Guidebook for London
Sightseeing
The River Lea runs through the Hackney marshes and a walk by the canal, full of multi-coloured house boats, is one of the best things about living in this neck of the woods. It never gets as busy as London Fields, Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath, has the advantage of a huge open green space full of flowers and offers quite a few different walks – stay by the river, head off to explore the filter beds, get as close as you can to the Olympic Park or stop at one of the riverside pubs.
22 locals recommend
River Lea
The River Lea runs through the Hackney marshes and a walk by the canal, full of multi-coloured house boats, is one of the best things about living in this neck of the woods. It never gets as busy as London Fields, Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath, has the advantage of a huge open green space full of flowers and offers quite a few different walks – stay by the river, head off to explore the filter beds, get as close as you can to the Olympic Park or stop at one of the riverside pubs.
Drinks & Nightlife
Restored, bright joint serving local real ale and pub meals, with beer garden and ping-pong table.
107 locals recommend
The Crooked Billet
84 Upper Clapton RdRestored, bright joint serving local real ale and pub meals, with beer garden and ping-pong table.
Massive venue with a stylishly downtrodden feel, a terrace and a range of hard-to-find craft beers.
159 locals recommend
The Clapton Hart
231 Lower Clapton RdMassive venue with a stylishly downtrodden feel, a terrace and a range of hard-to-find craft beers.
Weekend DJs, a courtyard garden and stone-baked pizzas make this trendy pub popular with locals.
10 locals recommend
Royal Sovereign
64 Northwold RdWeekend DJs, a courtyard garden and stone-baked pizzas make this trendy pub popular with locals.
Food Scene
Classic meze dishes and stews, plus kebabs from a charcoal grill, in a buzzing Turkish restaurant.
53 locals recommend
Cirrik 19 Numara Bos
34 Stoke Newington RdClassic meze dishes and stews, plus kebabs from a charcoal grill, in a buzzing Turkish restaurant.
No-frills neighbourhood curry house and takeaway with a menu of familiar Indian/Bangladeshi dishes.
Tiffins Club
249 Amhurst RdNo-frills neighbourhood curry house and takeaway with a menu of familiar Indian/Bangladeshi dishes.
Stylish, intimate European restaurant with a menu of cocktails and global wines.
55 locals recommend
Floyd's
89 Shacklewell LnStylish, intimate European restaurant with a menu of cocktails and global wines.
Quirky dining room using all-British produce in innovative dishes, including foraged herbs.
42 locals recommend
Shane's on Chatsworth
62 Chatsworth RoadQuirky dining room using all-British produce in innovative dishes, including foraged herbs.
Burger bar in deli store with bakery, plus smart upstairs bistro serving an eclectic British menu.
40 locals recommend
Eat 17 Hackney
64-66 Brooksby's WalkBurger bar in deli store with bakery, plus smart upstairs bistro serving an eclectic British menu.
Urban cafe with long wooden tables and exposed brick walls, serving specialist sourdough pizza.
143 locals recommend
Sodo Pizza Clapton
126 Upper Clapton RdUrban cafe with long wooden tables and exposed brick walls, serving specialist sourdough pizza.
Parks & Nature
Millfields Park
Springfield Park
61 Ashtead RdEntertainment & Activities
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park