Aside from being known as one of the trendiest spots in London, Hackney is also a food haven waiting to be explored. With a mix of high-end restaurants, stylish brunch hubs and inviting pubs, the area’s food scene has something for everyone.
That means if you ever find yourself in East London with a growling stomach, you’re actually in luck. To prove it, we’ve got the inside scoop on where you need to chow down.
Hackney Coterie
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Location: 221 Well St, London E9 6RG, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Hackney Coterie is not your typical restaurant, it’s a wine shop and bakery that offers lunches on Saturdays and dinners on Thursdays to Saturdays. During those days, they unveil a £20 two-course menu and you even have the option to take on a third course for a mere £4.
Once you’re here, make sure to try their Monkfish, it’s a dish that’s popular for its texture and flavour. But if you want something more basic, you can never go wrong with their Pork Katsu.
Silo
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Location: Unit 7, The white building, 1st Floor,c/o CRATE Bar, Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, London E9 5EN, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Housed in a meticulously refurbished canalside industrial space, Silo is a restaurant for those seeking not only fine cuisine but an eco-conscious dining experience.
This restaurant rose to fame because of its mantra: eliminate waste. Now how do they do this? Well, they engage directly with farmers, using reusable delivery containers and selecting zero-waste ingredients.
One of their must-try’s here is their Silo’s 6-course tasting menu, and although it’s priced at £65 per head, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth (make sure to snap some photos, they’re pretty well known for their exquisite presentations!)
Pidgin
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Location: 52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7254 8311
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 12:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Since its inception in 2015, Pidgin has quietly and confidently set itself apart by presenting a distinctive weekly tasting menu – no dish is ever repeated, no matter how delectable.
Some of the dishes they popularised are the delicate hake, kohlrabi egg drop soup, and zing lime and apple choux. Now, if you’re expecting to find these dishes in their menu, well they might not be available anymore.
But the good thing is it’ll make room for new, yet-to-be-discovered dishes!
Nest
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Location: 374-378 Old St, London EC1V 9LT, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Thursday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
If you’re into seasonal platters of a no-choice tasting menu, then Nest is the best spot for you. This cosy restaurant unveils a tasting menu with an array of nine dishes, each showcasing a single cut of meat that’s meticulously chosen for its quality.
But if meat is not your vibe, then you can order their well-known micro-sized muffin that’s crowned with chopped devilled egg.
Just keep in mind that to book in advance since they can get fully packed, plus their menu changes every six weeks.
Cafe Cecilia
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Location: 32 Andrews Rd, London E8 4FX, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3478 6726
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Sunday – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Not only is Cafe Cecilia one of the best cafes in London, but it’s also a restaurant that offers great prices for a service that’s so impeccable.
The success of this cafe is thanks to Max Rocha who drew inspiration from his Dubliner roots. They are so well known that their sage and anchovy fritti have become a whispered delight among East Londoners.
Now, if you’re the type of person who likes to start their meal with a delectable appetizer, then their “Guinness Bread” starter will not disappoint you.
Plus, it comes with potato chips so you can snack on that while you wait for your main orders (we promise your wait won’t be long though!).
The Picklery at Little Duck
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Location: 68 Dalston Ln, London E8 3AH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7249 9177
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
If you’re trying to guess what this place is known for, you might’ve guessed it already – pickles!
As traditional as it may sound, their pickles come in a jar so you can take them home and munch on them while you study or work (just don’t let their juice fall on your papers or devices!)
What’s great about The Picklery is that they infuse pickles in their dishes. One example is the dish called Wigmore with pickled radicchio.
El Ganso
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Location: 59 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7241 1793
Pricing: ££
Opening hours
- Monday to Thursday – 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday – 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM
- Saturday – 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM
- Sunday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
If you want to be transported to the streets of Madrid, then El Ganso is the place to be. The name itself translates as “The Goose”, if you’re wondering.
This restaurant offers a modern twist on traditional tapas, so you can expect Anglo-Spanish breakfast dishes that are served daily. One of their stellar breakfast dishes is the Huevos Rotos, its runny eggs served over fried potatoes, onions and chorizo.
