FOLD Faves: what to do in Stoke Newington.
It’s no surprise that we bloody love our little home in Stoke Newington.
Not just because it’s where we get to flow to our heart’s content with you lot, but also because it’s full of fun, small business-supporting things to do!
So, as the weather’s warming up and the summer holidays are looming (seriously parents - BRACE YOURSELVES because they’ll be here before you know it!), we’re dedicating the first in our FOLD Faves series to our favourite things to do/see/enjoy in Stoke Newington.
Grab your sunnies and sandals, and let’s go!
Coffee & Brunch in Stoke Newington
Is it even legal to go out for the day in Stoke Newington without grabbing coffee and brunch first?! No, it’s not.
So let’s kick off with our favourite places to caffeinate.
Esters Cafe, 55 Kynaston Road N16 0EB
Esters is GORGEOUS. Gorgeous food, gorgeous coffee, and a gorgeous garden to top it all off. What more could you want?!
Saturday brunches are to die for, but make sure you grab your favourite table early as it gets busy
Open Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sundays and Mondays)
No reservations - so get there early!
Dog friendly
Follow Esters on Instagram here.
Finks Pumphouse, Clissold Park N16 9DJ
On a sunny day it’s the absolute best place to grab a coffee and a snack and head for a stroll around the park. Sandwiches the size of doorstops, cakes and pastries we can never resist, and iced coffee to boot. Perfect.
Open 7 days a week, 8-4 Monday-Saturday, 9-4 Sundays
Takeaway only
Perfect for a park stroll
Follow Finks Pumphouse on Instagram here.
Lizzy’s On The Green, Newington Green N16 9PX
Last but by no means least, Lizzy’s is always our go-to for a catch up with friends! Great coffee, even greater cakes, and some lovely outdoor seating too. And Lizzy’s cakes can be made to order for celebrations too - a lovely treat!
Open 7 days a week, 8-4 Monday to Friday, 9-4 Saturday & Sunday
Indoor and outdoor seating
Cakes made to order
Follow Lizzy’s on Instagram here.
Fun things to do in Stoke Newington
Now that you’re caffeinated and cake-d up, let’s find some fun things to do in Stoke Newington!
The warmer weather opens up a whole new world of possibilities so here are our favourite outdoors-y things to do in Stoke Newington when the sun’s shining!
Parkrun - Highbury Fields & Finsbury
Despite the ‘run’ in the Parkrun name, Parkrun’s great for runners, non-runners and those of us who’d rather stand on the sidelines sipping our coffees…
There are two Parkruns for Stoke Newington folk: Highbury Fields and Finsbury. Both run every Saturday morning with a carefully-planned 5km route around the park. They’re always free, volunteer-led events and always have such a lovely community spirit! If you’re considering dabbling in running or just fancy a brisk walk to kick off the weekend, there’s nothing better than being cheered on by complete strangers and dog-spotting along the way.
Information about Highbury Fields Parkrun here and Finsbury Parkrun here.
Follow Parkrun UK on Instagram here.
Watersports at West Reservoir Centre, N4 2HA
A quick trip to the outskirts of Stoke Newington is well worth it for this little hidden gem! Canoeing, kayaking, sailing, open water swimming - you name it, this place has it. Even if you don’t want to actually get in the water, the cafe serves up hot drinks all day long too.
Ideal for those 2 days of the year when the weather’s super hot and you’re craving a swim to cool off, but pretty great even on mild days too!
Information here.
Follow West Reservoir on Instagram here.
Outdoor yoga at FOLD Yoga, N16 9BX
We all knew yoga would feature here somewhere, and now’s the time.
We’re biased, but FOLD’s a pretty great place for a mini-adventure. Especially when we open the garden for FOLD Al Fresco in the warmer months!
Information about classes and booking here.
Follow us on Instagram here.
Evening things to do in Stoke Newington
We’ve fuelled up with coffee and brunch, enjoyed a fun day of activities, so now it’s time to end the night on a good note with the most fun evening activities in Stoke Newington!
Supper Clubs at Lizzy’s On The Green, Newington Green N16 9PX
No, we’re not going mad - Lizzy’s has already featured, but deserves a second feature for their summer outdoor supper clubs!
Six exclusive nights in June, July and August see local chef Clare Heal delighting the tastebuds of lucky guests with an al fresco supper. Sunshine not guaranteed, but tasty food, tasty cocktails and a fun summery vibe definitely featuring!
Buy your tickets here! (No walk-ups - so get your tickets ASAP!)
Follow Lizzy’s On The Green on Instagram for menu updates.
Cocktails and burlesque at Fontaine’s, N16 7UY
Self-titled ‘East London’s most glamorous bar’, Fontaine’s is the perfect place for an evening of cocktails, luxury glam and a bit of burlesque too!
Luxurious velvet seats, 20s-inspired glassware, and more cocktails than you could ever possibly need - if evening glam’s your thing, Fontaine’s is the place to be.
Pro Tip: visit on a Thursday evening for £6 cocktails!
Full information here.
Follow Fontaine’s on Instagram here.
Indian and beers at The Jolly Butchers, N16 7HU
If beer and curry’s more your speed, The Jolly Butchers is for you! Featured as one of The Guardian’s top 10 pubs in Britain, The Jolly Butchers is a cosy pub with plenty of seating, a huge range of beers, ales and ciders, AND a kitchen cooking up fresh Indian dishes every day!
And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s a traditional Sunday roast every week too. Make sure you book for the best seats!
All information here.
Follow The Jolly Butchers on Instagram here.
What else should we do in Stoke Newington?!
That’s our round-up of our favourite finds - but we know there’s loads more just waiting to be discovered!
So, if there’s a place you love in Stokey that we haven’t mentioned here, come join the conversation over on Instagram and we’ll check it out.
In the meantime, continue your sun-dances, dig your shorts out from the back of the wardrobe and get excited for al fresco adventures in Stoke Newington!