Things to Do in Highbury: the Ultimate Guide for 2026
Looking for Things to Do in Highbury ? Highbury is one of those London neighbourhoods that does not need to shout. It is not trying to be the loudest, trendiest or busiest part of the city, and that is exactly why it is so good. This is where you come for elegant streets, long brunches, genuinely great restaurants, proper pubs, park walks, cosy wine bars and the kind of North London atmosphere that makes a whole day feel effortless.
For me, Highbury is one of the easiest places to recommend. It has that rare balance of feeling polished and relaxed at the same time. You can do a slow morning here, a food-focused afternoon, or a full date-night plan without ever feeling like you are forcing it.
So, if you are looking for the best things to do in Highbury in 2026, these are my recommendations.
Start with a walk around Highbury Fields
If I am spending a day in Highbury, I almost always begin with Highbury Fields.
It is the heart of the neighbourhood and the reason the whole area feels so spacious and calm. There is something about starting your day here that instantly makes London feel less hectic. On a sunny morning, it is one of the nicest places in North London to wander with a coffee. On a slower weekend, it is the kind of park that makes you want to sit for a while and let the day unfold naturally.
What I love about Highbury Fields is that it gives the area its identity. Without it, Highbury would still be lovely, but with it, the neighbourhood feels complete.
Go for brunch at one of Highbury’s best spots
Highbury is very good at brunch, but in a way that feels local rather than overly performative.
Beam is one of my favourite places to recommend when you want a brunch that feels fresh, easy and consistently good. It is the sort of place that works whether you are catching up with friends, easing into a weekend, or just in the mood for somewhere that feels reliable and stylish without trying too hard.
Pophams is another one I would happily point people towards. If you want excellent pastries, strong coffee and a brunch that feels a little more indulgent, it is always a good shout. There is something about starting a Highbury morning with coffee and pastries here that feels very North London in the best possible way.
This is one of the reasons I like Highbury so much. Even the brunch scene feels calm, considered and genuinely enjoyable.
Book dinner at Trullo
If you ask me for one of the most solid restaurant recommendations in Highbury, I am going to say Trullo.
It is a classic for a reason. This is one of those restaurants that manages to feel established and special without feeling tired. The room has that warm, intimate, candlelit energy that makes it work for date nights, dinners with friends, or those evenings when you just want somewhere you know is going to deliver.
For me, Trullo is still one of the standout reasons to spend time in Highbury. It feels like one of the neighbourhood’s defining restaurants, and it is one I would recommend again and again.
Try Farang for a livelier dinner
If you want something with a bit more punch, Farang is one of my favourite picks in the area.
It has more edge than the classic trattoria feel of Trullo, and that is exactly the point. This is where I would go when I want something bold, lively and full of flavour. It is a very good option for a Friday night dinner or the kind of meal that sets the mood for drinks afterwards.
Highbury is at its best when it gives you variety, and Farang is part of what makes the local food scene feel so strong.
Go to Westerns Laundry for something more special
For a dinner that feels a touch more occasion-worthy, Westerns Laundry is a brilliant choice.
This is one of those places that feels stylish and polished, but never cold. It has that modern neighbourhood-restaurant energy that Highbury does so well. It is the kind of place I would recommend when you want somewhere memorable without tipping into anything overly formal.
If you are planning a more special dinner around Highbury, this is one of my top recommendations.
Spend time around Highbury Barn
One of the nicest things to do in Highbury is simply spending time around Highbury Barn.
This part of the neighbourhood has a lovely village-like feel to it. It is not about big attractions or flashy landmarks. It is about atmosphere. Local shops, independent cafés, pubs that actually feel like neighbourhood pubs, and streets that make you want to slow down instead of rush through.
For me, this is where Highbury really shows its charm. It feels lived in, stylish and quietly affluent without losing its sense of warmth.
Find a pub and stay longer than planned
A big part of Highbury’s appeal is that it is excellent for pub days.
The Highbury Barn Tavern is one of the most useful recommendations in the area because it does everything you want a local pub to do. It works for a quick pint, a long lunch, a Sunday roast or an easy evening drink. It feels dependable in the best way, and very much in keeping with the neighbourhood around it.
If you are willing to edge slightly beyond Highbury proper, The Compton Arms is another place I would absolutely recommend. It is one of those pubs that people genuinely go out of their way for, and it earns that reputation.
