The Complete Area Guide: Hackney

A day spent exploring Hackney is full of variety. Thanks to its patchwork of distinct neighbourhoods, each brimming with its own unique character, you just have to turn a corner and you’ll feel like you’ve ambled into a totally different part of the city. From the elegant streets of De Beauvoir and the village-like charm of Stoke Newington to the creative energy of London Fields, Dalston and Clapton, the borough rewards those willing to wander. 

You'll find neighbourhood bakeries and vibrant street markets sitting alongside contemporary galleries and converted warehouse spaces. Relax in green spaces like London Fields, Victoria Park and Hackney Marshes or settle in for the night at bustling bars and traditional boozers.

One of London's culinary hotspots, Hackney is home to everything from expansive wine bars and inventive cocktail spots to upscale dining, beloved local institutions, and of course, plenty of small plates. With so many spots to choose from, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to eat, drink and discover for a day out in the borough.

Where to Drink in Hackney

If one thing is true about Hackney, it's that it boasts some of the buzziest wine bars in London. Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect glass of orange wine, a natural tipple or a chilled red, Hackney has no shortage of places to settle in for an evening.

Wine lovers will be well catered for at Sager + Wilde, located on Hackney Road. The drinking spot is built on the philosophy that great wine should be accessible for all and shared generously. Pair your wine of choice, selected from a curated list of classic European bottles, with its plethora of tasty small plates from a roster of chefs-in-residence. Book a table soon to try Paule Béke’s culinary stylings. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by dan’s (@dans.ldn)

Dan’s is a buzzy, boutique Dalston spot with quirky seating that almost makes it feel like you could be sitting in a friend’s front room or on the pavement outside their house. It offers a huge selection of wines to buy by the bottle, or you can pick from an ever-changing list of drinks by the glass. Similarly, you can enjoy the moody atmosphere of Blinds in Hoxton, which is also part-bottle shop, part-wine bar, with its dark woods and warm, low lighting. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Willy (@doitwithwilly)

Anyone with a sweet tooth will love The Dreamery, of TikTok fame, in De Beauvoir. From the owners of Goodbye Horses (another great Hackney watering hole), you can sit underneath the kaleidoscope patchwork ceiling at this little walk-in spot, glass of natural wine in hand, whilst tucking into a bowl of ice cream. The perfect place to wind up for a post-dinner dessert – or if you’re in the mood for an afternoon sweet treat. And if you need any more convincing, the spot was recently recommended by Dua Lipa in a collaboration with Google Maps, with the New Rules singer calling the spot the “ultimate if you know, you know” destination. Don’t be put off by the attention it receives online – it’s well worth the hype.

For cocktails with an artistic flair, head to A Bar with Shapes for a Name on Kingsland Road. The drinks spot is inspired by the Weimar Bauhaus movement and focuses on a technical approach to cocktail creation, focusing on “form, colour and flavour”. Try the Kazimir composed of vodka, peach yoghurt and absinthe, or the Boulevardier, mixing together bourbon, martini rosso, campari, honey butter and orange. Open until 4am, it's the perfect late-night destination for anyone looking to keep the night going long after most bars have closed.

For some more traditional pubs, there are plenty to pick from around the borough, but some personal highlights include the Lady Mildmay in Stoke Newington, the Spurstowe Arms (home to the unreal Doughands pizza) in London Fields, the Princess of Wales in Clapton and the De Beauvoir Arms.

Where to eat in Hackney

There really is only one day to start a day out in Hackney – with a pastry and a flat white. You’ll never be short of a coffee spot in this borough, as there’s a bounty of bakeries to pick from. Try neighbourhood favourite Forno for sweet golden pastries and freshly baked focaccia goods, or if you prefer a savoury start, head to Popham’s to secure the Schlossberger cheese and marmite pastry, packed with roasted spring onions and topped with sesame seeds. De Beauvoir Deli is another top-notch coffee spot, packed with every luxury pantry item you could imagine, and a huge selection of fresh sandwiches to pick up for a midday meal. 

