Guidebook for Islington
Food Scene
Le Péché Mignon
6 Ronalds RdAmazing french deli! Oooh la la!
Sacred Cafe
8 Hornsey StFab coffee, breakfast and lunch!
Ottolenghi Islington
287 Upper StFirst rate food
Marquess of Anglesey
39 Bow StBest sunday roast!
The Food Market for Gourmets boasts some of London’s best street food including grilled cheese, ice cream sandwiches and gourmet smoked salmon down the Ropewalk and under flagged archways. Dive into one of the archways and you’ll find cosy wine bars, bakeries and charcuterie.
Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
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Imarike ye-Maltby Street
Maltby StreetThe Food Market for Gourmets boasts some of London’s best street food including grilled cheese, ice cream sandwiches and gourmet smoked salmon down the Ropewalk and under flagged archways. Dive into one of the archways and you’ll find cosy wine bars, bakeries and charcuterie.
Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Drinks & Nightlife
Big Red
385 Holloway RdFun bar!
The Swimmer at the Grafton Arms
13 Eburne RdLovely pub!
The Landseer Arms
37 Landseer RdGreat pub food!
Duchess of Kent
441 Liverpool RdMy very favourite local pub!
Panoramic Views of the London Skyline. It may seem a bit out of the way but Frank's Cafe in Peckham offers some of the best views of the skyline you can imagine - all from the rooftop of an old multi-storey car park. If you like the finer things in life this isn’t for you but if you’re happy in the company of South London’s cool kids then grab a drink from the bar, some snacks from the kitchen, watch the sun go down and let the view steal the show. Open for Summer until 1st October.
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Frank's Cafe
95A Rye LnPanoramic Views of the London Skyline. It may seem a bit out of the way but Frank's Cafe in Peckham offers some of the best views of the skyline you can imagine - all from the rooftop of an old multi-storey car park. If you like the finer things in life this isn’t for you but if you’re happy in the company of South London’s cool kids then grab a drink from the bar, some snacks from the kitchen, watch the sun go down and let the view steal the show. Open for Summer until 1st October.
London’s Oldest Wine Bar. Imagine a wine bar so cosy and so packed with local office workers that you feel like you’ve really ‘discovered’ the real London. Gordon’s is that place. Tucked down an alleyway just by Embankment, this candlelit wine bar is always busy so take on the crowds and be rewarded with a glass of wine and platter of cheese at what is London’s oldest wine bar. If you don’t like wine or if you get claustrophobic, go elsewhere - the vaulted ceilings are low. It’s unfussy, authentic and one of London’s true gems.
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Champagne Bar
87-135 Brompton RdLondon’s Oldest Wine Bar. Imagine a wine bar so cosy and so packed with local office workers that you feel like you’ve really ‘discovered’ the real London. Gordon’s is that place. Tucked down an alleyway just by Embankment, this candlelit wine bar is always busy so take on the crowds and be rewarded with a glass of wine and platter of cheese at what is London’s oldest wine bar. If you don’t like wine or if you get claustrophobic, go elsewhere - the vaulted ceilings are low. It’s unfussy, authentic and one of London’s true gems.
A Proper Boozer. If you think ‘London’ and think ‘pub’ then this historic boozer is for you. Like something out of the Harry Potter film set, The Jerusalem Tavern is set in a 1720s building (although it only became a pub in the 90s) serving IPAs and ales from St Peter’s Brewery in Suffolk. Step inside and feel like you’re going back in time before spilling out onto the pavement or getting cosy if you can nab a seat inside.
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The Jerusalem Tavern
55 Britton StA Proper Boozer. If you think ‘London’ and think ‘pub’ then this historic boozer is for you. Like something out of the Harry Potter film set, The Jerusalem Tavern is set in a 1720s building (although it only became a pub in the 90s) serving IPAs and ales from St Peter’s Brewery in Suffolk. Step inside and feel like you’re going back in time before spilling out onto the pavement or getting cosy if you can nab a seat inside.
