Islington may be known to some as the world of avocado and brioche buns, all picnic hampers and prosecco, but there’s a lot more to this north London borough than meets the eye.

Each neighborhood in Islington has its own unique vibe, and for those looking for classic Islington, Upper Street is the place to be. It’s a high-end thoroughfare with bijou boutiques, smart restaurants, and plenty of polenta to go around. From there, it’s just a short walk to Barnsbury, where Georgian townhouses nuzzle up against cutesy pubs and leafy lanes. And then there’s Canonbury, with its 14th-century Tudor tower and quaint cluster of cottages. Tell your friends you live here and watch their jaws drop when they see the size of your stoop.

But Islington is more than just a pretty postcard. Bright young things are piling into neighborhoods like Finsbury Park and Holloway, where the buzz is building by the day. The Faltering Fullback is the best pub-meets-Teletubbie land you’ve ever been to, and the Union Chapel in Highbury is a beautiful venue for a lighters-out gig (iPhone recommended). If it all gets too much, Highbury Fields on a lazy Sunday is prime picnic territory, complete with an abundance of avocados and all the fixings.

And if you’re looking for a cultural fix, Islington has plenty of options to offer. The Almeida Theatre is one of London’s top venues for new writing and innovative productions, while the Screen on the Green is a beloved indie cinema that’s been in operation since the 1920s. Meanwhile, the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art houses an impressive collection of 20th-century Italian art in a beautiful Georgian villa.

So whether you’re looking for high-end shopping and dining, charming historic streets, or a buzzing arts and culture scene, Islington has it all. Don’t let the avocado and brioche buns fool you – this borough has plenty of substance to offer.