Located at 324 Hornsey Road in Finsbury Park, Jolene Hornsey Road (aka Big Jo) has swiftly become a beloved local gem. This cozy restaurant is renowned for its scrumptious small plates and decadent pastries, offering a warm ambiance perfect for families and friends alike.
Customers rave about the innovative menu, which frequently changes to feature seasonal ingredients. The pizzetta is a standout, with its light, airy crust and a delightful balance of sweet tomatoes and spicy nduja. Patrons also appreciate the wood-fired bread, considered a textural delight, leaving a satisfying crunch with each bite. The smoky courgette and flavorsome pink fir potatoes are equally praised, though a bit more softness was desired by some.
Big Jo’s sunny terrace enhances your dining experience, allowing guests to savor their meals amidst a vibrant atmosphere. With friendly staff and a commitment to quality, Jolene Hornsey Road promises not just a meal but a memorable culinary experience.
In summary, from fantastic coffee to delicious sides like simple garden leaves and pickled vegetables, Big Jo is a must-visit for anyone in the area.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Photos
Reviews For Jolene Hornsey Road (aka Big Jo)
Jess Kwok
Jun 21,2025
overall: cozy local spot serving scrumptious small plates (& delicious pastries/ cakes). great place for families and small groups of friends. would highly recommend trying the pizzetta! (tho the menu is constantly changing) vermut : as much as i love this drink, i think it’s a bit too diluted. bread & butter : simple good sourdough tomato nduja pizzetta : really impressed by the dough: giving light airy borders w/ a crunchy base. there’s an equal balance of sweetness from tomatoes & spiciness of nduja. pink firs : would’ve like the potatoes to be slightly softer. courgette : love the smokiness from the grilled veggies. n the creamy refreshing yogurt. literally cleaned the plate with the bread. ray wing : surprisingly the wing was a rather meaty part of the fish. it had a slightly firm texture. the capers lightens the oiliness from the fish.
Carson Mathis
Jun 4,2025
love Big Jo!! super beautiful space with a great sunny terrace. seasonal menu that’s always creative and yummy. the staff here so lovely and friendly, especially one blonde aussie guy who’s served me a couple times, i’m sorry i never got your name. recommend this place to anyone :)
Shifali Mudumba
May 24,2025
Came here for lunch and it really didn't disappoint. The focus is very much on bread delicious sourdough that is texturally novel and perfect as a pizza base. From observation, it appears that they wood fire the bread twice so that it's wonderfully crispy at first bite. This is a real treat if you are the kind of person that likes the charred toasty bits of a wood fired pizza. We watched as much care was taken to fire slices per individual order. The sides were also delicious- from the simple garden leaves with lemon and parmesan... To the anchovies or the pickled veges. They also serve good coffee, including filter. We will be back!
Alicja D.
May 18,2025
Lovely place next to Finsbury Park. I really enjoyed sandwich with leeks and feta cheese (what a great flavour marriage). Perfect bread!! Definitely I’ll come back there!
yeganeh sadeghi
Apr 21,2025
Gorgeous food and service!! Amazing experience! We couldn't decide which dish was our favorite! LOVED everything!
Katherine Poole (Katie)
Apr 10,2025
Big Jo is a wonderful coffee shop and restaurant. The coffee is delicious, pastries are divine, and while I haven't included pictures from my lunches or dinners here, I can assure you that it's wonderful for meals as well. I'll happily go out of my way for a coffee and pastry here any day.
Kim Huynh
Mar 27,2025
This place is a local gem! The staff are so friendly and the food is next level. Pizza is amazing but get in there for their soft serve!! Flavours change with seasonal produce :)
Heya
Mar 24,2025
This is by far my favorite restaurant in London. I came upon it after moving here a year ago after living in Florence and Paris before. It's a place that feels very unique and comfortable to me, and that is already without speaking of the food and the staff on service. Since I got here, I visited this Jolene at least 10 times for lunch and dinner, it never disappointed. I'm a rather tall guy who eats a lot, so I get it when people say some portions may on the "smaller end". However, that's the concept and I find the prices to be absolutely reasonable, especially this way you get to taste a lot of different flavors! Overall, most importantly: The taste of the dishes, especially in terms of usage of salt and acidity, is on point, trust me. They managed to get this Italian inspiration on their dishes, together with some classic protein recipes of pork and chicken that are my favorite in this city. The service is heartwarming to say the least, caring, kind, professional. I have nothing to add except that this place will be one that I will forever remember. Thank you Big Jo
Reviews For Jolene Hornsey Road (aka Big Jo)