Famous for being one of the city’s gastronomic hub, Clerkenwell’s Michelin starred restaurants, healthy cafes, street food markets and historic pubs, attract locals and tourists alike every day of the week. But people don't come here only to fill their bellies, there are also many architecture studios, contemporary showrooms, museums, theathers and design houses.
Walking down Clerkenwell’s cobbled streets while admiring the ivy-clad Georgian townhouses is a pleasure in itself which also often represents a quiet escape from London bustling life. If Shoreditch is the hipster kid in town, Hampstead the posh & rich one, Clerkenwell is the elegant, grown-up kid who still enjoys its cutting-edge food venues, ex-industrial warehouses, independent stores and vintage treasures.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
One thing is sure. You won't starve in Clerkenwell. The neighborhood's many taverns and pubs will put you in difficulty with its wide options of food and drinks. The choice is up to you, but here are Spotahome's favourites.
The Jerusalem Tavern
WHERE: 55 Britton St, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 5UQ, UK
Ph. © Beerlens
Stop at one of the city's oldest pubs for a pint or two during your walk around this gorgeous neighbourhood. You will surely find a beer brand you never heard of before here.
Foxlow
WHERE: 69-73 St John Street, London, EC1M 4AN
Ph. © Breakfast London
Hawsmoor's owners opened the first Foxlow in 2013 offering the perfect restaurant choice to its suited-up City clientele as well as to the younger foodies crowds. The menu is filled with steaks along with salads, squid and meatballs.
Ask For Janice
WHERE: 50-52 Long Lane, London, EC1A 9EJ
Ph. © Just Opened in London
Right across from Smithfield Market and featuring post-industrial chic interior design, "Ask For Janice" offers seasonal sharing plates using British ingredients along with a great selection of beers, cocktails and wine. This is also the right place for lazy brunches and long lunches at weekends.
Caravan
WHERE: 11-13 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QD
Ph. © Toast Tiffin and Tea
The one on Exmouth Market is the smallest of Caravan’s three locations, but it's no different from its larger sisteer venues. In fact, also here, you can breath in the Kiwi atmosphere the three owneres brought directly from New Zealand along with some of their traditional dishes like organic oat and quinoa porridge with salted-coconut yoghurt, sourdough with thyme-roasted mushrooms and kapnisto sausage and poached eggs.
The Modern Pantry
WHERE: 47-48 St John's Square, London, EC1V 4JJ
Ph. © Try this for
Chef Anna Hansen chose Clerkenwell for the famous mix of flavours of her cuisine. Here, ingredients from the Middle East, Japan, the Mediterranean, Britain and Australia come together in fabulous dishes to be found no where else. Despite the glamourous interior design and decorations, this is still a place where you can feel at home and relax enjoying one of their yummy afternoon teas.
St John
WHERE: 26 St John Street, London, EC1M 4AY
Ph. © Clerkenwell Boy
Legendary Fergus Henderson himself is another institution in London and his St John restaurant's 20 years of success speaks for itself. Located in an old bacon-smoking factory, it features a menu of British classics along with a meticulous list of St John wines. Don't miss their famous dessert: Eccles cakes with Lancashire cheese!
Grind
WHERE:2-4 Old St, London EC1V 9AA, UK
Ph. © Clerkenwell_boy
A gorgeous favourite restaurant that serves a fabulous breakfast menu, all day food menu and weekend brunch menu. The Clerkenwell Grind also features a Club Bar, a late night venue under the main venue open until 2am Wednesday to Saturday.
Briki London
WHERE: 67 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4QL, UK
*Ph. © The Storyeller
A great, cute and quiet coffee shop right on Exmouth Market. Perfect for a quick bite as well as to get some work done on your laptop.
WHERE TO SHOP IN CLERKENWELL
Between Exmouth Market's independent shops and the many stalls on Leather Lane, shopping in this neighborhood is a true guilty pleasure.
Leather Lane Farmers Market
WHERE: Leather Ln, London EC1N 7TJ, UK
Ph. © Clem Onojeghuo
This laid back market in Leather Lane represents what traditional London street stalls looked like a few decades ago. Everything is at bargain prices and you can find all sorts of things, from local and artisan to farmers produce and vintage stuff.
Exmouth Market
WHERE: Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4QL, UK
Ph. © Suitcase Magazine
Despite being a short pedestrian stretch, it boasts with shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. There also is a street food market here Monday to Friday for rush lunch.
WHAT TO DO In CLERKENWELL
Despite its size, there is loads to do in Clerkenwell. From browsing vegetable and meat markets, to shop in independent boutiques and dive deep into the art of dance. Your choice.
Smithfield Market
WHERE: London Central Markets, London EC1A 9PS, UK
Ph. © The Storyeller
Smithfield or, London Central Markets calling it by its official name, is the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Its lilac vaulted ceilings are already a reason to visit this market, but it's also a place packed with history. Once upon a time, there was a livestock market for over 800 years and yet is as modern as tomorrow with its state of the art
Sadler's Wells Theatre
WHERE: Rosebery Ave, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4TN, UK
Ph. © Hire Space
Sadler's Wells Theatre, world's leading dance venues, is a performing arts venue opened back in 1683. It features two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio. Sadler's Wells is renowned as one of the . As well as a stage for visiting companies, the theatre is also a producing house, with a number of associated artists and companies that produce original works for the theatre.
Root Hair & Beauty
WHERE: 48 exmouth market | london | EC1R 4QE
Ph. © Root London
Taking care of your hair is essential, whether you are travelling or living in London and our London staff at Spotahome have tried many hairdressers before finding the perfect one: right here on Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell.
Charles Dickens Museum
WHERE: 48 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX, UK
Ph. © Charles Dickens Museum
This is where Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby. It’s where he first achieved international fame as one of the world’s greatest writers. A visit to his Victorian family home in London is a must do while exploring Clerkenwell.
For more inspirations and food tips around Clerkenwell and beyond, follow foodie star @clerkenwell_boy on Instagram
Images credits to their respective owners
What's your favourite neighbourhood in London? Read more here:
Spotahome Neighbourhood Guide: Best things to do in Brixton, London
Spotahome Neighbourhood Guide: Best things to do in Soho, London
Spotahome Neighbourhood Guide: Best Things to Do in Hampstead, London
Spotahome Neighbourhood Guide: Best Things to Do in Shoreditch, London