HACKNEY has one of the most diverse populations in the country. It is home to over 200,000 people from six continents and a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. More than 100 languages are spoken in the borough.
This means that Hackney has become a showcase for ethnic cuisines from all corners of the globe. Turkish, Lebanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, East & West African, Caribbean, Argentinian, Georgian, French, Italian and Modern British foods can all be found.
It's café culture rivals the hipster areas of New York and Melbourne, and it also houses some well-established high end restaurants, with more set to open in the coming months.
The borough’s nightlife is world famous, with subsequent generations of artists, DJs, musicians, designers, fashionistas, media types, and party people that originally helped transform Shoreditch in the 1990s, going on to colonise parts of Dalston, London Fields and Hackney Wick. Now every Hackney neighbourhood can claim its very own late night drinking den, pop-up cocktail bar, gastro-pub and old-school boozer.
Enough gastronomic inspiration can be found to whet and satisfy almost every appetite.
THIS long established, three floor venue in Shoreditch, underwent a bit of a revamp in 2012. 333/Mother was one of the original Hoxton scene-making venues, offering a wide range of music from deep house to indie-rave, reggae to rock, into the early hours, seven days a week.
LOCATED in Dalston, A Little Of What You Fancy offers meals in the tradition of authentic British food and cooking. The snug, candlelit restaurant often explores new flavours and is known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
AN eatery, bakery and small shop selling British food and drink. The menu includes breakfast served throughout the day, fish and chips, pies, sandwiches, puddings and fruit crumbles.
BAR and micro-club in Dalston with a diverse array of DJ as well as karaoke nights, record fairs and film nights. This late opening, small basement venue is free, so it gets rammed quickly.
A CRAFT bakers in Hoxton, the family-run Anderson's Bakery is still serving up traditional bread and cakes - just as it has done for over 160 years. Almost everything is handmade on the premises by members of the Anderson family.
A COMBINATION of good fortune, fantastic planning, and its own hard graft may have put Bar Music Hall, in Curtain Road, at the epicentre of Shoreditch nightlife. Its single open plan room is stylish and huge, meaning there is ample space for bands, moshing and dancing.
THIS former nightclub reopened as a street level bar and cafe in 2010, offering fresh food, drinks and the odd DJ set. It is far more sedate than The Nest, which keeps the clubbing vibe alive in the basement below, so more suited for a fairly quiet drink and meeting place.
OFFERING enough food and drink to last punters from early breakfast to last orders at the bar, The Book Club is a popular spot in the East End social scene. The venue fuses lively, creative events and late night eating, drinking and partying with thought for food in the form of workshops, talks and cultural showcases.
VIGGO Mortensen, Keira Knightley, David Schwimmer, Carlos Tevez and David Cronenberg have all had a bite in Argentine steakhouse Buen Ayre. Located in the busy Broadway Market, Buen Ayre is a beef lovers dream and the slightly rough and ready decor is great for a relaxed evening out.
TAKING its name from the Japanese word for ‘sound’ and ‘noise’, Dalston’s Café Oto welcomes some of the world’s most avant-garde, creative and adventurous performers. It was also named the coolest venue in the UK by Italian Vogue.
THIS friendly cafe on Mare Street serves a selection of hot food, sandwiches, fresh juices and hot drinks. Caffé Theatro's range of cakes is another one of its specialities, ranging from chocolate tortes to cream filled desserts.
THE cake shop with a difference. This cute Chatsworth Road spot, as well as selling delicious cakes which can be made to order, is also fully licensed, open late at weekends, and has a jukebox which customers can play their own CDs on.
CARGO is one of Shoreditch's most well-established and popular venues. It is home to the club sounds of house, techno and dubstep.
THIS quirky coffee shop was set up by a local resident who wanted to create a place where people could come with their children and not worry about making a mess or disturbing other customers. Based in front of the Open Doors Baptist Church, it overlooks Hackney Downs with outdoor tables and chairs, and offers free Wi-Fi and a small internet cafe area.
A CHATSWORTH Road creperie that fuses traditional crepes with modern international flavours. Distressed furniture and imaginative decor makes Creperie du Mond a relaxing place to hang out.
THE original retro jazz bar in Dalston opened 15 years ago and now provides an exciting fusion of jazz and contemporary music. It holds jamming sessions on Wednesdays, comedy on Thursdays, and live music on Fridays and Saturdays with DJs to 5am.
