Islington, London Guide - The Best Shops, Restaurants, Bars, and Streets

Today I want to bring you my guide to Islington, London. This part of the UK capital is known for its great shopping, restaurants, bars, and pubs, not to mention its beautiful streets and squares.

Islington

After nearly three weeks of traveling, my great British road trip has taken me home to London for a mid-journey break.

I have a busy 7 days planned with teaching, speaking at a blogging conference, and catching up with friends, but I’m determined to explore a bit.

And one of the London neighborhoods I haven’t seen enough of lately is Islington.

Centered around Upper Street in the northern reaches of central London, Islington borders great areas like Angel and Clerkenwell. It’s one of my favorite places to eat, drink, shop, and wander.

It has a good mix of restaurants, bars, pedestrianized lanes, and pretty side streets that combine to make it appealing whatever mood I’m in.

How to Get to Islington

It’s easy to get to Islington, too. At the southern end of the neighborhood, Angel tube station is on the Northern line of the London Underground.

At the northern end, Highbury & Islington station is on the Victoria line, the London Overground, and the rail network.

Islington is also a quick walk from places like King’s Cross, Bloomsbury, and other parts of central London. It’s right on Regent’s Canal, too, so it’s easy to get to on Canal walks in London.

Add to that local buses from all over the area, and it’s hard to find an excuse to stay away.

Restaurants

If I arrive in a hungry mood (and I’m always in a hungry mood), I beat a path to Ottolenghi. The window displays alone get my taste buds excited, and the inventive dishes and mouth-watering desserts satisfy them every time.

Beyond Ottolenghi, I’ve had great meals at Fig & Olive, filling burritos at Chilango, and lovely Japanese tea and pastries at Katsute 100.

Islington Bars and Pubs

If I’m in a thirsty mood, there’s no shortage of good places to drink in Islington.

From cozy pubs like The Library, which always tempts my inner book lover, to cocktail bars like John Salt, which pleases my inner travel lover with its copious use of globes above the bar, I’m spoiled for choice.

The side streets reveal more hidden watering holes, too. I love The Drapers Arms on Barnsbury Street and The Albion on Thornhill Road. The Pig and Butcher on Liverpool Road is great, too.

In fact, I’ve been on more pub crawls in Islington than any other London neighborhood. I’ve even played pub golf and the One Giant Chicken game here.

And speaking of hidden, the speakeasy at 69 Colebrooke Row is always a fun place to go in London at night.

Islington Shopping

If I’m in a shopping mood, I love wandering down Camden Passage in Islington.

The skinny pedestrianized alley is lined by the sweetest shops (and restaurants, and coffee shops, and pubs), and its outdoor antiques market is always a joy to browse.

And that’s to say nothing of Upper Street, where there’s great shopping galore. From clothing boutiques to toy stores and furniture shops, I’m spoiled for choice.

Side Streets

If I’m in a wandering mood, I hit the side streets. Islington has more colorful doors per capita than seemingly any other London neighborhood, and its brickwork and row houses make it a photographer’s playground.

I particularly like streets like Duncan Terrace and Barnsbury Street, and squares like Lonsdale Square.

Add to that garden squares and leafy green spaces like Battishill Street Gardens, Islington Green, St Mary’s Church Gardens, and Duncan Terrace Gardens, and Islington is the complete package.

If I want to see more, my self-guided Islington walk can help. There’s a map, too.