If you find yourself meandering down the canal on a weekend, be sure to secure yourself a spot at Towpath. A quirky little dining spot on the edge of the water, you’ll always be served up something new thanks to its changing seasonal menu packed with fresh ingredients. The star of the show, however, is the humble cheese toastie. Brimming with cheddar and spring onion, sandwiched between to perfectly toasted slices of sourdough, it's the ultimate indulgent lunch, with a helping of quince jelly to cut through the cheesy richness. A reminder that there is no booking here, so you may find yourself queuing for a table – but for that cheese toastie, trust me, it’s worth it.

For Korean cuisine, family-run restaurant Miga offers a modern take on traditional dishes, earning itself a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin guide. A minimalist, but inviting interior with an open kitchen, standouts on the menu include the japchae, a dish of sweet potato glass noodles, the mung bean pancake, a spectacular offering of fresh fish, or the galbi jjim, a tender, braised beef short rib dish.

Albers, located in De Beauvoir, will always hold a special place in my heart as it was the first restaurant I tried out in Hackney. On my first outing, I shared a mouth-watering steak with a friend, and two years later, it still comes to mind as one of my favourite meals in London. Guttingly, it’s no longer on the menu, but Albers serves up an incredible new selection of seasonal dishes including venison tartar, grilled bream, chicken schnitzel and tuna steak, alongside a collection of natural wines or cocktails. Owned by chef Scott Pattison, the upscale neighbourhood bistro seats just 28 diners creating a buzzy atmosphere and the dining spot also offers regular takeovers or “Big Night In” events.

Other honourable mentions include Casa Fofo, from former head chef of Pidgin, Adolfo de Cecco, which offers a Michelin-starred set menu, changing regularly and serving up seasonal dishes; Bambi for a taste of modern Mediterranean cuisine, complete with a rotating set of vinyl DJs every night; or for a taste of Malaysian cuisine, opt for Mambow on Clapton Road.

What to do in Hackney

In operation since 1883, Broadway Market is set on the stretch between London Fields and Regent’s Canal every Saturday and this bustling weekend spot is the ideal way to spend a morning grazing on street food and picking up fresh produce and artisanal buys. Find freshly shucked oysters from Oyster Bro, mouthwatering chicken wraps from Katsu Wraps or independent prints from Uncool John, before unwinding over coffee or a glass of wine. For a double bill of markets, on Sunday, head over to Victoria Park Market set within the leafy surroundings of one of East London’s beloved green spaces, for a curated selection of street food traders and local makers.

Any wellness lover knows the ultimate relaxation and restoration spot has to be a sauna, and after a heady night at a Hackney wine bar – it’s also the best place to cure a hangover. To unwind with a view, head to Hackney Rooftop Sauna and experience sweltering heat amid the East London skyline. For anyone who is looking for a bit of peace and quiet, this sauna spot is ideal, as visitors get their own private sauna room for 30, 60 or 90 minutes, complete with a dip in the cold plunge pool. You can even book in for a sunset session to watch the sun go down as the heat rises.

For a more intimate sauna setting, try Stoke Newington Sauna, founded by local resident Jacob Hancock. The community-focused wellness space limits its sessions to just eight people, and you can also book into dedicated nude sessions for a European-style experience. Facilities include an infrared sauna, full-body red light therapy and two plunge pools at varying temperatures and if you’re feeling peckish, you can even opt for a post-sauna pickle, dubbed an electrolyte-filled recovery snack – 2026 has officially been dubbed “pickle summer”, so it feels rude not to!

Lastly, this might technically be Newham, but as it’s only located six minutes from Hackney Wick, I’m including a visit to the recently opened V&A East Museum as a must for an East London day out. The huge five-storey building features two free permanent exhibitions and is currently home to The Music is Black: A British Story, an incredible exhibition tracing 125 years of Black British music, featuring Stormzy’s 2019 Glastonbury vest designed by Banksy and Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar. Culture vultures will also love a mooch around the V&A East Storehouse, a working museum that offers visitors an insight into the many objects displayed in V&A collections.