BRUNCH IN HACKNEY
PLACES WORTHY OF YOUR ££
Options aren’t the problem when hunting for a Hackney brunch spot, it’s choosing one. As Hackney residents at the time of writing, we’ve sifted through our favourites and landed on the below. From a church space that redefines Sunday Service to a sensational Spanish joint, Hackney’s got something for ya.
Let us know what you made of them or if we need to visit somewhere.
Also check out our guide to our favourite Hackney cafés.
Dusty Knuckle
EAST LONDON KINGS
DALSTON
Dusty Knuckle needs no introduction. What started off in a shipping container has become one of East London’s most loved café and brunch brands. Sounds like bull but it’s not – Londoners are au fait with DK and there’s a reason why.
Its Dalston location pays homage to its humble shipping container beginnings – it’s in the same site where it all began. It has kept its urban-industrial-like feel and it’s pure East London.
Let’s talk food: take your pick from a menu that includes sarnies on their renowned crusted potato sourdoughs (they’re enormous), salads, homemade granola, as well as an ever-changing lineup that has included Peri Peri Chicken sandwiches, cannellini soup, a cheddar and onion chutney toastie and far, far more. After something lighter? Don’t fret. This is where delicate pasties and glossy buns reign. So many choices, not enough stomach space.
Heads up: they don’t take bookings, so be prepared to wait a bit – though the turnover for outdoor seating is pretty rapid.
The London Butler tip: There’s very limited inside seating. It’s more an outdoor affair with hundreds of seats up for grabs, so do bear that in mind. It’s covered, mind you!
Abbot St, E8 3DP; Dusty Knuckle
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Bad Manners
MEXICAN FLAVOURS. STANDOUT COFFEE.
LOWER CLAPTON
Think out of the box – or rather, out of the church. Bad Manners isn’t your typical brunch spot: it’s nestled amidst the gardens of St John at Hackney church, eschews the usual and embraces al fresco, serves Mexican cuisine, and says a big f*** you to bog-standard brunch joints. It’s great to see.
Focusing on two things – Mexican cuisine and specialty coffee – Bad Manners whittles its offerings down to a small, punchy menu. Expect the likes of of tacos (egg and bean is a must) and loaded burritos (brisket takes the crown). I love places that serve a small number of things – it means each dish has to shine, and shine they do. Every ingredient serves a purpose. There’s no superfluous crap on the side. No fluff, no fillers – just pure, unadulterated flavour that’ll have you coming for brunch time and time again.
As we mentioned, coffee is king at The Quarter Kitchen. The house blend hails from Origin, and there’s a rotating roster of guest roasters that have included Skylark, Crankhouse, and most recently, Dak Coffee. We’ve never had a bad coffee here. In fact, let’s flip it: we’ve always had great coffee here – and that’s a rare feat.
Keep in mind, this is an outdoor-only deal. If the weather’s warm, this should be high up on your list.
NOTE ON 19/01/25: Bad Manners are moving location. The current site is becoming a test kitchen and they’ll no longer be serving coffee. We’ll update this entry once we have more info!
St John at Hackney Churchyard, E5 0PD
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215 Hackney
MIDDLE EAST MEETS EAST LONDON
SPECIAL SHOUTOUT
More Stoke Newington than Hackney, but it’s got Hackney in the name and is well worth a shoutout: get yourself to 215 Hackney.
Set up by two Middle-Eastern pals turned long-time Hackney locals, The space serves Middle Eastern-style brunch with an East London edge. What does this mean in practice? Tel-Aviv street grub, Palestinian brekkies, Syrian platters, and cakes that’ll make East Londoners proud.
If you’re new to this food scene, expect absolutely banging shakshukas, a stunning Sabich (that’s an Israeli/Iraqi sandwich with shakshuka-style veg, eggplants, eggs, tahini, and more), pillowy pittas across a range of dishes, Jerusalem bagels, and, for those of you who can’t resist, good ol’ English breakfasts (dubbed ‘Hackney Feasts’ here).
The food is fantastic. Seriously. Plenty of veggie and vegan options. And they’ve got some beaut pastries, muffins, and disgustingly good vegan doughnuts if that tickles your fancy.
The space itself is peppered with books – in fact, each wall-side table sports shelves above where you can grab a book and read, sip on some AllPress-roasted coffee, and take a break from the everyday.
It’s the kind of place that, once you’ve visited, makes you feel like you’re in the know; that you’re in with the locals. I guess it’s because it feels like a proper hub of community and conversation. It’s not tryhard; it’s proper East London, in the best possible way. We love it.
