Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
This bakery is just a 2 minute walk from the property and I cannot recommend this place enough. The famous maple and bacon croissant is a must try! They offer an array of freshly baked sourdough breads and a wide variety of viennoiserie, each crafted by hand, daily, with the highest quality ingredients.
45 locals recommend
Pophams Bakery
19 Prebend StThis bakery is just a 2 minute walk from the property and I cannot recommend this place enough. The famous maple and bacon croissant is a must try! They offer an array of freshly baked sourdough breads and a wide variety of viennoiserie, each crafted by hand, daily, with the highest quality ingredients.
French cuisine has kind of been overlooked over the last decade, but reasonably priced Le Mercury has weathered the storm – it’s an Upper St favourite. There are candle lit tables on three floors, a decent set price lunch and dinner menu of French bistro classics. French onion soup, steak frites and creme brulée, it’s all here.
59 locals recommend
Le Mercury
140a Upper StFrench cuisine has kind of been overlooked over the last decade, but reasonably priced Le Mercury has weathered the storm – it’s an Upper St favourite. There are candle lit tables on three floors, a decent set price lunch and dinner menu of French bistro classics. French onion soup, steak frites and creme brulée, it’s all here.
Don’t be fooled by the questionable décor or the surrounds of Chapel Market – a stack ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap road just near Angel station. The Little Viet Kitchen, opened two years ago by supper club chef Thuy Pham-Kelly, is a treat. You will need to book and certainly order the banh xeo crispy pancake: a stupendous lake of thinly fried batter.
13 locals recommend
The Little Viet Kitchen
2 Chapel MarketDon’t be fooled by the questionable décor or the surrounds of Chapel Market – a stack ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap road just near Angel station. The Little Viet Kitchen, opened two years ago by supper club chef Thuy Pham-Kelly, is a treat. You will need to book and certainly order the banh xeo crispy pancake: a stupendous lake of thinly fried batter.
Stood at a junction on Canonbury Road, Smokehouse is akin to a very good, slightly hipster gastropub. The regular menu is hearty – try kicking off with the pulled brisket starter – but the specials board is where it’s at: a daily-changing meat served by weight (420g of 21 day aged Galloway was ideal for two). The fish also varies day-to-day depending on the market catch. It’s busy but you can sit up at the oak bar where friendly, plaid-clad barmen will keep the drinks flowing.
82 locals recommend
Smokehouse
63-69 Canonbury RdStood at a junction on Canonbury Road, Smokehouse is akin to a very good, slightly hipster gastropub. The regular menu is hearty – try kicking off with the pulled brisket starter – but the specials board is where it’s at: a daily-changing meat served by weight (420g of 21 day aged Galloway was ideal for two). The fish also varies day-to-day depending on the market catch. It’s busy but you can sit up at the oak bar where friendly, plaid-clad barmen will keep the drinks flowing.
Frederick’s is the kind of place that friends' parents will reminisce about. It has been in Islington for 49 years on the atmospheric Camden Passage (which itself is great for an antiques shop rummage). The food is safe rather than experimental: steak tartare, duck leg, salmon fillets. But it is exactly the kind of thing that you want to be served when you are taking anyone whose taste you’re unsure of out for a treat. In summer ask for a table in the garden – and make sure you book.
75 locals recommend
Frederick's
106 Camden PsgeFrederick’s is the kind of place that friends' parents will reminisce about. It has been in Islington for 49 years on the atmospheric Camden Passage (which itself is great for an antiques shop rummage). The food is safe rather than experimental: steak tartare, duck leg, salmon fillets. But it is exactly the kind of thing that you want to be served when you are taking anyone whose taste you’re unsure of out for a treat. In summer ask for a table in the garden – and make sure you book.
Western’s Laundry is the second opening of Jeremy Cometto-Lingerheim and David Gingell, the pair behind Stoke Newington’s Primeur (recommended if you’re in the area). As good as its name, it really was an old laundry and inside has maintained a utilitarian feel. It’s all very a la mode, with food to match, centred around British produce – fish from the South West, in particular – with Asian flavours thrown in. A friend has been in raptures about a mackerel dish she had, but the menu changes daily so you never know quite what you’re going to get.
47 locals recommend
Westerns Laundry
34 Drayton ParkWestern’s Laundry is the second opening of Jeremy Cometto-Lingerheim and David Gingell, the pair behind Stoke Newington’s Primeur (recommended if you’re in the area). As good as its name, it really was an old laundry and inside has maintained a utilitarian feel. It’s all very a la mode, with food to match, centred around British produce – fish from the South West, in particular – with Asian flavours thrown in. A friend has been in raptures about a mackerel dish she had, but the menu changes daily so you never know quite what you’re going to get.
Drinks & Nightlife
The ‘Bar With No Name’ has long since shed its mysterious reputation and is now packed out every night with punters dying to sample the expertly crafted cocktails. Book ahead to avoid disappointment, and enjoy the deliciously Italian interior that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a film noir.
89 locals recommend
69 Colebrooke Row
69 Colebrooke RowThe ‘Bar With No Name’ has long since shed its mysterious reputation and is now packed out every night with punters dying to sample the expertly crafted cocktails. Book ahead to avoid disappointment, and enjoy the deliciously Italian interior that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a film noir.
This historical watering hole is perfect for those fed-up with chains and predictable gastro-pubs. Set in what was once a brothel, The Four Sisters seems to capture the atmosphere of old London and is full of dark, candlelit corners perfect for sipping on the bar’s home-brewed, syrupy concoctions. A particular highlight is the Negroni, which can either be poured straight from aged oak barrels, or decanted into a take-away glass bottle.
51 locals recommend
The Four Sisters Bar
25 Canonbury LnThis historical watering hole is perfect for those fed-up with chains and predictable gastro-pubs. Set in what was once a brothel, The Four Sisters seems to capture the atmosphere of old London and is full of dark, candlelit corners perfect for sipping on the bar’s home-brewed, syrupy concoctions. A particular highlight is the Negroni, which can either be poured straight from aged oak barrels, or decanted into a take-away glass bottle.
A uniquely themed pub, Hoxley & Porter takes its inspiration from colonial explorers and the bar is filled with ferns, fans and filigree gold leaf. Step inside and be transported back in time as you sip on the fun, themed cocktails.
18 locals recommend
Hoxley & Porter
153 Upper StA uniquely themed pub, Hoxley & Porter takes its inspiration from colonial explorers and the bar is filled with ferns, fans and filigree gold leaf. Step inside and be transported back in time as you sip on the fun, themed cocktails.
Enjoy a huge selection of real ales at The Bull without the stained-carpeted trappings of the traditional old man’s pub. Fairy lights and dark woods create an intimate and modern atmosphere, and all punters will feel welcomed by the spacious interior, friendly staff, and absolutely delicious pub food.
74 locals recommend
The Islington
96-98 Pentonville RdEnjoy a huge selection of real ales at The Bull without the stained-carpeted trappings of the traditional old man’s pub. Fairy lights and dark woods create an intimate and modern atmosphere, and all punters will feel welcomed by the spacious interior, friendly staff, and absolutely delicious pub food.
Getting Around
Angel Station
A1Highbury & Islington station
Holloway RoadEssex Road Train Station - Great Northern Rail
181 GreaterOld Street station
Dalston Junction station
Haggerston station
Hoxton station
Geffrye StreetKing's Cross Station
Euston Road
St Pancras International station
Euston Road