Best Restaurants In Dalston

As one of the best Dalston restaurants, this cool and stylish eatery is housed in an old Victorian textiles factory. Staying true to its roots, its interiors have remained industrial, with a nod to post-war Danish design. If that hasn't set Jones & Sons apart from the rest, then feast your eyes on its menu, boasting local ingredients like meat from Well Street Butchers. Not only does it dish out a cracking Sunday roast, but it also serves a mix of small and large plates, ideal for sharing. Think steak tartare with egg yolk and caviar, seared scallops alongside an oyster emulsion and more. 

KRAFT Dalston is one of the top dining destinations on our list; perfect for networking during the day and feasting with friends at night, this restaurant ticks all the boxes. Underneath a glass roof, you'll find two floors sporting pretty pink chairs, dangling plants and modern, clean interiors that are aesthetically pleasing. There's even an outdoor terrace that sees revellers flock to it as soon as the weather warms up. Not only does the venue knock up scrumptious Latin American and Japanese cuisine, but it also slings out fresh German pints brewed on-site and cocktails to boot. Pair the salmon tostadas with a spicy margarita, or tuck into the likes of beef Colombian empanadas and miso aubergine on cassava cheese flatbread.

Chick 'n' Sours should be your next pitstop if you're searching for Dalston restaurants for lunch that don't skimp on quality. Founders Carl and David met a Latitidue Festival and then embarked on a culinary journey via pop-ups to ultimately launch venues serving next-level chicken. They're best known for delivering an entire fried bird when given 48-hours notice. For £38 each, the chunky chic is served with two sides and a dressing of your choice. Other menu highlights include fried sandwiches like the K-Pop (£13) or the Soul Destroyer (£14), the latter of which is smothered in a Korean gochujang glaze, then topped with a smoky cheese sauce, sriracha sour cream and kimchi.

Pidgin is a Michelin-recommended neighbourhood restaurant that makes sure you never eat the same thing twice, thanks to its weekly changing menu. It began in 2015 as a four-course tasting experience and while the Hackney venue grows in popularity, its size remains as intimate as always, making it ideal for date night. The eatery recommends setting an hour aside to devour all the courses prepared, and past inclusions have been asparagus with smoked eel and sheep yoghurt, plus lemon sole in a green chilli butter sauce.

Oren Dalston has been bringing Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates to Shacklewell Lane in the form of a neighbourhood restaurant bar since 2019. There's also a delicatessen and a cookbook from founder Oded Oren, which you use to make some of the tantalising dishes at home. Settle down here among concrete walls, beams and intimate, industrial lighting for a menu featuring homely plates of food. Think barbequed hispi cabbage with romesco, green salsify drizzled in honey and crispy red mullet featuring tangy notes of green tahini. 

No one does BBQ food better than Acme Fire Cult, the live-fire concept from chefs Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins. Housed in an outdoor heated courtyard, it has a laid-back feel and there's something for everyone on the food and drinks menu. Think meaty mains like smoked lamb shoulder and a huge selection of plant-based plates coming hot off the grill, plus fresh pints from 40FT Brewery (which shares its home) and classic cocktails including negronis and margaritas. Your experience will be topped off with non-stop tunes bringing the party atmosphere.

Slick white lines and marble countertops give Angelina a chic but approachable appeal, as diners head here for a five-star experience that challenges the norms of food cultures. If you're hunting for either Japanese or Italian restaurants in Dalston, you'll find both cuisines here, fused to create an innovative selection of dishes courtesy of head chef Usman. The menu is an interpretation of a Kaiseki, referring to the Japanese multi-course meals originating in Kyoto that took place before tea ceremonies. You'll devour everything from binchotan (lamb, carrot and daikon) to antipasti like polenta with smoked eel and gari, washed down by sake.

When it comes to Dalston restaurants, Turkish eateries rule the streets and one of the best is Mangal ll, offering a classy dining experience in the east. Run by founder Ali Dirik's sons, Ferhat and Sertac, the restaurant serves traditional and modern cuisine. Inside you'll find authentic art hanging up and dark blue panelling below white-washed walls, giving it a contemporary feel. Here you'll be able to devour seasonal plates such as börek with beyaz peynir and fermented parsley (£12), grilled bream with bulgar wheat, pistachios and mulberries (£24), plus decadent desserts like tahini and apple tart, topped off by a dollop of mahlep cream (£9.50).

