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Area Guide to Finsbury Park

Finsbury Park is one of those neighbourhoods that has its own micro-wards to frequent, and each has something markedly different to offer. From artisan coffee and markets in Stroud Green to rotisserie chicken and freshly baked naan bread on Blackstock Road – and even to the Sylvanian Family HQ on the border with Arsenal – the unifying factor across these nooks is awesomeness. It’s not the cheapest part of London to live in but neither is it the most expensive, and you’re so well connected to most parts of the city, that you can hopefully forgive the margins and find common ground.

Coffee

Speaking of common ground, you’ll want to be heading there for your daily caffeine fix. Common Ground is a great little café on Stroud Green road, boasting excellent coffee, tea and pastries, plus a breakfast menu to match (try the waffles). There’s Blighty and Coffee Fruit N4 for good coffee as well, but Common Ground looks better on your Instagram profile owing to its slick décor. Even if you don’t swoon at the sight of exposed brick walls, you’ll find something here you will like. Such as the almond pain au chocolat.

49 Stroud Green Road

Brunch

Smack bang in the middle of the action that is bustling Blackstock Road, you’ll find good ol’ Blighty café. Don’t let the fact that there’s a lifesize model of Winston Churchill sitting in the window put you off – he’s not real, but he does represent the Commonwealth theme that the café embraces. All of their coffee is sourced from Commonwealth countries, you see. Winston also has his own breakfast on the menu, along with some other famous dudes, and we recommend that you work your way through them. Skip home with a freshly baked sourdough tucked under your arm for Saturday sandwiches – the bread here is excellent.

35-37 Blackstock Road

Pub

Ah, the Faltering Fullback. A pub that just keeps on giving. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a pretty standard boozer. That is until you follow the person that says ‘Let’s find a seat outside’ and they lead you into the secret rooftop warren brimming with all the younguns’ in N4 who are guzzling beer and getting cosy on the cramped seating. It’s a great place to have a drink (outside!) and meet new people when you end up accidentally knocking their drink over with your elbow. They also serve Thai food. Head here for summer nights.

19 Perth Road

Dinner

Tough one, but we’re going to have to go for the institute of Korean-Japanese brilliance that is Dotori, just next to the station. You’re gonna have to book – you can’t just walk in and expect to find a seat. Unless you’re early. We recommend going early. Fill yourself silly with bibimbap, sushi and all kinds of other delights (maybe not the ‘fruit punch’ though).

3 Stroud Green Road

Drinks

So, it’s a little bit swanky but Oak N4 – just next to the bus station – actually serves a really great selection of wines and you get some free paprika fried butter beans, as a plus. The staff are really friendly and ready to recommend wines to drink in or whisk away with you for a cosy night on the sofa. There are regular wine tasting nights here if that’s your kind of thing. An excellent spot for a quiet drink with a pal.

5-7 Wells Terrace

Walk

Finsbury Park just so happens to play host to the Parkland Walk – a 2.5 mile stretch of disused railway-cum-conservation area, which culminates in courting bat tunnels. Wander along the old platforms now overgrown with greenery, and look out for the giant gargoyle man that looms over you from the old railway arches. The journey ends at the top of Archway and bottom of Highgate but, if you’re beat, head into the Boogaloo pub for some live music or a Sunday lunch.

Take the Family

Got a few mouths to silence? Take the fam to Petek, a Turkish treasure trove of delightful eats along Stroud Green Road and stuff your face. Food is cheap, plentiful and seriously delicious. Ideal for sharing big plates of mezze, kebabs and Turkish delight and pretending that you like spending all this time together. You might find here that you actually do.

96 Stroud Green Rd

First Date

If we had a pound for every time we’ve seen a creative bowling photo from Rowan’s on different dating profiles, we could stop flogging spare rooms and retire. Seriously though, Rowan’s is where all the people of Finsbury Park are – bowling until the small hours of the morning, slipping a disc playing competitive air hockey, or crooning along to karaoke. It’s a secret tomb of bad 90s music, cheap doubles and rows of sexy bowling shoes and balls. A true institute and, we think, a great place to break the ice on a first or second date.

10 Stroud Green Road

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Sunday vibes.

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We’ve given you the scoop and the lowdown – think the area could be for you? Check out our selection of rooms for rent in Finsbury Park to find your next home in the neighbourhood.