Things To Do In Clerkenwell: The Ultimate Local Guide
Clerkenwell is one of London’s most quietly brilliant neighbourhoods. While other areas shout for attention, Clerkenwell doesn’t have to; its atmospheric, historic streets speak for themselves. This is a pocket of Central London where medieval monastic history bleeds into cutting-edge design, and where some of the capital’s most revered dining rooms sit alongside properly ancient pubs.
Tucked neatly between the West End, the City of London, and its northern neighbour Islington, Clerkenwell feels beautifully self-contained. It is an area defined by its deep design heritage, creative studios, and its proximity to the iconic Smithfield Market. Whether you are wandering down Exmouth Market for lunch, sipping a flawless cocktail in Farringdon, or exploring the brutalist marvels of the nearby Barbican, Clerkenwell retains a distinctly old London character.
If you want to experience the sophisticated, food-led, and architecturally stunning side of the capital, this is where you need to be.
Quick Answer: What Are The Best Things To Do In Clerkenwell?
The best things to do in Clerkenwell include exploring Smithfield Market, visiting historic pubs, eating at some of London’s best restaurants, walking around St John Street and Exmouth Market, discovering design-led cafés and shops, visiting nearby Barbican, and using Farringdon as a launch point for Islington, Holborn and the City.
If you only have a short time in the area, here are our top recommendations:
• Eat at St John: Experience the legendary nose-to-tail dining room that changed British food.
• Wander Exmouth Market: Browse the independent boutiques and grab lunch from the weekday street food stalls.
• Visit Smithfield Market: See the historic architecture of London’s oldest wholesale meat market.
• Have a drink at The Zetter Clerkenwell: Enjoy award-winning cocktails in a delightfully eccentric lounge.
• Explore St John Street: Walk this historic thoroughfare lined with top-tier restaurants and design showrooms.
• Visit the Museum of the Order of St John: Discover the hidden medieval history of the area.
• Walk to the Barbican: Explore the iconic brutalist estate and its world-class arts centre.
• Try Quality Chop House: Enjoy modern British cooking in a beautifully preserved Victorian dining room.
• Discover local pubs: Have a pint at The Gunmakers, The Three Kings, or the historic Holy Tavern.
• Explore Leather Lane: Grab an incredible street-food lunch from this bustling weekday market nearby.
• Walk towards Angel and Upper Street: Use Clerkenwell as a starting point to discover the best things to do in Islington.
Why Visit Clerkenwell?
Clerkenwell is worth visiting because it offers a mature, deeply satisfying slice of London life. It is undeniably one of London’s most historic neighbourhoods, with a past tied to clockmaking, printing, and medieval knights. Today, it is best known for having some of the capital’s strongest restaurants, making it an essential pilgrimage for any food lover.
The area is also a haven for design and architecture. As the home of Clerkenwell Design Week and countless creative agencies, the neighbourhood’s converted warehouses and old industrial buildings hum with modern creativity. It works flawlessly for almost any occasion: a quick weekday lunch on Exmouth Market, a serious business meeting over coffee, a celebratory dinner, or a moody date night. Sitting perfectly between Islington, the City, Holborn, and the Barbican, it is the ultimate crossroads of historic and contemporary London.
Best Things To Do In Clerkenwell During The Day
Daytime in Clerkenwell is characterised by a sophisticated, industrious energy.
• Walking around Exmouth Market: This pedestrianised street is a daytime joy. Lined with fairy lights, independent shops, and excellent cafes, it comes alive on weekdays with a fantastic street food market.
• Visiting Smithfield Market: While the meat trading happens before dawn, walking around the grand Victorian market buildings during the day is an architectural treat.
• Exploring St John Street: A long, historic artery running through the neighbourhood, packed with high-end furniture showrooms, classic pubs, and great coffee spots.
• Coffee and Lunch Spots: Clerkenwell takes its coffee very seriously. Spend an hour people-watching from the window of Prufrock or Workshop Coffee.
