Stuff to do in Hackney/Dalston, London UK—first in a series: FOOD?
September 30, 2023 12:05 PM Subscribe
Hello there! I am going to be visiting London for a week at the end of October, and staying in Hackney Central, while walking to Dalston daily. I'll be posting more questions over the next couple of weeks about other stuff to do while I'm there—but with this question, I would like to focus on recommendations for local eateries and food shopping. See inside for special snowflake stuff. Thanks!
I've never been to the UK, and know nothing of the cuisine except for "salt, grease, organ meats, and warm ale." I have no dietary restrictions. I like most foods. I am adventurous. So my two categories seem generally to be:
• What dining establishments would be good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks, etc.? I like pubs, casual settings, streetfood, and coffee. I don't want to deal with reservations or large crowds or waits. What's the best place to get fish-n-chips to go (or eat in)? What's a good "old-school" type of pub, where the wood is dark and the ale is from a tap, warm? What should I avoid? I'm looking for "best food for best value".
• Grocery stores and convenience stores: I'll be airbnb'ing so I do have access to a kitchen. I'm not going to want to do much prep or cooking, for time's sake—but a little is okay. So I am looking for a cheep-to-midrange priced supermarket. Same type of questions: what produce/items/etc to look for, or to avoid, while I am USAian and clueless? What products are good for snacks, and what is recommended for a quick-prep meal? I like Marmite! But I prefer Vegemite... I know, sick, huh. Any supermarket or convenience store chains that I should avoid? Any special indie markets I should aim for, items to look for?
• Any other options I'm not thinking of? Again, the focus is on economy and ease. For some meals, I'd be willing to take a train or bus... Is there a London equivalent to Yelp, or is Yelp just Yelp wherever you go? e.g. if I am "on the road" I'd like to have a cheap-but-tasty option, wherever I find myself.
I'll be back with more Hackney-stuff-to-do questions—but please, only food recommendations for this one. CHEERS MATE or whatevah!
I've never been to the UK, and know nothing of the cuisine except for "salt, grease, organ meats, and warm ale." I have no dietary restrictions. I like most foods. I am adventurous. So my two categories seem generally to be:
• What dining establishments would be good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks, etc.? I like pubs, casual settings, streetfood, and coffee. I don't want to deal with reservations or large crowds or waits. What's the best place to get fish-n-chips to go (or eat in)? What's a good "old-school" type of pub, where the wood is dark and the ale is from a tap, warm? What should I avoid? I'm looking for "best food for best value".
• Grocery stores and convenience stores: I'll be airbnb'ing so I do have access to a kitchen. I'm not going to want to do much prep or cooking, for time's sake—but a little is okay. So I am looking for a cheep-to-midrange priced supermarket. Same type of questions: what produce/items/etc to look for, or to avoid, while I am USAian and clueless? What products are good for snacks, and what is recommended for a quick-prep meal? I like Marmite! But I prefer Vegemite... I know, sick, huh. Any supermarket or convenience store chains that I should avoid? Any special indie markets I should aim for, items to look for?
• Any other options I'm not thinking of? Again, the focus is on economy and ease. For some meals, I'd be willing to take a train or bus... Is there a London equivalent to Yelp, or is Yelp just Yelp wherever you go? e.g. if I am "on the road" I'd like to have a cheap-but-tasty option, wherever I find myself.
I'll be back with more Hackney-stuff-to-do questions—but please, only food recommendations for this one. CHEERS MATE or whatevah!
It's kind of a very wide question! Hackney central has all the regular supermarkets. Ridley Road market in Dalston is fun and a bit more adventurous. The Grocery on Kingsland road is a nice place to shop though it's not cheap. Lots of good Vietnamese places round here, I like Green Papaya.
You shouldn't miss Broadway market on Saturday when there are food stalls. Though it's nice any time. I love the rice waffles at Twigs. The market spills out around the surrounding streets now, Netil market very near often has interesting food. Columbia Road market on a Sunday is no longer exactly a hidden gem but still fun and pretty. It's worth popping into Brick Lane on Sunday too - Brick Lane curry is patchy in the extreme (don't bother) but there can be interesting food around here, sometimes around Spitalfields too. These markets also form a ladder of gentrification that's maybe interesting to observe, roughly in that order.
If you want to try some of London's more expensive restaurants a surprising number do an inexpensive set lunch, always worth checking.
