The Albion

There are plenty of pubs in Islington that'll serve you a decent roast, but The Albion earns its reputation the old-fashioned way — by being genuinely lovely. It's a Georgian building on a quiet stretch of Thornhill Road, with several cosy rooms inside and a spectacular wisteria-draped garden out back that's easily one of the best beer gardens in N1. On a sunny Sunday, you'll want to arrive early or book ahead, because the whole of Barnsbury seems to converge here for roast lunch and a pint.

The food is solid British pub fare — the Sunday roast is the main event, with all the trimmings, and reviewers consistently praise it. There's also a whole roast pork feast that can feed a big group if you order it in advance, which is worth knowing about if you're planning a gathering. Outside of Sundays, the kitchen turns out reliable gastropub dishes — think roasted bream, seasonal salads, and the kind of menu that doesn't try too hard but delivers.

The garden is the real draw in warmer months — over 450 square meters of green space that feels more country pub than London. It closes at 9:45pm, so don't plan on a late-night outdoor session. Inside, the multiple rooms give it a proper pub feel rather than a single cavernous space. Service can be hit-or-hit on busy weekends, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it. This is a pub for lingering, not rushing.