Where To Eat, Drink & Shop In Stoke Newington
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
The Good Egg
Started by three friends six years ago, The Good Egg boasts an eclectic menu from which to start your day. Spanning Tel Aviv street food to fare from the grand old cafés of New York and Montreal, the emphasis throughout is on high-quality ingredients and sustainable produce. An ideal spot for weekend brunch, we love the sound of the babka French toast with caramelised halva, labneh and poached pear.
93 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AS
Visit TheGoodEgg.co
Vicoli di Napoli Pizzeria
Don’t be fooled by this pizzeria’s unassuming outward appearance. A Stoke Newington favourite, it gets rave reviews – and not just because of its close association with the pizzeria in Naples that was made famous in Elizabeth Gilbert’s soul-searching Eat, Pray, Love. Previously called L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, the fuss generated by its opening appears to have died down, making it the perfect spot for a mellow Saturday lunch.
125 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UH
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Rasa
Small and cosy with its bright pink decor and bold South Indian dishes, Rasa is one of the best-known vegetarian restaurants in London. When it opened more than 20 years ago, the queue that formed outside the door became legendary. Fast forward to 2019 and the original Stoke Newington outpost is just one in a chain of restaurants that now stretches as far as Birmingham. But don’t worry, Rasa’s speciality dishes remain as delicious as ever – and most of them barely cost a fiver.
55 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AR
Visit RasaRestaurants.com
Primeur
This is an independent venture from chef David Gingell and manager Jérémie Cometto-Lingenheim, whose past employers include Mark Hix, the Bistrotheque boys, and the Galvin, Boxer and Wright brothers. Primeur is a sister to Highbury’s Westerns Laundry, which is famed for its cosy atmosphere, small sharing plates and quirky wine list. Primeur’s menu is equally stripped back, with the restaurant itself occupying an old motor shop. Check out its Instagram to see what dishes lie in store.
116 Petherton Road, N5 2RT
Visit PrimeurN5.co.uk
Rubedo
Described as “awfully 2019”, bistro Rubedo serves a curated selection of classic Italian dishes based on seasonal ingredients, alongside a menu of natural wines. Its snug interior gives it a distinctly “un-London” feel, according to regular visitors, making it the perfect choice for a cosy supper when all you want to do is hunker down with your favourite people and tuck into something delicious. You can also hire the entire place for private events – there’s seating for 30-35 guests.
35 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0NX
Visit RubedoLondon.com
Fontaine’s
One of London’s most decadent Art Deco bars, this is a destination of old-school glamour. Classic cocktails are served in vintage glassware, with every detail of the bar carefully recreated from authentic 1940s photographs. While the main area upstairs offers pure elegance and a night of sophistication, the Bamboo Lounge downstairs is where patrons let loose under the watchful eye of Fontaine’s owner – and burlesque starlet – Emerald Fontaine.
176 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7UY
Visit Fontaines.Bar
Original Sin
Underneath Stokey Bears is one of Stoke Newington’s best-kept secrets. Brought to you by the team behind Happiness Forgets in Hoxton, Original Sin boasts a slightly larger space so that more people can enjoy their range of wild and wacky cocktails. From one-off events focusing on a particular spirit or theme, to a Saturday happy-hour espresso martini, Original Sin caters to all tastes, no matter how adventurous.
129 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0PH
Visit OriginalSin.bar
WHAT TO SEE & DO
The Spence Bakery
Having started life as a small café on Stoke Newington Church Street in 2001, Spence added a wholesale bakery to its property portfolio in 2014, and a second retail bakery in Tufnell Park four years ago. When it comes to anything bread, put the original Stoke Newington location at the top of your list. From nutty sunflower ryes to a classic white sourdough and rustic baguettes, Spence knows there’s nothing better than a freshly baked loaf.
161 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UH
Visit TheSpence.co.uk
The Restoration
On a side street just off Stoke Newington Church Street, this is a hidden treasure trove full of vintage furniture pieces. Whether you’re after industrial, mid-century modern or contemporary pieces, founders Sophie and Spud can help you find something unique for your home. Just be aware of the unusual opening hours: the shop is closed on Mondays and operates by appointment Tuesday to Thursday. Casual browsers can drop in between Friday and Sunday, when regular trading hours apply.
2 Bouverie Road, N16 0AJ
Visit TheRestoration.com
Hub
Fans of Ganni, Veja and Grenson need to carve out some time to pop into Hub, one of the many independent fashion boutiques that help give Stoke Newington its unique character. Owned by sisters Georgie Cook and Louise Power, Hub has separate outlets for men and women sitting across from each other on the same street. As well as stocking labels like YMC, LF Markey and Levi’s, Hub also sells its own in-house label Allsea – a limited collection based on classic knitwear staples, all of which are made in Britain.
88 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AP
Visit HubShop.co.uk
The Old Church
The only remaining Elizabethan church in London, Stoke Newington’s Old Church owes its origins to 16th-century Lord of the Manor William Patten. Heavily bombed during World War Two, the church was fully refurbished and is now a venue for local community groups. Be sure to check out the various monuments to prominent historic figures, including William Wilberforce’s brother-in-law James Stephen – a chief adviser on the anti-slavery bill. Wilberforce himself expressed a wish to be buried here, before his friends decided Westminster Abbey was more fitting.
Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9ES
Visit TheOldChurch.org.uk
Rio Cinema
Down the road is the Rio Cinema, an independent movie theatre housed in a magnificent Art Deco, Grade II-listed building. Over 100 years old, it only added a second screen in 2017 and has been named one of London’s top cinemas by both the Telegraph and Evening Standard. The limited programme includes just one main feature film per week, chosen by executive director Oliver Meek and head projectionist Peter Howden, although the selection ranges from low-budget arthouse films all the way up to mega-blockbusters.
107 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB
Visit RioCinema.org.uk
Stoke Newington Literary Festival
Dubbed the coolest literary festival of the summer, this annual Stoke Newington event has attracted a cult following since launching almost a decade ago. Celebrating the area’s radical literary history with a diverse programme of events, the festival takes place across a range of local venues, including the Old Church and Stoke Newington town hall. Past speakers include renowned food writers Diana Henry and Nigella Lawson, BBC radio host Lauren Laverne and former leader of the Labour party Ed Miliband.
Various locations
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