.jeanmarie/Flickr

Area Guides

Islington

Islington’s long been a pleasure-seekers’ district.

In the 18th century, Upper Street was lined with over 50 ale-houses and pleasure gardens offering archery, bowling, firework displays and hot air balloon rides.

Things haven’t changed… much.

Along the main drag you’ll find Islington’s amazing restaurants, cocktail dens and activity bars dotted along the main drag, with rows of well-kept Victorian terraces punctuated by gastropubs, cafés and independent shops.

Unexpected things to do in Islington include a city farm that’s home to goats and holidaying guinea pigs; not one but three fringe theatres tucked above pubs; a retro cinema; contemporary art galleries; a gig space in a listed church and a cobbled alleyway lined with antique shops and cafés. And if it’s a sunny day? Get an ice cream to go, and take it for a walk along Regent’s Canal across to East London.

The Best Restaurants

View All | Map View

8.5

Area Guides

Islington

The Best Restaurants

The Baring A smart gastropub from an ex-Dabbous chef….

F.K.A.B.A.M A tiny, raucous den of smoky deliciousness where chef Lee Tiernan churns out brow-raising dishes from a mangal oven.

The Tamil Prince A stellar Islington restaurant serving dishes from Tamil Nadu….

Trullo Generally regarded as one the best Italian restaurants in London, this is the parent to hit pasta spot Padella.

Prawn On The Lawn A cosy, candlelit, unsuspectingly romantic iced seafood restaurant….

12:51 Tasting menus and exceptional roasts from the celebrated James Cochran….

The Drapers Arms A bustling Islington gastropub and beer garden with stellar Sunday roasts.

The Pig and Butcher An Islington gastropub where rare breed, carefully sourced meats are butchered in-house.

Hicce Hart A relaxed sequel to a top North London restaurant, in a cosy pub setting in Islington.

Tiella at Compton Arms A cosy backstreet pub with a stellar new kitchen residency in tow.

Westerns Laundry A second site from the team behind Primeur, focussing on seafood and seasonal produce.

Top Cuvée Pitch-perfect small plates and natural wines in a stripped-back, effortlessly cool Highbury space.

Salut! A bistro for casual-yet-fine-dining food, a relaxed atmosphere and remarkably friendly service.

Xi’an Impression Famously low-key, this is where to head for thrilling, authentic biang biang noodles in Highbury.

Saltine A neighbourhood restaurant that exudes style, warmth and sophistication.

Caravel Get dinner aboard a candlelit barge in Islington….

Farang Unbelievably good Thai food from ex-Smoking Goat and Begging Bowl chef Seb Holmes.

The Tamil Crown Southern India meets North London, and it’s royally good….

Tofu Vegan Salty, spicy, delicious vegan Chinese cooking in a no-frills, eternally-packed neighbourhood setting.

Canto73 Brunch dishes and exceptional supper clubs in a cosy corner eatery.

The Best Bars

Humble Grape Islington Humble Grape are finding it more and more difficult to live up to their name… especially with their amazing Islington joint.

69 Colebrooke Row The intimate cocktail bar, officially known as “The Bar With No Name”. Fortunately, however, its name is the least relevant bit about it.

Homeboy Islington Modern Irish cocktails, food, and hospitality in Islington.

Ogam A cocktail bar headed up by a Korean Traditional Alcohol Ambassador.

Yield N1 A laid-back, natural-focussed wine bar with drinking snacks & fancy provisions to take home.

Provisions Holloway A deli hawking high-quality produce by day, and wine by the glass at night….

BookBar An independent bookshop where they’ll pour you a glass of wine….

Highbury Library A laid-back neighbourhood bar serving craft beer, natural wines and some tasty vinyl.

Little Bat A second bar from the people behind Callooh Callay. It’s what we here like to call ‘a success’.

Laki Kane Ever heard of cupuassu? Well, you’ll be drinking it soon….

