Looking for decent places to meet and eat before a game at The Emirates? This is our 'hood, so we've done our best to give you some cracking suggestions.
Xian Impression
117 Benwell Rd, London N7 7BW
Focusing on food from the Shan Xi province of China, this unassuming restaurant couldn't be closer to the stadium. The best thing on the menu is the biang biang noodles but the 'burgers' might make for better football food.
Valderrama's
163 Upper St, Islington, London N1 1US
Quite literally built for pre and post-match gathering, this new sports bar on Upper Street from chef James Cochran mixes sports on the TV with top tier burgers along with beers and frozen cocktails.
OAK N4
5-7 Wells Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JU
This wine bar is at the back of Finsbury Park station, just along from the bus station - it has an excellent selection of wine plus very decent cheese and charcuterie platters to go along with that.
F.K.A.B.A.M
156 Canonbury Rd, London N1 2UP
The restaurant formerly Known as Black Axe Mangal may not be open for every fixture (hours are currently Wednesday-Friday dinners) but if it is open, then this is a superior post match spot. The fixed menu changes regularly but there's usually some amazing flatbread on it among other delights.
The Plimsoll
52 St Thomas's Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 2QW
Seriously handy on the walk from Finsbury Park station to the stadium, this popular pub run by the Four Legs crew sadly doesn't run a menu on match days. But you can get frosty pints of their own lager - brewed by Forest Brew - plus natural wines and more.
Westerns Laundry
34 Drayton Park, Highbury East, London N5 1PB
It was happy days for Arsenal supporters and visitors alike when this restaurant opened up on Drayton Park. Pop in here for some excellent croquetas, maybe a plate of great ham, certainly some wonderful wine and whatever the result, things will feel OK.
Sambal Shiok
171 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LX
With literally EVERYONE giving this Malaysian laksa joint a rave review (including us) you'll have to factor in some queueing time to eat here, particularly on match day. But god it's worth the wait.
Llerena
167 Upper St, London N1 1US
We love this tapas spot on Upper Street and it's a perfect pre or post-match spot for grabbing an ice-cold Estrella and a plate of jamon. The only problem is that everyone else knows this too.
Franks Canteen
86 Highbury Park, London N5 2XE
Originally more of a cafe/brunch spot, they do a storming bacon or sausage bap, Franks is also open for dinner Thurs/Sat so it's also a good spot for later-scheduled games.
The Compton Arms
4 Compton Ave, London N1 2XD
Very popular on match days, when crowds spill out onto the cobbled streets, the reason you'll want to make it here is for their current residency from Belly.
Osteria Tufo
67 Fonthill Rd, London N4 3HZ
A decent Italian to meet up ahead of a match or to disect the results - the pasta is the thing to have here and you'll be sure of a warm welcome from proprietor Paola.
Dotori
3 Stroud Green Rd, London N4 2DQ
Finsbury Park's favourite Korean is packed whether it's a match day or not, but at least there's now two floors of seating. If you want to be sure of getting a table here, call in the early afternoon as that seems to be the time they're most likely to pick up the phone.
Prawn on the Lawn
292 - 294 St Paul's Rd, Highbury East, London N1 2LL
Obviously what you have will depend on what the boats brought in but one of the fruits de mer platters would do very nicely for a group of fans to share.
Farang
72 Highbury Park, Highbury East, London N5 2XE
Packed almost every night of the week and crazy busy on match days - make sure you book ahead to try Seb Holmes' cracking Thai food. Seafood is particularly strong here with crispy sea bass, amazing fishcakes and oysters usually on the menu.
Trullo
300-302 St Paul's Rd, Highbury East, London N1 2LH
You have to be organised to get in here at the best of times, never mind a match day, but if you're an efficient fan who makes a booking the minute the fixtures list is out you'll do very nicely here.
MEATliquor Islington
133B Upper St, London N1 1QP
Tucked away down an alley off Upper Street, this is a little further from the stadium than some of the others mentioned here, but it's always a popular meeting place on match days. Any of the burgers obviously would set you up for a day of football.
Berto & Zia Lucia
155 Holloway Road, London N7 8LX
Both Zia Lucia and their spin-off Berto are serving up pizza and pasta on Holloway Road. Kick off with some fritti, follow that with a bowl of pasta or some of their charcoal pizza plus some N7 Pale Ale and you'll be all set pre or post-match.
Top Cuvee
177b Blackstock Road, London N5 2LL
Way more than just a nice neighbourhood spot, this is a genuinely good bistrotheque-style restaurant with an excellent wine list to match.
Also nearby:
The area around Finsbury Park station has seen a boom in casual eating places opening. You've got Someday serving up burgers and margaritas, Tonkotsu with their ramen and kaarage, Coqfighter and Honest Burgers and, of course the E Mono kebab stall (no relation to the Kentish Town spot) is always a great call.
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