WAVE
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Location: 11 Dispensary Ln, London E8 1FT, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 7734 253401
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
WAVE, short for We Are Vegan Everything, is the brainchild of the dynamic duo Cait and Soph. United by their love for vegan cuisine and minimalist homeware, they’ve created a unique space that transcends dietary boundaries.
Here, you and your friends can indulge in veg-based bowls, snacks and shakes. One particular dish you should try here is their Golden Roasted Salad, it’s not your usual salad since a roasted cauliflower takes centre stage – and it’s actually worthy of that spotlight!
Shankeys
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Location: 221 Well St, London E9 6RG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7249 9177
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Friday – 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM
If you’re craving a fusion of Irish and Indian flavours then better make a trip to Shankeys. This unique place promises a truly one-of-a-kind taste treat.
A standout on their menu is the chaat potatoes, where crispy cubes of potato reveal a silky-smooth interior bathed in stunning turmeric and poitin butter.
It’s just one example of the wholesome and colourful flare that will transport you to the comforting embrace of your grandma’s kitchen (complete with charming floral crockery!).
Morito
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Location: 195 Hackney Rd, London E2 8JL, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7613 0754
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Whoever said North African and Spanish influences don’t mix when it comes to dishes will be proven wrong in Morito. They excellently create tapa dishes that will make each customer come back for more.
What makes them unique is that they only offer 20 seats (so make sure to go here immediately after reading this article!).
And if you’re the type of person who likes variety, Morito has your back as well! Their menu changes regularly so you can expect to not be bored with the same old dishes.
Casa Fofo
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Location: 158 Sandringham Rd, London E8 2HS, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 1:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Who said fine dining should cost so much? Casa Fofo stands as a striking fine-dining establishment that ensures you won’t break the bank. Check out their uniquely adorned ceilings and shelves that have suspended vegetables and backlit pickle jars, by the way.
But the pièce de résistance here is their seven-course tasting menu that only costs £39 per head. You’ll even be served with complimentary sourdough bread and petit fours (talk about getting your money’s worth!).
Randy’s Wing Bar
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Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 28 East Bay Lane, Here East, London E15 2GW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 8555 5971
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
From being known as a pop-up shop, Ransy’s Wing Bar has cemented itself as one of the best spots for chicken wings in East London.
We recommend ordering their BBQ-sauce-slathered Kansas-style wings or the tempting Korean-style Gangnam. And if you’re wondering how many pieces of chicken they serve, well it’s not just one, not two, but twelve!
Pophams
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Location: 197 Richmond Rd, London E8 3NJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 8525 1416
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
With a concise yet perfect selection of pasta dishes and an atmosphere that effortlessly exudes chill vibes, Pophams transforms from a cosy bakery during the day to a venue for elite sit-down dinners as the night falls.
The star of the show is the signature doppio ravioli: it’s split between beetroot-filled perfection and a potent gorgonzola counterpart.
Beyond the pasta, the menu boasts a sleek lineup of starters and snacks including an oak-smoked trout pate and fried palline al Parmigiano with lovage and speck.
Caribbean Kitchen
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Location: 67 Mare St, London E8 4RG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3730 9952
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
There’s no doubt that London is an expensive city, which is why Caribbean Kitchen is a breath of fresh air with its affordable lunch boxes. Plus, it gives you a wide array of options like jerk pork, chicken, chickpeas in coconut milk and fried plantain.
And if you fall in love with the kitchen’s dishes, you can just take their culinary classes so you can bring the flavours of the Caribbean into your own kitchen back home.
Temple of Seitan
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Location: 10 Morning Ln, London E9 6NA, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
When people think of Vegan dishes, most of you may think that it comes with a hefty price tag. Well, the Temple of Seitan will prove you wrong. At the heaty of their culinary innovation is seitan, a meaty-style vegan substance crafted from wheat gluten.
This ingenious creation enables you to have a meat-free alternative to chicken, complete with the quintessential atmosphere reminiscent of traditional chicken shops that permeate the streets of London.
