Guide to the best restaurants in Hackney

Morito deals in small plates from all ends of the Mediterranean, resulting in the exciting cross-pollination of different culinary traditions. Classic Spanish nibbles such as boquerones and padron peppers share menu space with kofte, Cretan sausage, fatoush salad and more. 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.

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.

The wholly unpretentious Casa Fofó, opened by the former chef of the nearby Pidgin, is a neighbourhood spot 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.

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.

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.

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 also opt for a wine pairing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Big Night in the former Nest space provides the ideal relaxed setting for a, yes, big night out. Drawing inspiration from Japanese izakayas, this vibrant Hackney venue specialises in skewering an array of seasonal British ingredients and grilling them over charcoal, infusing flavours from across Asia. It's a lively spot to engage in uplifting conversations with friends while enjoying delicious small plates and drinks.

This family-run Korean spot in Hackney keeps things simple, with white walls, dark wood accents and an open kitchen where dad's on cooking duty while the siblings handle the floor. The menu shifts with the seasons, but you might find gochujang prawns or melt-in-your-mouth beef short rib. As of summer 2024, it's BYOB, so you can bring a bottle and splash out on more of the food.

With fans like Keira Knightley and Tracey Ullman, you might expect Towpath to be a swanky celeb hangout, but it's anything but. This canalside café is all about simple stuff: great coffee, outdoor seating, and a menu of comforting, beautifully made dishes served for breakfast, lunch, and the occasional dinner. It's seasonal, so check ahead for opening times on their website or socials.

This cosy southern Italian spot is tucked away in a rustic corner of East London, where it serves traditional dishes in a perfect date-worthy setting. The menu keeps things simple, think antipasti, fresh pasta, and meat or fish mains. You can go à la carte or opt for the four-course set menu, which changes monthly and kicks off with an aperitivo. The wine list leans heavily on southern Italian varieties that pair perfectly with the food.

Jupiter Burger is a little burger stop in Netil Market from the crew behind Dom's Subs and Rasputin's Bar. It rocks retro-futurist vibes. It's inspired by 1950s Googie architecture but keeps things simple with the menu: burgers and fries, done right. The Hill & Szrok beef patties are smashed and stacked in Martin's signature potato rolls, finished with all the classics – pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce, plus a house-made Jupiter sauce.

Ombra is inspired by traditional Venetian bacaro bars and brings a slice of Italy to Hackney with seasonal small plates like burrata, courgette flowers, and freshly-made ravioli. Opt for the tasting menu if you're not sure what to order, and make sure to browse the solid list of Mediterranean wines. Nab a spot on the heated terrace by Regent's Canal for a bit of alfresco dining.

Once a beloved Malaysian stall at Market Peckham, Mambow soon found its permanent home in Clapton in 2023, where it became the best restaurant in London in 2024. It's all thanks to Chef Abby Lee and her team, who plate up modern Malaysian dishes with natural wines and changing cocktails. There's an open kitchen so you can catch the action while you eat.

Sune is the brainchild of two seasoned hospitality pros, Charlie Sims and Honey Spencer. It's set along the canal near the buzzy Broadway Market, with a breezy outdoor terrace and a menu spanning lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The menu does change based on what's in season, but you can expect to choose from elegant, seasonal dishes like ricotta gnudi with octopus and n'duja, or lamb neck with apple mustard and peppercorn gravy, perfectly paired with a curated list of natural wines.