Dog Friendly Islington: The Best Places To Eat, Drink, Walk & Explore With Your Dog
By the Islington Local Guide editorial team
Islington is one of the easiest corners of London to enjoy with a dog, and I say that as someone who walks these streets most weeks of the year. You are rarely more than a few minutes from the canal towpath, a Georgian square, a patch of green or a pub that keeps a water bowl by the door. The borough was built for wandering. Quiet residential streets run off the main drags, the parks are generous for the amount of city packed around them, and a good number of cafes, pubs and shops genuinely want your dog through the door rather than tolerating it on the step.
This is a local guide, written from the pavement up, not a directory scraped together from listings. Everything below is somewhere we would actually take a dog, with honest notes on what to expect. We have flagged where you should phone ahead, because dog policies change with a change of manager, and the last thing we want is to send you across town to a closed door.
Whether you live around Angel, Highbury, Canonbury or Barnsbury, or you are coming in for the day from elsewhere in North or East London, the area joins up beautifully on foot. Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Barnsbury, King’s Cross and Clerkenwell are all within an easy lead’s length of one another, and most of this guide can be strung into a single relaxed day out.
One standing note before we start: always check a venue’s current dog policy before you set off, especially for indoor seating and Sunday lunch. Policies shift, and busy services sometimes mean dogs are welcome in the bar but not the dining room.
The best dog-friendly areas in Islington
Angel
Angel is the obvious starting point, and Upper Street is its spine. It is busy, so a confident dog will love the people-watching and a nervous one will be happier on the side streets. Camden Passage, the little antiques lane just off Upper Street, is the nicest pocket here: cobbles, independent shops, a gelato counter or two, and pavement tables where a well-behaved dog is part of the furniture. Camden Passage is also where you will find weekend market stalls worth a slow browse.
Highbury
Highbury is the calmer, leafier neighbour, and Highbury Fields is the engine of it. The streets are residential and easy underfoot, the brunch spots are unhurried, and there is a cluster of independent cafes and shops around Highbury Barn and Highbury Park. If your dog likes space to stretch out before settling under a table, start your day here.
Canonbury
Canonbury is my favourite part of the borough for a quiet walk. Georgian squares, the New River winding through, and a handful of proper neighbourhood pubs that have not been polished into something they are not. George Orwell lived on Canonbury Square, and the area still has that settled, lived-in feel. It is the place to come when you want leafy streets and a slow pint rather than a scene.
Barnsbury
Barnsbury sits between Angel and Caledonian Road, and its Georgian terraces are some of the prettiest streets in London for an aimless dog walk. It is also home to a couple of the borough’s best gastropubs, so a loop of the squares followed by a long lunch is a very Barnsbury way to spend a Sunday.
King’s Cross & Coal Drops Yard
King’s Cross has reinvented itself into one of the most dog-welcoming spots in central London, which still surprises people who remember the old days. Granary Square, the canal, the fountains and 26 acres of open space sit right next to Coal Drops Yard, where a long list of cafes, restaurants and shops welcome dogs both inside and out. You can walk in along Regent’s Canal from Angel and arrive somewhere that feels like a day out in its own right.
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell, on Islington’s southern edge, is best on a weekend when the working week has cleared out. Exmouth Market is the heart of it, a pedestrian-friendly street of independent traders and outdoor tables, and the surrounding lanes are full of small pubs that suit a wander rather than a destination crawl.
The best dog walks in Islington
Regent’s Canal: Angel to King’s Cross
If you only do one walk in this guide, make it this one. Pick up the towpath near City Road Basin or by the Islington Tunnel and follow the water west towards King’s Cross. It is flat, it is scenic, and it delivers you at Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard with plenty of coffee stops along the way. It is ideal for a weekend morning.
The one thing to watch is cyclists, who use the towpath at speed, so keep your dog on a short lead and close to the wall side where you can. There is no fencing between the path and the water for long stretches, which is worth remembering with a dog that likes to follow a duck.
New River Walk
Tucked through Canonbury, the New River Walk is one of the loveliest green routes in the borough and a lot of people who live nearby still do not know it. It follows a slim linear park beside the old New River channel, with planting, little bridges and birdlife, and it links up neatly with the Georgian squares around it. It is quiet, shaded and short, which makes it a perfect everyday stretch rather than a big expedition.
Highbury Fields
Highbury Fields is the borough’s largest open green space and the default everyday walk for half of North London’s dogs. There is room to throw a ball, there are cafes on the edges for afterwards, and there is a steady, sociable flow of other dog walkers, so it is a good place for a young dog to learn some manners. Mornings and late afternoons are calmest.
