London Dalston Restaurant Guide

A short stroll from Hackney Downs station, this year-old sibling to Ducksoup operates as a ‘fermenting kitchen and eatery’ (and you can buy the results by the gram or bottled as part of their The Picklery range). It also operates as a kitchen from breakfast on, serving a short menu, which varies throughout the day (you might have squid risotto, or steak in the evening); and it’s later in the day that its “great list of natural wines” comes to the fore. “It feels very relaxed, serves lots of pickled stuff and the food’s all good: it’s a bit like going around to a friend’s house, who’s a very good cook and has a lot of very nice wine”.

“Massive flavours, great vibe” and the “best chicken wings tasted in a long time” (#nextlevel) add up to “heaven in a chintzy, porcelain bowl”, say fans of this “great value” concept based in Haggerston, now with branches in Covent Garden and Islington. “It’s not just about the chicken – yes, it’s mega-crispy and yes, it’s super-juicy, but what sets Chick ‘n’ Sours apart are the garnishes, sides and sauces” – many of them Asian-inspired, such as “the yummy, smashed, spicy, peanuty, cucumber side”.

“A bakery in an old car park in Dalston which gives apprenticeships to troubled 16-25 year olds: delicious seeded sourdoughs and focaccia are both made into the most outrageous and amazing sandwiches”.

“Still the best Turkish BBQ in town”, say fans of the original Mangal grill that put Dalston on the carnivore’s map. “I’ve been coming here for over 20 years and it’s still one of my all-time favourite restaurants. Never fails with great food and excellent service”. BYO helps keep the costs down.

Willesden burger bar branches out to Dalston with a second burger and craft beer joint.

2018 Review: “Authentic tasting pho” wins limited but positive feedback for these modern Vietnamese noodle cafés, in Dalston and Finsbury Park.

This seasonal cafe on the Haggerston canalside can be found (between spring and autumn) under the Whitmore Bridge near De Beauvoir Town.