A Walk Through Hackney

Hackney is a lot of things and the words, ‘edgy, arty, cultural and hip’ tend to dominate. Hackney is one of those places you hear about before you visit. The new guy in town is roaming with a friend there, or someone invites you to a new bar. There are really only three kinds of people when it comes to Hackney: those who live there, those who spend a lot of time there and those who’ve never been and refer to it as ‘Crackney’, fearing the seedy side. Bottom line: great art, shopping, food, nightlife and culture.

Broadway Market

Running from London Fields to Regent’s Canal, Saturday at Broadway Market is a must for anyone who likes to soak up a great atmosphere of excellent food, from Vietnamese to Turkish or burgers, followed by some fantastic fresh produce shopping. Browse through a farmers’ market with fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, spices, cheeses and locally made breads and pastries.

Great coffee can be found at Climpson & Sons, great books at Broadway Books and you’ll stumble across no shortage of vintage clothes to rival Portobello Road.

Ridley Road Market

Fruit and veg market that’s superb affordable and caters to food lovers from all over the world. Great atmosphere of locals from the area mostly.

Hoxton Street Market

Hoxton Street Market is a classic east end market which dates back to 1687, close to Shoreditch but with its own distinctly local flavour. All day breakfast available and open all week, but really it’s a Sunday thing.

Columbia Road Flower Market

Columbia Road flower market and shops are open on Sundays from 8am until 3pm-ish come rain, wind or shine, and even on Easter Sunday. Columbia Road is in the east end, sitting on the edge of the city, with Shoreditch to the west and Brick Lane and Spitalfields nearby.

Hackney Empire

Built as a music hall in 1901, Hackney Empire seats of 1,200 and was host to Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, WC Fields, Marie Lloyd et al.

Today the Empire is a fully blown entertainment venue for comedy, music and cultural shows.

Join the community choir or watch artist development programmes for creative performance and dance.

 

Restaurants Raved About

Pavilion Cafe: Corner of Old Ford Road, Victoria Park, this serves organic sandwiches with a wonderful setting looking over the water. Always voted as one of the best places to eat in London, probably helped by the view, but everyone raves about the breakfast. Tel: 0208 980 0030.

Lardo: At 205 Richmond Road, near London Fields, this is a great little Italian restaurant with pizzas and salami. Catering to hip guests and featuring a disco ball, rave reviews for the desserts. Tel: 0208 985 2683.

Rawduck: At 197 Richmond Road, this is from the people who brought us Ducksoup in Soho. Seasonal freshness and using simple flavours to bring out the best in the produce. Serves an always changing menu with pickled and fermented dishes, plus drinking vinegars. Tel: 020 8986 6534.

Tayyabs: At 83-89 Fieldgate Street, this is a local curry house where the punters line up to taste the Punjabi food. Lamb chops, mixed grill and a mango lassi top the list of must eats. Known for being noisy and cramped, but worth it, even to queue for.

Leyton Technical: At 265b Leyton High Road, this isn’t really Hackney, but is a really nice pub to swing by for a pint of Cask Marque real ales on eight hand pumps, as well as home-made hot and cold bar snacks. Kitchen open seven days a week, serving wholesome British cuisine, Sunday roasts, burgers and veggie Wellington. Tel: 0208 558 4759.

Faulkners: At 424-426 Kingsland Road, this is a classic fish and chip restaurant with an old-fashioned dining room and a takeaway bar. Winner of many a ‘best chippie’ award, the owners have changed a few times, annoying a few of their regulars. Tel: 0207 254 6152.

Cat and Mutton: At 76 Broadway Market, this is a traditional east London pub sat on the corner of London Fields and Broadway Market. It offers hearty pub grub, a fine selection of beers, wine and spirits, plus live music during the week. The menu consists of burgers, steak sandwiches and Sunday lunches of roast pork, beef and chicken. Don’t forget thrice-cooked chips. Tel: 0207 249 6555.

Tre Viet: At 245-249 Mare Street, this is an excellent little Vietnamese eatery with all of the traditional Viet cuisine like fresh spring rolls, pho and noodles. You can bring your own wine, but make sure you get a reservation as it gets packed on weekends. Rave reviews for the rare beef salad. Tel: 0208 533 7390.

The Advisory: At 161 Mare Street, this is a burger shack which opened up in the old Women’s Advice Service, which caused a local stink, but everyone moved on. Buzzy café with a menu including home-made burgers, plus breakfast, coffee and cocktails. The vibe is really chilled and people claim it sells the best burgers in Hackney – high praise indeed. The coffee also gets many stars. Try the hash browns if your arteries are up to it. Tel: 0208 533 2747.

Rita’s: At 175 Mare Street, this is a global cuisine-themed restaurant and bar, describing itself as a ‘modern café with globally inspired menus and an easy-going vibe’. Great kick off drinks, try the Sriracha Mary, which gets the mood in the right place for dining on the bone marrow hash browns or fried chicken. Cajun spiced fish and lamb ribs will get you there. Tel: 0749 492 5729.

Kenton: At 38 Kenton Road, a Norwegian moose head sets up the room at this award winner, of course run by Norwegians. Nut roast for the veggies and a bloody mary which warms the heart is just the beginning. Traditional Sunday roast, of course, but during the week is more burgers, steak and fish and chips. Great outdoor area when it’s warm enough. Tel: 0208 533 5041.

Crate Brewery: In The White Building, Queen’s Yard this is a local micro brewery which specialises in craft beer and pizza. Hard to go wrong we think. Try the hand-rolled pizzas, but don’t expect a normal topping – these guys serve up sweet potato and stilton, sage and truffle but also have their own variation on the good old favourite margharita. Tel: 0208 533 3331.

Prince Arthur: At 95 Forest Road, this is claimed to have one of the best Sunday roasts around. Dine next to heads mounted after long hunts to get you in the mood for some red meat. Real ales, a cosy atmosphere and friendly staff who look after you. Tel: 0207 249 9996.

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