My ten things to do in Highbury, Islington, London N5 list offers an overview of this leafy North London area. Whether you want to relax at Highbury Fields, watch an Arsenal match at Emirates Stadium, dine at a top-notch restaurant or savour a laid-back brunch, it’s all up for grabs. Other places to check out are St Paul’s Road for delightful dining spots, while Highbury Park hosts an array of exquisite speciality food stores and some of my all-time favourite restaurants. While Highbury might often be associated with the Arsenal Football Club, there’s an abundance of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered, making it an ideal destination for exploration, shopping, and dining.
Ten Things To Do In Highbury List:
1. Relax at scenic Highbury Fields
2. Watch Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
3. Visit the original Arsenal FC grounds
4. Indulge at Highbury’s top-notch restaurants
5. Enjoy leisurely meals at laid-back eateries
6. Socialise at Highbury’s bars and pubs
7. Explore the artisanal food scene of Highbury Park
8. Admire rustic furniture at Gathering Moss
9. Browse trinkets and treasures at Louis Farouk
10. Peruse the Highbury Park bookshops
My Favourite Ten Things To Do In Highbury
1. Relax at scenic Highbury Fields. This green oasis boasts playgrounds, netball and tennis courts and a Leisure Centre with a gym and swimming pool. Don’t miss the impressive houses facing the Fields and the Boer War Memorial. Enjoy tea and cake at the Oasis Cafe or Vent Coffee Co at Christ Church Community Centre. You’ll also find the Dusty Knuckle van parked up by the tennis courts serving coffee and sandwiches.
2. Watch Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. It’s one of the UK’s largest stadiums where you can tour the grounds and visit the museum to delve into the club’s history.
3. Visit the original Arsenal FC grounds. These have been transformed into a residential site called Highbury Square. Explore the communal garden on the former football pitch, surrounded by red and white Arsenal-themed apartments.
4. Indulge at Highbury’s top-notch restaurants. My personal favourites include Little Sardegna (Sardinian), Ninh’s (Vietnamese), Farang (Thai), Iznik (Turkish), Trullo (Italian), Top Cuvée (small plates) and Canto 73 (Friday and Saturday Supper Club).
5. Enjoy leisurely meals at laid-back eateries. Whether it’s brunch or lunch, I can recommend Frank’s Canteen, Sawyer and Gray, Beam and Humdingers. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Highness Cafe for tea and cake or Profile for coffee and pastries. Freshly made juices at Cinnamon Village are a healthy treat.
6. Socialise at Highbury’s bars and pubs. Check our Giacco’s for wine, cheese and charcuterie, Top Cuvée/Shop Cuvée for wine, Alwyne Castle for alfresco family dining and The Highbury Barn Tavern for British comfort food. On Arsenal match days, these are crowded.
7. Explore the artisanal food scene of Highbury Park. Shop for cheeses at La Fromagerie, organic meat at Godfrey, seafood at The Highbury Fishmongers and Italian delicacies at Da Mario. Discover organic food options at Seasons and Blossoms down the road toward Arsenal and Finsbury Park. Nourish Communities support independent food producers, which is excellent for groceries and fresh veggies.
8. Admire rustic furniture at Gathering Moss. Commission a bespoke bookcase, home office desk or dining table made from reclaimed wood. You’ll also find a curated collection of home accessories, decorative objects, tableware and more for your home.
9. Browse trinkets and treasures at Louis Farouk. Discover exquisite textiles, jewellery, gifts and homewares from Egypt and Northern Africa in vibrant colours and with intricate patterns.
10. Peruse the Highbury Park bookshops. Ink@84 stocks a wide range of books. Try the BookBar for book-centric events, wine and social gatherings. House of Hodge is a treasure trove of second-hand books for a good cause.
Watch My Ten Things To Do In Highbury Video
Helpful Information About Highbury Islington London
Highbury is a leafy North London location close to Finsbury Park, Holloway, Islington, Canonbury, Newington Green, Stoke Newington and Barnsbury. It is easy to access by travelling to Highbury and Islington Station, Arsenal or Finsbury Park. A good walking route is to travel to Highbury and Islington Station, go through Highbury Fields and down Highbury Park Road on the left-hand side until you reach Blackstock Road. Cross over the road and look down Mountgrove Road, where you’ll find my beauticians, Tiny Hair and Beauty, Finks Salt and Sweet and Top Cuveé. Walk back up Highbury Park on the other side of the road, venture round to St Paul’s Road and back to Highbury and Islington Station. Look at the Highbury Wikipedia page, where you can read about the exciting history.
While you are in the area, these articles may be of interest:
Best Things To Do In Highbury:
Highbury Islington London N5 Area Guide
Best Places To Shop In Highbury:
Gathering Moss Furniture Shop Highbury
Best Places To Eat In Highbury:
Ninh’s Vietnamese Restaurant Highbury Park
Farang Thai Street Food Highbury Park
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Please check that the places I referenced in this article are still in business before you visit to avoid disappointment.
