Catherine's Guidebook
Cafes, Bakeries & Delis
A new bakery (February 2024) from pastry chef Anna Higham (ex Gordon Ramsay, Lyles & River Cafe). Biscuits, buns, fruit tarts, bread and great coffee.
Quince Bakery
A new bakery (February 2024) from pastry chef Anna Higham (ex Gordon Ramsay, Lyles & River Cafe). Biscuits, buns, fruit tarts, bread and great coffee.
Incredible pastries and great coffee. Prepare to queue.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pophams Bakery
19 Prebend StIncredible pastries and great coffee. Prepare to queue.
Great for sandwiches, salads, cake and coffee. Not cheap, but excellent quality.
144 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
De Beauvoir Deli Co
98 Southgate RdGreat for sandwiches, salads, cake and coffee. Not cheap, but excellent quality.
Little wine bar / cafe selling a really wide selection of unusual low intervention and natural wines to take home or drink there with plates of charcuterie and cheese
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hector's
49a Ardleigh RdLittle wine bar / cafe selling a really wide selection of unusual low intervention and natural wines to take home or drink there with plates of charcuterie and cheese
Really good coffee, cakes and huge delicious hot and cold sandwiches (think toasted cheese, salt beef on rye, turkey and emmental…)
Trade
Really good coffee, cakes and huge delicious hot and cold sandwiches (think toasted cheese, salt beef on rye, turkey and emmental…)
Pubs
These are our recommended nearby pubs.
6 mins walk (Islington) There’s a small theatre upstairs and the pub is downstairs. It’s a classic London pub with an eclectic feel, staff are lovely and there’s a good selection of wine and beer. Previous guests loved the fish and chips too!
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rosemary Branch Theatre & Pub
2 Shepperton Rd6 mins walk (Islington) There’s a small theatre upstairs and the pub is downstairs. It’s a classic London pub with an eclectic feel, staff are lovely and there’s a good selection of wine and beer. Previous guests loved the fish and chips too!
8 mins walk (Islington) Refurbished in September 2020 this local pub has been made comfier and cosier, and they even have their own gin distillery. Small plates and bar snacks are on the menu, and there’s a broad range of wines, cocktails and beers to try.
Hanbury Arms
33 Linton Street8 mins walk (Islington) Refurbished in September 2020 this local pub has been made comfier and cosier, and they even have their own gin distillery. Small plates and bar snacks are on the menu, and there’s a broad range of wines, cocktails and beers to try.
12 mins walk (Islington) If you like beer, there is a massive range here on tap to try. There’s also a decent sized back terrace which is a lovely place to be on a warm evening.
70 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Earl of Essex
25 Danbury St12 mins walk (Islington) If you like beer, there is a massive range here on tap to try. There’s also a decent sized back terrace which is a lovely place to be on a warm evening.
11 mins walk (Islington) A totally organic pub! Huge airy bar with enormous windows and more intimate restaurant area down the side.
141 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Duke of Cambridge
30 Saint Peter's Street11 mins walk (Islington) A totally organic pub! Huge airy bar with enormous windows and more intimate restaurant area down the side.
14 mins (De Beauvoir) Local stalwart - try to get a seat on the upstairs balcony for fantastic skyline views
126 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Talbot
109 Mortimer Rd14 mins (De Beauvoir) Local stalwart - try to get a seat on the upstairs balcony for fantastic skyline views
13 mins (De Beauvoir) Solid boozer with a leafy outdoor terrace and consistently good pub grub. Gets very busy in the summer.
133 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Scolt Head
107A Culford Rd13 mins (De Beauvoir) Solid boozer with a leafy outdoor terrace and consistently good pub grub. Gets very busy in the summer.
15 mins (Angel) Incredible looking pub which has been well preserved to keep its original Victorian charm. Lots of glass, mirrors, and chandeliers and the dark colour scheme adds to the mood. Good beer, okay wine, food is fairly average though.
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Island Queen
87 Noel Rd15 mins (Angel) Incredible looking pub which has been well preserved to keep its original Victorian charm. Lots of glass, mirrors, and chandeliers and the dark colour scheme adds to the mood. Good beer, okay wine, food is fairly average though.
18 mins (Barnsbury). Lovely old pub, mum and dad had their wedding reception there in the 70s! The food is consistently great - especially the excellent Sunday roast - and there’s a pretty courtyard to sink a pint or two.
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Drapers Arms
44 Barnsbury St18 mins (Barnsbury). Lovely old pub, mum and dad had their wedding reception there in the 70s! The food is consistently great - especially the excellent Sunday roast - and there’s a pretty courtyard to sink a pint or two.
