My Ten Things To Do In Stroud Green N4 gives you the low down on this North London area. As you may know, I lived in Finsbury Park for many years. The best shopping, drinking and eating street has to be Stroud Green Road. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Finsbury Park or shops in N4, read my Ten Things To Do In Stroud Green N4 list.
Stroud Green Road
Ten Things To Do In Stroud Green N4
1. Seek out the perfect card and gift at the delightful Pretty Shiny Shop
2. Buy delectable delicatessen delights for your supper from The Deli at 80
3. Treat yourself to a glass of vino after work at Oak N4
4. Hang out in the arty garden at Common Ground Coffee Shop and Eatery
5. Buy something delicious from the Stroud Green Sunday Market
6. Stock up on organic fruit and veg from one of the grocers and health food stores
7. Book a crafted scissor haircut or beard trim at Em’s Barbershop
8. Browse the specialist African and Caribbean Literature at New Beacon Books
9. Thrift shop at Crisis for second-hand clothing, fashion accessories and more
10. Pick out something tasty for supper from Butler’s Deli
Ten Things To Do In Stroud Green N4 Details
Pretty Shiny Shop: This super cute independent gift shop is brimming with pretty, shiny things. The owner selects her stock with the local customers in mind, who are young families and students, so affordability and desirability are paramount, as is usefulness. You’ll find a carefully curated collection of greeting cards, mainly from UK makers. They’ve been nominated for Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer in London! The extensive jewellery choice covers fashionable, quirky, and classic designs, from necklaces to bracelets and earrings. These are reasonably priced with sterling silver studs for £5 and nothing exceeding £50. The gorgeous gift collection comprises scented candles, essential oil soaps, and fragrant diffusers. The homeware items include cheerfully patterned tea towels, thermal travel cups and witty slogan mugs. Check out the beautiful bags, which look like genuine leather but are vegan. This is a one-stop shop for buying exceptional occasion gifts.
Pretty Shiny Shop: 67 Stroud Green Road
The Deli at 80: If you want to buy French artisan cheese, freshly baked bread (Bread by Bike / Boulangerie Jade) and delectable deli delights, pop into number 80. You can perch yourself on a stool and tuck into a freshly made sandwich, savoury croissant or cake while sipping a cup of Caravan coffee. Afterwards, you should browse the shelves for something delicious to take home. Treat yourself to an organic ice lolly or chilled soft drink on a sunny day. This deli will give you a discount if you refill your olive oil or wine in-store. Take along your coffee cup, and you’ll get a 10p discount. The shop is a drop-off point for Crop Drop fruit and vegetables and Soleshare, a fish box scheme.
The Deli at 80: 80 Stroud Green Road
Oak N4: If you believe you deserve a glass of wine after a hard day at work, this is the place for you. Oak N4 is ideally located across the road from Finsbury Park Station, so you don’t have to walk far when you get off the tube, train or bus. You can pop in and sip wine by the glass (from a choice of 30) or share a bottle with friends. Why not stay for a platter of cheese, charcuterie or a vegan selection? Wines are from small, exciting suppliers you won’t find in the supermarket. This covers sparkling wine to white, pink, red and organic varieties based on quality and value for money. If you don’t have time to sit down, you can always pick up a bottle to take home. You might want to stay for a while because this place is spacious and thoughtfully decked with reclaimed materials. The team is helpful and can guide you through the curated wine collection. If you want to discover more about wine and food pairings, sign up for their wine-tasting sessions. You can rent this venue and drink wine with your fabulous friends to celebrate.
Oak N4: 5-7 Wells Terrace
Common Ground Coffee Shop and Eatery: Hang out at this independent coffee shop and try the delicious Dark Arts Coffee. Set inside a former Butcher’s shop, you won’t find any meat on the menu; it’s veggie. The food is inspired by Melbourne cafes, which serve an eclectic range of delicious dishes rather than a focus on one particular cuisine. Lucy Jones, the owner of Common Ground, spent time in Melbourne and loved this feel-good brunch vibe. You should head to a beautiful, relaxing backyard on a sunny day. Please look around at the mural walls, metalwork hanging baskets, and the art pieces dotted around, which Lucy has involved local creatives and her mum. This is a community-focused and friendly place to visit – perfect if you are alone, with friends or with your kids. There is a no-screen policy at the weekends, and it’s a cash-free establishment.
