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Upper Street's 50+ Restaurants Transform Islington Into Dining Destination

Upper Street and Chapel Market anchor a range of restaurants, gastropubs and international spots across the borough.

By Islington Things-to-do Desk · Published 18 July 2026

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Islington residents and visitors can explore dining along Upper Street, the borough's main dining artery that hosts an enormous concentration of restaurants, pubs, cafés, and chain options alongside independent venues.

Upper Street Restaurants

Trullo stands out as a contemporary trattoria focused on pasta dishes. Primeur offers slick small plates, while Tofu Vegan provides the borough's top vegan selection. These venues sit among the many options that line the street and draw locals for everyday meals and special occasions.

Gastropub Choices

The Pig and Butcher serves farm-to-table British cuisine. The Drapers Arms focuses on seasonal classics, and The Compton Arms is known for its Sunday roasts. These gastropubs add traditional British elements to the area's dining mix and operate alongside the independent restaurants on Upper Street.

Chapel Market Eats

Chapel Market supplies additional variety with Chapel Market Kitchen, a seafood spot that opened early 2024. Indian Veg serves vegetarian curries, and Plaquemine Lock offers Cajun and Creole cuisine by the canal. The market's collection of spots gives residents quick access to different styles without traveling far from central Islington.

International Cuisines

Authentic Tamil dishes appear at The Tamil Crown and The Tamil Prince, which operate as Desi pubs. Little Georgia prepares Georgian food, and Taste of China specialises in Sichuan cooking. These restaurants expand the borough's range beyond British and European fare while remaining within walking distance of Upper Street and Chapel Market.

The concentration of these venues on Upper Street and around Chapel Market allows diners to move between different cuisines and formats on a single visit. Many spots emphasise fresh ingredients and established local favourites, giving both residents and newcomers straightforward choices for meals throughout the week. Planning a visit around specific preferences, such as pasta at Trullo or roasts at The Compton Arms, helps match the right venue to the occasion without additional travel.