How to spend a day in Islington

Get a proper breakfast from Workers Café in Upper Street, an updated take on a traditional greasy spoon. This café has an eye-catching black and pink exterior and a classic look inside. Fried breakfasts are served all day including set fry-ups with veggie options and the choice to build your own breakfast with your favourite ingredients.

There's a bright and sunny branch of The Breakfast Club in Angel. This cosy spot is a top choice for breakfast and brunch. You're promised friendly and welcoming service as well as a diverse menu of brekkie dishes from breakfast burritos to pancakes, eggs Benedict, and fry-ups. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served too.

Caravan in Exmouth Market is a modern space for all-day dining that has both indoor and outdoor tables. Breakfast and brunch are served first thing, along with house-roasted coffee. Filter coffee is bottomless here. Start the day with porridge, eggs on toast, pancakes, or a fried breakfast.

Buy fabulous bits to spruce up your home at Abigail Ahern. This atmospheric store is packed to the rafters with homewares and is particularly well-known for its realistic faux botanicals. As well as plants that'll thrive anywhere in your home, you'll see furniture, wall paint, soft furnishings, candles, and sculpture in this well-stocked shop.

Vintage lovers will be in paradise at Pennies Vintage. This store is a cute space that's well-stocked with pre-1960s fashion, jewellery, and gifts. It's great to have a rummage in and you might just find a fab outfit for a special occasion. The store also specialises in vintage bridal wear.

A short distance from Angel station you'll find Chapel Market, a busy street market that's open every day. It's been occupying this space since the 19th century. It's a down-to-earth shopping destination where you'll find fresh food, crafts, fashion and accessories, and gifts. The market is flanked on either side by a varied range of shops and eateries.

Grab a casual lunch at The Junction Market. This on-trend food hall is vibrant and youthful, serving an eclectic array of global cuisines in a contemporary space. If you're craving freshly-brewed coffee, Thai cuisine, or street food from Greece, Turkey, Mexico, or Colombia, this local spot is sure to have a vendor who can tempt you.

Frederick's in Camden Passage is a sophisticated European restaurant where you're promised careful and attentive service. Sit inside or out in the spacious garden next to the well-manicured lawn. À la carte and two or three course set lunch menus are served here, featuring classic dishes like chicken soup and Scottish salmon with new potatoes.

Long-standing restaurant The Quality Chop House was established in 1869. Expect contemporary British cuisine with a daily-changing menu. À la carte choices are served plus there's a weekly set lunch Monday-Friday and an indulgent Sunday lunch menu too. There's plenty of meat but veggie dishes are also available.

Discover Italian modern art at Estorick Collection. This intimate gallery is set over three floors in an attractive Georgian townhouse. It has a garden and an Italian café in addition to exhibition spaces. You can see the permanent collection and changing temporary exhibitions focusing on 20th century Italian art and the Futurist movement in particular.

You can take on an escape room in Islington at ClueQuest. Four challenging games are available to play at this venue and they're suitable for all ages. Solve puzzles and challenges to complete a mission within a set time. VR experiences are also available here – take your pick from three immersive games.

Any Arsenal fan spending the day in Islington just has to visit Emirates Stadium. If you can't attend a match you can still take photos outside the stadium or visit for a tour. This imposing structure has impressive and dramatic architecture and is also home to an Arsenal museum and gift shop.

Recognised as one of Europe's leading cocktail bars, Homeboy is a low-lit venue with pumping music, exposed brick walls, and a friendly and bustling atmosphere. The drinks list is varied; classic and contemporary cocktails are served along with wine, beer, and spirits. The kitchen here dishes up snacks to go with drinks.

Head to The Nook in Highbury when you fancy a glass of wine. Buy groceries in the deli of this white-tiled and on-trend establishment or stop by for a drink and nibbles. Menus are written up on chalkboards and there's a choice of wine, including natural bottles. Craft beer is available too, plus small bites like olives and charcuterie. 

London's craft beer drinkers head to Earl of Essex for its varied selection. Not only does this traditional pub offer a rotating range of local and international brews, it focuses on sours in particular. Enjoy drinks or food at this cosy spot. There's a spacious beer garden for an outdoor drink as well.

Jam Delish successfully transitioned from a lockdown pop-up to opening its flagship in Islington, led by a chef trained under Jamie Oliver and who has cooked for celebrities like Letitia Wright and Common. The restaurant offers a diverse menu of vegan Caribbean cuisine, catering to various dietary needs with dishes like BBQ jerk plantain, Caribbean “fish” tacos, grilled lemon pepper tofu skewers, and curry “goat.” Additionally, it features a bar with cocktails and vegan wines, along with an outdoor seating area for warmer days.

Trullo is an institution for Italian food and is located minutes from Highbury & Islington station. Food is served in a clean and contemporary dining room with big windows. The regularly-changing menus include handmade pasta made just before service begins and dishes from the charcoal grill, all prepared with seasonal and sustainable produce.

Opened in 1994 in a disused smokehouse, St. John has become a stalwart of the restaurant scene in London. The restaurant has a stripped-back style and is full of light. Credited with reviving the popularity of offal dishes, it has held a Michelin star since 2009. Menus change daily for fresh flavours every time.

Anyone with a passion for dance will enjoy a show at renowned dance theatre Sadler's Wells. There's a theatre with a capacity of 1,500 people at this ultra-modern venue, as well as a dance studio. A diverse collection of dance performances take place here from musicals to Bollywood productions, ballets, and contemporary dance shows.

Drink and dance until the small hours at The Night Owl, conveniently located outside Finsbury Park station. This friendly bar attracts a diverse and lively crowd. DJs, live performers, and events keep the atmosphere going here. Jump on the dance floor or just sit back and relax with a drink at this fun spot.

Egg is a huge name in nightlife. Housed in a former warehouse near King's Cross, it includes five rooms set over three floors. The club has a busy programme of parties and events, where you can expect top electronic sounds from up-and-coming DJs as well as established names like Jeff Mills and Nina Kraviz.