I lived in Islington around 1974 and I had pie and mash most weeks. Proper good grub and no bullshit. No pretentious arty farty types whanging on about "authenticity". Happy memories. I live in Scotland now so not much chance of a pie and mash supper. read more

If you are like me and enjoy travel because of the interesting things you get to see and put in your belly, you will really like this place. It has all kinds of reasons for me to like it: Historic, check. A feel for real-life London, check. Local comfort food, check. Eel liquor, check...WTF?!? Yeah, that last one threw me when the counter-lady asked me if I'd ever had it before. I couldn't understand her at first because of her heavy English brogue but once I did, I thought she was offering me a shot at first like "snake-wine" in Asia. I quickly realized that is the term used for the parsley gravy ladled generously over your pie and mash. On my list for this London visit was a desire to try "pie, mash and eels". After researching all of the well-known shops, I chose this primarily because it was one that was easily accessible by the Underground (Angel stop). Rumors had it that it was also closing by the end of the year so I figured it would be great to visit while it was still around. I arrived at opening on a Monday (beware that on Monday they open at 11 am, every other day is 10 am) and was promptly told that they are no longer having to close at the end of the year so that is good news for all of you comfort food history buffs. One thing to beware of is that on Monday, no eels are available...very disappointing as I was really looking forward to trying them. The interior is awesome...like an old diner (and I mean really old) with straight backed wooden bench booths, flooring that looks like century old formica, and not a straight edge to be seen anywhere as the foundation and the furniture has clearly settled and been well-used over the decades. The counter lady was very kind to me as a pie and mash virgin...she talked me into a single pie, single mash selection which was good size, filling, and under 5 quid. Every culture has some sort of comfort food and this fits for the UK...savory, soft, inexpensive and good contrast if you add salt, pepper and vinegar from the table containers as recommended by the counter lady and it was a load of carbs that sits like a brick. Every culture has something along this line of comfort food and I can see why this is one of the national meals of the Brits. Really lovely from a down-home perspective and reminds me a lot of chicken fried steak in the US southwest or Loco Moco in the Hawaiian Islands. I know nothing about this food but I know I liked it when I ate it and judging by all of the locals I spoke with they do too. Definitely one for the bucket list. read more

Manze's Eel Pie & Mash shop - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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This shop was the first in London & opened in 1902 by the present owner's grandfather. Eel pie was a dish the victorians loved. The only other country that does them like this that I know of is Italy. Its a real genuine part of old London life, sitting as it does in the middle of Chapel Street Market read more

Manze's Eel Pie & Mash shop - The original Manze's - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

As the previous reviewer I was very interested in the lay out of the place which reportedly hasn't changed for decades it was like a trip into the past. I went here with my mates who are born and bread Islington guys and they informed me there grandparents used to come to this place in the war. The pie and mash itself didn't blow me away flavour wise it's pretty simple English food, this was my first pie and mash experience so can't compare it with anything else. Would I go again? yes, it was cheap decent comfort food that filled me up for ages. And it made my day when an old boy of about 90 came in and ordered eels. Probably been coming there for decades too. read more

Manze's Eel Pie & Mash shop - 3 pies and double mash!! - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

As seen in the opening shots of 'Only Fools And Horses', Chapel market is a quintessentially english market. There are several good fruit and veg stalls, a wet fish stand, and a couple of cheap CD stalls, as well as stalls selling dried pigs' ears (for dog toys) In addition, there are some decent food stalls (cheese, dim sum, Thai, sausage and mash), and Manze's - one of the oldest pie and mash shops in London. Clothes arent great, but worth a visit for some fresh produce. read more

It's rare I even actually purchase anything here, but I love walking along checking out what's on offer. Sometimes, I actually purchase some cheap lil trinket just to do my part! The vibe here seems very authentically London in a way that I see less and less of as time goes by. Among the variety vendors at the market, the one selling the gigantic and simple gourment burgers is one that I hope never goes away. His burgers are delish! There's a Caribbean take-away that's pretty awesome too. The bustle and banter of the shoppers and vendors is the real treat of a visit to Chapel Market. One of these days I'm gonna get up there with my camera. read more

Excellent pie&mash. Any time I've got to head towards N1 I make sure I go in. Pies are excellent and the decor is great. Its one of the larger pie and mash shops in North London and there's plenty of seating area. read more

Chapel Market is one of London's most traditional and liveliest street markets. At its best at the weekend, Chapel Market specializes in good value fresh fruit and vegetable stalls. The fish stalls are finest in the area and there are also stalls offering bargain household goods and cheap clothes. read more

I love Chapel Market - especially since the hideous Angel Centre was built a few years ago. Chapel Market provides the perfect antidote - great bargain hunting opportunities and delicious food from cheese to chorizo - enough to give Borough market a run for its money I reckon, and with less people. The best ting about the market is that you really are in a proper London street with all the types of characters you would expect. The shouting stall owners, the dodgy drunks, the mad old women, littered in amongst the young trendies. Its nice to see a bit of the old London, as someone said above. read more

