Hackney Restaurant Festival to Showcase East London's Culinary Excellence with Major Discounts
London's recent accolade as the world's best city for food in 2026 receives a vibrant boost with the announcement of The Restaurant Festival, Hackney, launching next month. This eagerly anticipated event will transform February into a celebration of gastronomic discovery across the borough, offering food enthusiasts the chance to sample some of the capital's finest culinary creations at significantly reduced prices.
A Borough-Wide Culinary Journey
The festival promises to highlight the full spectrum of Hackney's diverse and delectable dining scene, stretching from Stamford Hill in the north through family-friendly Stoke Newington, trendy Dalston, Haggerston, and Hoxton, over to Clapton via Homerton. This collaborative effort between the acclaimed live-fire restaurant Acme Fire Cult and the dining app EatClub aims to champion the borough's best eateries while encouraging exploration during what is typically a quieter period for the hospitality industry.
Star-Studded Lineup of Participating Venues
Food lovers can look forward to indulging at a curated selection of Hackney's most beloved establishments. The current list of 14 participating restaurants features notable names such as:
- Acme Fire Cult
- Mangal 2
- My Neighbours the Dumplings
- Corrochio's
- Big Night
- Papi
- Tom's Pasta
- Alber's
- Sune
- Oren
- Marksman Public House
- Mambow
- Lucia's
- Berber & Q
Organisers have indicated that additional venues will be announced, further expanding the festival's culinary offerings.
Substantial Savings and Easy Participation
The winter food festival presents an irresistible opportunity for diners, with participating restaurants offering a substantial 40 percent discount on meals during selected times throughout February. Unlike ticketed events, this festival maintains an accessible approach – anyone can participate by simply downloading the free EatClub app. No vouchers or advance bookings are required; patrons can walk into any participating restaurant and pay through the app to receive their discount.
Acme Fire Cult Leads with Special Winter Menu
It seems particularly fitting that Acme Fire Cult stands at the forefront of this initiative. The restaurant has evolved from its humble beginnings as a backstreet barbecue spot in a disused car park to become one of Hackney's most significant culinary attractions. Since establishing its permanent residence at Dalston's 40FT Brewery in 2022 under chef Andrew Clarke, it has continued to draw enthusiastic crowds.
For the festival, Acme Fire Cult has launched an exclusive winter menu that transforms its Dalston establishment into a curry house. The special offerings include Indian-inspired dishes such as lamb chop railway curry, pigs head vindaloo, vadouvan monkfish skewers, and venison sheekh kebab, alongside beloved classics like coal-roasted leeks with pistachio romesco, mutton merguez, and Tamworth pork chops.
Celebrating Hackney's Vibrant Food Culture
This festival represents more than just discounted dining; it serves as a testament to Hackney's thriving and diverse food scene. By bringing together established favourites and encouraging exploration of new venues, The Restaurant Festival, Hackney aims to strengthen community connections through shared culinary experiences. As London continues to cement its reputation as a global food capital, events like this highlight how individual boroughs contribute to the city's rich gastronomic tapestry.
