A true rags to riches story, the once ill-favoured Hackney is now beloved by hipsters and young families, and there are plenty of places to grab a tasty brunch. From health-conscious options to stacked burgers, our list of the tastiest brunches in Hackney has something for everyone.
Why: This upbeat, 1980s-style chain is definitely not recommended for anyone with a grumpy disposition in the morning. However, for those who want to have fun at brunch, look no further than the goofy American/British menu at The Breakfast Club. Those recovering from a late night of dancing should choose the gluttonous huevos rancheros, which includes fried eggs, tortilla, refried beans, chorizo, salsa, cheddar, sour cream and guacamole…phew.
Where: Unit 3 Canalside, Here East, E15 2GW
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Why: This welcoming café-bar, a hub for Hackney Wick’s artistic community, is part easy-going Aussie charm (flat white coffees, sunny-natured staff and Anzac biscuits) and part British culinary cool (Aussie owner James Morgan is a St John alumnus). On the Sunday brunch menu, you’ll find millennial heaven - smashed avocado served with two poached eggs on sourdough bread, and mushrooms on toast. Drinks wise, you’re well serviced by coffees and craft beers.
Where: 11 Prince Edward Road, E9 5LX
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Why: Found on a corner of bustling Broadway Market, this cutesy café is known for its unpretentious vibe and nostalgic touches, including bright-red booths and Formica tabletops. On the weekends, market dwellers and Hackney cool kids descend to enjoy a varied menu of pleasingly simple brunch fare. Expect granola with Greek yoghurt and avocado on toast, alongside more adventurous dishes such as shakshuka, and chicken schnitzel with Asian-style coleslaw.
Where: 2 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ
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Why: This spin-off of the original Morito in Exmouth Market is found in an oh-so-East-London space, which is both loud and buzzy, making it well suited for a quick and casual brunch. From the Middle Eastern-inspired menu, diners can try beghrir (Moroccan pancakes) topped with fresh goat’s curd and thyme honey, or instead opt for the traditional Turkish menemem eggs, which are served with sujuk sausage.
Where: 195 Hackney Road, E2 8JL
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Why: Occupying the redeveloped shell of a Victorian railway station-cum-ticket office next door to Hackney Central, Oslo is a two-pronged eatery and social hub. It offers casual food during the day, before putting on its glad rags for smart evening meals and occasional live music at night. The brunch menu has puffed-up waffles topped with Nutella, bananas and butterscotch sauce, while the savoury-toothed can dine on a Nordic take of the Full English.
Where: 1a Amhurst Road, E8 1LL
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Why: Filled from floor to ceiling with plants and natural light this little Hackney hangout is an oasis in the heart of East London. Kick off your brunch with a Bloody Mary or a Peach Bellini, before tucking into the likes of US-style waffles topped with berries and vanilla ice cream, and savoury options such as a fried buttermilk chicken burger and a 12-hour pork hash.
Where: 2 Atkins Square, Dalston Lane, E8 1FA
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Why: Those keen to have a high Instagram factor alongside tasty and innovative brunch dishes are advised to head to Mare Street Market – the room is kitted out with an overflow of glorious art deco chandeliers, a taxidermy giraffe, lots of random antiques and green plants. Brunch is served in The Open Kitchen with dishes of the likes of banana bread with ricotta, poached rhubarb and honey; miso scrambled eggs with crisp pork belly, charred broccoli and kimchi; and Turkish poached eggs with whipped yoghurt, onion seed flatbread, dill and chili butter.
Where: 117 Mare Street, E8 4RU
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Why: Despite the back-to-nature hippie name, this all-day restaurant is headed up by Chris Gillard, who was formerly executive chef of the much-feted St John Group, so is the arena for some serious chef pedigree. The weekend brunch menu reflects this and you can choose from classic options such as avo on toast and muesli, or you can be a bit more adventurous with the Shacklewell Shakshuka or smoked kipper, spinach puree and poached eggs. Find it on the first floor of multi-use space Evolutionary Arts Hackney, a former art-deco cinema.
