A revamp for Dalston’s kings of kofte has seen this classic Turkish grillhouse embrace high-end cuisine. The clientele remains largely the same as before, and the food – which was always great – more refined, but still indulgent. There’s oily, palm-sized sourdough pide and cull yaw kofte, a meaty nod to Mangal II’s menu of old, accessorised with a sweet splodge of grilled apple.
Dalston may be known for its buzzing bars and thriving nightlife, but its dining-out scene is just as thrilling. The area boasts killer kebabs – thanks to several of London’s best Turkish restaurants – alongside global cuisine and tons of excellent cafés serving up mouthwatering and hangover-curing breakfasts. From Angelina (a chic Italo-Japanese mash-up) and the Littleduck Picklery (a ‘fermenting kitchen’ related to Ducksoup) to Dusty Knuckle Bakery, Violet (another laid-back bakery), and trendy daytime spot Snackbar, there's something for everyone. Try reliable old faves: Andu Café (Ethiopian, vegan and BYO) and Del 74 (a garish, grungy Mexican bar/taqueria) if you don't know where to start your culinary quest.
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Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.