A ROOFTOP green space in the middle of bustling Dalston with great views of the capital. Designed by Zector Architects, this oasis has huge solar panels, an allotment and blooming grow bags, children's furniture, and a Victorian brick backdrop.
SEXY, sleazy, retro and all things trashy – Dalston Superstore is one of the key new breed of micro-clubs in the borough. In the basement of this former high street shop, DJs thrash out electronica, house, classic and new disco, with a smattering of old school R&B nights.
SIP a cocktail, order a stoke-baked pizza and check out an exhibition all under one roof. Neighbouring bars Dream Bags and Jaguar Shoes offers a selection of beers, wine and spirits with hot drinks in the day.
THIS popular late night Dalston haunt is a snooker hall and entertainment venue combined, hosting club nights and events run by independent promoters.
EL Paso restaurant on Old Street provides Tex-Mex food in a relaxed atmosphere. It also has a large cocktail and shooter list ranging from the classic margarita to a 'flat-liner'.
CONTINUING the long running tradition of London pie and mash shops, F Cooke has served beef pies, jellied eels and mash for nearly 150 years. The restaurant on Hoxton Street promises handmade pastry and 100 per cent minced beef and liberal ladle-full of traditional liquor on the side.
THIS urban food hub, cafe and arts venue comes complete with a mini 'aquaponic' fish farm, rooftop chicken coops, indoor allotments and a polytunnel. Once a derelict shop in Dalston Lane, it was transformed into 'the world's first urban farming hub' in 2011 by Something & Son, an eco-social design practice.
A GOOD old fashioned fish & chips restaurant on Kingsland Road, E8.
TV CHEF Jamie Oliver's Hoxton restaurant is famed for helping get unemployed young people into jobs. Every year, Fifteen in Westland Place recruits unemployed and under-qualified 18 to 24 year olds from the area and trains them to become qualified chefs.
FUSION fodder consisting of sushi and dim sum alongside curry and grills is available in the Hoxton eatery. Serving pan-Asian food, the restaurant is stylishly fitted.
GRODZINSKI, known by its loyal customers as 'Grodz', has been supplying kosher breads and cakes for over a century - ever since the Grodzinski family arrived in England in 1888 from Lithuania.
THIS urban farm has been established in Hackney for over 20 years, offering city children and adults the opportunity to get up close to a range of countryside animals. In recent years, it has also started to focus on sustainable living issues, and has urban growing areas where people can learn new skills for a healthier life with lower environmental impact.
HACKNEY Downs Studios is a massive 70,000 sq ft of versatile events spaces and over 70 serviced studios and workspaces. There’s also a series of rooftops, railway arches, a 'secret garden' and café The Russet.
A LAID back and unpretentious bar serving food and drink, The Hackney Pearl teems with artists and other creatives from the Hackney Wick area. It menu keeps it simple but hearty, expect staple gourmet grub such risottos and lamb.
HACKNEY Picturehouse is the borough’s newest cinema, opening in 2011 with digital and satellite technology for a 3D experience and live screenings, plus three bars, a live music venue, street level café opening on to Mare Street, workspaces and events. Its four screens, one of which is the largest in the independent Picturehouse group’s stable, and 600 reclining seats creates a luxury and state of the art cinema-going experience.
A VIETNAMESE eat-in, takeaway and delivery restaurant on Mare Street.
A CANTEEN, bakery and pantry serving organic food. Happy Kitchen offers breakfasts, lunches and cakes, with pancake brunch offering on weekends.
IN the style of classic US diners, the Hoxton Grill sits in the middle of Shoreditch's popular nightlife. With comfortable banquette seating, bar, lounge and outdoor space, it is the recommended place to meet and eat in a relaxed atmosphere.
VAMPIRE Weekend, Rita Ora, Example, Marina & The Diamonds, Janelle Monae, Paloma Faith, The Aliens, Fleet Foxes, Noah & The Whale – just a small selection of the artists that have played at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen when up-and-coming acts. Roughly divided into three rooms, the performance space, which used to be a cinema, presents rising stars, secret gigs by internationally known names, and has hosted seminal club nights like BoomBox.
CARIBBEAN bar and restaurant with event space for club nights, live music and private functions.
FRENCH-style deli and café serving delicious quiches, croissants, bread, cakes, cheeses, charcuterie and wine.
THIS is a small, friendly cafe and delicatessen situated in the heart of Stoke Newington Church Street. It stocks an 'indulgent' range of artisan cheeses, antipasti and charcuterie, locally sourced patisseries, and over 200 wines from around the world.
