Stoke Newington like many areas in this part of North London has become both fashionable and very sought having in recent years become one of the most desirable postcodes in north London. Situated close to both Finsbury Park and Harringay it offers an abundance of facilities for both residents and newcomers.
A largely residential area offering a good selection of very sought after Victorian style terraced houses.
The restaurants around is definitely one of Stoke Newington's strongest points. Whilst the area has a strong Turkish community, the variety of food on offer spans a wide range – try 19 Numara Bos Cirrik on Stoke Newington Road, Testi on Stoke Newington High Street, Café Z Bar on Stoke Newington High Street. Kebabs tryThe Best Turkish Kebab on the Stoke Newington Road. For cuisines from further east try Thai restaurant Yum Yum, Itto serving pan-Asian dishes and Rasa serving vegetarian Keralan cuisine. Europe is represented in the form of The Black Pig With White Pearls, with Spanish dishes at Trangallan. Il Bacio offers excellent traditional-style pizzas and other Italian dishes, while Trattoria Da Luigi is a charmingly old-school Sardinian. At Oui Monsieur elegantly cooked French small plates are served in a picture perfect Parisian setting.
Transportation in Stoke Newington is good despite having no tube (although the Seven Sister's stop on the Victoria Line isn't too far away) Plenty of regular buses going in all directions including night buses. There's also an overland rail line to Liverpool Street, Cheshunt, Enfield, Richmond, Clapham or Stratford from Stoke Newington station. The nearest tube stations are Manor House (Piccadilly Line), Finsbury Park (Victoria and Piccadilly Line) or Angel (Northern Line).
Stoke Newington has more of a pub than a club scene. Having said that one may easily stumble upon a late night haunt, often in the basement of one of the Turkish cafes on the High Street. Church Street is also following suit with several bars like The Baby Bathhouse and The Drop which stay open late. Pubs, mainly traditional gastro type such are The Jolly Butchers offering a Sunday roast,The Three Crowns and The Leconfield which does a particularly good line in bar snacks, are all worth a visit. For late night drinks The Stokey Records Bar is open until 2.30am on weekend nights, while The Waiting Room keeps going until 4am.
For top coffee in the area, try the quirky café The Haberdashery on Stoke Newington High Street, or Esters on Kynaston Road. At The Spence Bakery on Church Street you should try the freshly baked breads, cakes and pastries. A little way down the High Street there's also an independent cinema called The Rio, showing popular films. A farmers’ market (Saturday morning) is located on the Stoke Newington High Street.
When it comes to education – Stoke Newington has a lot to offer with many parents keen to take advantages of the schooling. (Ed Balls - former Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families sends his kids in the Grazebrook in Lordship Road!) Primary schools include Benthal Primary/Betty Layward Primary/Grasmere Primary/Grazebrook Primary/Holmleigh Primary/Jubilee Primary/Lubavitch Ruth Lunzer/Newington Green Primary/Northwold Primary/Princess May PrimaryRosemary Works Independent School/Simon Marks Jewish Primary/St Mary's C of E Primary/St Matthias C of E Primary/Sir Thomas Abney and William Patten
If you are seeking comprehensive schools (http://www.stokeyparents.com/secondary-school-n16) Coeducational, ages 11-18, are Clissold Road; Petchey Academy – Shacklewell Lane; Skinners’ Academy – Woodberry Grove; Highbury Fields (girls) – Highbury Hill; For the nearest top private schools - for girls’ City of London school in Barbican and boys’ City of London school in Queen Victoria.
For recreation Clissold Park (https://www.hackney.gov.uk/sports-and-leisure) is the area's main green space. It's large, relatively flat and is home to a cafe, an animal and bird sanctuary, an adventure playground and in the summer months there is also a large paddling pool. It gets pretty busy at weekends, mainly with joggers, families and trendy types with their cappuccinos. Great place for relaxation or jogging.
Finally for the shoppers Stoke Newington is great place for a shopping spree with shops for every taste – Hidden in the basement of a secondhand record store, Little Pad has carefully selected vintage clothes and accessories. If you need your cello restrung or your heirloom lute restored, Bridgewood and Neitzert deal in all things stringed. Mums and mums-to-be will love Born, which stocks organic and fairtrade pregnancy and baby supplies.