Alex, one of the Islington Storytellers, has been living in the neighbourhood for years and has put together a guide for making the most out of a weekend in Islington. Enjoy part one and find part two here.
Stop #1 – Barrecorre
Get your weekend off to the most re-energised of starts with a gentle stretch & a full-on sweat at an early morning Pilates class at Barrecorre where you can book in for a single session and enjoy a taste of the Lulemon lycra life.
Stop #2 – Jolene’s
Stroll over to Jolene’s on Colebrook Row, an offshoot of Big Jo Bakery that wholeheartedly champions regenerative food systems & ethical farming; long heralded as one of the loveliest places to eat baked goods in London, the beautifully laminated pastries (personally obsessed with the pain Suisse!), fresh sourdough loaves+ warm welcome make visiting here a must-do.
Stop #3 – Local Charity Shops
Angel boasts some cracking charity shops perfect for unhurried donating, browsing & purchasing; Fara, Mary’s Living & Giving and the Cancer Research Shop are excellent places to rehome your much-loved pieces, hunt out a bargain and feel good about shopping in a way that celebrates reuse and rejects fast fashion.
Stop #4 – Saint Espresso
Enjoy a caffeinated 11 am pick-me-up with an oat milk latte from Saint Espresso, a recent and much-appreciated addition to the Angel Central shopping centre; their nearby roastery in Hackney is responsible for the consistently excellent beans on offer at this friendly coffee group who take pride in both running their own cafes and supplying to others.
Stop #5 – Discover Local Bookshops
This is a great neighbourhood for bibliophiles for whom the paper page is still mightier than the Kindle screen; browse for something new at Upper St Bookshop or find a second-hand gem at Oxfam Books, both delightful little spots only a few minutes’ walk from the leafy Islington Green, itself an excellent place for dog spotting which we all know is the real reason you go to a park!
Stop #6 – Rudy’s Vegan Diner
Explore the indulgent side of modern plant-based cuisine come lunchtime with a seitan pastrami stuffed Rubenze or a gluten-free mac’n’cheeze at the light, bright & contemporary Rudy’s Vegan Diner on Upper Street, where passionate staff will also be happy to help you take home your favourite plant-based supplies from the world’s first-ever in-store vegan butchers.
Stop #7 – Local Theatres
You don’t have to head to the West End to be blessed with truly world-class theatre; the gorgeous white pillars of the Almeida Theatre can be found just off Upper Street where they stage bold new plays alongside classically beloved revivals, while the nearby King’s Head Theatre champions the very best of fringe theatre and new talent, and the Little Angel Theatre is the local home of puppetry, with global influences apparent in their production schedule.
Stop #8 – Aperitif at Fredericks, dine at Noci
When dusk beckons, enjoy an aperitif in the beautiful conservatory of Fredericks, a modern European restaurant and five-decades-long resident of Camden Passage, before moving onto dinner at the newly opened and ultra-delicious Noci on the Green where you must leave room for the Gianduja & hazelnut budino, and then channel your inner Britney, Billy or Lizzo at Lucky Voice Karaoke where private booths offer maximum fun and minimum public embarrassment!
Stop #9 – Udderlicious
Last but not least, all the very best days include ice-cream so end yours with a scoop or two from Udderlicious, Angel’s incredible, independent ice-cream parlour where flavours like Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt and Banana Caramel will knock your socks off until 11 pm every night.
About the author: Having lived in N1 for nearly a decade, Alex is one of the borough’s biggest fans with a particular appreciation for all the great places to eat and drink in the neighbourhood; working in food means she is always keen to seek out new places in which to find interesting ingredients or delicious plates to share with friends and family all-year round.
NB! If you would also like to contribute to the Islington Storyteller, get in touch at islington.london@outlook.com.
