The Bull

Head to Upper Street in Islington and you'll find The Bull tucked among the independent shops and restaurants that make this stretch actually worth visiting. It's the kind of place where locals genuinely spend their evenings, not because it's trying to be cool, but because the food is genuinely good—proper British fare elevated just enough to feel special—and the drinks selection punches above its weight. You'll get real ales alongside a wine list that someone's actually bothered to think about, and the sort of cocktails made by people who know what they're doing rather than just following a recipe. The space itself feels lived-in and welcoming, with enough character to suggest it's got proper history without being a museum piece.