Restaurant Reviews

52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BS

This is Sally Abé's first solo restaurant, bringing modern British cooking to Hackney. Following stints at The Pem and The Bull at Charlbury, she focuses here on celebrating British food, its history and community, while championing women and good causes. The menu features dishes like Dorset crab royale, haunch of deer with pickled walnuts, and Cornish mussels with Jersey Royals. Look out for the £1 “Penny Lick” ice cream supporting Hackney Food Bank.

47 Newington Green, Newington Green, London N16 9PX

Bar Etna brings serious pizza hype to Newington Green, pairing Four Legs’ Ed McIlroy with Philadelphia legend Joe Beddia (Pizzeria Beddia). Expect Beddia’s cult US-style pies, with McIlroy’s seasonal, ingredient-led approach shaping toppings. As much a bar as a pizzeria, the drinks lean Italian with spritzes, negronis on tap and low-intervention wines.

79 Green Lanes, London N16 9BU

After leaving London Fields, the team behind Papi opened their pub, The Golden Tooth, taking over The Leconfield just north of Newington Green. Chef Matthew Scott and wine merchant Charlie Carr split the space between pub and restaurant. The main menu focuses on grilled meats, chops and pies, plus dishes like veal sweetbread saltimbocca. Wines come from Carr’s Wingnut Wines, leaning low-intervention, alongside Guinness, of course.

1 Thomas Tower, Dalston Square, Greater London, E8 3GU

After a successful pop-up at The Langham, chef Dom Taylor took his Caribbean restaurant to Dalston as a permanent restaurant. Here, he's showcasing modern interpretations of Caribbean cuisine, also inspired by the memories of his childhood. That means dishes like a plantain and aubergine fritter or a crispy banana blossom coconut curry. And as for the drinks, his rum punch is a must.