LONDON FOOD WALK | ISLINGTON
click here for your free food guide to Islington

London food walk: Islington (N1)

Words and photography by Fiona Symington. 
MAY 2013
With a reputation for being the design centre of London, Islington is all hip and groove with its mix of antique and design stores.  Avoid the immediate area around Angel and head straight for Camden Passage to the lively antique market and design stores. Here you’re likely to pick up that set of bone-handled cutlery that you’ve always longed for or some champagne-frosted Art Deco glassware. Midst the old, you’ll also discover the new like Loop for beautiful hand-crafted knitwear or the effervescent and fifties nostalgic cafe, Issy’s Milk Way. Along Upper Street is design central. Aria is a must see for its well curated selection of home wares as is relative new comer, Folklore. End your day with a cocktail at the speakeasy inspired The Bar With No Name on Colebrook Row. 
EAT/ OTTOLENGHI
287 Upper Street N1 2TZ
Tel 020 7288 1454

While we generally favour the independent and small trader, we make an exception for Ottolenghi. Why? For no other reason that it has never strayed from its commitment to make food that is “hand-crafted with extreme care and attention, from basic raw ingredients”. A visit to any of its cafes is a food love-in, with its abundance of fresh, vibrant wholesome food.
WARE/ NUMBER ONE
1 Pierrepont Arcade N1 8EG
Tel 07763 280284

It could be a case of bric-a-brac-a-mania at this antique store hidden within the alcoves of Camden Passage.  Take a deep breath before you delve into the stacks of cups, plates and saucers that spill over into Pierrepont Arcade. With such a collection of porcelain on offer, you’re more than likely to find a treasure.
WARE/ ETOILE
41 Cross Street N1 2BB
Tel 020 7354 1396

At first glance, Etoile may seem an odd inclusion; however, it is for its soft furnishings and hand-made objects that it is included here. Visit to see the bird houses of Tamar Mogendorff crafted from old linens and vintage fabrics and the strange but endearing creatures of Appolline. 
YOUR FOOD WALK
Free walking guide to N1

Simply click on the map above for your free self-guided food walk of N1. There is no recommended starting point, just a map of places to go, things to see and food to eat. 
WARE/ ARIA
Barnsbury Street N1 1PN
Tel 020 7704 6222

Aria has been defining contemporary design for the last two decades. Stocking an innovative range of design, home furnishings and vintage pieces, Aria offers a unique shopping experience. Upstairs in the lofty space of Barnsbury Hall are home-wares and furniture from well-known international iconic designers such as Kartell, Alessi, Dualit. Downwards, the focus turns to lighting, soft furnishing, and more home accessories and toiletries by names such as Cowshed. Aria also promotes local independent designers through a programme of special collaborations, the current one being a canvas bag competition. Submissions due 01 May 2013. 
WARE/ LOOP
15 Camden Passage N1 8EA
Tel 0207 288 1160

In our yearning for the hand-made, Loop returns us to the art of knitting with its collection of beautiful spun yarns and haberdashery. For the knitting enthusiast, however, experienced, there is an inspiring array of yarns from the softest of mohair to alpaca wool to choose from. All have a traceable providence such as Blacker Designs - selected fleece from rare Cornish breeds, and Artisan Yarns, from the independent dyeing company based in Hereford. Designer knits are also featured such as soft toys by Sally Nencini or Hackney-based, Catherine Tough. A selection of classes is offered. 
DRINK/ REAL ALE TAPROOM
163 Upper Street N1 1RE


After a successful sojourn as a pop-up, Real Ale Taproom is now taking up permanent residence in Upper Street. With the promise of real ale, real beards and real food, we wait with real anticipation for its opening. With no website as yet, all we can say is quite literally watch this space.

WARE/ FOLKLORE
193 Upper Street N1 1RQ
Tel 0207 3549333

Just over a year old, Folklore has earned a strong following for its ecological approach to design and home wares. Its philosophy is a simple one that "better living is possible through design". This ethos resonates throughout a carefully curated selection of home-ware, apothecary, lighting, lifestyle products all made from organic, recycled or found materials. We loved the LA Bruket - Swedish organic range, the European linen cushions dyed in gradient blue and for its sheer simplicity, the stoneware jug D. Proving that its commitment to ecology is more than an aesthetic one, Folklore donates 15% of its profit to a different not-for-profit organiSation each year.

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LONDON FOOD WALK | ISLINGTON