Famous Cock Tavern

Walk into the Famous Cock and you're stepping into actual Islington history. Upper Street's changed a lot over the decades, but this place has that rare quality of feeling genuinely lived-in rather than curated. You'll find locals propping up the bar alongside visitors who've wandered in from Angel tube, all equally welcome. The vibe is unpretentious—this is a pub that knows what it does and doesn't try to be something it's not. Food's straightforward pub fare at reasonable prices, the kind of place where a pint and a proper meal won't leave you wincing at the bill.