The Tea Rooms
153–155 Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington, London N16 0UH
Pretty as a picture, feminine and funky, the Tea Rooms are bang-on when it comes to today’s teatime trends. Pastel decor and mismatched vintage crockery? Check. Tempting arrays of Victorian sponges, macaroons, tarts and buns? Check. Unusual green and black teas, gluten-free cakes and locally sourced produce? Check. It’s the archetypal trendy-retro tearoom for our times: WI with an edge. The afternoon tea, with finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, served at the weekend between 2pm and 5pm, is a big hit here – so much so that you might need to reserve a table in advance. At other times it’s a welcoming spot to meet friends, with lots of space spread across two rooms. They keep things fresh with regular events, from flower-arranging workshops and knitting classes to baby yoga and boot sales, with monthly Friday night suppers (always focusing on a freshly made pie) featuring live jazz or acoustic music.