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[title]Ah, Hackney: home to a buzzing creative scene, endless independent restaurants, bakeries and bars, and a sense of identity so strong it spawned its own dedicated meme page (IYKYK). But the borough is also a place of community and shared culture. Just ask Leena, a Hackney resident whose lived in the borough for over a decade.
“It's a little bit of a cliche, but Hackney really is the definition of a cultural melting pot,” she says, “So many people live side-by-side, and that’s reflected in the kind of shops, restaurants, bars and events around the area. I always say you could quite easily get anything you need – amazing Caribbean food, a one-of-a-kind vinyl record or, quite literally, a kitchen sink – without having to step foot outside the borough.
“There’s a real sense of community here too: the run clubs that meet in Victoria Park, the audiences of up-and-coming bands playing live music venues like The Shacklewell Arms, the incredible crafters that sell their creations at the monthly Makers Market at Abney Hall. On a more macro level, I see that community feel in the Save Ridley Road campaign, which has brought people from all across the borough together to keep the iconic Ridley Road Market from closure.
“The queer community is important to Hackney too. In part that's because of iconic nightlife venues like Dalston Superstore and The Queen Adelaide. Places like The Common Press bookshop provide essential community hubs too.”
Here, Leena shares everything else she loves about Hackney – but beware, it might just make you want to call it home yourself.
Where to eat
“Hackney is the undisputed home of small plates and natural wine. Bambi, Angelina and Lardo are all great, not to mention the original and best: Brawn,” says Leena.
“There are loads of neighbourhood restaurants that offer something special, too. Campania is a date-night Italian in a cute little courtyard just off Columbia Road. If you like lasagne, you must go to Tom’s Pasta. You get a huge slab topped with a proper pile of parmesan. For a posh Sunday roast, head to The Marksman. And for brunch, I always recommend Towpath Café. It’s nestled along the canal with a menu of breakfast classics – eggs, toast and that kind of thing – as well as more unique, seasonal dishes.
“‘Phở Mile’ along Kingsland Road is great for Vietnamese – all of the restaurants along this stretch are good and lots of them are BYOB. Song Que is probably my favourite. Mangal 1 is a proper institution: exceptionally good, no frills kebabs, although you’ll need to be up for queuing on the weekends as there are no reservations. Down the road, there’s Mangal 2 which was founded by the same family. It’s definitely a bit more upmarket – the kind of place you’d take your parents when they’re in town.
“Hackney’s bakeries are legendary for good reason: E5 Bakehouse, Bake Street and Dusty Knuckle are my favourites.”
Where to drink
“The Auld Shillelagh is a legendary Irish pub with a great beer garden and excellent Guinness. It can get busy on the weekends but it's always a fun night. The Chesham Arms is a proper local tucked down a Homerton backstreet. Beside the canal is The Anchor & Hope – sit outside for a pitstop on a long weekend walk.
“If you’re more into bars than pubs, you’re spoiled for choice in Hackney. Charli XCX had her wedding at Ellie’s – and it's every bit as cool as you might imagine, with £8 martinis all day and night. La Camionera is fun, sexy and one of the only dedicated lesbian bars in the whole of London. They host loads of fun events like speed dating and crafting nights. For a relaxed afternoon drink, I like Grow, a greenery-filled spot by the water in Hackney Wick with live jazz throughout the summer.
“There’s a little stretch of Mare Street dedicated to dive bars, which is a fun evening out. Start at Rasputin’s for a delicious martini and a sandwich from Dom’s Subs. Next door is a heavy metal bar called Helgi’s (more welcoming than it might sound!). If you’re feeling daring, order the Hurricane Shot (I won’t spoil the surprise about what it entails!).”
Where to explore
“Columbia Road’s flower market is really special,” says Leena, “It gets crowded though, so it's best to head down early-doors – or late, when you’ll score the best deals. Stoke Newington’s Church Street is reliable for gifts with loads of cute independent stores to explore. If you’re willing to spend some time rummaging, the charity shops of Mare Street always produce some gems. The nearby Atlantis Records is a proper crate-digger’s paradise too.
“You’re spoiled rotten in Hackney when it comes to outdoor spaces and greenery – Victoria Park, London Fields, Hackney Marshes and all the canals. Then there’s Hackney City Farm – time your visit with the arrival of new piglets, if you can!”
“There’s plenty of other stuff to do, too. I try to get to the Community Sauna in Hackney Wick as much as I can. It’s a great initiative, which supports underprivileged groups around the borough. Rio Cinema is independent and steeped in history with interesting screenings, festivals and Q&A sessions. Finally, MOTH Club: the ex-working men’s club has something for everyone and is a real institution of culture, music and comedy. My personal favourite club night is For the Love of Pop – it does what it says on the tin!”
Where to live
Want to benefit from everything Hackney has without the eyewatering prices? Through multiple routes, Southern Housing New Homes makes getting on the ladder easier for those who want to buy a new place in Hackney Wick. One such route is Shared Ownership, which lets you buy a share of a home with a deposit and mortgage based on the share you buy, while paying rent on the rest. It can be a more accessible way to find a home locally without needing to buy the whole thing upfront. Enter Wickside, a new collection of shared-ownership homes. Starting from just £120,625 for a 25% share, the homes are designed to feel lived-in and connected, while sitting alongside creative workspaces with scope for local businesses down the line. It's the kind of place where you can grab a coffee nearby, walk along the canal on a Sunday morning, work from home during the week and still feel like there's a buzz around you.
Elsewhere, Southern Housing offers additional routes to buying a home, including London Living Rent with below-market rents to help Londoners work towards home ownership, and Open Market Sale, the 'traditional route' to buying at full market value. Shared Ownership resales are also available, giving buyers the opportunity to purchase an existing Shared Ownership home from its current owner with availability varying by location and changing as homes come onto the market.
Whichever option you go for, Southern Housing New Homes is there every step of the way, from providing advice to help you secure a place to offering support after moving in. Now that's a reassuring start to life in Hackney.
Find your new home in Hackney with Southern Housing.