Alice Hancock

The best restaurants in Islington

  • From Spectator Life
The Elk in the Woods: head inside for eye-popping cocktails (Image: iStock)

Islington sprawls. Strung out along Upper Street and the many streets off it, it boasts the best variety of restaurants outside Zone 1 (I am happy to be challenged on this). To secure a table at a decent Upper Street eatery on a Friday night, will require booking ahead or a willingness to queue. Things can get pretty rowdy as the evening progresses, so for a less frenetic experience head towards Clerkenwell or adventure into the side streets around Canonbury.

As ever this list – written with the help of a few epicurean friends – is not an exhaustive one, but it will give you somewhere to start…

FANCY FEASTS

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Lunch at the Smokehouse

Western’s Laundry

Western’s Laundry is the second opening of Jeremy Cometto-Lingerheim and David Gingell, the pair behind Stoke Newington’s Primeur (recommended if you’re in the area). As good as its name, it really was an old laundry and inside has maintained a utilitarian feel.

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