The Hackney

Coffee, brunch and natural wine are the order of the day at this converted 1856 brewery on Hackney Road, eight minutes from Bethnal Green tube. Dogs are welcome and seating spills outside on brighter days, while the venue's second life — exclusive hire for weddings and events, with kitchen, bar and coordination all handled by one in-house team — gives it a character few neighbourhood cafes can match. A 4.6 rating from more than 600 reviews suggests locals have noticed.