Barnard Park
Barnard Park, between Barnsbury and Caledonian Road, is an unfussy local green space that does its job well. It is handy if you are based around Barnsbury and want a quick off-the-pavement leg-stretch without travelling. Not a beauty spot, but a genuinely useful one.
Gillespie Park
Gillespie Park, near Arsenal and Finsbury Park, is a small nature reserve with a wilder feel than the manicured fields elsewhere. Woodland edges, meadow and ponds make it a lovely change of scene, though as a nature reserve it asks that dogs stay on leads to protect the wildlife, so treat it as a sniffy, slow-paced walk rather than a run-around.
Paradise Park
Paradise Park, over towards Holloway, is a practical neighbourhood park that is well used by local dog owners. It has open grass, a community feel and enough space for a proper walk, and it is an easy option if you are at the Holloway or Highbury end of the borough.
Clissold Park (worth the short trip)
Just over the border in Stoke Newington, Clissold Park is worth travelling for. It is large, with grass, a couple of ponds, deer and birds to look at, and a good cafe in the old house at its centre. If you fancy a bigger walk than Islington’s own parks offer, this is the one to point the lead towards.
Practical advice for walks
The best dog-friendly cafes in Islington
Islington’s cafe scene is well suited to dogs because so much of it spills onto the pavement. On Upper Street, Camden Passage and around Highbury, outdoor tables make almost anywhere workable in decent weather. The places below go a step further and genuinely welcome dogs, often inside as well as out. As always, indoor policies can tighten at busy times, so a quick check never hurts.
British Patagonia, off Upper Street
Why it is good for dog owners: this independent bakery is properly dog-mad, to the point that dogs get their own treats baked on the premises. The human side is just as good, with a strong run of sweet and savoury pastries and a soft serve that has a small but devoted following.
Best time to visit: mid-morning on a weekday, before the pastry shelf thins out.
What to order: a pastry and a flat white, and a dog treat to keep the peace under the table.
Nearby walk: loop down to the canal, or potter through Camden Passage.
Vertige Café, Highbury
Why it is good for dog owners: a small French-leaning cafe that welcomes dogs inside, which matters on a cold or wet Highbury morning. It is the kind of place where you can settle in with a book and nobody hurries you out.
Best time to visit: weekend brunch, or early on a weekday for a quieter table.
What to order: shakshuka or a croque monsieur, a pastry, and Monmouth coffee.
Nearby walk: Highbury Fields is a couple of minutes away, so brunch then a long lap is the natural order.
Notes Coffee, Pancras Square (King’s Cross)
Why it is good for dog owners: well-behaved dogs are welcome indoors and water bowls appear on request. It serves food all day, which makes it a reliable mid-walk refuel on the King’s Cross side.
Best time to visit: after a canal walk into Granary Square, when you want to sit down properly.
What to order: a good coffee and something off the all-day menu.
Nearby walk: the canal, Granary Square fountains and the open spaces around Coal Drops Yard.
Redemption Roasters, Coal Drops Yard
Why it is good for dog owners: dogs are welcome, the coffee is excellent, and there is a genuinely good story behind it: Redemption Roasters trains people in the prison system to roast and make coffee. The cakes hold their own too.
Best time to visit: any time you are at Coal Drops Yard. It is a good first or last stop.
What to order: an espresso or batch filter, with a slice of cake.
Nearby walk: the Yard itself, then down to the canal.
Badiani, Camden Passage
Why it is good for dog owners: a gelato counter on the prettiest lane in Angel, with pavement seating and, when they run them, dog ice creams for your companion. More of a treat stop than a sit-down, but a lovely one.
Best time to visit: a warm afternoon, mid-wander.
What to order: pistachio, and keep an eye on their social feed for dog scoops.
Nearby walk: Camden Passage and on towards Upper Street.
The best dog-friendly pubs in Islington
This is where Islington really earns its reputation. The borough is full of proper neighbourhood pubs, and most of the good ones keep a water bowl behind the bar and a few biscuits for visitors. Below are the ones we would happily take a dog to, grouped roughly by area. Where a pub restricts dogs to the bar or garden at busy times, we have said so. Sunday lunch is the one service where it is always worth booking and checking the dog policy in the same call.
Angel & Barnsbury
The Drapers Arms (Barnsbury). A handsome 1830s pub on a beautiful Barnsbury street, widely rated as one of North London’s best gastropubs. Dogs are welcome in the bar and the large garden, with water bowls provided, though the dining room may be kept dog-free during service. The food is exceptional and the Sunday roast has a serious local following, so book ahead. Garden bookings are taken by phone or email rather than online.
