Eating and Drinking

Islington has a vast array of eating and drinking establishments. From Thai food in both specialist restaurants and traditional pubs, to fashionable bistros and great tapas bars. Relax in decor from minimalist and chic, to brash and funky.

Visitors can eat their way around the world from Afghanistan to the West Indies and back, via Mexico. Although be warned that it could take you at least 80 days to visit every one of Islington's restaurants, bars and cafes!

Islington is a member of the Scores on the Doors scheme, which encourages and recognises the many food businesses which achieve legal compliance. For residents and visitors to the borough it means you can find out about food hygiene standards and how businesses are managed, all of which is useful information when you're deciding where to eat out. The scheme works by each business being awarded a star rating following a food hygiene inspection by a Council environmental health inspector. You can find out more on the Scores on the Doors website - simply follow the link on the right.

Upper Street is probably the best known area for eating and drinking, with chain pubs such as Bierodrome and Walkabout mingling with an eclectic mix of Turkish, Italian, Vietnamese and Cuban restaurants, to name but a few.

There are many other places to choose from in nearby Clerkenwell, Holloway Road and Highbury. A converted bus garage in Caledonian Road and a former cinema in Holloway are two of the more unusual venues on offer.

Many of Islington's restaurants cater for those on a limited budget. For the best bargains visit Upper Street at lunchtime, when many establishments offer special meal deals.

If you're planning on building a day out around your restaurant, pub or bar breaks, try the Museums, Cinemas or Theatres links under Related Information on the right-hand side of this page.

For further information, or to book a table at an Islington restaurant, click on the links under Useful Websites on the right.