New cocktail bar on a barge on the canal - Ed went recently and said it was amazing, and I trust his judgement!
Bruno's
New cocktail bar on a barge on the canal - Ed went recently and said it was amazing, and I trust his judgement!
Restaurants
Newish restaurant in an old pub - very near. Go if you can get a reservation, critics have found it so it’s often booked up
The Baring
Newish restaurant in an old pub - very near. Go if you can get a reservation, critics have found it so it’s often booked up
Sister of Primeur, not far from the Emirates stadium. Wonderful place, lovely staff, small/medium Mediterranean influenced plates to share.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Westerns Laundry
34 Drayton ParkSister of Primeur, not far from the Emirates stadium. Wonderful place, lovely staff, small/medium Mediterranean influenced plates to share.
Tucked away on a side street, this place is a buzzy low lit restaurant where sharing plates are the thing. Have the chocolate mousse if it’s on the menu.
110 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Primeur
116 Petherton RdTucked away on a side street, this place is a buzzy low lit restaurant where sharing plates are the thing. Have the chocolate mousse if it’s on the menu.
Needs no introduction. Takeaway cakes and salads, a nice place for a lunch too.
364 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ottolenghi Islington
287 Upper StNeeds no introduction. Takeaway cakes and salads, a nice place for a lunch too.
A very elevated gastropub. Really lovely staff too.
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Marksman Public House
254 Hackney RdA very elevated gastropub. Really lovely staff too.
A small, simple dining room where you can get your hot and numbing noodle fix
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Xi'an Impression London
117 Benwell RdA small, simple dining room where you can get your hot and numbing noodle fix
Local no nonsense authentic Japanese restaurant. Noisy but the sushi is decent. Nasu dengaku - aubergine with miso - is a favourite. Not good for gluten intolerant people though, as we found out…
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Akari
196 Essex RdLocal no nonsense authentic Japanese restaurant. Noisy but the sushi is decent. Nasu dengaku - aubergine with miso - is a favourite. Not good for gluten intolerant people though, as we found out…
Modern italian in a pretty dining room near Highbury & Islington tube, always an interesting menu.
153 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Trullo
300-302 St Paul's RdModern italian in a pretty dining room near Highbury & Islington tube, always an interesting menu.
Prawn on the Lawn
294 St Paul's RdNext to Bruno’s on the canal. Recently opened and raved about. Super cute intimate space - great for a date
Caravel
Next to Bruno’s on the canal. Recently opened and raved about. Super cute intimate space - great for a date
Takeaways
The best places to grab and go or order online
Yipin China
70-72 Liverpool RdThe best pizza and pasta around here, authentic and delicious.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Saponara
23 Prebend StThe best pizza and pasta around here, authentic and delicious.
If you’re into chicken, the place is essential. Don’t miss the hot wings.
64 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chick 'n' Sours
390 Kingsland RdIf you’re into chicken, the place is essential. Don’t miss the hot wings.
Monsoon Indian Takeaway
336 Essex RdLooks are deceptive - this indian takeaway is really good
HONI POKE Angel
If you want something lighter this little chain does the best poke in London
Sightseeing
The canal is brilliant for escaping the traffic and getting a fix of wildlife and the serenity of canal life.
It’s peaceful during the week and busier at the weekends. There are lots of cafes, bars and shops to stop at on the way.
Stroll down to the bottom of the road and you’ll hit the canal. Turn right to head towards King’s Cross, Camden and further west to Maida Vale (or beyond) via a scenic route, passing Camden Market and London Zoo on your way.
Turning left on the canal will take you through Dalston to Hackney, under Mare Street to Broadway Market and further.
339 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Regent's Canal
The canal is brilliant for escaping the traffic and getting a fix of wildlife and the serenity of canal life.
It’s peaceful during the week and busier at the weekends. There are lots of cafes, bars and shops to stop at on the way.
Stroll down to the bottom of the road and you’ll hit the canal. Turn right to head towards King’s Cross, Camden and further west to Maida Vale (or beyond) via a scenic route, passing Camden Market and London Zoo on your way.
Turning left on the canal will take you through Dalston to Hackney, under Mare Street to Broadway Market and further.
Food scene
Huge selection of boxed, bagged and natural wines to take away or have there. Excellent deli and cakes too. Staff super helpful.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Weino BIB
39 Balls Pond RdHuge selection of boxed, bagged and natural wines to take away or have there. Excellent deli and cakes too. Staff super helpful.