• Museum of the Order of St John: Uncover the 11th-century history of the Knights Hospitaller, hidden right in the middle of the modern city.
• Leather Lane Market nearby: Just a short walk towards Holborn, this weekday market is one of Central London’s best spots for an affordable, global street-food lunch.
• Architecture and Design Wandering: Simply getting lost in the backstreets, admiring the old warehouse conversions and hidden green squares, is a perfect way to spend a morning.
Best Things To Do In Clerkenwell At Night
When the design studios close, Clerkenwell transforms into one of London’s finest evening destinations.
• Dinner Restaurants: Clerkenwell is a destination dining neighbourhood. Securing a table at St John, Quality Chop House, or Luca guarantees an unforgettable evening.
• Cocktails and Wine Bars: For pre-dinner or post-work drinks, the area excels. The Zetter Clerkenwell offers whimsical luxury, while Quality Wines is perfect for intimate, candlelit sipping.
• Historic Pubs: The neighbourhood is packed with proper London boozers that fill up with local creatives after 5 PM. The Three Kings, The Gunmakers, and the legendary Holy Tavern (formerly Jerusalem Tavern) are essential stops.
• Date-Night Ideas: The romance of Sessions Arts Club, set in an old courthouse, is unmatched. Afterwards, wander the quiet, cobbled streets around Clerkenwell Green.
• Nearby Barbican and Farringdon: Use Clerkenwell as your base before catching a concert or theatre production at the Barbican, or head towards Farringdon for late-night energy, culminating at the iconic Fabric nightclub for world-class electronic music.
Best Restaurants In Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is one of the most important culinary postcodes in the UK. Here are the defining dining rooms.
St John
• What it is: The legendary, whitewashed dining room founded by Fergus Henderson, pioneering the nose-to-tail dining movement.
• Why go: It is quite simply a piece of British culinary history. The roast bone marrow and parsley salad is iconic, and the madeleines are flawless.
• Best for: A serious, unforgettable lunch or dinner for true food lovers.
• Local/editorial note: Don’t skip the bakery at the front; grabbing a morning doughnut here is a local rite of passage.
Quality Chop House
• What it is: A Grade-II listed Victorian dining room serving exceptional, meat-focused modern British food.
• Why go: The confit potatoes alone are famous city-wide, but the butchery and wine list are what make it truly special.
• Best for: A long, luxurious, wine-soaked dinner.
• Local/editorial note: They also have a fantastic butcher and deli next door, perfect for picking up high-end provisions.
Luca
• What it is: A stunning, upscale Italian restaurant from the team behind The Clove Club, featuring a beautiful conservatory and bar.
• Why go: They serve “British seasonal ingredients through an Italian lens.” The parmesan fries and the pasta dishes are spectacular.
• Best for: An impressive date night or a celebratory dinner.
• Local/editorial note: The separate bar area is fantastic if you just want cocktails and a few elevated snacks without a full reservation.
Sessions Arts Club
• What it is: Set in the beautifully distressed dining room of the old Sessions House on Clerkenwell Green.
• Why go: It is undeniably one of the most beautiful dining rooms in London, offering elegant, European-leaning plates in an effortlessly romantic setting.
• Best for: Date nights and impressing out-of-town guests.
• Local/editorial note: Bookings are notoriously hard to get, so plan well in advance.
Morchella
• What it is: A brilliant Mediterranean-inspired sharing-plates restaurant located just off Exmouth Market.
• Why go: From the team behind Perilla, the cooking is inventive, deeply flavourful, and served in a chic, airy room.
• Best for: Catching up with friends over excellent wine and small plates.
• Local/editorial note: A modern classic that fits perfectly into the Exmouth Market ecosystem.
The Eagle
• What it is: The venue that essentially invented the “gastropub” in the 1990s.
• Why go: The daily changing chalkboard menu still delivers fantastic, rustic, Mediterranean-leaning food in a bustling, laid-back pub environment.
• Best for: Casual, high-quality dinners when you don’t want a formal restaurant setting.
