North London neighbourhood named ‘coolest’ in the capital for 2026

‘The area has achieved a kind of critical mass of niceness.’ (Picture: Sergio Amiti/ Getty Images) A leafy village square, independent cafés, and historic streets. Welcome to Newington Green, a corner of North London that is officially London’s coolest. Time Out has just unveiled their annual ranking of the 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world. While Jongno 3-ga, Seoul, came out as the world’s top, Newington Green was the only London area that made it the list (at number 33). The publication spotlighted its ‘centuries of history and tons of community spirit.’ They also say its the place to go to if you want your fix of Turkish and Cypriot food. N16 is the place to be, according to experts (Picture: Sergio Amiti/Getty Images) Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Time Out UK editor-in-chief Joe Mackertich said: ‘Yes, Newington Green’s winsome appeal isn’t new. It’s been “very nice” there for a while now. ‘What is inarguable, though, is that the area has achieved a kind of critical mass of niceness.’ Other areas of the UK also appeared on the list, including the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast at spot 24, and Govanhill in Glasgow at spot five. What is there to do in Newington Green? Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Sandwiched between Islington and Hackney, think Georgian terraces, al fresco dining and a green space at the centre of it all. Of course, no visit would be complete without visiting the actual Newington Green garden, which has a play area for children, grassy areas to walk the dogs, and a café. The area has a strong independent café and restaurant scene. Popular spots include No 60 Brasserie, a neighbourhood Mediterranean, or try out Tranga, a tapas restaurant, with an Aperitivo menu on the terrace every Tuesday to Friday from 4pm-6pm. Here, you can nab dishes from as little as £3 and drinks for only £6. There’s also Jolene Bakery & Restaurant, the cult bakery chain that Londoners love for it’s pink aesthetic and cinnamon buns. If you don’t fancy the queues, head to CoCoFee, a cafe on Newington Green Road instead. For a wine and cheese night, head to Yield N16, a wine bar with charcuterie and artisan cheeses. And if you still haven’t had your dairy fill, Jumi Cheese is the must-stop for lovers. The Swiss artisan shop sells an incredible range of cheese, chutneys, and breads, with hot toasties and focaccia sandwiches to take home too. The Edinburgh Pub is highly praised online and something of a local secret, with many calling it North London’s best burger spot, costing around £15 for a double-patty burger and pint. No 60 Brasserie Restaurant and Bar (Picture: Sergio Amiti 2026/ Getty Images) ‘Edinburgh is SERIOUSS,’ wrote one user on TikTok. ‘The food there is outstanding,’ noted another user. No Sunday is complete without a roast, and Metro’s newsletter producer, Dylan Mangan’s says it’s actually Lady Mildmay pub that serves up his ‘favourite Sunday roast in London.’ It’s a walk-in-only establishment though, so arrive early or be disappointed. Once you’ve eaten and drank all the area has to offer, head to one of the area’s standout landmarks: Newington Green Unitarian Church, which dates back to the early 18th century and is London’s oldest surviving Nonconformist place of worship. The writer Mary Wollstonecraft lived nearby and ran a girls’ school here before becoming one of the most influential voices in early feminist thought. Or, if music is more your style, check out the Muddy Puddle, a small events venue which has live music with an intimate feel, serving fresh empanadas, and hosting weekly salsa classes. Transport links in Newington Green In Zone 2, the area is within close reach of central London. Although it doesn’t have its own Tube station, nearby transport links are available. Highbury & Islington Tube station (Victoria line), Canonbury Overground station (Mildmay and Windrush lines) and Essex Road station (National Rail – Great Northern Rail) are all within easy reach. Frequent buses connect the area with Angel, Dalston, Shoreditch and the City. @unitedkingdomwithlove Newington Green – Quiet, Local, and Underrated A small green surrounded by cafés, bakeries, and everyday London life. It’s not touristy, just a calm neighbourhood spot where people sit, chat, and slow down. 📍 How to get there: 🚇 Nearest stations: Canonbury (Overground) or Highbury & Islington 🚶 About a 10–15 minute walk ✨ Why go: Perfect for a quiet coffee, a simple walk, and that relaxed local vibe. #newingtongreen #london #fyp #weekend ♬ Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae What locals say about Newington Green On TikTok, people call it a ‘lovely area’ full of ‘unique gems’. What it lacks for in big name supermarkets, it makes up for with independent shops. There’s a butchers, fruit and vegetable stalls and a fishmonger, adding to what people call a ‘charming little neighbourhood.’ ‘It’s simple, calm, and feels like a break from the busy parts of the city,’ wrote one user, calling it ‘a more relaxed, neighbourhood side of London.’ ‘It has a really good variety of pubs and cafes that mean you never really need to leave if you don’t want to,’ Metro Newsletter Producer, Dylan Mangan, who lives close to the area, says. Adding, ‘You’re also really close to the Emirates Stadium if you are a football fan, Dalston for great nightlife and Turkish food, and a short walk to Clissold Park, which has a lovely cafe and some animals like deer.’ Thinking of moving? Dylan shares his thoughts. ‘I would definitely recommend the area to move to as it’s walking distance to both the Overground and Victoria line, so there’s good transport links,’ – if there’s one thing you need in London, its good public transport. The Mildmay Club (Picture: CLICK NEWS – SPLASH) Housing in Newington Green Like many inner London neighbourhoods, Newington Green has changed significantly over recent decades. Rising property prices and gentrification transformed parts of the area, and moving to Newington Green doesn’t come cheap. For example, a two-bed flat that was sold in 2007 for £335k went for £600k last year, almost double the price. House prices in Newington Green had an overall average of £730,422 over the last year, while flats sold for an average of £624,561, according to Rightmove. This is compared to the London house price average of £656,514, putting Newington Green above average. The London average price for flats is £503,660, again putting Newington Green ahead. If you’re looking to rent, letting agent Foxtons reports that average rent can span between £254 and £1,270 a week depending on the size, with an average of £707 per week. 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