This is a pretty nice list though I've been disappointed too many times in the Water House. Rochelle Canteen is reliably great. Organ meats much less of a thing these days but if you want to give it a go St John is there for you.
https://thenudge.com/features/best-restaurants-in-east-london/
No mention there of my personal favourite The Quality Chop House which you might find interesting for traditional food re-imagined, though not cheap. Exmouth Market nearby is worth a visit. Also Towpath is a great cafe on...yes you guessed it. Arepa nearby does lovely Venezuelan food.
It is worth going on Friday or Saturday particularly to Borough market which remains I think the queen of London food markets. It's open every day but more stalls at the weekends.
For fish and chips in Hackney I like Faulkners. Poppies in Spitalfields is nice though a bit twee.
The Sea Shell in Marylebone is my favourite chippy in London and worth a detour if you're out that way. I used to pick them up on my bike and eat them in a nice spot in the park, with a hire bike this would be good if weather permits. You can eat in also of course but I personally think much of the joy of fish and chips is taking them somewhere nice to eat.
Things change very fast in Hackney! Time Out is a good place to start.
Try to get up to Clapton also.
Enjoy!
posted by tardigrade at 1:02 PM on September 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
You shouldn't miss Broadway market on Saturday when there are food stalls. Though it's nice any time. I love the rice waffles at Twigs. The market spills out around the surrounding streets now, Netil market very near often has interesting food. Columbia Road market on a Sunday is no longer exactly a hidden gem but still fun and pretty. It's worth popping into Brick Lane on Sunday too - Brick Lane curry is patchy in the extreme (don't bother) but there can be interesting food around here, sometimes around Spitalfields too. These markets also form a ladder of gentrification that's maybe interesting to observe, roughly in that order.
If you want to try some of London's more expensive restaurants a surprising number do an inexpensive set lunch, always worth checking.
This is a pretty nice list though I've been disappointed too many times in the Water House. Rochelle Canteen is reliably great. Organ meats much less of a thing these days but if you want to give it a go St John is there for you.
https://thenudge.com/features/best-restaurants-in-east-london/
No mention there of my personal favourite The Quality Chop House which you might find interesting for traditional food re-imagined, though not cheap. Exmouth Market nearby is worth a visit. Also Towpath is a great cafe on...yes you guessed it. Arepa nearby does lovely Venezuelan food.
It is worth going on Friday or Saturday particularly to Borough market which remains I think the queen of London food markets. It's open every day but more stalls at the weekends.
For fish and chips in Hackney I like Faulkners. Poppies in Spitalfields is nice though a bit twee.
The Sea Shell in Marylebone is my favourite chippy in London and worth a detour if you're out that way. I used to pick them up on my bike and eat them in a nice spot in the park, with a hire bike this would be good if weather permits. You can eat in also of course but I personally think much of the joy of fish and chips is taking them somewhere nice to eat.
Things change very fast in Hackney! Time Out is a good place to start.
Try to get up to Clapton also.
Enjoy!
posted by tardigrade at 1:02 PM on September 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Could you stretch as far as Islington to get to Black Axe Mangal? Easily the most memorable place I've eaten in the last couple years, total joy.
posted by ominous_paws at 1:28 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ominous_paws at 1:28 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
For convenient eating at "home," the major supermarkets have house brand reasonably-edible-yet-affordable microwaveable meals. Tends to be a different flavor palette than here. Not glamorous, but handy and will feel non-touristy.
posted by praemunire at 1:43 PM on September 30, 2023
posted by praemunire at 1:43 PM on September 30, 2023
E5 Bakehouse—legendary cafe/lunch place
SHED Kingsland Road (not SHED Haggerston, although that's good)—phenomenal coffee/deli
Shades food truck here (or at least that's the old name, people still call it that, but it might be something else now)—best Jamiacan takeaway in East London. (well, up there with Rudi's). Daytime only, and not quite where it says on the map—it's on Hoxton Street outside Hoxton Chicken & Pizza.
Pub wise ... it's not the best area for pubs. Try The Duke of Wellington for ordinary realness. Other pubs have better beers. I'd like to know which combine the two. Perhaps The Howl At The Moon but sometimes it feels just a bit too fun for the energy I think you are after.
posted by einekleine at 3:29 PM on September 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
SHED Kingsland Road (not SHED Haggerston, although that's good)—phenomenal coffee/deli
Shades food truck here (or at least that's the old name, people still call it that, but it might be something else now)—best Jamiacan takeaway in East London. (well, up there with Rudi's). Daytime only, and not quite where it says on the map—it's on Hoxton Street outside Hoxton Chicken & Pizza.
