Best restaurants in Hackney

Hospitality power couple Charlie Sims and Honey Spencer have made a big splash with their first solo project. The pair know a thing or two about good restaurants having worked at Noma together, and Sune has hit the ground running with exceptional, original cooking that flits between global influences. The location at the bottom of Broadway Market is a cracker too, and as you'd expect from a sommelier of Spencer's renown, the drinks list is remarkable and adventurous.

A little off the beaten track, but more than worth the journey, The Water House Project is nestled in the aptly-named ‘Containerville’ district near Cambridge Heath, where lots of businesses live inside old shipping containers. Not this restaurant, though, which has a beautiful glass house right on The Oval. Gabriel Waterhouse and team cook up smart, aesthetic tasting menus in an open kitchen, delivering a picture-perfect experience as though you were visiting them at home.

Beer and barbecue is a match made in heaven, and From the Ashes at Five Points Brewing Co might just be the best place in the capital to experience this magical combo. As well as a banging Sunday roast, this is also home to the increasingly famous Del Piero Doughnut, packed with smoked pork, ‘nduja and chilli jam.

Whether it’s superb staff, inviting interiors or the dining room piano that often sees one of the staff banging out a tune mid-service, Rogues is just rip-roaring fun. The menu doesn’t worry too much about the rulebook either, springing many surprises from the get go. Rogues’ potato and thyme sourdough with Bovril butter might just be the best bread course in London, and that’s just the start of the fun.

Papi is all about delicious, zero waste food and carefully sourced natural wines. You’ll find it tucked away down one of Hackney’s backstreets, with low-lit lighting to entice you in, and friendly faces ready to welcome you.

Don't let the vintage sign outside fool you - Leo's is a drop dead gorgeous restaurant inside, bringing all the chic sophistication of the Italian Riviera to Clapton. The menu centres around lovely bits of meat and fish cooked over a wood-fired grill, but there are also some excellent pasta dishes, a well-rounded wine list and aperitivo options here. Pop in in the morning for some good bakes and excellent coffee too.

Who doesn’t like authentic Italian food in an effortlessly stylish setting? Lardo in Hackney Central mixes industrial lighting with a truly tasty menu, loaded with small plates like pan seared squid with gremolata, potato, endive and pangrattato and innovative pizzas like wild mushroom, duck egg and taleggio.

The younger Brat sibling is actually a fair bit larger than the Shoreditch location so if you’re struggling to book the latter, head up to Climpson’s Arch and you might get a table. The menu is largely similar - beautiful turbot roasted over open fires, flatbreads, hulking beef ribs and that Insta-famous Basque cheesecake. The restaurant is only semi-covered so bring a jumper in the winter.

Like a pigeon from the flames, SESTA sits in the old Pidgin site and is run by two former Pidgin stalwarts - head chef Drew Snaith and GM Hannah Kowalski. Snaith's electric, eclectic menu, combined with Kowalski's slick service and an excellent drinkable wine list make SESTA pure brilliance. 

Tucked around the back of Hackney Church Brew Co you'll find Lagom, where founder Elliot Cunningham knocks out some fabulous, smokey barbecue and burgers. Lagom's philosophy is dead simple, just great quality produce, lots of fire, smoke and heat and dishes kept simple but delicious. The smash burger is a knockout (especially alongside a few beers) but the regularly changing menu means there's something new to try everytime you visit.

Peckham's loss was Clapton's gain as brilliant Mambow moved over to the east in late 2023. Abby Lee's transcendant Malaysian cooking would taste good anywhere, but it feels a snug fit for Clapton. Grab a counter seat at the window and dive into an extraordinary menu, which is backed up by a juicy, easy-drinking wine list and some surprisingly excellent cocktails. 

Original Victorian features, dark wood panelled walls and plenty of nooks to get cosied up in make this local boozer the perfect London pub. Combine that with a roster of live music, an impressive supply of board games and an 'anyone’s welcome' attitude, and The Prince Arthur could become your new haunt for post-work drinks.

This entirely chef's table restaurant comes from Andy Beynon, an ex development chef for Jason Atherton, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands here. You can expect each of the eight courses to showcase sustainable produce in new and creative ways, and there’s also a wine pairing for those who are so inclined.

The easy going feel of this local Italian makes it an obvious venue choice for a get together with friends. The informal décor and fantastic customer service create a friendly atmosphere, and that’s before you’ve even tried the food. Since its opening, Venerdi has vowed to serve up only the most authentic fare, so everything from the pizza to the cocktails is like a taste of Italy.

Café Cecilia is a fashionable all-day joint serving breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the week, although beware - it’s only open in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays. Owner and head chef Max Rocha draws on his Irish heritage to bring the likes of breaded oysters with pickled cucumber, and Guinness bread ice cream to lucky diners.

Not only can you get first class food at Silo, but it’s also the world’s first zero waste restaurant, so you can enjoy it all completely guilt free. From fermenting leftovers to finding eco-friendly delivery methods for suppliers, there’s nothing half hearted about the team's approach to helping the planet.