31 must-go places in Hackney

Cafés, parks, pubs, markets, restaurants… all that’s missing is the tube. Go east with these local tips from Time Out Tastemakers.

Best breakfast or brunch

‘Yeast Bakery only opens on Saturdays and serves delish pastries. Go early!’ Shona Read

‘Pavilion Café in Victoria Park: the delicious Sri Lankan breakfasts spice things up a bit!’ Ioanna Laskari

‘Palm Vaults, for rose and lavender lattes and algae smoothie bowls.’ Carolina Bateman

Best dinner

‘Morito on Hackney Road serves up serious North African/Spanish flavours.’ Marta Lucía

‘Little Georgia! A small Georgian restaurant with delicious food – and it’s BYOB.’ Ioanna Laskari

‘Pidgin has a superb set menu that changes every week.’ Annabel-Zoe Lung

‘Nest on Morning Lane has a seasonal set menu of about seven dishes. It’s all presented exquisitely and tastes amazing.’ Lizzie Williamson

‘Bright is wonderful: simple, beautiful food and a brilliant wine list.’ Shona O’Donnell

Best pub

‘The People’s Park Tavern is great for a Sunday pint with friends.’ Haley Weatherill

‘The Hemingway for a roast after a stroll in Victoria Park.’ Diana Turchi

‘The Pembury Tavern: a huge space with plenty of awesome Five Points beer.’ Lizzie Williamson

‘The Kenton – I love the quirky interior and colourful garden.’ Noni Papp

‘The Dove for good Belgian beer.’ Marta Lucía

Best bar

‘Kansas Smitty’s for a cocktail, Crate in Hackney Wick for beer and pizza, Sager + Wilde for wine lovers – and also for lovers, period.’ Marta Lucía

‘Scout serves up some of the most innovative and delicious cocktails in the city.’ Georgie Pursey

‘Behind This Wall is fantastic: knowledgeable servers and fantastic cocktails.’ Jonathan Boyle

Best place for fun

‘The Dolphin is the late-night place you inevitably end up at – oodles of fun.’ Marta Lucía

‘Moth Club is the best place to get drunk and dance till early morning!’ George Christodoulakis

Best thing to see

‘Netil360 on a summer afternoon for beautiful rooftop views of the city.’ Ioanna Laskari

‘The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities is one of the most peculiar museums in London – shrunken heads, taxidermy, skulls and erotica, hidden in the basement of a bar.’ George Christodoulakis

‘Sutton House: a restored Tudor manor house that’s really worth checking out!’ Iza Kawecka

Best place for a date

‘Paper Dress Vintage, a vintage clothes shop with a music venue upstairs. Brought a girl on a second date there to see a jazz band and we’re still going out two years later!’ Jonathan Boyle

Best street to walk down

‘In the past six months Bohemia Place has exploded with bars: Night Tales, St John at Hackney Brewery, The Experiment and now the new ABQ.’ Chris Evans

‘Broadway Market, especially on Saturdays when the market is on! It’s perfect for people-watching and you’ll see all types of Londoners, especially the creative ones. And it’s by far the best food market in London!’ Ioanna Laskari

Best green space

‘Whether you’re boating on the lake in spring, watching bands play at a music festival in the summer, seeing the amazing Bonfire Night fireworks display or having a walk around on a crisp winter’s morning, Victoria Park caters for all.’ Natalie Rose Thomas