Alfresco in Hackney - your guide to eating (and drinking) outside
As the sun comes out a little more we know just the spots to enjoy some alfresco dining.
Our top-12 list includes two stunning canal-side cafes/bars, a spectacular rooftop bar, the taproom of two popular breweries, a fantastic Italian restaurant with a secret courtyard garden, an East London bakery and some fabulous places to soak up the hubbub of a busy high street and people-watch.
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Here are some of our favourite outside dining spots... in no particular order:
This stylish bar & restaurant has recently opened up a new rooftop bar with awesome views over London. The beer couldn't be fresher as it's brewed on-site with the added benefit of reducing its CO2 footprint by around 75%. They also serve stunning cocktails! Local Buyers Club members save 20%.
La Rosetta, N16.
This family-run restaurant on Stoke Newington Church St serves delicious pizza and has a really pretty garden. Locals rave about this place - the food is first class and there’s a warmth, cosiness and friendliness to this place that’s hard to beat. Local Buyers Club members save 20% Mon-Thurs and 10% Fri-Sun.
The Snapery East (formerly The Bread Station)
Wonderful bakery and cafe in the heart of London Fields. All loaves are made with Wildfarmed flour which uses farming practices that put soil health first. You can watch the bakers at work from the café while enjoying breads and pastries, healthy breakfasts and delicious lunches! They serve delicious breakfasts and lunches and have a good-sized garden suitable rain or shine! Local Buyers Club members save 10%.
With stunning views of the canal and a gorgeous, welcoming vibe, this funky cafe-bar hugs the Hackney Wick end of the Hertford Canal. They serve great Hackney Brewery beers, Pieminister Pie & Mash and host loads of events. Savings offered to Local Buyers Club members.
Few places can be cooler than this canal-side creative space, bar and kitchen in Hackney Wick. The menu includes Middle Eastern cuisine, with treats such as Wild Garlic Hummus, Aubergine and Coconut Dahl and Mezze bowls, Throughout the summer they're hosting a fab series of events from drumming workshops to live jazz!
40FT Brewery, Dalston
This neighbourhood taproom in Abbot Street has outdoor seating for 150 people and is now fully covered! Following a large number of no-shows last year (2020), they've decided to keep the space open for walk-ins only! Sit back and sip home-brewed beer in this super cool space!
This Victoria Park boozer was voted one of the best beer gardens in London by the Evening Standard and Time Out magazine. It has cosy little cabins, which are sheltered from the elements in case of a spring shower. And, in response to the pandemic, they've added many more covered areas!
This independent pub opposite Clissold Park has seen a big transformation in recent years. The garden is a fantastic and large space with picnic tables and umbrellas and a lounging area with fake grass and beanbags.
This sprawling garden has been tended with care and eating here feels a little like visiting your favourite aunty in the country. It's buzzing with wildlife and a stunningly well-loved community space. Food includes homemade bread and soup, woodfired pizzas and amazing cakes.
This Mexican restaurant in the heart of Hackney is getting well-deserved five star reviews. Locals rave about their fish tacos and the marinated grilled octopus. The chefs take a playful and creative approach to the menu here, combining centuries-old cooking methods with a more modern, experimental approach to create something wonderful. Their garden is really lovely, particulary in the evening when it's prettily lit with fairy lights! Savings offered to Local Buyers Club members here.
Nestled beside the Railway Arches just off Morning Lane this fantastic taproom is buzzing and they have a fab outside space. They serve their own scrumptious beers and sourdough pizza too! Local Buyers Club members save 10% here.
Based at Netil House, this place has a terrace to make you smile! Palm Greens is a plant-based fresh and seasonal salad bar & café. Their food is made from scratch using whole ingredients, packed with flavour and rich in nutrients. Book ahead!
Other firm local favourites for outside dining include Stoke Newington's Green Room Cafe, The Prince and The Red Lion, Broadway Market's The Cat & Mutton, Victoria Park's Pub on the Park and Lahpet in Shoreditch.
Or head to Broadway Market, pick up some locally made delicacies and enjoy a picnic in London Fields. Loads of savings for Local Buyers Club members. (More info here)
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We're on a mission to help you discover & support the best independent businesses in London.
Members benefit from savings and perks at hundreds of fantastic restaurants, shops, bars and businesses throughout London. We help promote them and raise awareness of the advantages of shopping locally. We also organise and support community initiatives. The Local Buyers Club is more than just a discount card - we're London's shop-local club.
Join Local Buyers Club and, for just £14.99 per year, you'll be helping to support local business and you'll receive a discount card to use at any of the hundreds of businesses listed on the site.
Find out how it works and join the club here
