I'm a big fan of eating out, so every time I go abroad I love the fresh palette of restaurants I can chose from. After each episode, I envy Anthony Bourdain for having a gastro tour guide show him the best places to eat. I'd like to see him face the struggles of finding a good eatery just like the rest of us tourists! This time in London, I was a guest, which means I also had a guide :) Therefore, my guide Sandra and I present to you the best places to eat or drink in Dalston...
The Duke of Wellington
The Duke of Wellington public house has sat on the same site since around 1842. The contemporary English pub serves a wide range of real ales, beers, ciders, carefully selected wines and great food with an emphasis on high quality local suppliers. They regularly host comedy, film screenings, live music, poetry and short story reading, beer festivals and more.
From Monday to Saturday the menu consists of exceptional sandwiches that are prepared by Sub Cult.
I was lucky enough to be there on a Sunday when they serve classic roast among other specialties on their Sunday menu. The meat was a bit rare done for my taste but the unusual mix of vegetables with gravy sauce and Yorkshire pudding all together made a good impression.
Price of dishes ranges from £6.00 - £14.00.
The Duke of Wellington public house has sat on the same site since around 1842. The contemporary English pub serves a wide range of real ales, beers, ciders, carefully selected wines and great food with an emphasis on high quality local suppliers. They regularly host comedy, film screenings, live music, poetry and short story reading, beer festivals and more.
From Monday to Saturday the menu consists of exceptional sandwiches that are prepared by Sub Cult.
I was lucky enough to be there on a Sunday when they serve classic roast among other specialties on their Sunday menu. The meat was a bit rare done for my taste but the unusual mix of vegetables with gravy sauce and Yorkshire pudding all together made a good impression.
Price of dishes ranges from £6.00 - £14.00.
Viva Tapas Bar
A great little Mexican bar offering a wide variety of cocktails and foreign beer that go great with authentic tapas and taquito that are filled with melted cheese and succulent pork, chicken mole or garlic mushrooms. The staff was very friendly and ready to help me with my order, which I especially appreciated since it was my first time ordering Mexican food. The atmosphere is lively, whether you're in the dim lit interior, cozy backyard garden or under the Dalston street lights. The focal points of the interior are the exposed brick walls, vintage furniture and mishmash decorations, all united by a mural of the virgin of Guadeloupe.
Price of dishes ranges from £4.00 - £8.95
A great little Mexican bar offering a wide variety of cocktails and foreign beer that go great with authentic tapas and taquito that are filled with melted cheese and succulent pork, chicken mole or garlic mushrooms. The staff was very friendly and ready to help me with my order, which I especially appreciated since it was my first time ordering Mexican food. The atmosphere is lively, whether you're in the dim lit interior, cozy backyard garden or under the Dalston street lights. The focal points of the interior are the exposed brick walls, vintage furniture and mishmash decorations, all united by a mural of the virgin of Guadeloupe.
Price of dishes ranges from £4.00 - £8.95
The steep stairs under an old cinema sign will take you to a subterranean drinking den, where 7 signature and 7 seasonal cocktails are made using quality ingredients - premium alcohol and all juices and syrups made on site. Drinks are served on vintage beer mats and some may arrive in 1940's milk bottles, always with a smile :) The atmosphere was cozy but buzzing as we didn't have a place to sit right a way. While drinking my cocktail, I scan the inside to see wall paper peeling of the walls, remains of the previous wall paint used, mismatched furniture, vintage lamp shades and brick subway tile lookalike, all embodying the distressed look of the brick and wooden interior. A very urban and underground spot to get your weekend fix for under £10.00.
In memory of a dance school that occupied the building in 1930, Farrs still brings together lovers of music and dance. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the DJ takes the decks and every last Sunday of the month put on your dancing shoes and head out for a swing night social. After a few beers, I could see myself making use of the wooden dance floor, dancing to Indie Rock tunes. Like Ruby's, the interior displays vintage pieces but between the brick and mortar walls, you can spot a Damask stencil painted wall in a refreshing shade of green. They have a superb selection of locally brewed and sourced craft beer - Cruzcampo, Moretti, Lagunitas, Krusovice, Murphys, Symonds, just to name a few. They now reopened their kitchen and offer traditional English meals with a contemporary twist.
In need of the all American classics? Look no further than The Diner. A small London chain offering the taste of the U.S. - burgers and sides, hot dogs, milkshakes, pancakes, filter coffee (free refills!) and American beer. I actually had a difficult time choosing what to order from their extensive menu because my nostalgia for the love of American burgers had been long suppressed by the Balkan counterpart, pljeskavica. From 16 different burgers to choose from, I went for the Cheese Burger (well done) with Monterey Cheese. One serving of Cheese Fries was quite enough for us two. Although I must say, we had high expectations for these fries and they didn't deliver. I just couldn't taste the cheese! Probably because I really like cheese with a strong flavor and elasticity.
Nevertheless, it's a must go to place for a quick but stylish eat. Great example of how to incorporate 50's American diner classics into an industrial styled interior. First step, was to replace checkered tiles with worn wooden flooring. The raw, unfinished look of the Dalston diner showcases red leather booths and bar stools, exposed ventilation, brick walls, neon lights, metal ceiling tiles and an old cinema sign. I just have the feeling the Jetsons would love this place...
Nevertheless, it's a must go to place for a quick but stylish eat. Great example of how to incorporate 50's American diner classics into an industrial styled interior. First step, was to replace checkered tiles with worn wooden flooring. The raw, unfinished look of the Dalston diner showcases red leather booths and bar stools, exposed ventilation, brick walls, neon lights, metal ceiling tiles and an old cinema sign. I just have the feeling the Jetsons would love this place...