The Drapers Arms

"Some pubs stay with you for much of your life, like a compliment your art teacher once gave you, or a particularly ratty but sentimental pair of pyjamas. The Drapers Arms is one of those. It’s an Islington stalwart that’s suitable for drinking, dining, and drowning your sorrows. The food is European-leaning, comforting stuff. Baked camembert, sardines on toast, pies, chops, and the like. It’s stuff you could make at home but often can’t be arsed, and is never as good as this. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, sinead cranna

"The Drapers Arms looks like one of the most upmarket pubs you’ve ever stepped into, and as an extra plus, it has some of the best pub food in Islington. The Sunday roasts are so good they could turn an otherwise sane person into the kind of obsessed fan who’d start a conversation with a total stranger, just to tell them all about the roast potatoes here. The roasties are tasty, yes, but the joints are the main draw. Go with a big group and get the beef to share, along with several rounds. When it’s in full swing, this place is hard to beat on a Sunday." - jake missing, sinead cranna, rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley

"Nothing compels a human being like that little three letter word, posed as a question. You know the one we’re talking about. The one that gets your heart racing. The one that can make you feel a bit funny. The one that anyone will cancel and rearrange a day around. So next time someone asks that simple one word question, “Pub?”—go to The Drapers Arms in Islington. It’s one of London’s finest locations for whiling away an afternoon. The food is hearty, the drinks menu extensive, and there's even a sofa." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak

"This beautiful pub is a little bit of a wander from public transport, which also makes it a welcome break from the crowds on and around Upper Street. The area feels like you’ve stepped through a magic curtain into a place where people no longer exist. Inside The Drapers Arms, you’ll find a bar downstairs with ales on tap and as well as tables ideal for sharing roasts and killer pies. Head for the garden in good weather. Book pretty much always." - jake missing

"A stalwart of London's pub dining scene, Islington continues to be well-served by this imposing neighbourhood local. Not much has changed over the years and it's all the better for it; rustic décor, eager-to-please staff and a relaxed, unpretentious approach ensure the perfect pub atmosphere. The cooking is as hearty and satisfying as ever, but these days the traditionally British (steak & ale pie) sits alongside French influences (braised rabbit leg), courtesy of a Breton-born Chef. The courtyard garden is a great place to enjoy a glass from the superb wine list." - Michelin Inspector