Dalston
Dalston’s got it all, from seasonal small plates and natural wines to cosy coffee spots and brunch hangouts. Spend a weekend exploring eclectic shops, catch an arthouse film or some live music. And don’t forget to visit one of the area’s many green spaces. Keep reading our Dalston area guide here to discover why it’s a favourite for foodies and creatives alike.
If you like the sound of this bustling neighbourhood, click here to find out about Seam. We’ve built a one-of-a-kind 3-bedroom, lateral home and office nestled behind the gardens of St Mark’s Rise.
Food & Drink
The tricky part about eating and drinking in Dalston is choosing where to go. The options really do feel endless, but you’ll soon find your favourites.
When it comes to coffee, it’s a no brainer to head to Allpress. It’s popular year-round thanks to a foliage-filled courtyard, but if you’re after a cosier spot we love Cafe Mélo too.
By midday, the likes of The Dusty Knuckle and Brunswick East are filled with lovers of bread and brunch. The latter features a rooftop Sky Farm where they grow seasonal ingredients for their dishes.
If it’s possible, Dalston is even more alive as the sun goes down. Choose from Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates at Oren, refined Turkish dining at Mangal II, or something from the ever-changing menu at Little Duck The Picklery. Wash it all down with a drink at one of the area’s many bars. We recommend Three Sheets for fresh cocktails or Hector’s for a glass of wine.
Shops & Cultural Spots
Weekends in East London are never dull, and especially not in Dalston. After a morning flow at Yoga on the Lane, head to L.F.Markey on Dalston Lane for workwear-inspired wardrobe staples. And it’s always a joy stepping into Chase & Sorensen to see their latest additions of eclectic Scandinavian furniture. Heading to a dinner party? Pick up a special bottle of wine and some organic cheese at Wilton Way Deli.
For a cultural afternoon, have a look at the latest arthouse film showing at the Rio or an exhibition at The Holy Art Gallery. By the evening, if you’re not heading to one of Dalston’s jazz bars, there’s always EartH – a multi arts space with a continuous carousel of music concerts and comedy shows.
Parks & Lidos
With marshes in the east, wetlands in the north and even a city farm in the south, open space comes in all forms here. Hackney Downs Park sits directly in the borough’s centre, less than ten minutes’ walk from Seam. It’s perfect for dog spotting, and over the last decade, Hackney Mosaic Project have immortalised the hounds of Hackney Downs in the walls around the park.
On the site of an old railway line, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is open to the public seven days a week. It’s easy to miss from the road, but step inside to find an enclosed oasis of flora, attracting bees, butterflies and birds.
One of Hackney’s most loved green spaces, Clissold Park, features a Grade II* listed house, tree-lined lakes and an abundance of wildlife. You can’t swim there, however, London Fields Lido is heated all year round. The park itself, lined with London Plane trees, is always lively. Especially on a warm weekend as Broadway Market‘s patrons spill onto the green.
We love this vibrant, creative corner of London – home to our St Mark’s Rise apartments and house. If you’d like to find out more about our upcoming developments, get in touch.
All photos © Liz Seabrook