Guidebook for London
Drinks & Nightlife
Superb selection of craft beers and ales as well as a beer garden and a reasonable menu. Gets busy after work on Fridays!
70 locals recommend
Earl of Essex
25 Danbury StSuperb selection of craft beers and ales as well as a beer garden and a reasonable menu. Gets busy after work on Fridays!
One of our favourite pubs. A friendly local with a decent food menu and a beer garden.
282 locals recommend
The Eagle
15 Clifton RdOne of our favourite pubs. A friendly local with a decent food menu and a beer garden.
Food Scene
There's no shortage of burger places around here but we think Haché do a great job with good quality, imaginative fare and great service.
17 locals recommend
Haché Burgers Shoreditch
147 Curtain RdThere's no shortage of burger places around here but we think Haché do a great job with good quality, imaginative fare and great service.
Part of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s stable of everyday restaurants. This one is pretty huge with a cocktail bar attached. Great for families too.
31 locals recommend
Jamie's Italian Angel
409-411 St John StPart of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s stable of everyday restaurants. This one is pretty huge with a cocktail bar attached. Great for families too.
Reliably decent French bistro. Part of a chain around London and usually has lunch and pre-theatre specials.
20 locals recommend
Côte Brasserie - Islington
4-6 Islington GreenReliably decent French bistro. Part of a chain around London and usually has lunch and pre-theatre specials.
Grab a seat at the window where you can watch the citizens of Silicon Roundabout buzz in and out of Old Street Roundabout. Coffee/sandwiches by day and cocktails are served in the evening.
134 locals recommend
Shoreditch Grind
213 Old StGrab a seat at the window where you can watch the citizens of Silicon Roundabout buzz in and out of Old Street Roundabout. Coffee/sandwiches by day and cocktails are served in the evening.
A bit of a hidden treat, this one. Superb contemporary Indian food on a fairly secluded street. A big hit with locals and you’ll see why.
17 locals recommend
Zaffrani
47 Cross StA bit of a hidden treat, this one. Superb contemporary Indian food on a fairly secluded street. A big hit with locals and you’ll see why.
Slightly more special dining. The first solo venture from former Polpo chap, Tom Oldroyd. It’s intimate and charming with high quality European/British fare.
37 locals recommend
Oldroyd
344 Upper StSlightly more special dining. The first solo venture from former Polpo chap, Tom Oldroyd. It’s intimate and charming with high quality European/British fare.
Modern and classic takes on the Spanish tapa. Sit in the window and watch busy Islington zip by.
41 locals recommend
La Farola Cafe
101 Upper StreetModern and classic takes on the Spanish tapa. Sit in the window and watch busy Islington zip by.
A London classic - one of the first of the casual/fine dining experiences here. Described as ‘one of the most convivial in the city’, booking is essential for the luscious Moorish food.
131 locals recommend
Moro
34-36 Exmouth MarketA London classic - one of the first of the casual/fine dining experiences here. Described as ‘one of the most convivial in the city’, booking is essential for the luscious Moorish food.
Dine or drink in the charming pub downstairs but make a reservation to go to the elegant restaurant upstairs. They even stock some English wines
58 locals recommend
The Princess of Shoreditch
76-78 Paul StDine or drink in the charming pub downstairs but make a reservation to go to the elegant restaurant upstairs. They even stock some English wines
Run by Anna Hansen MBE for services to the restaurant industry, the Modern Pantry has some exquisite fusion dishes that seem strange on the page, but perfect to the taste.
83 locals recommend
The Modern Pantry
47-48 St John's SquareRun by Anna Hansen MBE for services to the restaurant industry, the Modern Pantry has some exquisite fusion dishes that seem strange on the page, but perfect to the taste.
I’m not the biggest fan of sushi, but I’m told it’s the real deal here. I come for the healthy, tasty Bento Box at lunchtime. This independent, welcoming little gem also delivers.
14 locals recommend
Sasa Sushi
422 St John StI’m not the biggest fan of sushi, but I’m told it’s the real deal here. I come for the healthy, tasty Bento Box at lunchtime. This independent, welcoming little gem also delivers.
I think I died of pleasure with their pulled pork burger.... Seriously. (They also do loads of craft beers and other food things, but who cares about that when you've got the pulled pork...?)
115 locals recommend
Duke's Brew & Que
33 Downham RoadI think I died of pleasure with their pulled pork burger.... Seriously. (They also do loads of craft beers and other food things, but who cares about that when you've got the pulled pork...?)
Close to the apartment, this is a gem (hidden behind a drive-thru McDonalds!). Contemporary French cuisine done with flair and oozing with taste. Get there quick before everyone knows about it.
23 locals recommend
Sardine
15 Micawber StClose to the apartment, this is a gem (hidden behind a drive-thru McDonalds!). Contemporary French cuisine done with flair and oozing with taste. Get there quick before everyone knows about it.
Deceptive from the outside, this bar/café/restaurant has a quirky/cool street level space and a huge dining area downstairs. Come for cocktails or to sample their excellent Sunday Roast.
39 locals recommend
The Jones Family Project
78 Great Eastern StDeceptive from the outside, this bar/café/restaurant has a quirky/cool street level space and a huge dining area downstairs. Come for cocktails or to sample their excellent Sunday Roast.
Sightseeing
One of London’s best-kept secrets is right behind you! The eastern stretch of Regents Canal begins on Danbury Street and you can join the walkers, joggers, cyclists and boaters east towards Victoria Park and eventually to the river Thames. Along the way there are some great bars and places to eat. Highly recommended.
16 locals recommend
Regents Canal Colebrook Row Gardens
One of London’s best-kept secrets is right behind you! The eastern stretch of Regents Canal begins on Danbury Street and you can join the walkers, joggers, cyclists and boaters east towards Victoria Park and eventually to the river Thames. Along the way there are some great bars and places to eat. Highly recommended.
An easy 15 mins walk from Kith and Kine is Exmouth Market. A trendy, pedestrianised street filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars, it also has a busy street food market on weekdays.
A great place to watch the stylish, creative locals. We recommend Caravan for coffee, Moro for fine dining (if you can get a booking) and the Exmouth Arms for a cool interpretation of a traditional English local pub.
219 locals recommend
Exmouth Market
Exmouth MarketAn easy 15 mins walk from Kith and Kine is Exmouth Market. A trendy, pedestrianised street filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars, it also has a busy street food market on weekdays.
A great place to watch the stylish, creative locals. We recommend Caravan for coffee, Moro for fine dining (if you can get a booking) and the Exmouth Arms for a cool interpretation of a traditional English local pub.
Parks & Nature
Not enough visitors escape to this huge green space a few miles north. Go for the stunning views of the city from Parliament Hill. You can also swim, visit a zoo or have a wander around some of London’s swankier residential spots around the heath.
From Kith and Kine, grab the 43 bus outside the door to Highbury & Islington Overground. Switch to the lovely Overground train to Gospel Oak and you’re there.
1215 locals recommend
Hampstead Heath
Not enough visitors escape to this huge green space a few miles north. Go for the stunning views of the city from Parliament Hill. You can also swim, visit a zoo or have a wander around some of London’s swankier residential spots around the heath.
From Kith and Kine, grab the 43 bus outside the door to Highbury & Islington Overground. Switch to the lovely Overground train to Gospel Oak and you’re there.