THIS seemingly quiet stretch of Hoxton Street can draw a raucous crowd most nights of the week for The Macbeth's renowned live music and club nights. A sprawling and cavernous old pub, The Macbeth is the site of high-jinx most evenings, be it at their casual film or life drawing nights, or with DJs, karaoke and live acts.
THE founders of this community food kitchen believe everyone should have access to grow, cook and eat nutritious food that’s good for both people and planet. Based in a kitchen nestled underneath not-for-profit health food shop Food For All, in Stoke Newington, they run courses and workshops in cookery techniques using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
MANGAL was established in 1990 and it is a typical ocakbasi: no menu, a refigerated display of raw kebabs, a steaming, sizzling ocak grill and a hot table laden with stews and braises. Hot pide and sac breads accompany starters of lentil soup or garlicky cacik, plus there are dishes like ezme that combines roasted aubergine mashed with olive oil , fresh tomato, green herbs and hot pepper.
NANA is a new comfort food and craft cafe run by lovely older ladies from the local area. They serve up traditional, home cooked favourites, delicious soups, salads and sandwiches.
THE team behind super-club Fabric have spread their wings taking to Stoke Newington High Street to set up live music and club venue The Nest. Revamping iconic former gig basement Barden’s Boudoir, The Nest definitely has more of a club atmosphere with sleeker lighting, seating and sound.
HIDDEN between two cafes on City Road, Nightjar is inspired by the secret drinking dens of the Prohibition era. The Shoreditch bar has a menu that travels through time from pre-prohibition drinks all the way to modern cocktails for a discerning crowd.
THE encyclopaedic knowledge of its staff makes Off Broadway one of the best cocktail bars in east London. From tailored old fashioneds to a concoction created on the spot, Off Broadway provides a wondrous array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic flavours.
THIS legendary pub is renowned for being a driving force in the East London music movement. Run by the owners of off-the-wall fash mag Vice, The Old Blue Last, on Great Eastern Street, hosts bands and DJs daily, as well as secret shows by big named acts, often all for free.
THIS cute and inventive cafe combines an old style social club, complete with analogue recording library, with good coffee. There are plenty of well thought out sandwiches and cakes that steer away from the flavours one would expect in other cafes.
VINTAGE clothing boutique selling clothing, shoes and accessories from the 20th century. PaperDress Vintage also comes with a coffee shop serving cakes, cold drinks and ice cream.
THIS supper club in Dalston supports charity Médecins Sans Frontières, with £35 of the cost of dinner going to help its medical work in war-torn areas across the globe. Organisers are passionate about home cooking, from a variety of countries, and claim to offer 'the kind of food our grandmothers spent all day preparing'.
IT could be easy to miss the entrance of Passing Clouds, save for its eager congregation sprawling out on to Richmond Road and the A10 in Dalston. Down this cobbled backstreet hides one of the most truly eclectic nights in the borough with a bill as diverse as Afrobeat, reggae, psychedelic tropical, Balkan traditional songs and hip-hop – at times, all on the same night.
WITHIN a warren of studios, on the second floor at Netil House, Platform is East London’s slightly secret cafe-bar. With huge windows and a terrace overlooking the railway tracks, providing an iconic panorama across the capital.
THIS Kingsland Road venue prides itself as a club run by musicians for musicians. By day it’s a café and rehearsal studio; at night a music venue mainly for local bands.
ONE of the highlights of this pub is overlooking cricket matches and other ad hoc sports taking place on London Fields. Pub on the Park offers a selection of beers, wines and spirits, plus a revolving menu of food.
CLUB and art venue Queen of Hoxton runs a tight programme of live music events and dance nights, accompanied by a rolling series of art installations, photographic exhibitions and screenings. The ground floor has a blend of window etchings, ivy and benches and there's a games room with table football, pinball and a 1960s Brighton pier gaming feature.
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CAFE and bar Railroad cooks seasonal and usually locally sourced food from across cultures. The owners are also proud of its beers and ales including James Boag's Tasmanian Beer and The Kernel Pale Ale.
THE original branch in the chain of southern Indian restaurants resides on Stoke Newington Church Street. This one serves vegetarian food inspired by the authentic home cooking of spice-rich Kerala, where all the chefs are trained.
THE second branch of Rasa is a Syrian-Christian restaurant influenced by years of trading between Syria and the Mediterranean. The menu offers chicken, duck, lamb, fish, prawn and crab all given the same fascinating treatment typical of food from this tradition, as well as a highly original vegetarian menu.