Whether you're vegan or not, Mildreds in Dalston Square is home to some of the most delicious plant-based food in the capital. This bright dining room lets natural light pour in over a spacious seating area thanks to its towering glass walls. One of many outposts across the city, it prides itself on exceptional cuisine made with fresh ingredients. Visit for lunch to feast on small plates like harissa patatas bravas (£6.50) and spinach gyozas with daikon pickles (£8), wolf down a sausage and sauerkraut bun (£16) or hit up this spot on the weekend for brunch to devour banana Biscoff pancakes (£12.50). 

The Dusty Knuckle Bakery started life in a 40ft shipping container and has now been set up permanently in a converted Dalston car park. Co-founded by Daisy Terry, Rebecca Oliver and Max Tobias, it was born to support underprivileged young people looking for work and has gone on to sling out some of the best sandwiches in the business that sell out daily. Insta-worthy fillings have included smashed cucumber with a labneh and walnut sauce, plus beef birria. Swing by this quirky spot for breakfast, lunch and even dinner if you've got a hankering for a sourdough pizza, topped with the likes of buffalo mozzarella or parma ham. 

Little Duck The Picklery is one of the top Dalston restaurants (and a gorgeous natural wine bar), sandwiched between a row of eclectic shops. It's not only a sophisticated dining spot, adorned with rich teal brick walls and dainty wooden tables topped by clay bowls and candle holders, but it's also a fermenting kitchen. The menu changes frequently and showcases the inhouse pickles which are available to purchase if you wish to top your dishes with the good stuff at home. Pull up a chair at the centrepiece kitchen counter, sip on biodynamic wines and get your chops around purple sprouting broccoli or lemon sole with pink firs and then, to finish, stuffed chocolate dates.

Restaurants in Dalston Kingsland don't come more date night-ready than Brilliant Corners, a Japanese joint fitted with glowing orbs for lights, spherical tables and a sleek bar. Taking its name from Thelonious Monk's iconic jazz album, it's no wonder the music here is impressive, with an expansive record library and live performances. The menu is inspired by izakaya and takes the shape of a five-course affair, tailoring for pescatarians and vegans too. Dishes include salmon, tuna and yellowtail nigiri, chicken karaage, plus tartare with ponzu, tobiko and chives.

Voodoo Ray's in Dalston is slinging out some of the best American-style pizzas by the slice. It can't be missed thanks to its glowing neon signage that can be spotted a mile off as you wander up Kingsland High Street. It's open seven days a week, meaning you can tuck into doughy delights such as the Green Velvet (artichoke hearts, green olives, sunblush tomatoes) or Porky's (Cumberland sausage, stilton) anytime you like. Pair your food with cheesy garlic bread, mac 'n' cheese, and the most delicious craft lagers, or get stuck into one of their signature iced teas. 

Del74 Dalston, having made its way over after success in Clapham, has staked its claim on the area as a great place for unbelievable tacos and tequila. It's a tropical hotspot complete with bright, multi-coloured cushions and shabby-chic brickwork in contrast to the sleek, tiled bar slinging out Mexican fare. Not only is there a £3 taco happy hour between 5pm and 6.30pm (from Wednesday to Friday), which is perfect for an affordable after-work dinner, but there are different flavoured margaritas and bottomless brunches come the weekend too. Munch on tortillas topped with braised leg of pork and pickled onions, plus cauliflower crackling or chipotle chilli.

Got brunch on your mind? Then you'll love Hash E8, a modern greasy spoon that's one of the best places to eat in Dalston if you're looking for a hearty breakfast. The quirky, rustic venue prides itself on curing hangovers and serving up a variety of scrumptious dishes that'll have your tummy jumping for joy first thing in the morning. The menu is always changing, but one thing you can be sure of is that you'll get your helping of eggs, be them in a sweet potato and chorizo hash or whisked and stacked up to become white chocolate pancakes. Whether you've got a sweet tooth or not, this neighbourhood restaurant is only a moments walk from Hackney Downs and will do more than just the job.