Guide to the best restaurants in Hackney

The wholly unpretentious Casa Fofó, opened by the former chef of the nearby Pidgin, is a neighbourhood eatery that earned its first Michelin star off the strength of its set menu. It’s the only thing you can order, though it comes with an on-par veggie option as well. The venue is small with some outdoor seating, but with Asian-infused combinations such as candied nori with a creamy parfait or aged monkfish with onion and sea fennel in the running, that’s all you really need.

Generally considered one of London's best restaurants, Max Rocha's Café Cecilia is an on-trend spot with minimalist interiors and a seasonal menu. Classic British dishes are served throughout the day – think kippers for breakfast and pork and apricot terrine later on. Fresh pasta is also always available and the menu shows a number of global influences.

Based in London Fields, Behind cemented its reputation by being awarded a Michelin star within only 20 days of opening. This intimate and exclusive place is home to a chef's table experience with 18 seats available. There's also an on-site wine bar. The food centres around seafood-focused tasting menus.

Uchi lacks the typical sumptuousness of most of the capital’s prettiest restaurants, but makes it work in its favour. With white curtains, soft wood tones and even slippers, the serene Japanese setting doesn't distract from the plates of sushi coming your way, while still ensuring a comfy, familial atmosphere.

This family-run Chinese dumpling house and sake bar serves up homemade, handrolled dumplings imbued with the same sense of loving craftsmanship and comfort you’d expect from a visit to your nan. The little bundles of flavour feature different fillings, both meat and veggie, and there are other dim sum dishes to choose from as well. Just like at home, everything is designed for sharing.

Burrata, Cantabrian anchovies, parmesan fritters, agnolotti and other Mediterranean classics are the order of the day at this elegant eatery on the edge of Hackney. Splashes of colour on the wooden furnishings, wine posters and other decor amp up the playfulness of the stylish whitewashed dining rooms, making it a good choice for any occasion thanks to its timeless sense of cool.

Following renovation in 2015, Marksman quickly made a name for itself as a primo gastropub, being named the Michelin Pub of the Year and receiving the Bib Gourmand just a year later. In addition to a classic pub bar and a colourful communal dining room, it boasts a sunny terrace that’s perfect for watching the world go by. Meanwhile, dishes such as the brown butter & honey tart and the filled buns have become a part of Hackney folklore.

Morito deals in small plates from all ends of the Mediterranean, resulting in the exciting crosspollination of different culinary traditions. Classic Spanish nibbles such as boquerones and padron peppers share menu space with kofte, Cretan sausage, fatoush salad and more, letting you craft your own flavour journey. The cool, blue-hued restaurant was designed in collaboration with artist Dillwyn Smith and comes from the team behind the ground-breaking Moorish tapas spot Moro.

Famed for its disco ball pizza oven and industrial interior, Lardo is a trendy Hackney pizza place with a simple, concise seasonal menu. It offers a range of innovative pizza options, including vegetarian choices and a special kids’ menu, and weddings and private events can be catered for. Seated inside or outdoors, you can enjoy a glass of wine or a signature cocktail with your food.

There’s no point in talking about specific dishes – by the time you get down to this tiny Hackney institution, the menu will have changed, never to be seen again. Since opening in 2015, Pidgin has firmly followed its principle of a weekly changing set menu with no repeats, and all these years later, their creativity has not yet run dry. The influences for the plates rooted in Asian cuisine come from all over the world, just like the restaurant’s faithful devotees.

The successor to the fabled Mao Chow, the first all-vegan take on Chinese specialties, Facing Heaven is twice the size and keeps the lively vibe alive behind a non-descript shopfront on Mare Street. The menu has evolved as well, with the LA-raised chef throwing Puerto Rican and American influences into the Chinese mix, with the spicy cone pepper the eatery is named after popping up all over. Consider yourself warned.

Pophams started out as an artisan bakery and having found great success, it has continued evolving. In addition to the daring breakfast pastries incorporating marmite and sauerkraut into their flaky folds and the gooey lunchtime toasties, the London Fields does a short lunch menu, then closes shop in the afternoon and reopens as a stylish, modern pasta restaurant in the evening, offering all sorts of hand-rolled pasta dishes.

For authentic beef pho, head straight to the family-run Sông Quê Café. Actually, it's not just the attractively-priced food that's authentic – the entire dining experience is, from the small tables packed in closely next to each other, to the delicious smells wafting out from the kitchen and the loud chatter of the patrons. One of the standouts among the many Vietnamese eateries in the area.

This small kitchen and wine bar uses pickling and fermenting techniques on the carefully sourced seasonal produce, churning out delicious morsels from its centrepiece kitchen counter. The fermenting extends to the drinks, with the seasonal drinking vinegars and infused kombuchas all made in-house and used in Little Duck The Picklery’s cocktails as well. If that’s not your jam, there’s plenty of natural wines from independent winemakers to choose from as well.

Right across the canal from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Silo is an environmentally-minded restaurant with a modern zero waste menu that changes regularly and features exciting ingredients like coffee kombucha crème fraiche or black garlic. The furnishings, cutlery and crockery are all made from reclaimed or recycled materials as well, further proving Silo’s commitment to zero waste.

