Eat The Tube: Best Restaurants Near Hackney
I say Hackney and you might think of a very distinctive vibe. Cool, edgy, modern cuisine, sharing plates and eco-conscious dining. All of these are true, but there is also a lot more to the area – some of the best Vietnamese and Malaysian cooking in the city, as well as ambitious, unique dining. Here’s our pick for the best restaurants in Hackney. Scroll down to see these spots mapped out.
Darling’s
It isn’t Hackney without a restaurant with communal tables. Darling’s has gained traction with its homemade pastas and minimalistic, though curated vibe. A lowkey place that feels a bit out of the know and experimental. If communal tables aren’t totally your thing, they also host pasta-making classes. In any case, the whole focus is on simple, seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on community and stripped-back dining.
455 Wick Ln, Bow, London E3 2TB
www.darlingseatery.com
Sanora Taqueria
Sanora Taqueria is the perfect little stop on any East London trip. If you won’t take my word for it, look at any London taco guide on Instagram or TikTok; more often than not, they’ll be saying the same. Sanora knows how to make real, authentic tacos, and the capital could use a little more of that. It’s not overthought, not overdone, and not over aestheticised, just good food from people who know what they are doing. Did I forget to mention that everything on the menu is under 6 quid?
208 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7HU
sonorataqueria.com
Mambow
A true labour of love: Mambow has gone from Peckham pop-up to a permanent East London restaurant thanks to a fiercely loyal fanbase and incredible food from Chef Abby Lee. Based on the Malaysian cuisine of Lee’s childhood, it has become one of London’s most talked-about and coveted spots.
The menu changes regularly with chalkboard-written specials but favourites like umai (Sarawak-style ceviche) and red curry prawn toast are staples. A must-visit.
78 LOWER CLAPTON RD, LOWER CLAPTON, LONDON E5 0RN
MAMBOW.CO.UK
Cafe Cecilia
Hackney restaurant Cafe Cecilia comes from Irish chef Max Rocha and is something of a family institution. The layout and design were hand-drawn by his father, fashion designer John Rocha and the waiting staff’s uniforms were designed by sister Simone Rocha – also a fashion designer. Despite experience in legendary restaurants St. John’s, Spring and The River Café, Max took inspiration from his mum Odette when coming up with the daily-changing menu (her Guinness bread is a staple).
With influence like that, it couldn’t be anything but a hit – and since opening in 2021, it’s become exactly that and a favourite amongst Hackney locals.
WHERE: 32 ANDREWS RD, LONDON E8 4FX
WEBSITE: CAFECECILIA.COM
Sune
The food scene in Hackney can be tough to break into – like Brixton, beloved establishments are often entrenched – but Sune did exactly that when it opened in late 2023 in Broadway Market. Launched by hospitality duo Honey Spencer and Charlie Sims, whose joint history includes time at Noma in Copenhagen, often considered the world’s best, and Evelyn’s Table.
Chef Michael Robins – formerly of Pidgin, more on that later – serves up a menu consisting of European-inspired sharing plates. Think grilled flatbreads, oysters and confit cod.
129A Pritchard’s Rd, London E2 9AP
sune.restaurant
Hai Cafe
This hole-in-the-wall family joint serves up some of the freshest and most authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the city. Opened in 2018 after taking over a former bagel shop, chef and owner Mama Hai serves up a unique twist of Vietnamese food informed by her home city of Hai Duong in Northern Vietnam and 20 years living in London.
Expect incredibly fragrant steaming bowls of pho, Vietnamese buns and Bánh Mì.
This hole-in-the-wall family joint serves up some of the freshest and most authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the city
120b Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0QR
hai-cafe.com
Brawn
There’s brains too behind this restaurant on Columbia Road. Yes, it typifies exactly the type of restaurant you might associate a subsection of Hackney with – sharing plates, modern European cuisine, its own line of merch – but it is still absolutely delicious.
Think Venison ragu, Sea bream and Torbay prawn crudo, and Cantabrian anchovies.
It typifies exactly the type of restaurant you might associate a subsection of Hackney with, but it is still aabsolutely delicious
49 Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
brawn.co
Bambi
Bambi, the now iconic restaurant that’s garnered so much attention since its opening in 2023, combines wine, food, music, and now brunch in a uniquely East-London style. It’s a London listening bar and restaurant where the vinyl collection is as much a draw as the natural-wine list and plates from Henry Fresstone.
For those looking for that quintessential Hackney atmosphere, Bambi delivers morning, noon and night. The food is approachable yet crafted, the sound system is hi-fi, and the social vibe intensifies on Fridays and Saturdays when the bar stays open until 1 am.
Where: 1 westgate st, london e8 3rl
website: bambi-bar.com
E5 Bakehouse
Nestled in a railway arch by London Fields station, E5 Bakehouse has become a staple of the Hackney bakery scene, and for good reason. Since spring 2010, the team set up a clay oven, bakery, mill and cafe under the arches, championing UK heritage flour, handcrafted and a genuine respect for their ingredients.
For the Handbook reader looking for breakfast or brunch in Hackney: come for the sourdough loaf, stay for the coffee, pastries and community vibe.
where: 396 mentmore terrace, london e8 3ph
website: e5bakehouse.com
The Sea, The Sea
Beneath the railway arches, The Sea, The Sea offers an intense, ingredient-led seafood experience in Hackney. What began as a fishmonger and development kitchen now hosts an intimate chef’s table dining room with a daily-changing set menu focused on fish from UK waters and prepared with precision.
Expect fewer tables, higher price points and a focus on technique and provenance. While it might be a bit more of an investment, it’s the perfect occasion dinner for a fine dining experience in East London.
Where: 337 acton mews, london e8 4ea
website: theseathesea.net