Essentials
Waitrose & Partners
366 Holloway RdReally useful for quality groceries
Arts & Culture
Odeon Cinema Holloway
419-427 Holloway RdIf you fancy a movie!
Movie time - lovely independent cinema
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Everyman Screen on the Green
83 Upper StMovie time - lovely independent cinema
I-Almeida Theatre
Almeida StreetGreat little interesting theatre
Late Night Art. Museums and galleries are great but what isn’t so great is viewing a painting from behind four other people. Many of the top museums and galleries are open late - I like the National Gallery’s late night Friday, when it stays open till 9pm for musical performances, tours and talks from the experts, many of which are free. See the programme online.
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I-National Gallery
Trafalgar SquareLate Night Art. Museums and galleries are great but what isn’t so great is viewing a painting from behind four other people. Many of the top museums and galleries are open late - I like the National Gallery’s late night Friday, when it stays open till 9pm for musical performances, tours and talks from the experts, many of which are free. See the programme online.
Shopping
Vivien of Holloway
294 Holloway RdStunning Vintage dresses!
Euphorium - Angel
79 Upper StIncredible baked goods
Camden Passage
Camden PassageWonderful antiques and quirky shops
Sightseeing
Emirates Stadium
Hornsey RoadThe home of Arsenal football club.
Upper Street
Upper StreetBrilliant for shopping and eating
Highbury Fields
Highbury CrescentA lovely spot for a relaxing walk
Drinks With a View. Save yourself the £30.95 ticket price to shoot up to the top of The Shard and try this instead: get the lift to the 31st floor, head to the bar and spend your £30 on cocktails instead (they’re not cheap). Aqua Shard doesn’t take reservations for drinks so just walk right in but if you want brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, book online in advance. Bear in mind the smart casual dress code, so leave the flip flops and trainers at home.
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Aqua Shard
31 St Thomas StDrinks With a View. Save yourself the £30.95 ticket price to shoot up to the top of The Shard and try this instead: get the lift to the 31st floor, head to the bar and spend your £30 on cocktails instead (they’re not cheap). Aqua Shard doesn’t take reservations for drinks so just walk right in but if you want brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, book online in advance. Bear in mind the smart casual dress code, so leave the flip flops and trainers at home.
East London’s traditional and historic flower market attracts the crowds so arrive early or prepare to wander along at a snails pace and soak up the atmosphere. Great at any time of the year, in summer you’ll find seas of sunflowers whilst come Christmas, berries, mistletoe and Christmas trees take centre stage. The shops are great too - pick up a memento, gift or just a coffee, from the guy at the window in the wall then wander down Ezra Street - follow the sounds of live music.
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Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadEast London’s traditional and historic flower market attracts the crowds so arrive early or prepare to wander along at a snails pace and soak up the atmosphere. Great at any time of the year, in summer you’ll find seas of sunflowers whilst come Christmas, berries, mistletoe and Christmas trees take centre stage. The shops are great too - pick up a memento, gift or just a coffee, from the guy at the window in the wall then wander down Ezra Street - follow the sounds of live music.
London’s Highest Public Garden. The Sky Garden is 155 metres above the City of London offering 230 degree birds eye views of the Tower of London, down the Thames, across the river to The Shard, and beyond. London’s highest public garden is free to visit - simply book a time slot in advance. If you want to make an occasion of it, visit Fenchurch Restaurant or Darwin Brasserie and let the views continue.
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Eziko Langa
London’s Highest Public Garden. The Sky Garden is 155 metres above the City of London offering 230 degree birds eye views of the Tower of London, down the Thames, across the river to The Shard, and beyond. London’s highest public garden is free to visit - simply book a time slot in advance. If you want to make an occasion of it, visit Fenchurch Restaurant or Darwin Brasserie and let the views continue.
Everything Else
O2 Academy Islington
16 Parkfield StBrilliant gig venue
Conference and exhibition venue
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Spaces - London, Spaces Oxford Street
4 Winsley StConference and exhibition venue