When I first moved to London, my Sundays were spent trying to walk off hangovers and escape my pin-head-sized room. Living in Newington Green, this usually involved heading north to the calm confines of Stoke Newington, a place where people wore all black and sauntered from twee cafe to craft shop. While I’ve moved away from the area, come sore Sundays, I still pine for the Etsy-cute coffee shops and Instagrammable brunch spots. Step up Lacy Nook, a cafe and restaurant just off the main Stokey stretch.
Venue and Atmosphere
Located opposite Abney Park, Lacy Nook is a white fronted, sit and sip coffee all day sort of place. The first room is lit by floor-to-ceiling windows at both the front and back of the room, while potted plants dangle from the ceiling and tiny little cactuses ornament tables - it’s cute enough to be on a plant-based instagram. Downstairs, there’s a second white room, with the kitchen and another bar, as well as large doors that open out onto the spacious terrace. Surrounded by Victorian-looking houses, the terrace is a surprising splash of outdoors given the small shop front. Complete with a little garden shed, and marble-topped tables, it filled up quickly on a sunny Sunday as couples and brunching friends dived for fresh air.
The Lacy Nook is a two-storey cafe and restaurant with a sun-trap back garden.
Food and Drink
The Lacy Nook is the brainchild of Elena and Jana, both of whom put their Macedonian heritage and extensive world travels into the menu. Designed to share, food is homely and easy with lots of root vegetables and warming flavours. On Sundays, the list is split in two, between the BBQ meat section and vegetables and is best enjoyed by choosing a few and swapping. Aubergine (£7) was roasted until squidgy soft and saved from being dull with a refreshing tahini and sharp jalapeno sauce. Kidney beans (£5) were mixed with feta, given a sharp squeeze of lemon juice and zingy mint and showcased how a few ingredients used well can pack a punch.
The BBQed meat was similarly as good. Two wurst style sausages (£6.50) came as they were with a dollop of mustard and bacon-wrapped chicken (£7) oozed with a chipotle butter sauce that I wasted no time in mopping up with the side of pitta bread. They say* (*I often tell myself) the best way to cure a hangover is with more booze, and the Lacy Nook’s cocktail list is light and easy with summer drinks such as Aperol Spritz and Pimms. If all you can handle is something soft, the freshly squeezed orange juice (£3) is a lifesaver, as is their coffee, sourced from Mission Coffee in East London.
Food is a mix of Mediterranean and Macedonian, and designed to share.
Summary
Stoke Newington is the sort of place Sundays were designed for; almond-butter-filled food shops, craft beer stores and now, The Lacy Nook, a lovely little corner of calm. It’s not just aesthetically nourishing, food is simple and full of flavour and great for taking a date or catch-up.