The Albion (Barnsbury). A Georgian pub with a wisteria-draped front and a walled garden that feels a world away from the city. Dogs are welcomed warmly, with water and biscuits provided, and there are log fires inside for the colder months. One of the most relaxing places in the borough to lose an afternoon.
The Pig and Butcher (Liverpool Road). A handsome mid-1800s pub that butchers its own meat on site and changes the menu weekly. Dogs are most welcome, with water and biscuits on hand. It is a short walk off the main drag so it feels calmer than Upper Street, and the Sunday roast is excellent if not cheap. Reservations are for dining only, so a quick call ahead about a dog is sensible.
The Earl of Essex (Angel). Plain on the outside, much better within. A backstreet pub off Angel with a serious beer list on a retro board and a sunken beer garden that comes into its own in summer. Relaxed, dog-friendly and a good Sunday lunch stop.
The Island Queen (off Essex Road). A Grade II listed Victorian pub from 1851 with a gorgeously preserved interior. A classic Islington local that is comfortable with dogs in the bar. Worth a look for the room alone.
Canonbury & Highbury
The Canonbury Tavern (Canonbury Place). Sitting among the Georgian squares of Canonbury, this is a neighbourhood pub that welcomes dogs throughout, bar, dining area and a generous garden, with water bowls provided. There is a fire inside, the roasts are popular, and the surrounding streets give you one of the prettiest pre-pint walks in the borough.
The Compton Arms (off Upper Street). A 200-year-old backstreet local that feels like a country pub five minutes from Highbury & Islington station. Small, cosy and full of regulars, with well-kept real ales and the Rake kitchen residency turning out smart, simple food that has earned a place in the Michelin Guide. It is tiny, so it gets crowded, but that is part of the charm. There is a small courtyard out back. George Orwell drank near here, and you can see why he liked the type.
Essex Road & the canal
The Narrowboat (St Peter’s Street). Right on the canal, with a balcony over the water, this is a natural pause on a towpath walk. It is genuinely dog-friendly: you are often met with a water bowl, a biscuit and even a blanket. Lovely on a sunny day, and handy whether you are walking towards Angel or out towards King’s Cross.
The Duke of Cambridge (St Peter’s Street). Britain’s first certified organic pub, going since 1998, and in their own words “totally and utterly dog friendly,” with dogs welcome everywhere, water bowls, treats and even a dog menu. The food is seasonal, local and organic, the Sunday roast is a highlight, and it sits a short walk from the canal. Note that after 7.30pm it is adults only, and reservations are for diners rather than drinkers.
Dog-friendly restaurants & brunch spots
Plenty of Islington and King’s Cross restaurants welcome dogs, especially anywhere with a terrace or pavement seating. The rule of thumb is simple: outdoor tables are almost always fine, indoor dining is sometimes fine and sometimes not, and the only way to be sure is to check when you book. Here is how the borough breaks down by occasion.
Best for brunch with your dog
Vertige in Highbury for an unhurried indoor brunch, or British Patagonia near Upper Street if you want pastries and a dog treat in the same sitting. On the King’s Cross side, Notes at Pancras Square serves food all day and welcomes dogs indoors, which makes it a dependable post-canal brunch.
Best for outdoor dining
Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square are the strongest hand here. The Lighterman has wrap-around terraces over the canal and is proudly dog-friendly, and the wider Coal Drops Yard cluster includes the likes of El Pastor for tacos, Barrafina for tapas at the counter and Morty & Bob’s for the grilled cheese, with many keeping water bowls behind the bar. Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell is the other good bet, with outdoor tables down a pedestrian-friendly street.
Best for a casual bite
The Tamil Prince on Hemingford Road, just off Caledonian Road, is a converted corner pub turned destination Desi pub, and it is dog-friendly and Michelin-recognised in 2026. It is a fantastic plate of food, though a couple of honest caveats apply: it gets loud, the tables are close together, and it can be a squeeze for a dog at peak times, so aim for a quieter slot and note in your booking that you are bringing one. Beer + Burger on York Way (dogs on leads) and Happy Face Pizza at King’s Cross are easy, wallet-friendlier options.
Best for Sunday lunch
This is Islington’s strong suit. The Drapers Arms, the Pig and Butcher, the Duke of Cambridge and the Canonbury Tavern all do a serious roast and all welcome dogs in at least part of the pub. Over at King’s Cross, The Fellow on York Way is known for one of the best roasts in the area, with sharing roasts and bottomless Yorkshire puddings; as a Young’s pub it is usually relaxed about dogs, but it is adults only from 5pm and worth a quick check on the dog policy when you book. Whichever you choose, reserve, and confirm the dog can join you at the table rather than just in the bar.