• Local/editorial note: You order at the bar, and you have to be quick to grab a table during the post-work rush.
Farringdon Standouts
• Bouchon Racine: A sensational, unpretentious French bistro located above the Three Compasses pub in Farringdon. Expect unapologetically rich, classic French cooking.
• Brutto: A wildly popular, buzzy Florentine trattoria near Farringdon station. Go for the £5 Negronis, the incredible T-bone steaks, and the lively atmosphere.
Best Cafés And Coffee Spots In Clerkenwell
Because of its high concentration of creative agencies, Clerkenwell is heavily caffeinated.
• Prufrock Coffee: Located on Leather Lane, this is a mecca for coffee purists. Founded by a former World Barista Champion, the attention to detail in every cup is astonishing. Best for a flawless flat white.
• Workshop Coffee: A sleek, minimal espresso bar just off Farringdon Road. They roast their own beans and consistently pull some of the best shots in Central London.
• Caravan Exmouth Market: The original location of the now-famous mini-chain. It remains a fantastic, bustling spot for weekend brunch and excellent in-house roasted coffee.
• Briki: A wonderful, Greek-influenced café on Exmouth Market serving fantastic coffee, spanakopita, and Mediterranean pastries. Perfect for a casual working lunch.
• Catalyst Café: A highly innovative coffee shop on Grays Inn Road that pushes boundaries with their brewing techniques and offers an exceptionally good food menu.
Best Pubs In Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell retains a phenomenal array of traditional London boozers, offering a stark contrast to the modern design showrooms.
• The Holy Tavern (formerly The Jerusalem Tavern): A tiny, wildly atmospheric pub on Britton Street. Though the building isn’t as ancient as it looks (it was refitted in the 1990s to look 18th-century), the candlelit vibe and excellent ales make it an absolute must-visit.
• The Three Kings: A brightly painted, wonderfully eccentric pub right next to Clerkenwell Green. Known for its quirky interior, great beer, and friendly local crowd.
• The Gunmakers: A handsome, slightly hidden pub off Exmouth Market. It blends the feel of a traditional boozer with a fantastic, modern food offering.
• The Sekforde: Tucked away on a beautiful historic street, this pub was magnificently restored. It is elegant, quiet, and perfect for a thoughtful pint.
• The Crown Tavern: Located right on Clerkenwell Green, this historic pub with a great outdoor seating area is famous for being the alleged meeting place of Lenin and Stalin in 1905.
• The Betsey Trotwood: A fantastic pub just down the road near Farringdon, known for its excellent basement venue that hosts live music, comedy, and poetry.
Best Bars In Clerkenwell
• The Zetter Clerkenwell: Set inside a boutique hotel on St John’s Square, this cocktail lounge feels like the eccentric living room of an aristocratic relative. The cocktails are inventive, and the taxidermy-filled decor is unforgettable. Best for date-night drinks.
• Quality Wines: Next door to the Quality Chop House, this is a cramped, perfect little wine bar operating out of a deli. Sit at the window, share some charcuterie, and let the staff recommend a phenomenal bottle.
• Fabric: While definitely a nightclub rather than a bar, this legendary Farringdon venue is an essential mention for anyone looking for late-night electronic music and clubbing history.
• The Piano Works (Farringdon): A massive, raucous, late-night venue in a Victorian basement where a live band plays non-stop song requests from the audience. Perfect for group celebrations.
Clerkenwell Nightlife Guide
When exploring Clerkenwell nightlife, expect something decidedly more refined than the chaos of nearby Shoreditch. This is a neighbourhood for adults. The evening usually begins in one of the area’s superb historic pubs—like The Holy Tavern or The Crown—before moving on to a long, wine-fuelled dinner at a landmark restaurant.
Cocktail bars in Clerkenwell lean towards the elegant and intimate. For those wanting to stretch the night out, the proximity to Farringdon is key. Farringdon offers later licences, bustling spots like Brutto, and the world-famous Fabric for those wanting to dance until dawn. Alternatively, a short walk takes you to the Barbican, making Clerkenwell the ultimate spot for pre- or post-theatre dining.
