An independent guide to Stoke Newington with Flawk

Over the last year, we have spent a fair bit of time working and hanging out in the north London neighbourhood of Stoke Newington, where our second project is the transformation of a parking lot into a characterful family residence. It is a stone’s throw from Stoke Newington High Street and Church Street, two intersecting arteries that many of the area’s independent businesses cluster around.

So, with the launch of Lode, which has come to life via a host of collaborations with independent designers and makers, we thought it only right to share our recommendations for the other community that has shaped the building: Stoke Newington itself. Here, you’ll find tucked-away bakeries and pubs to watch Arsenal (the team de rigueur around here) matches at. Enjoy

Roti Stop
A local Caribbean take-out whose friendly staff serves up patties, rotis, rice and peas meals as well as Trinidadian doubles (fired flatbread with chickpea filling). We can never resist adding some fried plantain to our order.

Order: jerk chicken

Sonora Taquería
Together with Proper Tacos in Holloway’s Nag’s Head Market, Sonora Taquería serves up our favourite tacos in London. The simple and concise menu features staples like carne asada and pork adobada, as well as cheese-heavy specials and quesadillas. The location, mere seconds from the front door of Lode, has made this our go-to lunch spot for the last year, so trust us when we say we can recommend it.

Order: any and all of them.

Grill on the Hill
The best chicken shawarma in London, enough said. Ordr: chicken shawarma

Esters
Tucked away on a quiet residential street, Esters has a relaxed neighbourhood feel and a friendly vibe. We go for weekday lunches in the peaceful garden at the back and order one of the seasonal sandwiches or a bigger plate if we’re feeling hungry. No matter our appetite, we always leave with one of the baked-in-house sweets, which include cakes, cookies, scones and hand pies.

Order: vinegar drinks, breakfast, and lunch.

Pisco’s
A Peruvian friend took us to Pisco’s for tiradito (raw fish in a spicy citrus sauce) and beef empanadas, and we’ve loved it ever since. Our subsequent visits have featured papa a la Huancaina (boiled potatoes in a spicy cheese sauce) Aji de Gallina (spicy chicken stew) and, of course, ceviche.

Order: 2-for-1 cocktails before 9pm – we go for Pisco Sours.

Bake Street
This low-key bakery has won many fans (us included) with its inventive takes on global comfort food. From the ever-changing and always delightful menu, we love everything from Nashville- esque fried chicken sandwiches to miso and hazelnut cookies and lamb birra tacos. The portions are generous, and the flavours always pack a punch.

Order: probably the best soft-serve ice cream in London for an after-lunch treat.

Dusty Knuckle
Nestled in the heart of Dalston just off Kingsland High Street, Dusty Knuckle is one of London’s leading independent bakeries, and a neighbourhood favourite for sourdough loaves, pastries, and sandwiches. Their outdoor courtyard is the perfect spot to enjoy a mid-morning coffee and a flaky, warm croissant. We especially love the focaccia sandwiches—stuffed with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that never disappoint.

Order: their feta and honey swirl is a delicious savour-meets-sweet creation.

Red Hand
Where we go for our craft beer fix. Red Hand boasts a rotating selection of 20+ craft beers on tap, featuring both local and international breweries. The laid-back atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for catching up with friends or winding down after work.

Drink: whatever’s new on tap — they’re all good.

FINJ Juice Bar
After a night on the sauce, a healthy pick-me-up is required, and we get ours at FINJ Juice Bar. They specialise in freshly pressed juices, smoothies, and health shots, but no matter what we order, we leave feeling recharged and energised, ready to take on another day on site.

Drink: sugar cane juice with turmeric and ginger – a fiery combo with anti-inflammatory benefits

Hector’s
A little further away from Stoke Newington than some of our recommendations here, Hector’s is worth jumping on a bike for. On a quiet residential road in De Beauvoir, the cosy set up has us sitting outside in the warmer months, sipping on a carefully curated selection of natural wines, while in winter, we head inside for glasses and small plates that have included Serrano Jamon Casalba with potato crips and Pâté en Croute on our visits. It’s an intimate spot to sip, nibble, and connect with friends.

Drink: ask for their recommendations.

Dan’s
Dan’s sprung from Parched (formerly Natty Boy Wines), so we head there for one of the most exciting wine lists in the area, everything from dependable classics to lesser-known bottles that are often poured as part of the bar’s regular showcases of smaller importers. The location is on a ‘south facing suntrap on the Dalston Riviera’ (their words) so an outdoor table filled with small plates from their small menu in the summer is the perfect way to end a day.

Drink: something you wouldn’t normally; the joy is in the discovery here.

The Red Lion

A proper pub where locals (and we) gather for pints and Arsenal matches on the big screens. There is a good range of beers, a classic pub menu and a friendly crowd, especially on match days. What more could we want from a local?

Drink: pints.

STORE STORE
STORE is a London and Rotterdam-based organisation that brings together artists, architects and designers around the common goal of ‘supporting more young people from underrepresented backgrounds applying to creative courses, and addressing the social imbalance in art, design and architecture education.’ Their petit shop on Stoke Newington High Street is a place to discover objects crafted by local makers, as well as pieces crafted by local students in STORE’s After School Club programme.

Buy: extruded ceramic vases made by local students.

Stoke Newington Farmer’s Market
This bustling all-organic market appears every Saturday on the grounds of St Paul’s Church. Offering everything from organic vegetables to artisanal cheeses, it’s the perfect place to stock up on fresh, seasonal produce. Many vendors are local, meaning you’re directly supporting small-scale farmers and producers.

Buy: whatever is in season.

Committee of Taste
A vintage furniture store with an ever-changing mix of post-war British pieces and older antiques, all sourced with a brilliant eye and masterfully curated. Whether you’re after mid-century chairs or one-of-a-kind ceramics, Committee of Taste always delights with its stock that leans towards utilitarian and functional styles.

Buy: an original Thonet chair.

EartH
Housed in a 1930s Art Deco cinema, this multipurpose venue hosts everything from gigs to late- night DJ sets, making it a lively cultural hub. With its eclectic lineup of events programmed to be ‘broad, global, open and rooted in the highest quality artistic pursuit,’ there’s always something worth checking out.

Go for: a gig or night out with friends.

Clissold Park
The green heart of Stoke Newington, Clissold Park is perfect for lazy weekend strolls, picnics, or a morning run. We normally head to Fink’s Pump House early morning for coffee and Dusty Knuckle Pastries before walking a couple of laps. Don’t miss the deer and goats at the park’s mini zoo – a hit with kids and adults alike.

Do: pack a picnic in summer.