Over in East London, along Stoke Newington High Street, you’ll find one of the city’s prettiest bars. It’s innocuously placed, right on the high street, but when you step inside you’ll feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of London. We’re talking, of course, about the cult-famed Doña with its stunning pink basement bar. And now, they’ve also got a new venue for you to fill your belly with Latin-American fusion food.
So head for the sequinned doors and the pink entrance. But ignore the sign that says tacos – something else entirely awaits you inside. It’s about time you paid Doña a visit…
The Doña restaurant
At Doña’s recently opened restaurant, it’s all about camaraderie and sharing. The menu is largely comprised of small plates that range from the crispy plantain chips to the moreish empanadas and mezcal-marinated chicken skewers. The food comes courtesy of Honduran Head Chef Karla Zuniga, who previously worked with Doña in past kitchen residencies. And absolutely everything, from the empanada dough to the salsas, is made fresh in-house. Additionally, many of the dishes are vegan or veggie friendly.
When you dine at Doña, the idea is to order a handful of dishes and everyone can share and graze at will – and fight over the last cassava fries. Thanks to a shatteringly crunchy exterior, a creamy fluffy interior, and the intriguing trio of sauces served alongside, the chunky cassava fries are by far the standout dish. You might even end up ordering an individual portion for everyone! Keep an eye on the Plato Tipico, a rotating house special for the really hungry among you.
And in a refreshing change to London’s ever-growing selection of premium restaurants and eateries, Doña’s food is impressively purse-friendly. Diners can easily grab four dishes for just £24, giving them enough food to share and be able to afford more drinks. A win, win, since the food pairs perfectly with a mezcal margarita – go on, have another one why don’t you?
The restaurant at Doña is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10pm. As they settle in (they only opened a few weeks ago!), they plan to expand their hours further into the rest of the week. While the kitchen is open, you’re also welcome to order most of the dishes downstairs in the basement mezcal bar.
Downstairs at Doña
To understand the unique downstairs cocktail bar even more – and just how passionate about mezcal the founders are – consider this: they don’t just have a house mezcal. They have a house mezcal brand in the form of their own Dangerous Don mezcal. Suffice it to say, they love mezcal here and you’ll find it in almost every drink. Even if you’re wary of the smoky agave spirit, the drinks here will drive you mad for mezcal!
Naturally, the menu includes classic and spicy margaritas (with your choice between tequila and mezcal). But don’t miss the more unique offerings, like the Cucumnr & Coriander Marg or the Julia. The latter mixes up hibiscus mezcal with the flavours of basil for a bright and herbaceous contrast to the smoky spirit.
Fret not if you really don’t want mezcal. The menu is short and sweet, but still offers something for everyone. The truly mezcal averse can opt for the Tiki-style Tenbi cocktail, with gin and pineapple, or even grab a glass of wine or fizz, or a lager. (Pro tip, grab a mezcal shot on the side and sip at both to elevate the beer-drinking experience.). They also have a house non-alcoholic cocktail (the Dona Ola) as well as homemade lemonade and a non-alcoholic negroni serve.
The basement mezcal bar at Doña is open on Wednesday (7-11pm), Thursday (7pm-midnight), and Friday & Saturday (8pm-1am).
The team behind the bar
The famed hot pink mezcal bar that is Doña is the result of Lucia Massey and Thea Cumming’s friendship and shared passion for high-quality mezcal, music, and community. With a basement bar and an art space, the driving force behind Doña was to create an environment that “champions independent creativity and celebrates empowered feminine energy”.
It wasn’t enough for Massey and Cumming to create a great bar – which they have done. They have also committed to providing a safe space for all. This is highlighted in Doña’s eclectic and diverse events thanks to the many musicians, promoters, performers, and artists who count themselves as fans. You’re not just welcome at Doña – you’re whole-heartedly invited in.
📍 92 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7NY. The nearest stations are Rectory Road and Stoke Newington.
Find out more about Doña and book a table here.