Culture, History And Architecture In Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell’s cultural depth is woven directly into its streets.
• Museum of the Order of St John & St John’s Gate: Discover the medieval history of the Knights Hospitaller. The grand Tudor gatehouse spanning St John’s Lane is one of London’s great hidden architectural gems.
• Smithfield Market: The magnificent Victorian structures house the UK’s largest wholesale meat market. The surrounding area is steeped in grisly history, including the site of William Wallace’s execution.
• Clerkenwell Green: Historically a site for radical political rallies, it is now a peaceful, tree-lined square surrounded by grand architecture, including the Old Sessions House.
• The Charterhouse: Located on the edge of Clerkenwell, this remarkable complex has served as a monastery, a private mansion, a boys’ school, and an almshouse since the 14th century.
• Clerkenwell Design Week: Every May, the neighbourhood celebrates its status as the UK’s most important design hub, with showrooms throwing open their doors for exhibitions, installations, and parties.
Markets And Shopping In Clerkenwell
While you won’t find high-street chains here, Clerkenwell offers highly curated shopping experiences.
• Exmouth Market: A brilliant, pedestrianised street packed with independent bookshops, lifestyle boutiques, and gift shops. On weekdays, the street food market is exceptional.
• Leather Lane Market: Just a short walk away, this bustling weekday market is less about shopping for goods and all about joining the queues for London’s best street food.
• Design Showrooms: St John Street and Clerkenwell Road are lined with high-end furniture and interior design showrooms. While many are trade-focused, window shopping here is an architecture lover’s dream.
• Hatton Garden: A stone’s throw from Farringdon, this historic street is the centre of London’s diamond and jewellery trade.
Hidden Gems In Clerkenwell
Looking to get off the main roads? Add these underrated experiences to your list:
• St John’s Gate: Walking under this ancient 16th-century gatehouse feels like stepping back in time.
• Weekday Lunch on Exmouth Market: Skip the sit-down restaurants and grab a box of fresh, global street food from the market stalls.
• The Sekforde: A beautifully restored, slightly hidden pub that remains a quiet sanctuary away from the post-work crowds.
• Charterhouse Square: A tranquil, historic square just off the busy roads of Barbican and Smithfield, offering a peaceful moment in the city.
• The Cloister Garden at the Museum of the Order of St John: A quiet, fragrant herb garden hidden away from the busy St John’s Square.
• Clerkenwell Close: Wander around the historic St James’s Church and its surrounding cobbled pathways to catch a glimpse of the neighbourhood’s village-like past.
• Quality Wines at 5 PM: Securing a window seat here just as they open is one of the best ways to transition from afternoon to evening in London.
Things To Do Near Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell’s central location makes it the perfect launchpad for wider exploration.
• Farringdon: Literally bordering Clerkenwell, it pairs perfectly for late-night drinks, high-energy dining (like Brutto), and excellent transport links via the Elizabeth line.
• Barbican: Just a short walk east. Pair a dinner in Clerkenwell with a brutalist architecture walk, a gallery exhibition, or a concert at the Barbican Centre.
• Islington: Walking north up St John Street leads you straight to Angel. Combine a daytime wander in Clerkenwell with evening drinks and exploring the best pubs in Islington.
• Holborn & The City: Heading west takes you to the legal district of Holborn, while heading east drops you into the financial heart of the City of London.
• King’s Cross: A short bus ride or pleasant walk north connects you to the modern dining and shopping hub of Coal Drops Yard, making it easy to combine things to do in King’s Cross with your Clerkenwell visit.
Best Clerkenwell Itineraries
A Few Hours In Clerkenwell
Grab a world-class coffee at Prufrock on Leather Lane. Wander up to Exmouth Market to browse the independent shops, then stroll back down towards St John’s Gate to admire the architecture. Finish with a pint at The Holy Tavern.
