London/Islington

From World travel guide

Islington is a borough of north London.

1 Get In
2 See
3 Buy
4 Eat
5 Drink
6 Sleep
7 Contact
8 External links

Get In

Underground stations include Angel and Highbury & Islington. Mainline stations include Highbury & Islington, Essex Rd, and Canonbury.

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See

Crafts Council, 44a Pentonville Road, N1 9BY (nearest tube is Angel), 020 7278 7700, [1]. Open Tues-Sat 1100-1745, Sun 1400-1745. This gallery promotes contemporary craftspeople working materials such as metal, glass, pottery and textiles but with a unique take on each medium. The work frequently strays into contemporary art and blurs the border between art and craft. The small shop inside provides individually crafted pieces, that are as expensive as you'd expect. Free entry.

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Buy

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Eat

Diners are spoiled for choice in Islington, especially the Upper St area between Angel and Highbury & Islington tube stations. A wide variety of cuisine and price ranges are available. Mediterranean food dominates but with options like Indian, Afghan, Italian, French, Thai, and South American there is food for all tastes.

Angel to Upper St. This stretch of road can be a diner's paradise if you know where to go. Close to Angel places are geared towards the daytime sandwich eaters and coffee drinkers. From Islington Green on you'll generally find nicer restaurants at better value. As a rule, the further towards Highbury & Islington the cheaper the restaurants, although the quality doesn't necessarily decline. Take a walk down the side-streets too as they hold some of the best restaurants, pubs, and bars. Starting near Angel, some good choices are:

Wagamama 1st floor, N1 Centre, Parkfield St, N1 0PS (Nearest tube: Angel). Japanese noodle bar, one of many in the Wagamama chain.
The Afghan Kitchen 35 Islington Green, N1 8DU (Nearest tube: Angel). One of the best cheap eats in london.
Masala Zone 80 Upper St, N1 0NP (ph 020 7359 3399. Nearest tube: Angel). This hip Indian restaurant chain's Angel branch. Good value Indian food - try a Thali for a good sized meal with a variety of flavours. Mains around £8.
Mem & Laz 8 Therberton St, N1 0QX (Nearest tube: Angel). Large menu of great mediterranean food, friendly staff, very reasonably priced. Their 'lunchtime' 2-course special around £7 is available to 6pm, an excellent option for an early dinner.
Gallipoli and Gallipoli Again are on Upper St, 102 and 120 Repectively (Nearest tubes: Angel, Highbury & Islington ). Both resturaunts are well known and serve great Turkish meals, for very reasonable prices.
La Porchetta 141-142 Upper St, N1 1QY (Nearest tubes: Angel, Highbury & Islington). Authentic italian pizzeria: thin wood-fired pizzas, selection of pasta, antipasto, desserts, italian wine & beer. Buzzing atmosphere with service that can be brisk but is always friendly. Child friendly.
Angel Mangal Ockabasi 139 Upper St (Nearest tube: Highbury & Islington). Excellent Turkish meals.
Le Mercury 140a Upper St, N1 1QY (ph 020 7354 4088. Nearest tube: Highbury & Islington). Cosy, romantic french restaurant split amongst 3 floors. Typical french cuisine at low prices: mains around £6.

Elsewhere in Islington

The Northgate 113 Southgate Rd, N1 3JS (ph 020 7359 7392. Nearest tube: Old Street, then 76 or 141 bus). Excellent 'gastro-pub' menu changed daily. Pricy for a pub with mains around £10-12, but the consistently high quality never disappoints.

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