Inside Auguste, The Italian Joint Celebrating Food From Its Most Under-Appreciated Region

When in Rome, order carbonara. When in Sicily, indulge in seafood. And in Milan, well, it’s in the name: a chicken milanese is a must-get.

While us Brits may like to think we’re well-versed in Italian cuisine, there is more to the boot-shaped nation than the pizza, pasta, bruschetta and burrata that meet the eye. Beyond the coasts and capitals, the ancient wonders and the buzzy fashion hubs, plenty of lesser-trodden ground remains – and plenty of dishes still await a feature in your local Italian. 

As head chef Mike Bagnall tells us, the central region of Abruzzo is one of the least visited areas in the country. Of the 185 million tourists who travelled to Italy in 2025, only nine million visited Abruzzo – and that’s by far the most impressive figures they’ve seen for years. Inspired by his time living there, he decided to bring an (admittedly not entirely authentic) taste of the region back to Blighty. And we were lucky enough to get one of the first sittings.  

First Sitting: Auguste In Hackney

Credit: Ania Smoliakova

The Scene

Just a hop, skip and a jump away from London Fields park, Auguste slouches beneath the red-brick arches of Mentmore Terrace, in a spot formerly held by Papi – the playful tasting menu restaurant which served modern European cuisine. Hackney being Hackney, the surrounding streets are crawling with similarly hip joints, but when it comes to vibe Auguste is difficult to out-do. Inside, the atmosphere is almost intimidatingly cool. While there’s no dress-code, Pinterest-fits reign, and, given the location, nary a man is seen without a moustache and mullet. 

Named for the melancholic clown in Edward Hopper’s painting Soir Bleu (a copy of which lords over the bottle-lined walls), the figure is said to represent a counterpart to refinement and hierarchy. Translation: this is a determinedly casual joint (i.e. get your hands dirty: allow meat juice to trickle down your presumably ring-laced fingers). And, of course, the best seat in the house is at the counter. Chefs and waiters alike are chatty and warm, ready and welcome to answer questions as they line skewers along the charcoal grill and pile-high plates with parmesan.

Credit: Scout O’Donoghue

The Drinks

At Auguste, it’s all about the Campari. Whether in the form of a Camparino (for a joyful £5), Campari spritz or negroni, the bitter orange aperitif is a must. For a Campari virgin – previously put off by whisperings of the drink’s unbearable bitterness – the mix of lemon oil and Fever-Tree soda in the Camparino made for a pleasant first offering. Washed down by the list of dry wines by the glass – or martinis and beer – the wine list focuses on low-intervention bottles from small producers, with a particular emphasis on Italian and Abruzzese varieties. 

Credit: Ania Smoliakova

The Food

More reminiscent of Turkish cuisine than traditional Italian fare, this Abruzzo-inspired menu invites you on ‘the journey of the sheep’ – travelling from salty shards of pecorino to juicy lamb skewers to a lamb-infused broth made from those same skewer’s juices.

Though made-up of sharing plates, the team will likely convince you that you can get through the whole lot as a pair – transforming the dinner into a delightfully laid-back tasting menu experience. (We can confirm it’s possible to complete the menu between two, though hefty lunches and a post-work pint meant the second dessert was ultimately abandoned). 

To begin, your classic aperitivo fare: think fresh-made tufts of ciabatta, thin slices of coppa stagionata, Gordal olives and the aforementioned pecorino. From here, the banquet begins. Just as you reach for the last bite of one dish, the next is pushed before your eyes, making for a joyfully relentless feast of flavour. Auguste’s signature dish? Arrosticini – think skewers of meat inspired by the Abruzzo region, here available in Earl Stonham wagyu and Salt Marsh lamb with a range of dips on offer. Fatty, juicy and tender, this will beat your usual BBQ fare. 

Beyond the skewers, our personal highlights include the boar-stuffed morels laced with truffle and fennel-tops and the cured seabream doused in a puttanesca-inspired salsa. Be sure to hold on to your bread (or better yet, just order more) for these are dishes that demand mopping up. 

Auguste At A Glance

Where is Auguste located?

Auguste is located in London Fields, Hackney at 373 Mentmore Terrace, London, E8 3DQ

Who is the chef?

The head chef is Mike Bagnall.

What kind of cuisine is served?

Food from the Abruzzo region of Italy. 

What’s the dress code?

There’s no strict dress code, but diners are generally in smart-casual clothing (and cool). 

What’s the price range? 

Sharing plates range from £12–£17, desserts from £10. 

Do they serve vegan and gluten-free options?

The menu is currently only catered for pescatarians, and vegetarians, but a more inclusive menu will be on the cards once the restaurant is more settled. 

Do they accept walk-ins?

Yes, but to be safe, book a table.

BOOK IT:

Book via sevenrooms.com. More information at @auguste__london