Harden's says
The first solo restaurant from Andy Beynon, previously Jason Atherton's development chef. Behind is a chef's table restaurant - all 18 seats overlook the kitchen - and will serve an eight-course tasting menu focused on sustainable seafood. Next door there's also a wine bar and bottle shop.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Hackney’s newest foodie hotspot doesn’t disappoint” and “the passionate commitment of all involved shines through” at Andy Benyon’s year-old 18-seater, near London Fields. “Very friendly chefs serve you personally” at a counter overlooking the kitchen “allowing a view of the preparation of each course (it’s a bit like dining on the set of an episode of MasterChef: The Professionals)”. The focus is on fish and seafood, and “a succession of elegantly prepared dishes bring complex flavours to some of the most sustainable species on the market”, all adding up to a “superb” overall meal. Given its high quality, it’s not an overpriced venue at all: “you get amazing value on top of an amazing experience!”
Summary
“You can see why this won a Michelin star in 20 days” – Andy Beynon’s Hackney newcomer set a new record when it opened in October 2020, a short stroll from London Fields. Previously Jason Atherton’s development chef, his stylish, industrial-ish space is focused on a chef’s table with all 18 seats overlooking the kitchen: “a great place to get up and personal with the chefs”. “Watching the chefs put together the dishes is a pleasure given their quiet, efficient and impressively clean-cut working practices”; and the main man himself comes over as being very “approachable and personable”. From your perch, you sample a 12-course tasting menu focused on sustainable seafood. “Andy is seriously knowledgeable about fish cookery and delivers brilliant fish dishes and accompanying wines over the many courses”, and all at “a reasonable price”. Next door is a wine bar and bottle shop.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Behind?
Restaurant details
Behind Restaurant Diner Reviews

"Went for lunch. Excellent food. Loved the concept of no menu and all customers served at the same time. "

"Wow! Best meal since Cornerstone which is sort of similar. A young place with only 3 staff who do everything from greeting to explanation to cooking up to departure. Being new they are super keen and far from weary, jaded or sitting on their laurels. Only some 24 seats at most, they seat you at a horseshoe bar facing the kitchen in parties separated by a space. 2 tables, one for 4 another for 6 would suit larger parties. No menu and no choice but they ask if you dislike anything and act. We said we disliked pork (and had put it on the reservation when requested) they said there was some pork but we would not have it. In fact, we think they may have changed the menu for everyone as we saw no pork at all, only lots of fish. We had a six course lunch with starts with small dishes and you wonder if there is going to be enough after the first 2 courses of a pike mousse and mussel on muffin (signature) . Fear not the next two were larger with side dishes - crab bone soup, sardine on Melba etc. but not too much so by the end all is perfect. We had an extra course of cheese and almond plum tart as we could not bear to stop! Inventive and entertaining. We would love to go back but fear that with this quality getting in might prove hard or the prices will go through the roof."

"Dalston near London Fields. Just received Michelin star after only 8 week open. 18 at chef's table. Very friendly chef's serve you personally. "
Prices
![]() |
|
---|---|
Wine per bottle | £68.00 |
Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
![]() |
|
---|---|
Bread | £0.00 |
Service | 10.00% |
20 Sidworth Street, London, E8 3SD
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Sunday | CLOSED |
Best Fish & seafood restaurants nearby
Fish & seafood restaurant in Haggerston
Fish & seafood restaurant in Hackney Wick
Fish & seafood restaurant in City
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Traditional restaurant in Hackney
International restaurant in Hackney
British, Modern restaurant in Old Street