Pub wise ... it's not the best area for pubs. Try The Duke of Wellington for ordinary realness. Other pubs have better beers. I'd like to know which combine the two. Perhaps The Howl At The Moon but sometimes it feels just a bit too fun for the energy I think you are after.
posted by einekleine at 3:29 PM on September 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Yelp has some coverage for this area. Nepa Coffee looks like a solid bet, but Mess Cafe’s last review for full English Brekkie was before the pandemic(and cash only, which seems dated), so it’s likely uneven. Also, I’m not using my devices with another country’s internet, so you are right on with having a plan for the first few days.
posted by childofTethys at 4:35 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by childofTethys at 4:35 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
Based on the cult-like reverence it has amongst UK ex-pats in Australia, Marks & Spencer is *the* grocery store you must go to. They are also a department store, but it's their food that gets the most praise. I can verify that they do indeed have a great range of quality reasonably priced ready to eat or easy to prepare meals. It's basically all good so just look around and see what you fancy.
My specific recommendation for M&S is the dinosaur shaped crumpets. Toast for a few mins and slather with butter and other spread of your choice. I also liked their coronation chicken sandwiches - not everyone will, but it's probably something you can only get in the UK. Friends loved the chocolate covered cornflakes.
If you're into this sort of thing, try all the chips/crisps (you can leave M&S for this one, although their bacon rashers are very morish). Pickled onion Monster Munches are an acquired taste that I didn't acquire, but you won't know unless you try.
posted by pianissimo at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
My specific recommendation for M&S is the dinosaur shaped crumpets. Toast for a few mins and slather with butter and other spread of your choice. I also liked their coronation chicken sandwiches - not everyone will, but it's probably something you can only get in the UK. Friends loved the chocolate covered cornflakes.
If you're into this sort of thing, try all the chips/crisps (you can leave M&S for this one, although their bacon rashers are very morish). Pickled onion Monster Munches are an acquired taste that I didn't acquire, but you won't know unless you try.
posted by pianissimo at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
I don't have up-to-date advice on the London dining or street food scene, but for your easy fallback food shopping:
Pianissimo has it: if you want ready meals, go to M&S. Head and shoulders above any of the other supermarkets for this. Their ready-made sandwiches are good too. So are the iced and spiced buns, which you can buy singly as well as in packs of two (you'll find them somewhere near the sandwiches). There's a branch very close to Hackney Central station.
Speaking of sandwiches: Pret is ubiquitous (again, there's one a stone's throw from Hackney Central), and actually pretty good. For a snack (or a light lunch), pick up a jambon beurre - sharp little cornichons, tasty ham, a little butter - and a brownie.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 4:52 AM on October 1, 2023
Pianissimo has it: if you want ready meals, go to M&S. Head and shoulders above any of the other supermarkets for this. Their ready-made sandwiches are good too. So are the iced and spiced buns, which you can buy singly as well as in packs of two (you'll find them somewhere near the sandwiches). There's a branch very close to Hackney Central station.
Speaking of sandwiches: Pret is ubiquitous (again, there's one a stone's throw from Hackney Central), and actually pretty good. For a snack (or a light lunch), pick up a jambon beurre - sharp little cornichons, tasty ham, a little butter - and a brownie.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 4:52 AM on October 1, 2023
For supermarkets, it looks like there are a couple of branches of Sainsburys and a couple of branches of Tescos in Hackney. These are big national chains. Either is exactly what you are looking for in price and quality terms, any difference between branches is will be a function of size. M&S has uniformly excellent quality but is quite a bit more expensive for 'regular' food. Vegemite might need your nearest big supermarket.
If you don't want to properly cook, then chilled ready meals in the UK are very good. M&S (as mentioned), and top of the range from Sainsburys ('Taste the difference') or Tescos ('Finest') are roughly equivalent in quality. They come in 1 or 2 person sizes. You can also by ready to cook veg in 1-2 person portion sizes easily.
posted by plonkee at 5:43 AM on October 1, 2023
If you don't want to properly cook, then chilled ready meals in the UK are very good. M&S (as mentioned), and top of the range from Sainsburys ('Taste the difference') or Tescos ('Finest') are roughly equivalent in quality. They come in 1 or 2 person sizes. You can also by ready to cook veg in 1-2 person portion sizes easily.
posted by plonkee at 5:43 AM on October 1, 2023
Response by poster: Thanks everyone: a lot of promising options so far!