The Best Things To Do

The Moth GrandSLAM 10 of London’s best storytellers vie for anecdotal glory at Union Chapel.

Edward Scissorhands Dancing hedges, exploding Christmas trees and an orgasmic washing machine….

Estorick Collection A stylish gallery dedicated to the Italian Futurist art movement.

The Almeida Theatre Cutting-edge shows in a grand old theatre….

Sadler’s Wells Theatre Hip hop, flamenco & ballet – this is where to see some of London’s best dance shows.

Screen On The Green A single-screen cinema in Islington with build-your-own sundaes.

Flight Club Islington Tech-infused darts with high-scoring cocktails in a Victorian fairground bar.

Union Chapel A jaw-droppingly beautiful church with live gigs, comedy and more.

Victoria Miro Gallery An esteemed independent art gallery housed in an old furniture factory.

Islington Farmers’ Market A weekly market with dozens of traders hawking fresh fruit and veg, baked goods and more, come rain or shine.

Hope Theatre An intimate fringe theatre above a legendary punk pub.

Banya No. 1 An authentic Russian-style spa. With tree whipping.

The Bill Murray Brilliant comedy, stand-up classes and an old-school boozer.

Birdies Islington A brain-melting crazy golf course with infinite tunnels….

Freightliners City Farm Goats! Pigs! Guinea pigs on holiday!.

Rum Making at Laki Kane The satisfaction of making your own booze? Apparently you can bottle that.

A Walk Along Regent's Canal A guide to each section of London’s picturesque canal, plus where to eat & drink along the way.

The Best Pubs

The Albion A posh gastropub in Barnsbury with an affinity for wisteria.

The Narrowboat A canalside pub with solid roasts and bacon Bloody Maries….

The Drapers Arms A bustling Islington gastropub and beer garden with stellar Sunday roasts.

The Pig and Butcher An Islington gastropub where rare breed, carefully sourced meats are butchered in-house.

Tiella at Compton Arms A cosy backstreet pub with a stellar new kitchen residency in tow.

The Duke of Cambridge Welcome to Britain’s first organic pub….

The Tamil Crown Southern India meets North London, and it’s royally good….

Smokehouse Top shelf BBQ in a smartly turned out Islington gastropub, with a leafy enclosed terrace….

The Earl of Essex A stellar craft beer pub up in Angel, from the team behind The Axe….

The Old Queen’s Head Cocktails, karaoke, and dancing – this is not your ordinary pub.

Myddleton Arms The next big thing after Middleton’s bottom.

The Three Johns An Islington boozer with exposed brick walls and a roaring fire….

Hicce Hart A relaxed sequel to a top North London restaurant, in a cosy pub setting in Islington.

The Plimsoll A stellar Finsbury Park pub from the Four Legs guys, serving incredible comfort food with your pint.

The Baring A smart gastropub from an ex-Dabbous chef….

The Island Queen A classic Victorian gin palace-turned-pub by Islington’s canals.

The Lexington A bourbon-soaked live music venue masquerading as an Islington pub.

The Best Cafés & Bakeries

Pophams Islington A petite bakery off the beaten track, slinging some of the finest pastries in the city.

Jolene Colebrooke Row A tiny corner outpost of the hip sustainable bakery.

Sunday A laid-back, uber-popular brunch spot tucked down a residential street in Barnsbury.

Kipferl An authentic Alpine Austrian chalet, located right in Camden Passage.

Katsute100 A little oasis of calm and tranquility in Islington’s buzzing Camden Passage….

Vagabond N7 Amazing coffee and brunch dishes in an artfully ramshackle café.

Ottolenghi A North African restaurant with Middle Eastern influences, from one of the nation’s favourite chefs.

Canto73 Brunch dishes and exceptional supper clubs in a cosy corner eatery.

Mercer & Co A small-but-perfectly-formed cafe-style spot for salt beef & cocktails in Islington….