PART cinema, part arts venue, Rich Mix delivers a cultural programme that consistently aspires to reflect the diverse communities throughout East London. Three digital screens show main releases alongside independent, art house, and world cinema as well as thought-provoking documentaries.
TRADITIONAL East London pub serving homemade food and traditional beers. A beer garden overlooks the leafy and picturesque Victoria Park and the venue can be hired to cater for up to 120 people.
A CAFE and bar that offers homemade food including cooked breakfasts, steak sandwiches, salads and hot meals for eat in and take away.
SET in the basement of Ruby House, this bar focuses on providing drinks in an intimate setting. According to the management, a rotating cocktail menu complements the character of the bar.
SERVANT Jazz Quarters is a quirky Art Deco style bar and music venue in the heart of Dalston. The upstairs bar serves a menu of cocktails, artisan ales and a range of beers and ciders, while the the basement provides an intimate performance space.
SLIGHTLY grubby and rough round the edges – like all the best gig venues – Shacklewell Arms has established itself as a critical location on the live music map in a relatively short space of time. The venue is essentially split into two: with the Shacklewell Lane side like a traditional pub, right down to having football on the telly, while a large backroom with semi-outdoor smoking area offers live music and club nights like Beach Creep, Homoelectric and Club Motherfucker.
TRADITIONAL greasy spoon cafe serving English breakfasts.
POPULAR Irish pub with beer garden and live music on alternate Friday and Saturday nights. Children welcome until 7pm.
CAFE, restaurant and juice bar serving a wide variety of healthy Mediterranean dishes, cold freshly squeezed juices, coffees and alcohol.
THE Boundary building is a converted Victorian warehouse that houses three restaurants and bars; 12 individually designed guest bedrooms, plus five suites; a small British food store; and a bakery. The redevelopment project was overseen by iconic British designer Sir Terence Conran and features bespoke pieces of furniture as well as a roof-top terrace with views over London.
ORIGINALLY called The Cattle & Shoulder of Mutton, it was formerly the watering hole for agricultural workers arriving in London to sell their beasts at market. The name was later shortened to The Cat and Mutton.
REAL ale, pool table, quiz nights, outdoor seating and TV sport in this hidden away boozer in Homerton.
A COUNTRY-style British pub with traditional comfort and homely food. Real ale and Guinness are available in this popular pub.
A BROADWAY Market institution, the Dove has been going for over 20 years, long before the area became achingly fashionable. Its extensive range of Belgian beers, real ales and ciders, plus hearty traditional pub fare, including Sunday lunch, mean it is as popular as ever, despite the ever-increasing competition.
FRESHLY prepared pub food, continental beers, and a heated beer garden in this Shepherdess Walk pub.
TUCKED away in a residential area near Chatsworth Road, The Elderfield stocks a good selection of bottled and tap beers. The kitchen mostly produces pizzas and TV sport can be watched on the big screen.
THIS stylish restaurant's head chef brings over 12 years' experience in Michelin starred kitchens to the Empress. The frequently changing seasonal menu features quality produce from the restaurant's neighbourhood suppliers - meat from Ginger Pig, fish from Jonathan Norris and sourdough from E5 Bakehouse.
THE Fox Reformed is a long-established wine bar offering bistro fare and a warm and cosy atmosphere. Board games are available and children welcome to this Stoke Newington drinking hole.
THE Hemingway on Victoria Park Road offers a selection of draft beers, ales, bottled beers and an interesting collection of spirits. Food is also available.
REAL ale and cider house on Stoke Newington Church Street with a pub grub menu featuring Sunday roasts. Offers a good selection of real ales from smaller breweries on tap, along with real ciders and Belgian beers.
A FRIENDLY pub just moments from Victoria Park, serving stone-baked pizza seven days a week. It also hosts a mid-week pub quiz plus live bands and DJs at weekends.
LOCATED on Mare Street, directly adjacent to the Hackney Empire, The Old Ship is a pub and hotel catering to quick drink punters and overnight guests alike. The pub offers a stocked bar, British cuisine and 10 hotel rooms.
MAJOR refurbishment at the Pembury Tavern has seen new features including 16 hand-pumps. The pub serves a fine selection of real ales from Milton Brewery and other British microbreweries, plus puts on beer festivals during the year.
HEAVY wood tables and stools help make The Prince Arthur an old fashioned public near London Fields.
