by the front-window. The tables and chairs are ornately designed - all imported from Thailand. There’s a varied selection of beers, wines and of course spirits. If you can’t get to Thailand to try the food, visiting Cats is the next best thing. This property in Finsbury Park almost looks like it has been transferred from the Far East. As lettings agents we admire it's quirkiness and try to compare it to properties let by The Islington Company but soon realise it is a little different than our usual style.

If it’s Italian cuisine you’re after, we recommend Pizzeria Pappagone, further up Stroud Green Road towards Crouch End.

Lots of Italians eat (and drink) here - always a good sign. The restaurant has a bar and with its outdoor tables during the summer, it becomes a great place to hang out.

The menu is varied and you’ll find all the main Italian A-listers – pizza, pasta, risotto, fresh salads, meat, vegetarian – there’s something for everybody.

At The Islington Company we tend to go for different pizzas and then share them, because we’re the type of people who order something, then see what other people have and think “I wish I’d ordered that instead.”

Staff are always friendly and even at the busiest times manage to serve everyone within a reasonable time.

At The Islington Company these are two of the best restaurants we’ve found in N4 – please let us know of any others in the same area!