Where to eat and drink beyond Central London
In London, the dining scene never sits still. With each new wave of restaurants, the city reasserts its place as a capital of gastronomic discovery. At the moment, all eyes are on Hackney—running from Haggerston through Dalston, and up to Stoke Newington—where the streets pulsate with a playful, almost rebellious spirit.
As in many gentrified neighborhoods, Hackney has embraced the natural wine movement—and with it, the rise of the small, shareable plate. This style of dining has only grown more popular, appreciated for the sense of community it brings. That ethos comes through in dishes meant for passing around the table, each one encouraging guests to share and sample.
From vinyl-listening bars to neo-bistros, these establishments keep menus lean, wine lists daring, and flavors inventive, reinterpreting everything from French and Italian staples to an ever-expanding range of global influences.
Little Duck the Picklery
Part-restaurant, part-wine bar, and part-fermenting kitchen, this Dalston Lane favorite has long charmed locals. A broad kitchen counter anchors the room, doubling as both stage and centerpiece, while wooden accents and organic textures lend a rustic elegance. The menu is deliberately simple and seasonal, built around ferments and biodynamic beverages, many of which are available to take home.
The best way to settle in is with bread and butter, joined by a plate of pickles and ferments—the house specialty. From there, flavors build gradually, moving into richer, creamier territory, made even better when paired with a glass of sparkling wine. A bowl of charred courgettes with tahini, cumin, and crispy shallots lends a fresh lift to the palate, while tagliolini with squid ragu and preserved tomatoes provides a warm, comforting finish.
Bianca’s
The team behind Casa Fofò—Hackney’s Michelin-starred gem—brings the same care to its neighborhood offshoot: Bianca’s. The kitchen prides itself on working closely with small-scale UK producers, shaping menus around seasonality and pouring wines with artisanal character. Inside, there’s an easy familiarity—warmth more akin to a friend’s flat than a formal dining room.
The menu at Bianca’s is confident and succinct. A flatbread topped with cured Tamworth pork and oregano stands as an opening statement: delicate but full of flavor. At the suggestion of the front of house, the signature hogget and cucumber doughnut follows, a playful bite that strikes just the right balance of sweet and savory.
As a main, the house curd bottoni with tomato and bottarga carries a comforting simplicity that echoes the intimate atmosphere of the space. Here, dessert is no afterthought: an ice cream of summer berries with cherry leaf mousse, understated yet memorable.
Bambi
Bambi in London Fields is a lively spot—a go-to for the weekend crowd. A music-led concept, it pairs an expansive record collection with a high-fidelity sound system that sets the tone. From Thursday through Saturday, DJs take over the decks, and night slips easily from dinner to drinks to dancing—transforming the restaurant into a full-on party.
In keeping up with the room’s energy, Bambi’s menu revels in bold, punchy flavors. Peri-peri prawns with black garlic aioli and lime deliver a fiery opener, while sea bass ceviche with jalapeño, red onion, and poppy seeds cuts through with citrus and spice.
For balance, a creamy roast mushroom orzo enriched with pecorino and egg yolk rounds out the meal. Aromatic and indulgent, it leaves a lasting impression.
Planque
For a slower pace and a touch of finesse, Planque offers a welcome retreat. Since its opening, this restaurant-cellar has emerged as an industry favorite, earning a loyal following among food and wine enthusiasts.
Just steps from Haggerston station, its arched entrance and cave-like interior invite intrigue, leading guests into a sweeping corridor defined by a long communal table. The menu reflects that same sensibility: deceptively simple yet executed with precision, paired with a wine list spanning rare and unusual bottles.
For dinner, particularly in the summer, the chilled melon soup with raw cream and trout roe makes for a notable introduction. Rich yet refreshing, it awakens the palate. A serving of house sourdough alongside proves the perfect companion. As the courses progress, beef tartare with pepper sauce and crisps—though simple in theory—commands attention, showcasing the kitchen’s technique. For the mains, the lobster rice stands apart with layered, resonant flavors that feel refined and familiar.
At Planque, the crescendo builds with intent, before closing on another of the restaurant’s signatures: Wigmore ice cream with meringue and bread caramel, a devilishly indulgent treat.
Goodbye Horses
The name alone sparks curiosity. Goodbye Horses, a discreet restaurant and wine bar tucked into residential De Beauvoir Town, has quickly become a place to see and be seen. With celebrities reportedly slipping through its doors, dinner reservations are increasingly hard to come by. The concept plays with anonymity—its social channels are all but bare—yet behind the low profile lies food and wine worth serious attention.
A plate of English peas with soft egg and tartare sauce, paired with sourdough and cultured butter, is a natural first choice—especially with a glass of wine in hand. Lobster and prawn on milk toast follow soon after, keeping the mood high and lively. Then, after bouts of wine and conversation, the crispy duck rice arrives. A standout of the menu, this dish is rooted in comfort, but with just enough nuance to keep it surprising.
As a final tip: just across the street sits The Dreamery, the sister of Goodbye Horses. Somewhere between a wine bar and an ice cream parlor, its whimsical, dreamlike interior draws locals in for an apéro. The by-the-glass list is tightly curated, promising to lift spirits from the first sip. On the sweeter side, ice cream flavors shift with the seasons—salted ricotta and blueberry, bittersweet orange—while timeless classics like malted milk and chocolate with olive oil remain as fixtures.
London’s scale can feel intimidating, but the city offers plenty beyond the usual Central haunts. A meal or two on this side of town more than makes the detour worthwhile.
