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Angel is the buzzing southern gateway to Islington, a lively north London district where a broad, restaurant-lined high street meets antique-hunting lanes and a celebrated dance theatre. Sociable and well-connected, it makes an excellent base for eating, browsing and a night out away from the tourist crowds.
Where is Angel and how to get there
Angel sits in the borough of Islington, just north of the City and King’s Cross. It is served by Angel station on the Northern line, which has one of the longest escalators on the network, and is an easy walk down to King’s Cross and Clerkenwell.
Upper Street, Camden Passage and the arts
The district’s spine is Upper Street, one of London’s great eating-out streets, thick with restaurants, bars and independent shops running north into Islington proper. Just off it, Camden Passage is a charming lane of antique shops, boutiques and cafes with a long-running antiques market, while Sadler’s Wells is the country’s leading venue for contemporary dance. Chapel Market adds a traditional street market nearby.
Eating and drinking
Angel and Upper Street offer one of the densest concentrations of restaurants, gastropubs and bars in north London, spanning every cuisine and budget. It is a reliable choice for dinner before a show or a lively evening out.
Good to know
What is Camden Passage?
Camden Passage is a picturesque pedestrian lane in Angel, lined with antique shops, boutiques, cafes and stalls, and long known for its antiques market. Despite the name it is in Islington, not Camden, and it makes a delightful spot for browsing and a coffee away from the bustle of Upper Street.
Where to go next
Continue into Islington, or head to King’s Cross or Clerkenwell. Browse all our London neighbourhood guides.
