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Islington area guide

Discover great restaurants, bars, pubs, live music venues and shops on offer in N1

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Islington isn’t just for the champagne socialists – its boutiques, bars and restaurants offer something for the weekend, whichever way you lean. With a vibrant arts scene and big-name Islington clubs drawing headline bands, N1 is guaranteed to offer a daytrip or big night out that gets your vote.

What are your favourite Islington haunts? Let us know in the comments.

The best bits of Islington

13 reasons to go to Southgate Road, N1

13 reasons to go to Southgate Road, N1

De Beauvoir Town is every bit as middle-class as it sounds. Thankfully there’s loads to see and do along its relaxed, handsome main thoroughfare. Poised...

You know you live in Islington when...

You know you live in Islington when...

Islington is one of the most restaurant-dense areas in the UK and home to Europe's third longest escalator - as well as the decomposing bones of lots of famous...

Restaurants in Islington

Tierra Peru

Tierra Peru

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

From the Andes to the Pacific, the highs and lows of Peruvian terrain help to explain its varied cuisine. But what was going on behind the scenes at this small...

Meat People

Meat People

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Alfredo’s, then a little S&M (the former Sausage & Mash café, that is): as Islington landmarks go, this position is a prime cut, now carved out by Meat People....

Food Lab

Food Lab

A clean, somewhat rustic and brightly lit setting in which to enjoy a quick cuppa or bite to eat, while you catch up on a bit of work. Or sit down for a meal...

Mahal

Mahal

Indian restaurant on Essex Road in Islington serving traditional Indian dishes to eat in or takeaway. Closed on Monday.

Islington highlights

Flashback Records

Flashback Records

Just a stone’s throw from the cavernous Haggle Vinyl (No 114-116), but a million miles away aesthetically, Flashback’s mostly second-hand stock is treated with...

Little Angel Theatre

Little Angel Theatre

Tucked away in the back streets of Islington, Little Angel Theatre is a hub of passionate puppeteering activity. Established by South African John Wright in...

Bars and pubs in Islington

69 Colebrooke Row

69 Colebrooke Row

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

This tiny place, a short walk from Upper Street on an Islington backstreet, is where bar-wizard Tony Conigliaro first came to widespread prominence. Conigliaro...

Earl of Essex

Earl of Essex

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

The first thing you might notice on entering this backstreet Georgian pub is the beautiful island back-bar with a ’60s ‘Watney Red Barrel’ sign; the second...

Lord Clyde

Lord Clyde

  • 5 out of 5 stars

A quality makeover, this, a few bus stops north of the spaghetti junction of bars around the Angel. It’s a big place to keep busy with return custom, with the...

Barrio North

Barrio North

It's all about street culture at this Essex Road bar - one of three London venues from the Barrio group. The vibe is influenced by urban art and music from...

The perfect weekend in Islington

Love London Awards: last year's winners

Ottolenghi

Ottolenghi

  • 5 out of 5 stars

Hit cookbooks have made this flagship branch of the burgeoning Ottolenghi empire a point of pilgrimage for foodies the world over. Those Americans brunching...

Coffee Works Project

Coffee Works Project

  • 3 out of 5 stars

Upper Street and its tributaries have more than their fair share of cafés and restaurants, but a decent coffee shop is still hard to find there. Coffee Works...

The Wearer

The Wearer

A collection of jewellery created by independent UK designers.

Union Chapel

Union Chapel

The devil might have all the best tunes, but the Union Chapel is proof that him downstairs knows nothing about architecture. The Grade I-listed gothic...