Dalston to Stoke Newington

THE PERFECT DAY

  • CLICK HERE to open the interactive map with morning destinations only.

    START with a coffee at Dalston Curve Garden if the weather is fine, or The Dusty Knuckle bakery if you’re HUNGRY. They’re both right by the stations.

    NEXT - Get stuck into the charity shops, Traid may require an hour to fully investigate. We’ve included a few gems south of the route too.

  • CLICK HERE to open the interactive map for the afternoon destinations.

    LUNCH: When in Rome… or rather East London…eat Turkish or Jamaican food. And rest those feet!

    AFTER LUNC    H it’s time for some vintage clothes as a contrast to the charity shops. Beyond Retro and Reign Vintage offer an inspiring range of eras and styles.

    Take a fresh air break and explore Abney Park Cemetery. Admire the ivy and look for ghosts.

    OR

    Eat cake.     Super-fresh chocolate baklava washed down with stiff Turkish tea would be our pick.

  • CLICK HERE to open the interactive map with evening destinations.

    UNWIND with a Guinness at The Auld Shillelagh, or another of Stoke Newington’s characterful pubs.

    DINNER: Families could head to The Red Lion in Stokey for pizza and board games, or to Sutton & Sons for restaurant-quality fish and chips/lobster rolls.

    Friends and lovers would enjoy trendy restaurant like Ta-Ko or Acme Fire Cult. We recommend to book ahead.

    LATER: Go see a random band/DJ/theatre production. The odds are good that you will hit upon a gem and make some friends.

NEED TO KNOW

START at Dalston Kingsland (Mildmay Overground line running East to West) or Dalston Junction station (Windrush Overground line running north to south). Spend the day wandering your way up towards Stoke Newington.

AS THE SUN SETS: Wander your way back down towards Dalston for pubs, restaurants, bars, music and theatre. If your feet are tired, hop a 149, 476 or 67 bus.

CLICK HERE to open the full route map in full screen and navigate live. Zoom in and click on each pin for info, photos, and links to Google reviews.

Note: What the map refers to as the A10 is Kingsland Rd/Stoke Newington High St.

AREA HIGHLIGHTS

Green Spaces

  • Dalston Curve Garden: The community reclaimed this disused railway plot and turned it into a quirky marvel.

    Abney Park Cemetery: Overgrown, historic and atmospheric. Kids and dogs will especially love getting lost here.

    Clissold Park: The green heart of the area with cafe, playgrounds, splash park, tennis courts, picnic spaces, goats and more.

  • Dogs can get a good a run round Abney Park cemetery and Clissold Park.

    The Rose and Crown pub (Church St. in Stokey, on the round-a-bout just before Clissold Park) welcomes dogs.

    Many restaurants and pubs have outdoor tables, and others (The Good Egg, Esther’s, Fox and Pie) are pet friendly.

Family Friendly

  • Pubs and kids mix well here. Pizza, crisps and board games are usually on offer and kids are welcome until the evening crowd rolls in.

    Loading Gaming Bar welcomes families and has video and board games to play. Book ahead to be sure of a space.

    Abney Park has lots of tree cover.

    Charity shops are a never-ending source of toys to tinker with, fun clothes and costumes for a few pounds.

    The Rio Cinema in Dalston has an old-school feel and great programming.

    If the weather is properly rotten, the Young V+A museum is worth the detour. It’s a little bit off this route, but not far. Take the Central Line to Bethnal Green. It’s just across the street from the tube exit.

  • Fish and Chips from Sutton and Sons is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

    Turkish food is an easy sell with lentil soup, turkish ‘pide’ very much like pizzas. The rice is plentiful and delicious, chargrilled veg and meat are simple and delicious.

    Cafe Z Bar in Stokey has a massive menu and friendly atmosphere that welcomes families. Fresh juices and smoothies, lots of brunch and lunch options to please little ones.

A glass of beer on a wooden table inside a restaurant with sunlight shining through, flowers in the background, and people sitting nearby.

Pubs

  • Closing times during the week are listed on each pin - often 11pm. Closing time is usually midnight on Fri/Sat.

    Kids are welcome usually till about 8pm.

    Pub food is really good in these parts, well beyond crisps and nuts. Some pubs have a full menu, others bar snacks… pizza made on site is common, and surprisingly good! Book ahead for Sunday roasts.

  • Bar Lotus has some wonderful whisky and exciting, well-crafted cocktails. Buzzy, and fills up quickly.

    392 Kingsland Rd. is the currently the perfect East London bar, worth the slight detour south.

    A Mini Bar is just that. Intimate with original cocktails. Great for twosomes.

    Strolling from Stoke Newington to Dalston you will come across lots of charming bars, most of the time you can’t go wrong. Do not be alarmed if the bar is barely illuminated.. apparently dark bars are trending.

Secondhand Shops

  • Traid: Near Dalston Kingsland

    Mind: Stoke Newington Church St

    Mary’s Living and Giving: Stoke Newington Church St

  • Beyond Retro is like walking into a Hollywood wardrobe warehouse.

    Reign Vintage is one of the best for quality and variety and price we’ve ever seen. Anywhere in the world.

Local Cuisine

  • Windrush Bar + Kitchen is just across from the start of Church Street. As friendly as it is well established.

    Jambay Kitchen serves up Jamaican cuisine in all its spicy and smoky glory.

  • Sweet
    When you need perking up, stop at Bebek Baklava or Super Baklava for some super fresh pastries, cakes and tea.

    Savoury
    Mangal 1 has a traditional menu of charcoal grilled meats, veggies and rice and allows you to BYOB.

    Mangal II is chic modern Turkish. What team are you on?

    People come from all over London to enjoy a Best Kebab.

  • RasaN16: Many consider it one of London’s best south Indian. Vegetarian. Book ahead.

    Acme Fire Cult: Book ahead! This rock and roll meat joint is FIRE and having a moment.

    Dusty Knuckles is an award-winning bakery and social enterprise. You won’t soon forget their sandwiches.

Evenings

  • Live music, clubs and theatre here is top notch. Programming is international, underground, and up-and-coming.

    The Arcola Theatre: One to book ahead, a chance to see some brave and excellent work.

    Cafe Oto: The best of world music.

    SJQ: An underground atmospheric bar with live music (often jazz) and great sound.

    Shacklewell Arms: A rock and roll bar with gigs most nights. The acts are worth seeing - though some may require booking ahead.

    Club Makossa: If you’re looking for a sweaty night out dancing, you’'ll love this!

  • Sass and style in spades.

    The Karaoke Hole: Both drag bar and glitzy karaoke - come for laughs, leave the wallflowers at home.

    Dalston Superstore: Drag brunches, food and drink during the day that slides into night.. a bijou sweatbox club in the basement.

    Vogue Fabrics: Open for special events, and when they do it - they do it right. Check their website for happenings.