If you were wondering whether you can add wakame seaweed to a focaccia or stuff culorgiones pasta with shiitake mushrooms, the family-run Angelina restaurant in Dalston answers with a firm and confident yes. The tastefully minimalist establishment challenges and thrills by fusing Italian and Japanese cuisine, utilising carefully sourced ingredients in set menus that feature surprising yet effective flavour couplings. You can choose between four or ten courses, as well as a wine pairing.

Having learned from famed English chefs Rick Stein and Nathan Outlaw, chef Tom Brown brings the same reverence for produce and the restraint that established his mentors as leading authorities on seafood to his debut solo venture, focusing the menu solely on seafood. With dishes such as chalk stream trout pastrami and squid cacio e pepe, Brown’s culinary prowess is on full display, offering a fresh new look at seafood without going over the top.

Located between Dalston and Hackney, the misleadingly named Duke of Richmond is a cosy neighbourhood oasis for those seeking a pint and a lively atmosphere. The colourful modern-styled spot does comfort food with panache, headlined by an array of meaty burgers and other pub classic, including a very proper Sunday Roast. There’s also a selection of craft ales from local breweries on tap.

The original Temple of Seitan location, this Hackney takeaway lets everyone enjoy the taste of fried chicken, regardless of diet. The vegan chicken shop that has spawned numerous locations around town serves typical fast food made from seitan, including a proper bucket of fried chicken for a real chicken shop feel! Imitation quarter pounders are also available, as well as a choice of sides.

Dom’s Subs make some of the most well-known sandwiches in the city. The house-baked semolina buns are stuffed to the brim with various fillings, for example spicy Thai ground chicken, gem lettuce, kewpie mayo, pickled cucumbers and carrots, Thai basil, coriander, pickled red chillies, crispy shallots and fragrant toasted rice powder. Yes, that’s all just one sandwich. There’s plenty of different options to choose from, including vegan ones, perfect for a takeaway lunch or delivery.

Nestled in Stoke Newington, Wander is a well-established fine dining establishment that draws inspiration from the globetrotting adventures of its chef and owner, Alexis Noble. Its relaxed and inviting ambiance sets the stage for a daily evolving menu that showcases Noble's bold culinary creations. Following a brief hiatus, the restaurant reopened in March 2023, offering a fixed dinner menu that stays true to its distinctive style, as it prepares to make a full return to its roots later in the year.

After success as a pop-up, Shankeys now has a permanent home in Hackney. The restaurant is compact, cosy, and intimate, illuminated by candlelight and with an air of sophistication. The food here is a unique Irish-Indian fusion with distinctive dishes, wines, and Irish spirits to complete the experience.

Get your fill of chicken wings at Randy's Wing Bar, a contemporary diner specialising in comfort food that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. The space is full of light and features large communal tables. Indulge in chicken wings with a multitude of sauces, burgers, and loaded fries, or opt for the unique fried chicken afternoon tea.

Papi is a vibrant Hackney eatery with a menu showcasing a range of global influences. Cooking is playful here, with an emphasis on zero-waste and sustainability initiatives. Expect changing small plates like ranch salad, clam frites, and lamb chops served in a bright and relaxed setting. Cocktails and natural wines are served as well.

Sample earthy flavours from the eastern Mediterranean at Oren. Seafood, meat, and vegetable recipes are infused with flavour from charcoal grilling. There are plates designed for sharing as well as low-intervention wines and classic cocktails, all served up in a warm and cosy environment with a stripped-back aesthetic.

Head to Elliot's for Mediterranean and modern European cooking. This sophisticated eatery is especially popular for its wood-fired pizzas with a range of toppings. Small plates and grilled meat and fish dishes are also part of the menu. Pair your food with one of the natural wines available here.

Seafood lovers in Hackney can't miss out on The Sea, The Sea. Located in Haggerston, this compact and intimate restaurant serves some of the finest seafood going. Here you'll have a chef's table experience sampling a menu of exclusive and creative fish and seafood specialities. Only 14 seats are available at this style-conscious venue.

Head to Broadway Market to dine at bustling Spanish restaurant El Ganso Café. This lively spot has indoor and outdoor tables and a crisp contemporary interior. Seasonal ingredients are used to craft tapas and special dishes, as well as breakfast and brunch dishes. A wide range of Spanish wines and spirits are on offer to complement a meal.

Grab an international sandwich at Banh Mi Hoi-An. This busy local spot specialises in Vietnamese banh mi baguettes, filled with your pick of delicious fillings. This is food that's simple but authentic. A range of rice bowls with traditional flavours are offered as well and you can dine-in or get a takeaway.

Clapton is home to Lucky & Joy, a quirky and cosy spot for modern Chinese cooking. The venue is vibrant with hanging plants and colourful lights. Hot and cold dishes to share are served here, plus rice bowls and Asian-inspired sandwiches at lunchtime. The drinks list is concise but comprehensive.