Coffee, lunch and a pint: an Islington afternoon with your dog
You can have coffee, a long lunch and a pint in Islington without leaving the dog at home. The places below all welcome dogs, and they sit in two easy clusters: Clerkenwell and Exmouth Market for eating, then Angel, Barnsbury and Essex Road for the pint.
Coffee and lunch around Exmouth Market
The Street Easy
Start at 55-57 Exmouth Market. The Street Easy serves coffee, fresh juices and shakes all day, with cocktails, beer and wine alongside. The food takes its cue from Caribbean, South American and South East Asian street food: buns, wings, sides and small plates. The room is spacious, and it suits a quick bite, a boozy brunch or an hour with a laptop.
The Wilmington
Opposite Exmouth Market at 69 Rosebery Avenue, The Wilmington is a 19th-century pub that has kept its period features. The kitchen does brunch, lunch and dinner from seasonal menus built on British ingredients, with steaks, classic Sunday roasts and changing specials. It's a comfortable room for a long lunch once the dog has had a good walk.
GAZETTE CLERKENWELL
For something French, Gazette Clerkenwell is a brasserie at 86-88 Clerkenwell Road, near Farringdon station, with outdoor seating where you and the dog can settle in. Gazette has told us directly that dogs are welcome, so you can just turn up. More ideas are on our dog-friendly restaurants in Islington page.
The pint
Islington has plenty of good pubs for this. Here are five, and the full list is on our dog-friendly pubs in Islington page.
The Foxglove Public House
The Foxglove calls itself the dog friendliest pub in Islington, and its regulars agree. It's a craft beer free house on Liverpool Road, a 9-minute walk from Angel station, pouring craft beers, cask ales and sours, with plenty of alcohol-free options too. The pub confirmed with us itself that dogs are welcome.
The Hemingford Arms
Over in Barnsbury at 158 Hemingford Road, you'll know The Hemingford Arms by its colourful floral exterior. Dogs are welcome throughout inside, and there's an enclosed garden for a dog who likes a bit of space. A traditional Thai kitchen serves dishes such as pad thai and hot and sour soups, and inside there's Guinness, live music and live sport on the screens.
The Chapel Market Tavern
At the western end of Chapel Market, one of London's oldest street markets, The Chapel Market Tavern has been at 58 Penton Street since 1805. It has fifteen draught lines that rotate, a wine list and a back bar of specialist spirits, and the kitchen makes homemade pub classics, with a roast every Sunday. Groups of four or more can book; smaller groups just walk in. The pub confirmed with us itself that dogs are welcome.
The Alpaca
The Alpaca on Essex Road opened in March 2020, serving takeaway hot meals, ready-made cocktails and wine to the neighbourhood, and has since become a friendly local. Fish comes from the fishmonger next door, and the menu also has burgers and vegan dishes. Sunday roasts are cooked from scratch, and there are sharing roast platters for groups. It also stocks alcohol-free beers and spirits.
White Bear
If you'd rather stay in Clerkenwell after lunch, White Bear is at 57 St John Street, three minutes on foot from Farringdon station and close to Smithfield Market. It's an independent pub in a restored 18th-century building, with rotating craft beers, artisan pizzas, cocktails and wines.
If your dog is due a groom
Pawlour Spa - Dog Groomers
Pawlour Spa is a grooming spa and boutique at 426 St John Street, a short stroll from Angel station, and it welcomes all breeds. A full groom covers a double shampoo, a haircut including face, pads and hygiene area, ear cleaning, and a nail clip finished with a paw balm massage. Puppies can book an introduction session, where the first visit is spent getting used to the space and the sounds. Pawlour confirmed with us itself that dogs are welcome.
House Of Baxter
On Newington Green Road, House of Baxter is a one-to-one grooming service run by a City & Guilds Level Three qualified groomer, so your dog sees the same person on every visit. Services run from a basic nail clip to a full groom, with hand stripping for breeds that need it, all tailored to the dog's coat and temperament.
Love your pets grooming salon
Love Your Pets on Baron Street has been grooming since 2007. There are no drying cabinets, only hands-on care, and one of its groomers has 15 years' experience with older and sensitive pets, which helps if your dog finds grooming a bit much.
Making a night of it
Fox & Anchor (Hotel)
The Fox & Anchor at 115 Charterhouse Street, by Smithfield Market, is a pub with six rooms on the first floor above the bar. Each room has space for a doggy bed (or two), a dog bed and blanket, a Hypnos bed, an ensuite shower, an honesty bar and a Nespresso machine. One feature room adds a private terrace and a copper roll-top bath. Breakfast downstairs includes Eggs Angus.
Planning the dog's day
- Walk first. A good run before lunch makes for a dog who settles under the table.
- Carry water and a bowl between stops, especially on a warm day.
- Keep the lead short on Chapel Market and Exmouth Market, which both get busy.
- If your dog is nervous, go for an outdoor table or a garden, like the enclosed one at The Hemingford Arms.
- Leave time between stops for a proper sniff. It's their afternoon too.