Restaurants

Arrive early enough at the weekend and you can enjoy a peaceful, supremely laid-back breakfast before, come late-morning, groups of young Hackneyites become penned in by herds of baby buggies. Even then, escape is easy. Just wander out into the yard and you’ll see why the kids are beside themselves with excitement at the sight of ducks, rabbits, chinchillas and grumpy pigs at petting distance. The café is cosy and fittingly rustic – colanders and cheese graters make fun lampshades, there are Astroturf seats for kids to play on, and in warmer weather you can take your meal into the garden. For breakfast, try the addictive sweet-and-savoury combo of maple syrup-doused waffles with bacon, or a vegetarian plate of farm eggs, roasted tomatoes and hash browns, all chased down with bargain 85p tea. A changing blackboard menu offers hearty Italian main courses such as pappardelle with pheasant ragù, and the easy-on-the-palate children’s menu includes the likes of pasta with cheese and tomato sauce. Save room for a scoop or two of gelato and you’ll leave content as a calf in clover.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009