A Day In Clerkenwell
Start with breakfast at Caravan Exmouth Market. Take a historic walk down through Clerkenwell Green and past the Museum of the Order of St John. Head down to marvel at the Victorian architecture of Smithfield Market, then spend the afternoon exploring the Barbican Centre. Return to Clerkenwell for a spectacular dinner at Quality Chop House, ending with a cocktail at The Zetter.
Date Night In Clerkenwell
Keep things romantic and impressive. Start with a candlelit dinner in the stunning surroundings of Sessions Arts Club or the sleek dining room of Luca. Afterwards, walk the quiet, historic lanes to Quality Wines for an intimate nightcap.
Cheap Things To Do In Clerkenwell
Grab an affordable, incredible street-food lunch from the stalls at Exmouth Market or Leather Lane. Spend the afternoon doing a self-guided walking tour of the area’s free historic sites, including Clerkenwell Green, St James’s Church, and Charterhouse Square. Finish with a well-earned, reasonably priced pint at The Three Kings.
Rainy Day In Clerkenwell
Take shelter and grab a coffee at Workshop Coffee. Spend the late morning exploring the indoor exhibitions at the Museum of the Order of St John. Head to the Barbican to browse the conservatory or art gallery without stepping outside. For dinner, secure a cozy table at The Eagle for a hearty gastropub meal.
Where To Eat, Drink And Go Out Near Farringdon
If you are looking for things to do near Farringdon, you are in luck, as the station acts as the gateway to Clerkenwell’s best spots. Restaurants near Farringdon include absolute heavyweights like Brutto, Bouchon Racine, and the legendary St John right by Smithfield Market. For bars near Farringdon, you can grab late-night drinks at The Piano Works or sophisticated cocktails at The Zetter. Pubs near Farringdon are steeped in history; The Betsey Trotwood and The Hope are brilliant post-work options. Farringdon is also home to Fabric, making it a vital hub for London’s electronic music scene.
Where To Eat, Drink And Go Out Near Barbican
The Barbican estate is an architectural marvel, and Clerkenwell provides its culinary backbone. If you are looking for things to do near Barbican, combining a gallery visit or concert with Clerkenwell dining is essential. Restaurants near Barbican include St John and the fantastic pubs around Smithfield. For bars near Barbican, crossing over into Clerkenwell’s St John Street gives you access to stylish spots perfect for pre-show drinks or post-theatre debriefs.
Is Clerkenwell Good For A Night Out?
Yes, absolutely. Clerkenwell is fantastic for a night out, especially for restaurants, wine bars, cocktail bars, historic pubs, and grown-up post-work drinks. It is less chaotic than Shoreditch and far more food-led than many Central London areas. It caters to those who prefer a long, atmospheric dinner followed by excellent cocktails or a pint in an ancient pub, rather than massive superclubs (though Fabric in nearby Farringdon provides that if needed).
Is Clerkenwell Good For Food?
Yes. Clerkenwell is undeniably one of London’s strongest food neighbourhoods. It is home to landmark, history-making restaurants like St John, old-school dining rooms like Quality Chop House, pioneer gastropubs like The Eagle, and the bustling, independent food scene of Exmouth Market. It is one of the capital’s best places for long lunches, serious foodie pilgrimages, and date-night dinners.
Is Clerkenwell Worth Visiting?
Yes. Clerkenwell is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you like historic London, exceptional restaurants, proper pubs, design, architecture, and hidden corners. It offers atmospheric, cobbled streets right on the edge of the City, providing a mature, culturally rich experience close to Islington, the Barbican, and Farringdon.
Practical Information
• Nearest Stations: Farringdon (Elizabeth line, Thameslink, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines), Barbican (Underground), Angel (Northern line), Chancery Lane (Central line).
• Elizabeth Line: Farringdon station is incredibly well-connected via the Elizabeth line, making Clerkenwell easily accessible from Heathrow, Canary Wharf, and West London.