The London Butler tip: The guys prioritise local ingredients – hyperlocal, in fact. Their fruit & veg supplier is a mere two doors down and their fishmonger is on Stoke Newington High Street. They also donate 20% of their profits to War Child.
215 Stoke Newington High St, N16 0LH; 215 Hackney
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Broadway Market
A SATURDAY BRUNCH FOR EVERYONE
LONDON FIELDS
It’s hard choosing a spot for brunch, particularly in this part of town. If you’re anything like me, choice isn’t always a good thing. I prefer fewer options. I only end up convincing myself the grass is greener in another café as I get served a dollop of FOMO. AND, if there’s a group of you, some ungrateful bugger is bound to display apathy towards your pick.
The point I’m trying to get at, in the longest possible way, is if you relate at all to this, Broadway Market is the way to go.
There’s a trader for every taste, dietary requirement and hunger level. Fancy some hog roast? Sorted. Indian street food? Yep. Banh Mi? You got it. Jackfruit buns? You know the drill by now. There’s an abundance of artisan coffee stalls, juices, and alike, but I’ve got to shout out the Masala Chai from Amala Chai: it’s a thing of beauty.
There’s a beautiful darwinism to Broadway Market – if you’re selling crap food, you’re not going to be around for long, leaving only the good stuff for Saturday brunchers.
Best of all, London Fields is right next door. So if the weather’s looking decent, grab some food, head to the park and enjoy Saturday brunch a little differently this time around.
The London Butler tip: Saturday’s the day. Oh, and is a really great option for those on a budget.
Broadway Market, E8 4PH; Broadway Market
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El Ganso
A SLICE OF SPAIN IN HACKNEY
LONDON FIELDS
Talking of Broadway Market, there’s a neat little Spanish café I want to tell you about. It’s called El Ganso.
We’ve been a few times now, and even on a busy Saturday service, the staff make sure you feel at home. Scrap that, their home. It feels like a Spanish mate has got you round to experience authentic Spanish hospitality. It’s genuinely fantastic.
Let’s start with drinks. As we’re talking brunch, coffee. They use Square Mile. If you’re not familiar with Square Mile, it’s James Hoffman’s roastery. If you’re unfamiliar with James Hoffman, then just accept it’s good coffee.
As for the menu, it’s a mix of brunch staples and tapas. I’ve had the shakshuka, pancakes and english breakfast on different occasions and have left feeling satisfied every single time. I’d say the shakshuka has been my fav so far. I’m yet to try the tapas but will update soon.
All in all, this is a fantastic spot for a Hackney brunch. It’s got a great atmosphere, menu and very decent people. The sourdough is baked from e5, just around the corner, and the hospitality comes all the way from Spain. You can’t ask for much more than that.
59 Broadway Market, E8 4PH; El Ganso
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Barge East Gardens
*OUR PICK FOR BOTTOMLESS*
HACKNEY WICK
Londoners love a boat. Tbf, most get excited by the sight of a mere pedalo. I think it’s because we’re a landlocked city and, as is human nature, we’re always pining for what’s out of reach. “The grass isn’t always greener” and all that – well, turns out it is, as Barge East has one beaut of a garden space sitting alongside the old girl herself. Alas, we find ourselves outside, soaking in the sun, amidst flowerbeds and homegrown veggies, with views across the River Lea and Olympic Stadium.
Barge East Gardens offers street food – think succulent burgers (our fav: braised beef in master stock sauce with sriracha mayo), falafel patties, and buttermilk chicken salads, alongside a raft of indulgent sides like maple-glazed chicken wings, loaded fries, creamy burrata, Padron peppers, among many others. Oh, and artichoke hearts – if you didn’t know you were in East London, that’ll sure give it away.
As we mentioned, this is our Hackney bottomless brunch champ. Come on a Saturday and bag 90 minutes of unlimited beer or bubbles for an additional £25p/p on top of your street food picks.
The London Butler tip: For those wanting something a little fancier, the barge is your gal. Book ahead for a lunch that has been awarded AA Rosettes for ‘Culinary Excellence’.
Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Ln, E9 5EN; Barge East
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Let us know if you’ve visited any of these Hackney brunch spots via the comments below.
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After more Hackney tips? We’ve got a resident’s guide to the best pubs in the area. Wanting to burn off the brunch cals? We’ve written about our favourite Hackney gyms, as well as the best spot to get a massage. And if you’re only after caffeine and something light, check out our group’s go-to cafés.
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