Guide to Islington

A great little breakfast spot for beautiful pastries and good coffee. It’s tiny, so if they’re full, get a takeaway (the cheese and Marmite swirl is our favourite) and head to the nearby canal for an impromptu picnic. 

The canal is a cool green escape from the madness of East London, with some interesting food options to tempt you along the way, including Haggerston’s Towpath Café and Hackney’s Broadway Market.

This local pub ticks all the important pub boxes: friendly staff, excellent bar snacks, a decent beer garden, epic Sunday roasts and a fire in winter. Do not miss their Comté and pickled chilli spring rolls.  

Although smaller than it once was, this eclectic collection of antique sellers is always worth a wander. You might pick up a set of 1960s Champagne coupes, a vintage fur coat or a solid silver pheasant.  

This working church is also an atmospheric venue for live music, comedy and film screenings thanks to its incredible acoustics. There are some very good restaurants nearby, including Trullo, on St Paul’s Road, for dinner afterwards.  

Vermouth is now the cool kids’ tipple of choice, and this all-day café/bar is the place to drink it. Founded by chef/restaurateur Anthony Demetre, its menu runs from morning coffee and cannelés to world-class bar snacks.