WITH its commendable set of ales, Prince Arthur is tucked behind a quiet road of Old Street in Hoxton. The pub serves food and is nearby plenty of activities in Shoreditch.
HIPSTER rich The Prince George comes with outlandish taxidermy, an obscure jukebox and pleasant crowd. It also serves a great mix of Belgian beer, Czech lagers and traditional ales, plus has a pool table and lovely little beer garden.
CHARMING and convivial pub in the centre of Hoxton. Over four floors there are selection of beers, wines and spirits, plus appetisers, main courses and desserts are available.
A WELL known local landmark offering traditional oak-panelled bar with real ales, Sunday roasts and a log fire. There is also stylish bed and breakfast accommodation upstairs.
BIG screen sports, pool, live music and a Monday night quiz is available at The Scolt Head in De Beauvoir.
FOUNDED in 2001, The Spence Bakery sells handmade and homemade goods, baked fresh each day. Proofing takes places every night and during the early hours you can smell the baked bread on the corner of Woodlea Road.
THE Spurstowe Arms sits proudly on the corner of the fashionable Wilton Way. Its wine list is impressive as is the selection of beers on tap.
THE Tea Rooms serves luxury afternoon teas and cream teas, celebrating traditional British cake-making. Tea is served in classic china on embroidered tablecloths.
LEFT through some doors and down The Three Crowns pub stairs resides intimate Church Street part-gig venue-part nightclub The Waiting Room (formerly The Drop). Performers are usually publicised in the pub and shop windows around Stoke Newington.
A POPULAR local in Stoke Newington, The White Hart's biggest draws are its massive rear garden and DJ nights. It's usually bustling with punters, moreso during big football matches on its many big screens and hot summer days.
THREE Crowns leans towards an upmarket venue attracting 20 to 30 something residents. With classic French style decorations and low lighting, the pub is fantastic for group meet ups and romantic nights alike.
THIS quirky Dalston cafe and shop has an eye-catchingly painted exterior so you can't miss it. Serves selection of good coffee, tea and cakes in a relaxed atmosphere.
THE fourth restaurant from the Spanish restaurant group Brindisa opened up in Shoreditch in 2012 with a focus on speciality fish, rice and pasta dishes from the Mediterranean. Eat tapas at the bar and watch the chefs at work, or sit at high communal tables, or in the restaurant section at the back and enjoy service from knowledgable and friendly staff.
THE latest venture from top chef Mark Hix is situated in a former electricity generating station for trams and features an imposing Damien Hirst installation slap bang in the middle of the restaurant. The menu is simplicity itself, a choice of three sharing starters, followed by main courses of either a whole free-range chicken for two, or 'mighty-marbled' sirloin steak.
THIS small independent coffee shop aims to source products through as many local businesses as possible. Venetia's Coffee Shop has sandwiches made with homemade bread and are served alongside homemade cakes, soups salads, stews and much more.
A FAVOURITE with restaurateur Mark Hix, Viet Grill combines Vietnamese street food and fine dining. It carefully selects its ingredients, organic where possible, and has created a special wine list which beautifully complements dishes.
A SMALL cake company with a shop on Wilton Way and a stall on Broadway Market. Best known for American-style cupcakes made with buttercream icings that change with the seasons.
VORTEX Downstairs is the café, bar and restaurant of the Vortex Jazz Club. It offers a contemporary version of the traditional European brasserie, while its association with Vortex ensures eclectic music is played throughout the day.
INSPIRED by the literary works of Lewis Carroll, White Rabbit showcases a cocktail bar on the ground floor and a nightclub in the basement. Both levels have dancefloors, alcoves and access to the garden.
LOCAL design firm the Dog and Wardrobe have brought a happy marriage of modern and reclaimed materials to the quirky Wilton's Café. Using a seasonal blend of roasted beans from nearby roasters Climpson & Sons, Wilton's Cafe is inspired by cafes around the world while keeping its ingredients both local and fresh.
THE award winning classic Thai cuisine makes Yum Yum one of the most popular restaurants in the borough. In this listed Georgian building there are beautiful interiors combining Thai features with chic modern Asian designs.
ONE of the original breakout Hoxton venues, Zigfrid was an artists' studio transformed by Goldsmith graduate and furniture designer Paul Daly into a buzzy late night bar in 2003. As a DJ and live music venue, it pioneered that defining shabby Shoreditch chic, so often copied since, and quickly became a haven for early waves of Hackney hipsters.
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