Found in Newington Green, just off Newington Green Road, Jolene is a restaurant and natural wine bar offering all-day dining with a signature unfussy, ingredient-led approach. The original outpost from the same team behind a handful of produce-focussed restaurants and bakeries, everything at Jolene revolves around simplicity done well, with fresh baked treats, seasonal cooking, and a strong lean towards bread, wine and ingredients rather than overly constructed dishes and fancy embellishments. It’s popular at all times of day, from morning coffees and pastries to casual lunches and early evening visits for wine with a few plates to share.
The dining room at Jolene feels stripped back but warm, featuring rustic elements with a pared-down aesthetic that leans into exposed materials, natural textures and soft, practical lighting. There’s no excess detail, instead it’s a functional, welcoming space where the bakery counter sits naturally alongside dining tables packed with friend groups and date night couples. It feels informal in the best sense, more like a well-run neighbourhood kitchen than a polished restaurant.
The menu at Jolene is driven by the bakery, kicking off with sourdough and butter, alongside bowls of olives and salame campagnolo. There’s also taleggio and Vesuvio tomato bruschetta, panelle with rocket and lemon, and roasted courgette with barley, feta and kalamata olives. Further down on the menu, you might find the likes of braised borlotti beans with cicoria and nduja, cured trout with aubergine caponata, calamari with red pepper and peppercorn and sedani chickpeas with smoked scamorza.
Larger plates also include tortelli di patate with lamb and peas, pan-roasted ray wing with potato salad, and grilled lamb sausage with braised green beans. To finish, the Jolene Newington Green menu might offer up lemon soft serve ice cream with Chantilly and amarene or creme caramel with galia melon.