A traditional market in the heart of trendy Islington. It makes a good alternative / accompaniment to the modern Angel Centre - which I don't have a problem with at all. As with all markets, there are some real bargains to be had. I buy a lot of food here, and the fishmonger in particular has some great offers (they get it all fresh from Billingsgate every morning) - large live crabs for £4, or masses of fresh Tuna at a great price. The important thing to note about Chapel Market, however, is that it's easy to miss the shops that run along and behind the stalls. There is a wide variety of shops so if what you want is not on the market, it'll be in one of those. My main reason for going, however, is the Pie and Mash! read more

Living in Holborn, most my grocery shopping is done nearby. But every two weeks, I'll run over to Chapel Market to grab veges - some of which are much cheaper than Tesco and Sainsbury's, e.g. long beans, okra - and fruits - which are almost always cheaper than their supermarket counterparts. The market is essentially one lane with stalls on both sides, with most stalls selling vegetables and fruits, a fish monger, cheese shop, plus a few clothes and misc. stores. There are a few stores selling cooked food as well, e.g. burgers, dim sum, Thai food. And the great thing is that it is close to Angel station, and even has a relatively large Sainsbury's Central nearby to allow a one-stop grocery shopping experience. read more

Chapel market's location is perfect because its right at the centre of Angel where there are many shops, so I can do all my shopping in one area. There is a massive Sainsburys' 2mins from the market so I can get anything I could not find in the market there. There are stalls that sell variety of things that include greeting cards, very nice Ladies wear, bags, shoes, Arsenal football kits, phone accessories and jewelleries. They are also stalls that sell food such as fruit and veg, cheese, seafood and olives. While you are shopping in the market you can grab hot delicious Chinese food or if Caribbean food tickle your fancy. There is a man who also makes some nice hot dogs or sausage thing, which are very tasty. There is usually along queue for his food. Opens all week except from Mondays. read more

Very nice market. One of the great things about it is that it's not specialized: you get stalls of all types here. Fruit and veg, cheap batteries, plants, books, clothes, burgers whatever. Situated in Islington it's also pretty clean and nice as markets go, but surprisingly cheap for the area. read more

I'm giving this 4 stars for the Edwardian interior and friendly counter service. Beautiful majolica tiles in this place & old wooden booths=like stepping back in time. Sadly pie and mash did not live up to my expectations. Minced beef pie meat was tough and not much flavor. The whitish liquor=also not much flavor. Mash had mystery lumps. I don't think they cut the eyes out of the potatoes before mashing them. I didn't try the eels because eels just make me think of the Mighty Boosh song about eels..and well there you go. In any case, I enjoyed the atmosphere but probably would not return for a meal. :( read more

Typical modern market, mostly 'cheap' tat that unit for unit is more expensive than your local supermarket. You could probably find some bargains in the fruit and veg but you have to know what you're doing or you get completely ripped off, that's how markets work, and I should now, coming frmo Stockton on Tees. The widest high street in britain was built for markets, specifically cattle, but now the same as Chapel: dodgy cheap domestic products. Nice when they have the french visitors at teh far end. There are a couple of good fast food stalls doing jerk chicken and sausages, but otherwise the only reasons to come here are the pie and mash shop, the cheap curry place and cash converters. read more

One of the better fruit and veg markets but also check out the shoes and shops surrounding the area-some very interesting bargains.

Chap is a nice little market. Not open on a monday but open every other day of the week. Sells nething from fruit to clothes to cards.. a nice atmosphere and most of the sellers have been there for years. read more

Lively market with lots to see especially during the weekends. You can get fresh and cheap vegetables and seafood of various variety. With a lively and vibrant crowd, it's definitely a place to visit. In addittion to that, the big stores like Sainsbury's, Woolworths and M&S are just next door. read more

Chapel Market is the more interesting shopping experience of Angel, after the banal familiarity of the N1 centre. It's a long street with various stalls including relatively cheap fruit and veg, clothes, shoes, bags, CDs, second hand books, pet food, jewelry, toys, household stuff and electrical items. Expect the London market stereotype of shouting stall holders (BANANANANANA!, Two for a pound!), people with buggies walking into you, and having to squeeze in between stalls to get onto the pavement. It's a great street market and one of the last remaining reminders of the old, less hip Islington. read more

You would think that Chapel Market would seem out of place in trendy Islington that mainly offers pricey boutiques, hip bars and great restaurants. After all the market itself is outdoors, a little grubby and sells all manner of bric-a-brac items alongside the usual fruit & veg. Infact it feels perfectly nestled between Upper Street and the N1 shopping centre. Great for a wander along in the summer, and equally fab during the colder months when you can treat yourself to one of the steaming hot food take-away choices which are always fantastic value for money. read more

I just love the atmosphere of chapel market. The great stalls the shops running parrallel with the market very good veg and fruit no woolworths now its waitrose not sure about the Angel Centre except when the French and Italians show their wares olives and cheese yum yum like the above the trollys and buggys are annoying but otherwise well worth a visit especially at weekends read more

Er: you say it's in Highbury. It isn't. But it's nice all the same.