Whether you’re traveling specifically to watch Arsenal FC play on their home turf or are looking forward to catching a game while on your family vacation, there’s no doubt that supporting your team is hungry work.
Knowing where to head to chow down in advance of your trip will not only save you valuable time but also help your whole trip run more smoothly. But if this all sounds a little time-consuming, don’t worry; I’ve done the legwork for you. In the guide below, I’m going to fill you in on the top places to eat near Emirates Stadium, from best-in-class breakfast spots to some of Holloway’s most popular restaurants where you can enjoy dinner in the company of fellow Gunners fans.
Top 6 Restaurants Near Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium
When planning a trip to an Arsenal match, knowing the closest restaurants to London’s Emirates Stadium is crucial. All the eateries below are within a fifteen-minute walk of the venue, making them the perfect places to enjoy a great quality pre or post-game meal.
1. Western’s Laundry, Drayton Park
The proud holder of a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, in recognition of its great value and excellent quality cuisine, Western’s Laundry is well-loved by Arsenal fans and is an easy 10-minute walk from Emirates Stadium. In the summer, enjoy your meal in the airy cobbled courtyard of this atmospheric former industrial laundry building. As you can imagine, the atmosphere is particularly lively after an Arsenal win.
2. Mesi’s Kitchen, Holloway Road
Head to Mesi’s Kitchen to fuel up before an Arsenal match to enjoy a delicious range of authentic Ethiopian cuisine and beer in a friendly atmosphere. The menu is surprisingly affordable; vegetarian and vegan options are available, and you can savour brunch, lunch, or dinner here, so it’s a great option for either an afternoon or evening game.
3. Going Greek Holloway, Seven Sisters Road
For my money, this eatery offers some of the best gyros in London, and its sharing plates are also definitely worth a mention. Serving up vibrant, exciting Greek cuisine, including souvlaki and traditional pastries, Going Greek boasts a legion of loyal fans (a great sign in itself) and can get particularly busy on match days – reserving a table in advance is advised.
4. 129 NRD, Holloway Road
Looking for a lively restaurant to celebrate (or commiserate) after the Arsenal game? Check out 129 NRD, which offers a globally inspired menu and lunch and dinner every day of the week. It’s very popular with Gunners’ fans, who enjoy its exciting and welcoming ambience and attentive service. The wine selection is particularly impressive, and the prices are notably reasonable – for London, anyway!
5. Xi’An Impression, Benwell Road
Located right in front of the Arsenal Stadium, Xi’An Impression is perfect if you come out of the game hungry and keen for some high-quality, authentic Chinese fare. On match days you may need to queue for a table, but you usually won’t need to wait longer than around fifteen minutes. The spicy noodle soup and pork dumplings are worth a mention, and there are plenty of dishes that are great for sharing – if you can bear to!
6. Iznik, Highbury Park
This Turkish restaurant was the recipient of a Tripadvisor 2023 Travelers Choice Award, and it’s no surprise why. Established all the way back in 1989, your main task will be selecting just one dish from the extensive and delicious menu, which includes delicacies such as Anatolian kebabs, pirzola (herbed lamb cutlets), and a selection of meze sharing plates. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after the excitement of an Arsenal game.
Where to Eat Breakfast Near Emirates Football Stadium
When you’re traveling for sports, it’s extra important to start your day off the right way. After all, you’ve got a long day ahead, supporting your team and maybe exploring some of London’s biggest sights and attractions. Get off on the right gastronomic foot by tucking into breakfast at one of the places to eat below – all are within super easy walking distance of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
- Little Wonder Cafe, Hornsey Road – virtually on the Emirate Stadium’s doorstep, grab breakfast in this friendly eatery which is a well-known “Arsenal” cafe serving up delicious breakfasts that can be enjoyed with a great view of the venue.
- Cafe Euro, Holloway Road – head here to select from an impressively wide variety of breakfast options, all at reasonable prices. Being so close to the stadium, it can get very busy on match days – but the queue is worth it.
- Titanic Cafe, Holloway Road – according to its many fans, the Titanic Cafe offers the best breakfasts in London! Loved for its traditional, freshly-cooked English breakfasts and massive portions, a stop at this eatery in the morning will give you the energy you need to (hopefully!) jump with joy in the terraces later in the day.
- Girasole, Seven Sisters Road – a cosy little cafe near Emirates Stadium; choose from a range of hot breakfasts or a tempting array of pastries and cakes. Tight for time on the way to the match? Grab a takeout breakfast before hitting the road.
