Best places to eat near the Emirates Stadium before an Arsenal game

One of the most important aspects of attending a football match for any fan is the pre and/or post-match food. At Emirates Stadium in particular, the food inside the ground has been both expensive and mediocre for years; not the ideal combination. In fairness, the club's 20-year contract with Delaware North has expired this summer, with Legends Global taking over as of July 2026, so there could be an improvement. Time will tell.

Nevertheless, rather than paying for some overpriced and generic food inside the stadium, there are literally dozens of independent business in the surrounding area that would be delighted to have your custom. Thus, we have picked out nine of the best food spots, all of which are less than 0.6 miles of Emirates Stadium, that you should considering trying during your next visit.

We've selected a wide-variety of cuisines, ranging from burgers and pizza, to wraps and Asian food, so there should be something for everyone.

Xi'an Impression

• 117 Benwell Road. N7 7BW.
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 1 minute walk - 279 ft.

If you're planning to visit Xi'an Impression, our first-hand advice is to get there early, because there is always a huge queue. Located literally in the shadow of the Emirates, this Asian restaurant is particularly perfect on a cold winter's night, specialising in delicious soup. We particularly recommend the hand-pulled beef noodle soup, or the biangbiang chilli and beef noodles, if you're after something more spicy.

Sud Italia - Arsenal

• 72 Aubert Park. N5 1TS
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 4 minute walk - 0.2 miles.

The best pizza you're going to find near Emirates Stadium is perfectly located between Arsenal underground station and the stadium. Sud Italia serves authentic Neapolitan pizza that is ready within ten minutes or so of ordering, perfect for those after something quick and substantial before heading to the game. You can't go wrong with a Margherita, albeit Pepperoni and Capricciosa are our own personal favourites.

Smashio!

• 134 Holloway Road. N7 8DD
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 7 minute walk - 0.3 miles.

If you're looking for more traditional footy scran, one of the best burger spots you're going to find near the Emirates is Smashio. One of their three London locations is on Holloway Road, half way between Highbury & Islington and the stadium; you can't miss it. Their menu is fully halal, offering both vegetarian and kids options too and, as the name might suggest, they specialise in smash burgers, with the Big Cheese our personal favourite.

The Hope Cafe

• 111 Holloway Road. N7 8LT
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 11 minute walk - 0.5 miles.

If an old school dining expirence is what you are after, the Hope on Holloway Road could be just the place for you. Since 1937, this self-proclaimed and unashamed greasy spoon feels like you are teleporting back in time to a bygone age, but this is not to discredit the quality of the full English breakfast items on offer. If, like me, you're somewhat fussy when it comes to your choice of full breakfast, that's no bother, you can order exactly the items you want; no need to push unwanted grilled tomatoes to the side.

Little Wonder Cafe

• 48 Hornsey Road. N7 7BP
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 2 minute walk - 410 ft.

If you're in a party who cannot decide what food you want, and proximity to the stadium is also high up on your list of priorities, look no further than the Little Wonder Cafe. Opened all the way back in 1905, the cafe could hardly be any closer to the Emirates, serving up a wide-variety of high-quality food. We particularly recommend the full English breakfast items and paninis, but they also offer top-tier pancakes, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, bangers & mash and so much more. If you are wanting a table, get there very early because the Little Wonder quickly gets extremely busy on matchday.

The Plimsoll Pub

• 52 St Thomas's Road. N4 2QQ.
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 13 minute walk - 0.6 miles.

For those searching for both high-quality food and drink, both are very much on offer at The Plimsoll near Finsbury Park. Specialising in burgers, but offering much more besides, as documented by the Guardian, the Plimsoll's charm and genius is in its "simplicity", knowing what it is and perfecting just that. On a matchday, this will be jam-packed full of fellow Gooners.

Mono Wraps

• 234 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DA
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 5 minute walk - 0.2 miles.

Mono Wraps may be your traditional Turkish kebab wrap shop, but it is not the classic place serving rubbish ingredients. Their shawarmas are some of the best you will find anywhere in London, let alone Islington. Our personal favourite would be the lamb shish, but they also offer chicken as well as veggie options falafel, humus and halloumi. Mono Wraps always has a big queue on a matchday, but it does move quickly.

Beam

• 184 Blackstock Road. N5 1EG

Distance from Emirates Stadium: 14 minute walk - 0.6 miles.

Perfect ahead of an early kick off, for those after a more upmarket breakfast expirence, head to Beam, located near the old stadium Highbury. They now five locations across the city, offering an all-day menu, albeit breakfast is what they do best. You can't go wrong with their full english breakfast, although salmon and scrambled eggs, beetroot Benedict and avocado on sourdough are among their other popular menu items, if that is more your thing.

Round Square Restaurant

• 132 Seven Sisters Road. N7 7NS
  Distance from Emirates Stadium: 12 minute walk - 0.5 miles.

Last, but by no means least, everyone loves a good Chinese, and excellent Chinese food is certainly on offer at Round Square. They serve all your classics, chow mein, fried rice, dim sum, crispy roast duck and much more, and we highly recommend paying them a visit, especially if you're in a big group and after a wide-variety of Chiense food that you can share around.

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