Where: 11-17 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BH
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Why: Right next to Victoria Park, this regal Empress receives a number of important local dignitaries throughout the day: the fishmonger, the butcher, the baker… they all pay their respects here. Although chef Elliott Lidstone showcases more global influences in his evening menu, the weekend brunch has a distinctly more local feel. Expect the classic trio of Bennys, scrambled eggs with salmon and avo on toast alongside a full English. Pimp it all up with some well-turned cocktails.
Where: 130 Lauriston Road, E9 7LH
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Why: Although having received plenty of critical acclaim for its daily changing evening menu, Jolene is first and foremost a bakery serving up delicious treats for weekend breakfasts and brunches. The menu is usually chalked on the restaurant’s blackboard or announced on its Instagram. A recent post gave promise of bread and butter (sounds boring, but trust us, the sourdough is almost chewy, slightly tangy and perfect with Jolene’s hams), toasties and eggs. Their Bloody Mary is also a must.
Where: 21 Newington Green, N16 9PU
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Why: This bright and airy new venture from the family-owned restaurant group that oversees El Ganso and Gallipoli fits right in with Broadway Market’s hip crowd, with its on-trend offering of Mediterranean and Levantine cuisine. Make brunch a little more exotic with dishes such as huevos turcos (poached eggs, smoked baba ganoush and chili and sumac gremolata on sourdough) or Tuyo huevos rotos (broken eggs, hummus, tomatoes, chorizo and harissa on sourdough bread). If you don’t feel like spicing it up, fear not – all the brunch classics are there too.
Where: 129A Prichard's Road, E2 9AP
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Why: Be transported to Turkey (both via interiors and food) at this neighbourhood-feel joint on Dalston’s bustling Kingsland High Street. Stone Cave offers Turkish and Mediterranean twists on the full English and serves it underneath Middle-Eastern glass lanterns on top of traditional dark wooden tables. You can also choose from wraps, omelettes, paninis and menemens. Should the weather allow, there’s also alfresco dining on the terrace.
Where: 111 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB
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Why: The food at Venerdi is authentically Italian – the interiors are less so. Given a Hackney look with distressed wooden tables, low-hanging lights and an open kitchen, it serves Italian takes on classic brunch favourites. Zucchini fritters are served with smoked salmon and poached eggs and eggs benny are completed with truffle and Parmesan. There are some delicious paninis up for grabs too and the brunch cocktails are all wonderfully Italian.
Where: 9 Chatsworth Road, E5 0LH
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Why: Another brilliant Italian restaurant with a seasonally changing menu that serves weekend brunch from 11am. Branded as a cheap, cool and fun place, the fire-breathing oven still churns out exceptional Neapolitan-style pizza - the signature lardo and egg pizza with a Negroni or homemade soda should do the trick for brunch.
Where: The Arthaus, Richmond Road, E8 3NJ
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Why: This lovely spot in Dalston serves a wholesome breakfast from 10am to 1pm on weekends, which changes with the seasons. However, certain brunch staples such as egg, home-cured bacon, and sausages thankfully remain throughout the year. The name might give it away, but this is a ferment shop, too, so expect kimchis, kombuchas and drinking vinegars alongside a menu with Middle Eastern influences. Think flatbreads, dukka, naans, mint yoghurts, labneh and za’tars.
Where: 68 Dalston Road, E8 3AH
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Why: Located in a charming Grade II-listed building, this beloved Stokey brunch spot has jumped on the Middle Eastern breakfast trend. Most intriguing and most delicious is the sabih or Iraqi aubergine pita with eggs, fried aubergine, tahini, mango amba, dak dak, pickles and zhoug – yum! Elsewhere, choose between more traditional options such as bagels and granola, but we dare you to go for one of the more Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. Jerusalem plate, babka French toast or marinated feta hash anyone? Wash it all down with lovely cocktail or brunch beers.
Where: 93 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AS
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