Stoke Newington's restaurant scene offers delicious food from every continent at prices that won't break the bank. Il Bacio serves gigantic pizzas, Rasa is a prize-winning vegetarian Indian restaurant, and the kebabs at The Best Turkish Kebab on the High Street are always in demand.

Or if the pub is more your scene, The Londesborough, with big sofas, on Barbauld Road is one of several good gastro pubs, and Satchmo's on Stoke Newington Road has a decent wine list. Barden's Boudoir hosts small gigs and atmospheric club nights, but for later nights much of the younger crowd spills over into Dalston to one of its jazz clubs or bars, or to Hoxton.

To get a taste of Stoke Newington's nightlife, click the player abover and watch this episode of Cool In Your Code.

Times recommends

• Second homes: credit crunch casualty or money-spinner?
• How I built my own sliding house
• Top 10 incentives for house buyers