At first glance it’s merely the on-site canteen for Hackney Downs Studios, but this creative café, bar and community arts space offers everything from breakfast, lunch, evening tapas and supperclub
pop-ups to acoustic sessions, dance classes and Punch & Judy shows. The Russet’s refectory-style dining hall serves up an eclectic mix of reasonably priced Anglo-Med food from a daily
handwritten menu, so anticipate the likes of toasted panini, panzanella salad, Isle of Mull Cheddar rarebit, rabbit stew, beef ragù with cauliflower mash or pan-roasted mackerel with salsa verde
and tabbouleh, backed by all manner of home-baked cakes, tarts, coffees, teas, juices and locally sourced booze. Weekend brunch is a crowd-puller and Sunday lunch trundles on right through the day.
Afterwards, why not repair to the Wi-Fi enabled, retro parlour and blog about your meal.