- The Travel Cafe, Holloway Road—Enjoy a delicious breakfast surrounded by a plethora of beautiful plants in this quirky cafe with comfortable chairs, wooden floors, and exposed brick walls. The salmon, avocado, egg, and cream cheese bagel is my personal favourite!
Top Family-Friendly Restaurants Near Arsenal FC’s Stadium
Traveling en famille? There’s good news. There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants near Emirates Stadium where you can enjoy a great meal including lots of kid-favourites on the menu. Choose from any of the eateries below, all within a thirty-minute walk of the Arsenal football venue.
Amigos Burgers and Shakes, Seven Sisters Road
If two words are sure to pique kids’ interests, it’s “burgers” and “shakes.” Since 2011, this concept eatery has been supplying Londoners and tourists alike with its unique menu of mouthwatering burgers, chicken dishes, sides, shakes, and desserts. The kids’ menu is sure to please even the pickiest little eater and includes mini versions of chicken and beef burgers, chicken dippers, and chicken popcorn.
Volare Pizza, Holloway Road
A family-run and family-friendly restaurant serving tasty pizza, pasta, tacos, and burgers, kids and adults alike will enjoy Volare’s friendly, fun, and funky atmosphere. This popular restaurant, located an easy walk from Emirates Stadium, can get really busy – especially on match days – so booking is advisable. Volare Pizza is open every day, from 9 am to 10 pm.
Miki’s Paradise, Holloway Road
Inspired by the bright Mediterranean sunshine, Miki’s Paradise is a bright and breezy creperie, street food, milkshake, and juice bar that kids will love. Head here before or after the Arsenal football match to enjoy a perfectly cooked stack of sweet or savoury pancakes, a variety of freakshakes, a generous slice of cake, or much more.
Chip Inn Fish Bar, Holloway Road
Sample one of the UK’s most famous national dishes, fish and chips, in this welcoming and kid-friendly restaurant, which offers generous portions of food at reasonable prices. You’ll be in great football company here, too, as the Chip Inn is the go-to eatery for many Gunners fans on their way to or from a match. If you’re on the way to the game and haven’t got time to sit down to eat, takeaway is available, too.
Mamma Mia Pizzeria, Hornsey Road
A lovely, laid-back Italian restaurant that the whole family will enjoy visiting, Mamma Mia Pizzeria specializes in authentic Italian cuisine. Staff go out of their way to ensure that every guest – even the littlest! – has a wonderful experience. The eatery really comes alive on match day: why not enjoy a pre-match burger while sitting outside and watching the players’ coaches arrive?
Looking for Budget-Friendly Food Near Emirates Stadium? Best Places to Check Out
Sports travelers on a budget are sure to be interested in the best budget-friendly food spots to hit up for some grub before or after the Arsenal game. Here are the closest places to Emirates Stadium offering value-for-money meals and snacks on matchday – and every day, for that matter!
- The Jerk Kitchen, Drayton Park, is a super affordable cafe close to the Arsenal ground where you can relish a range of authentic Jamaican cuisine and street food to eat in or takeaway.
- Neighbours Food Bar, Hornsey Road, is an extremely popular Chinese and Thai takeaway offering over two hundred excellent-quality takeaway dishes at amazing prices. It is perfect for an energy boost before a football match.
- City Pizza, Holloway Road, is the place to go for fresh but no-frills pizza that won’t cost the Earth. Grab a pizza on the way to Emirates Stadium or munch on it as you head back to your accommodation after enjoying the game.
- Proper Tacos, Seven Sisters Road serves up…you’ve guessed it! Authentic, no messing about tacos at great prices. Regulars particularly love the nutty Encacahuatados and ultra-tasty Suaderos.
- Chippy on the Corner, Caledonian Road, is your go-to for affordable fish and chips, homemade fishcakes, fish burgers, and fried chicken. All the fish served is responsibly sourced and cooked in high-quality groundnut oil.
Fuelling Up for the Perfect Arsenal Match Day Experience
Thinking about where you’re going to eat is a vital part of planning your traveling for a sports adventure. Knowing exactly where to head (or book a table) will not only make your trip more enjoyable but mean that you have more time to soak up London’s atmosphere and the experience of supporting Arsenal – rather than figuring out where to grab dinner or a bite to eat.
I hope the guide above will help you pinpoint where to refuel, whether you’re heading to London on a family vacation and planning on catching a match while in the city or are traveling specifically to enjoy sports events. Fuel up your trip with the best John Skinners (that’s Cockney for “dinners”) close to Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium.