What about takeaway options? E.g. I like US pizza, but hate sitting in most pizza places to eat it. The idea of eating fish-n-chips outside sounds appealing; any other ideas for takeaway for any type of meal, indoors or out, any meal from breakfast to snackos would be very welcome. Things I can eat on the run like kebabs or just take home and eat in my airbnb?
posted by not_on_display at 1:31 PM on October 1, 2023
What about takeaway options? E.g. I like US pizza, but hate sitting in most pizza places to eat it. The idea of eating fish-n-chips outside sounds appealing; any other ideas for takeaway for any type of meal, indoors or out, any meal from breakfast to snackos would be very welcome. Things I can eat on the run like kebabs or just take home and eat in my airbnb?
posted by not_on_display at 1:31 PM on October 1, 2023
The Vincent is an incredible brunch place right by Hackney Downs station, a 5 minute walk from Hackney Central. Absolutely highly recommended, even though I moved away from the area I still go back for brunch regularly. Hash E8 on Dalston Lane is also amazing for brunch, but very small so get there early.
There’s also a little Spanish deli opposite the Vincent, I think called “Spandeli” which won’t be the cheapest but has authentic Spanish bits (tortilla, chorizo) if you want to cook at home.
The Pembury Tavern is a great pub next to the Vincent too, with good pizza, and a good roast on Sundays. And a little further up towards Clapton, the Star by Hackney Downs is also a great little boozer.
Then if you venture in the other direction across Kingsland Road to the west you’ll find the De Beauvoir area which has three gorgeous pubs: the Talbot, the Scolt Head, and a little further down a back street towards Newington Green, the Hunter S - all 3 do great food and I and friends go to them often. The Hunter S is the furthest out at about a 15 minute walk from Dalston Junction.
For takeaway if you don’t have objections to them, get on Deliveroo and Uber Eats, you’ll get loads of good local options.
posted by conkystconk at 5:30 AM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
There’s also a little Spanish deli opposite the Vincent, I think called “Spandeli” which won’t be the cheapest but has authentic Spanish bits (tortilla, chorizo) if you want to cook at home.
The Pembury Tavern is a great pub next to the Vincent too, with good pizza, and a good roast on Sundays. And a little further up towards Clapton, the Star by Hackney Downs is also a great little boozer.
Then if you venture in the other direction across Kingsland Road to the west you’ll find the De Beauvoir area which has three gorgeous pubs: the Talbot, the Scolt Head, and a little further down a back street towards Newington Green, the Hunter S - all 3 do great food and I and friends go to them often. The Hunter S is the furthest out at about a 15 minute walk from Dalston Junction.
For takeaway if you don’t have objections to them, get on Deliveroo and Uber Eats, you’ll get loads of good local options.
posted by conkystconk at 5:30 AM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This is a bit of an off-the-wall suggestion, but the Too Good to Go app, which food businesses use to minimize food waste, is popular in Europe, and is a good way to get carryout food for a third of the usual price, if you don't mind being surprised by what you get. There appear to be a lot of businesses using it in that area; check out the ratings and avoid businesses with, say 4 or lower. Bakeries are especially well-suited for the app. If you want to have a better idea of what you might get from a particular business, you can check out the Too Good to Go subreddit (just search for the name of the business). We used the app successfully in some bakeries in Porto (and use the app all the time here in Chicago). Here's an example haul from the area, though note that people in the subreddit tend to post mostly either great or terrible hauls.
posted by carrienation at 8:40 AM on October 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by carrienation at 8:40 AM on October 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! I dl'd the Too Good to Go app and tried it here in the US (Boston), and I just got about $25 worth of bakery goods and Mexican food for $7. It's a game-changer, and definitely will help stave off any "so hungry, so late" problem in London—or at home. Wow.
So, I think you've all given me plenty to go on foodwise, and all great suggestions. I'll mark this as resolved, think of my next Hackney questions, and I thank you again one and all!
posted by not_on_display at 6:56 PM on October 5, 2023
So, I think you've all given me plenty to go on foodwise, and all great suggestions. I'll mark this as resolved, think of my next Hackney questions, and I thank you again one and all!
posted by not_on_display at 6:56 PM on October 5, 2023
Truly shocked no one mentioned Dishoom. Just world class universally beloved indian food. Get the Daal. Get the Chai. Try to go a second time for breakfast you won't be sorry.
There is one in shoreditch , and There's a number of them around town now, so there isn't usually a crazy wait, plus they deliver since the pandemic. I think i had dishoom 4 times when i was in london for a week.
There is also an Ottolenghi restaurant in Islington that I wish i'd been able to check out.
posted by wowenthusiast at 7:16 PM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
There is one in shoreditch , and There's a number of them around town now, so there isn't usually a crazy wait, plus they deliver since the pandemic. I think i had dishoom 4 times when i was in london for a week.
There is also an Ottolenghi restaurant in Islington that I wish i'd been able to check out.
posted by wowenthusiast at 7:16 PM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by knapah at 12:19 PM on September 30, 2023 [2 favorites]