• Best Time To Visit: Weekdays are fantastic for the Exmouth Market and Leather Lane street food stalls. Thursday and Friday evenings have a brilliant, buzzing post-work atmosphere. Weekends are quieter and perfect for long, relaxed brunches and dinners.
• Walking Distances: Angel (15 mins), Barbican (10 mins), Smithfield (5 mins), King’s Cross (25 mins).
• Nightlife Safety Note: Clerkenwell is generally a very safe, affluent business and residential area. As always in Central London, exercise common sense when walking late at night.
• Accessibility: Many of Clerkenwell’s historic pubs and older warehouse buildings have steps and narrow doorways. Always check individual venue websites for current accessibility info. Farringdon station has excellent step-free access.
• Always check venue opening times before travelling, especially on weekends, as some Clerkenwell businesses cater heavily to the weekday office crowd.
FAQs
1. What is Clerkenwell best known for?
Clerkenwell is best known for its world-class restaurant scene, historic pubs, deep design and architecture heritage, and landmarks like Smithfield Market and Exmouth Market.
2. What are the best things to do in Clerkenwell?
The best things to do include dining at St John, browsing the boutiques and food stalls on Exmouth Market, exploring the Museum of the Order of St John, and having a pint in a historic pub.
3. Is Clerkenwell good for restaurants?
It is one of London’s top culinary destinations, home to pioneers like St John and The Eagle, alongside modern classics like Luca and Quality Chop House.
4. Is Clerkenwell good for pubs?
Yes, it boasts a fantastic mix of historic, character-filled boozers like The Holy Tavern and The Three Kings, as well as excellent gastropubs.
5. What are the best bars in Clerkenwell?
Top bars include the eccentric cocktail lounge at The Zetter Clerkenwell, the intimate Quality Wines, and the lively bars closer to Farringdon.
6. What are the best cafés in Clerkenwell?
Prufrock Coffee and Workshop Coffee are legendary for serious espresso, while Caravan on Exmouth Market is a local favourite for brunch and coffee.
7. What can I do near Farringdon?
Near Farringdon, you can eat at Brutto or Bouchon Racine, visit Smithfield Market, go clubbing at Fabric, or explore the historic Charterhouse.
8. What can I do near Barbican?
You can explore the brutalist Barbican estate, catch a concert at the Barbican Centre, and enjoy pre-theatre dinners in nearby Clerkenwell or Smithfield.
9. Is Clerkenwell worth visiting?
Absolutely. It is a must-visit for food lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a sophisticated, historic London neighbourhood.
10. Is Clerkenwell good for a date night?
Yes, it is perfect for a date. Venues like Sessions Arts Club and Luca offer incredibly romantic settings, followed by quiet drinks in historic, cobbled lanes.
11. What are some hidden gems in Clerkenwell?
Hidden gems include the tranquil Charterhouse Square, the historic St John’s Gate, the peaceful Clerkenwell Green, and the weekday food stalls on Leather Lane.
12. What areas are near Clerkenwell?
Clerkenwell is bordered by Islington and Angel to the north, Farringdon and the City to the south, Holborn to the west, and the Barbican to the east.
About This Guide
This guide is curated by Islington Local Guide, a North and East London discovery platform covering restaurants, bars, cafés, culture, nightlife, hidden gems and things to do across Islington, Clerkenwell, Farringdon, King’s Cross, Shoreditch, Hackney and nearby neighbourhoods.
Last updated: May 2026
Written/curated by: Islington Local Guide
Area covered: Clerkenwell, Farringdon, Smithfield, Barbican, Exmouth Market and nearby Central/North London
Explore more of North and East London with our other local guides:
• Things To Do In Islington
• What’s On In Islington
• Things To Do In Angel
• Things To Do In King’s Cross
• Things To Do In Shoreditch
• Best Restaurants In Islington
• Best Brunch In Islington
• Best Pubs In Islington
• Best Bars In Islington
• Hidden Gems In Islington
• What’s On This Weekend
• Best Restaurants Near Farringdon
• Things To Do Near Barbican