Dog-friendly shopping in Islington
Shopping with a dog in Islington is mostly a pleasure, because so much of it happens on foot along Upper Street, through Camden Passage and around Coal Drops Yard. Many independents are happy for a calm dog to come in, and the markets are made for it.
If you are after natural treats and chews, keep an eye out for local pet brands and market stalls such as Wild & Worthy, which focuses on premium natural treats, chews, supplements and grooming products for dogs and cats. Supporting a small local maker is a nice way to round off a day out with your dog, and it is exactly the kind of independent the borough does well.
Dog-friendly markets near Islington
Markets are some of the best places to take a sociable dog, with the obvious caveat that a busy one can be a lot for a nervous dog at peak times. Go early if your dog is unsure, keep the lead short around food stalls, and you will both have a good time.
Quieter dogs: Chapel Market, Exmouth Market and Netil Market on a weekday or early morning. Busy but brilliant: Broadway Market and Columbia Road, best very early or late. A short lead is essential around food, and water is worth carrying as market crowds hold the heat.
Things to do with your dog in Islington
Suggested dog-friendly Islington itineraries
1. The Angel & Camden Passage day
2. The Highbury Fields Sunday
3. The canal to King’s Cross route
Practical tips for dog owners in Islington
Dog-friendly Islington: your questions answered
Is Islington dog-friendly?
Very. Islington is one of the most dog-friendly boroughs in London, with canal walks, generous parks, a strong run of dog-welcoming pubs and cafes, and dog-friendly shopping at Coal Drops Yard and along Camden Passage. You are rarely far from somewhere your dog can join you.
What are the best dog walks in Islington?
The Regent’s Canal towpath from Angel to King’s Cross is the standout. For everyday walks, Highbury Fields gives you space and other dogs, while the New River Walk through Canonbury is quieter and prettier. Gillespie Park near Arsenal offers a wilder, on-lead nature reserve, and Clissold Park, just over the border in Stoke Newington, is worth the short trip for a bigger walk.
Are dogs allowed in pubs in Islington?
Plenty of Islington pubs welcome dogs, and many keep water bowls and biscuits behind the bar. The Drapers Arms, the Albion, the Canonbury Tavern, the Compton Arms, the Narrowboat, the Duke of Cambridge, the Pig and Butcher and the Earl of Essex are all reliable choices. Some restrict dogs to the bar or garden during busy services, so check ahead, especially for Sunday lunch.
Where can I take my dog for brunch in Islington?
Highbury is your best bet for an indoor brunch with a dog, with spots like Vertige welcoming dogs inside. British Patagonia near Upper Street is great for pastries, and over at King’s Cross, Notes at Pancras Square serves food all day and takes dogs indoors.
Is Upper Street dog-friendly?
Yes, with a caveat. Upper Street itself is busy, so it suits a confident dog who enjoys the bustle of people more than a nervous one. Many cafes and restaurants along it have pavement seating that works well for dogs, and the quieter Camden Passage just off it is even better for a relaxed wander.
Are dogs allowed at Coal Drops Yard?
Yes. Coal Drops Yard and the wider King’s Cross estate are among the most dog-friendly destinations in central London, with more than 20 shops, cafes and restaurants welcoming dogs and water bowls dotted around, plus 26 acres of open space nearby.
What are the best dog-friendly pubs near Angel?
Around Angel and Barnsbury, the Earl of Essex, the Pig and Butcher, the Drapers Arms and the Albion are all excellent and dog-friendly. The Narrowboat and the Duke of Cambridge, both near St Peter’s Street and the canal, are easy to fold into a towpath walk.
Where can I buy natural dog treats in Islington?
Look to the borough’s independent pet shops around Upper Street, Essex Road and Holloway Road, and keep an eye out for local makers and market stalls such as Wild & Worthy, which specialises in natural treats, chews, supplements and grooming products for dogs and cats.
What is the best Sunday dog walk in Islington?
Hard to beat the canal from Angel to King’s Cross, finishing with a roast at a dog-friendly pub or lunch on the terraces at the Lighterman. If you would rather stay green the whole way, a long lap of Highbury Fields followed by the Canonbury Tavern is a lovely Sunday.
Are there dog-friendly markets near Islington?
Yes. Chapel Market at Angel and Canopy Market at King’s Cross are both easy with a dog, as is Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell. Slightly further east, Broadway Market, Columbia Road Flower Market and Netil Market are all rewarding, though the first two get very busy, so go early with a nervous dog.
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