Common Ground Coffee Shop and Eatery: 49 Stroud Green Road
You can sample any cuisine your heart desires along Stroud Green Road. There are so many restaurants here, so I will mention a few of the ones I have eaten at. Enjoy the best Vietnamese Pho at Q&T. Try Thai at Cats Cafe des Artistes or Granary. Mix Korean and Japanese cuisines at Dotori. Select an array of Asian dishes at Itto. For reasonably priced Vegetarian Indian food, head to Jai Krishna. Treat yourself to a Nepalese curry at Yak and Yeti. Petek is perfect for sharing Middle Eastern dishes. For pizza pick Pappa Pappagone. For tapas try La Fabrica. Tuck into a Sunday roast at The White Lion.
Q & T Vietnamese: 57 Stroud Green Road
Stroud Green Market: A local favourite, this farmers’ market is held on Sundays from 10 am until 2.30 pm. You will find a mix of food grown on English farms, such as fruit and vegetables, meat from naturally reared animals and unpasteurised milk. There will also be homemade local food such as bread, pies, quiches, sausage rolls, tarts, and cakes. Specialities include honey, preserves, pickles and kimchi. Cheese, cured meats and wines sourced from producers and sold by experts are available. Hot food (toasties) and drinks using locally sourced ingredients are perfect to try at the market. Activities include bicycle servicing, live music and workshops for children. The market is hosted at Stroud Green School with a covered café and playground.
Stroud Green Market: Stroud Green School (Ennis Road)
Grocers and Health Food Stores: This street has some excellent grocery stores and health food shops selling fresh fruit and vegetables, plus niche organic products. It’s a great place to buy exciting vegetables like yams and plantains from independent grocery shops. My favourites are Green and Glory at 73 Stroud Green Road and Urban Native Organic and Whole Foods at 188 Stroud Green Road.
Green and Glory: 73 Stroud Green Road
Em’s Barbershop: Em Miltello comes from a family of Italian hairdressers. Em offers quality haircuts at his barbershop, combining scissor-cutting techniques with modern shaves. Whether you want a cut and wash, dry cut, total re-style, shaved head, or tidied beard, they can accommodate you.
Em’s Barbershop: 192 Stroud Green Road
New Beacon Books: This bookseller specialises in Caribbean, Black British, African and African American works. It was founded in 1966 by John La Rose and Sarah White. It was the first black publisher bookshop in the UK. The collection includes fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. You’ll find everything from poetry to history. It is also a publishing house with a credible reputation. This bookshop is a real gem which has been crowdfunded to keep it going for future generations. Show your support by visiting the shop at Stroud Green Road and buying a book.
New Beacon Books: 76 Stroud Green Road
Crisis: If you’re a fan of second-hand clothing and fancy a spot of thrift shopping, pop into Crisis. They always have a great display of clothing in the window. Inside, you will discover a coffee bar.
Crisis Charity Shop: 19 Stroud Green Road
Butler’s Deli: Butler’s is another deli shop where you can buy cheese, charcuterie, wine, and more. It’s a great place to shop if you have guests for dinner or you deserve a treat.
Butler’s Deli: 186 Stroud Green Road
Ten Things To Do In Stroud Green N4 Information
Stroud Green Road is close to Finsbury Park train station, tube station and the bus depot. It’s located in North London (N4) in the borough of Haringey. Finsbury Park is an ample green space with a boating lake and children’s play area. In between the Park and Stroud Green Road, you can access the Parkland Walk, a nature reserve along a disused rail line; read my Parkland Walk North London Nature Reserve article for more information.
The area by the station has a shopping area and apartment blocks called City North. The Park Theatre hosts exciting plays and is well worth checking out; it also has a bar and cafe. If you fancy trying your luck at ten-pin bowling, pop into Rowans. If you want to buy or rent a home in the area, try Davies & Davies Estate Agents. They sold my property for me.
Enjoy your visit to this buzzy, lively, and urban area of North London. It’s full of independent shops, cafes, and eateries, many focusing on sustainability.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: All photographs by Homegirl London except the Em’s Barbershop photograph. Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Collaboration/Advertising.
