Tom Oldroyd | Polpo Restaurant Group

Tom Oldroyd, the previous chef director of Polpo Restaurant Group for five years, has announced that he is to open his first own restaurant in June on Upper Street in Islington. Opening the original Polpo in Soho and seven further successful restaurants with the group, Tom's new venture Oldroyd, will be a 40-cover neighbourhood restaurant split across two floors, with a relaxed no reservations café feel downstairs and bistro-style dining upstairs. The restaurant will also have a small outside seating area and is located five minutes walk along Upper Street from Angel tube station. The daily-changing menu at Oldroyd will be available from lunch through to dinner, with a focus on using locally-sourced seasonal British produce and reflecting Tom’s varied 15 years’ experience working in restaurants, as well as his food travels throughout Europe and the US.

Tom’s menu at Oldroyd will offer small dishes such as ‘confit mustard duck wings’ and ‘pea and pork jowl croquettes, with summer truffle mayo’ and larger

Close Message - I might contribute in the future

I love what you do, let me contribute right now

plates including ‘Cornish chorizo, prawn and broad bean paella, with cockles and aioli’, priced from £4 through to £10. The menu will also feature seasonal salads including ‘grilled peach, Dorset coppa and perroche’, alongside a selection of meaty sandwiches such as ‘Porchetta roll with stuffing, crackling and pickled fennel’ (from £5). Tom said: “I am excited to announce that I’ve secured a small, but perfect, space in one of my favourite parts of London and will open my first restaurant on Upper Street in Islington this June. “The menu at Oldroyd will offer my take on classic European dishes, made using fresh quality ingredients and served all day. The menu will change depending on what’s in season and what produce is around, and at the weekend we will serve brunch. I really hope that Oldroyd will become an integral part of the Islington dining scene, offering relaxed service and delicious food to locals and visitors alike.” Website here www.oldroydlondon.com

Small Contribution. Big Impact.

The Staff Canteen has always been more than a website—it’s a community, built by and for hospitality. We share the wins, the challenges, the graft, and the inspiration that keeps kitchens alive.

We believe in staying open to everyone, but creating this content takes real resources. If you’ve ever found value here—whether it’s a recipe, an interview, or a laugh when you needed it most—consider giving just £3 to keep it going.

A little from you keeps this space free for all. Let’s keep lifting the industry, together.