The Hackney Pearl

Dalston, London –

Out on Dalston’s eastern edge in the rapidly gentrifying expanse of Hackney Wick lies The Hackney Pearl, a favorite of young transplants who come for the chill vibe, locally sourced food, and tasty no-fuss booze.

Located in a warehouse-turned-studio-collective, the venue features an outdoor terrace that overflows with creative residents on warm days, while grayer weather takes them to the large single room inside, whose lofty exposed-pipe ceilings, quaint tables and school chairs, and open kitchen create a homey place to enjoy whatever’s on the ever-changing menu.

Lots of seating keeps the place from getting too crowded during the day, when easygoing background tunes serenade the trendy folks chatting over the latest fixed-price lunch, an assortment of panini, or some soup and salad.

Weathered cabinets, mismatched coffee cups, and chalkboards on the wall give the joint a cozy retro vibe that’s reinforced by the friendly service, even if it’s anything but hurried.

The fixed-price deal returns some nights for early dinner (call ahead to confirm), so theatergoers can fill their stomachs before heading to The Yard nearby, while revelers with rowdier prospects tank up on local brews or a few classic drinks that follow the mantra “no umbrellas, just well-mixed booze.”

The location is definitely out of the way for many Londoners, but much like the lustrous sphere hidden inside an oyster, The Hackney Pearl’s locale only makes it more of a hidden gem.