I would also mention The Pocket if you like somewhere with more personality and a slightly more intimate feel. It has character, which is often what makes a pub memorable.
Go for wine or drinks somewhere a bit more low-key
Highbury is not about loud, obvious nightlife, and honestly, I think that makes it better.
This is more of a wine-bar, conversation, one-more-drink kind of neighbourhood.
BookBar is one of my favourite slightly different recommendations because it combines books, wine and events in a way that feels very Highbury. It is thoughtful, relaxed and distinctive. It is exactly the kind of place that gives the neighbourhood its character.
The Nook is another very easy recommendation if you want wine and small plates in a setting that feels local and grown-up. It is the kind of place where a quick drink can very easily turn into a full evening.
Do more than just eat and drink
One of the reasons Highbury works so well is that there is enough to do beyond restaurants and pubs.
The Estorick Collection is one of my favourite quieter cultural stops nearby. It feels tucked away, refined and a little more under-the-radar than the bigger central London galleries. If you want to add a cultural note to your day without leaving the area’s local feel behind, this is a very good choice.
If you are planning a family day out, Little Angel Theatre is also worth knowing about. It gives the wider Highbury and Islington area a family-friendly dimension that makes it feel much more rounded.
And for an easy evening plan, Screen on the Green is always a strong idea. It is close enough to fold into a wider Highbury day, especially if you start in the park and drift south later on for dinner and a film.
Shop, browse and enjoy the slower pace
Highbury is not somewhere I would send people for major shopping, but it is very good for browsing.
That is part of the point. This is a neighbourhood where you wander, stop off, pick up a coffee, drift between local businesses and enjoy the feel of the streets. Around Highbury Barn especially, the pleasure is in the pace of it all. You do not need a packed itinerary here. In fact, Highbury is often better when you do less.
How I would spend a perfect day in Highbury
For me, the ideal Highbury day looks like this.
Start with coffee and a walk around Highbury Fields. Head to Beam or Pophams for brunch. Spend some time around Highbury Barn, wandering and soaking up the neighbourhood. Book dinner at Trullo, Farang or Westerns Laundry depending on your mood. Then finish with a pint at The Highbury Barn Tavern or a glass of wine at BookBar or The Nook.
That is the version of Highbury I would recommend most. Relaxed, food-led, stylish and easy.
Why Highbury is one of my favourite North London neighbourhoods
What I like most about Highbury is that it feels complete.
It has the greenery. It has the restaurants. It has the pubs. It has the atmosphere. It has enough going on to make it interesting, but never so much that it becomes exhausting. Some London neighbourhoods feel exciting for an hour or two. Highbury is the kind of place that feels good all day.
If you want somewhere that captures the polished, liveable, quietly exciting side of North London, Highbury is one of the easiest recommendations I can give in 2026.
FAQs
Is Highbury worth visiting in 2026?
Absolutely. Highbury is one of the most enjoyable parts of North London for a full day out, especially if you like good food, smart pubs, green space and a slower neighbourhood feel.
What is Highbury best known for?
Highbury is best known for Highbury Fields, its elegant residential streets, its strong local food scene, and its easy blend of park life, pubs and polished neighbourhood charm.
Where should I eat in Highbury?
My top recommendations would be Trullo, Farang and Westerns Laundry for dinner, and Beam or Pophams for brunch.
What are the best pubs in Highbury?
I would start with The Highbury Barn Tavern. The Compton Arms and The Pocket are also very good picks nearby.
Is Highbury good for a date day or date night?
Yes, definitely. Highbury is one of the best North London neighbourhoods for that. You can do a park walk, brunch, dinner, wine bars and even a cinema or gallery stop without ever needing to over-plan it.
Final thoughts
Highbury is one of those areas that makes London feel good again. It is elegant without being stiff, stylish without being try-hard, and lively without being overwhelming.
For me, that is exactly what makes it special.
If you want a North London day that feels relaxed, polished and full of genuinely good places, Highbury is one of my strongest recommendations for 2026.
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Written and edited by Islington Local Guide
Islington Local Guide is a discovery-led local editorial platform covering Islington and nearby North and East London. We publish curated guides to what’s on, restaurants, bars, brunch, culture, hidden gems, neighbourhood spots and notable new openings, with a focus on helping readers find what is genuinely worth doing, booking and knowing about.
