Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in London Borough of Hackney

"If a trip up to the stunning viewing gallery of one of London’s tallest buildings sounds like a pocket drainer, think again. Situated inside a glass oasis at the top of the “Walkie Talkie”, Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, filled with greenery and boasting panoramic views of the capital. It’s totally free to head up there, but you’ll need to book in advance, with post-lockdown visits starting up again from July 29."

"For a lunch date to remember, 155 meters high at the top of the famous ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, the Sky Garden offers spectacular views of the city. But it’s the incredible tropical garden which makes this iconic London landmark a must-see. There are multiple restaurants and bars to choose from, but for informal yet stylish lunchtime dining, we highly recommend Darwin’s Brasserie to take in some of the best views of the city."

"Located in the iconic Walkie Talkie, Sky Garden has a foliage-filled viewing gallery on the 43rd floor. From here, visitors are surrounded by exquisite greenery while looking over panoramic views of London. Also seeBeer Tasting in London"

"London’s first ice cream parlour made using liquid nitrogen, Chin Chin Labs is best known for their bold flavours, big scoops and scientific methods. The team wanted to create something which hadn’t been explored before and it’s certainly done the trick because they now boast three outposts in London. Designed as a grab-and-go pit stop, their ice creams are great for scoring a ‘gram worthy image and fuelling you on your Sunday stroll around the city."

"Chin Chin pioneered the use of liquid nitrogen to make ice cream in a retail setting when it opened its first ice cream ‘lab’ in Camden Lock in 2010. Its founders were convinced that hand churning with liquid nitrogen was better than any other method, and they had stumbled on the future of ice cream. Nowadays, the company has grown to three locations and over 300 innovative flavours, from sweetcorn to wild blueberry to coffee and olive oil."

"For something a little different, head to Chin Chin Labs, the go-to parlour for liquid nitrogen ice cream in London. Watch as your dessert is frozen to order using a dash of liquid nitrogen, and select from an exciting array of weekly-changing flavours at this cool cafe in Camden."

"This sister-owned Soho bakery looks sweet, but isn't saccahrine. Using no more sugar and fat than they need, their inventive and joyfully decorated offerings are delicately, carefully flavoured. Cutter & Squidge’s Dream Cakes make for jaw dropping centrepieces for your big celebration, or can also be enjoyed by the slice in house – the Lychee Kiss is an elegant flavour trio of lychee, raspberry and rose."

"Join dynamic duo, Cutter and Squidge, for a delicious afternoon treat. The sisters are passionate about creating healthier treats, so all fillings use real fruit and minimal sugar. Their speciality is the biskie, a decadent dessert sandwich featuring a variety of handmade buttercreams, jams and sauces."

"Each one features two biscuit pieces closing in on a layer of cream to create a beautiful dessert sandwich. They’re the perfect sugary pick-me-up and come in a selection of creative flavours. Try the rich billionaire dreambar, which is served with an extra layer of chocolate in the middle."

"Gelupo’s mission is to deliver the finest ice cream this side of the Alps to appreciative Londoners. Unusually for a gelateria, however, the selection of sorbets is as extensive as their ice cream menu – and includes special summer flavours such as Hendricks and cucumber. We love their apricot and strawberry and pink pepper sorbets, and the fact that their chocolate gelato is a sorbet, not because they wanted to make a low fat ice cream, but because as a sorbet it can be made even more chocolatey – we wholeheartedly approve!"

"This West End spot comes from Jacob Kenedy, the chef behind pasta restaurant Bocca di Lupo (which is across the street), and it’s the Italian larder that gets raided for flavour inspiration. Varieties include espresso, ricotta and sour cherry, tiramisu and Bacio (inspired by the Italian sweet), and gelato is also served inside pastry cannoli bites. Kenedy is such a fan of the stuff that he’s just written and published Gelupo Gelato, a gloriously thorough compendium of ice cream recipes."

"This is the place to go for proper Italian gelato - it's known for its incredible flavours and high quality taste - one of the owners is actually a chef. Some flavours change every week, and the focus is on fruit sorbets, alcoholic sorbets, desserts and classic crowd pleasers - think Pimm's and lemonade, eton mess and blood orange."

"Opened in 2006, The Gallery Cafe is St Margaret’s House’s largest non-profit in-house community project. During the summer they open up the back garden and terrace so you can soak up some sun while enjoying one of the best vegan breakfasts ever. This eco-friendly all-vegan cafe serves a mean fry up and a delicious vegan hot chocolate."

"Lambrusco Dell'Emilia, Maecello Gran Cru Dry IGT , Ariola, 10.5%"

"After lunch we stopped at Kew Palace, a 17th century building that was the summer home of King George III in the 18th century. It’s actually the oldest building in Kew Gardens and it has been turned into a museum showcasing the history and bringing to life King George and his wife Queen Charlotte and their 15 children’s lives in the palace over the three levels. There is a perfectly manicured garden out the back which gives a stunning view."

"The 17th-century home of King George III, who preferred the countryside to the urban St James's Palace. Today only the building known as the Dutch House remains, however it is kept in immaculate condition."

"The Davies Alpine House is a somewhat different greenhouse, it is quite long (16m) and high (10m) and was designed to provide ideal conditions, fresh with natural wind for the best conditions the mountain plants. The collection features a wide range of campanulas, dianthus, small ferns, helichrysum, small lavenders, primulas, saxifrage, thymus, tulips and verbascums along with lesser known species."

"Many of the plants at Kew couldn't survive in Britain's grey, damp climate. The Davies Alpine House supports those that thrive in dry, cool, windy conditions of mountainous areas such as succulents and campanulas,"

"Fulham Palace is a site dedicated to tracing its own history. Items found on the palace's grounds date all the way back to prehistoric times; the archaeological finds are part of the museum's impressive collection of artifacts and objects. The site has been a residence of the Bishops of London since 704 and played a major role as a hospital during World War I and a refugee spot during World War II."

"A beautiful open garden, glasshouses, flowers in bloom, and brick walls, all in a place less visited by tourists which make for one great location for a photo shoot or a private event. And if you’re looking for some diversity, just walk a few steps out of Fulham Palaceand you’re right on the shore of river Thames."

"Restaurants Contemporary European Clapham. Be warned: Minnow’s flirty ambience will steal your heart away as surely as any dewy-eyed proposal. This is a teeny little fish with a serious romantic streak – just look at the period panelling, the gorgeous silk roses climbing up the pergola, the window boxes in the bijou walled courtyard."

"Unsurprisingly, Crêpeaffaire know a thing or two about flippin' good pancakes. Whether you have a sweet tooth or fancy something savoury, you won't be disappointed with Crêpeaffaire's vast menu (including no-gluten options, winning!). From eggs Benedict to smoked salmon with cream cheese, channel your favourite brunch flavours in crêpe form with their winning savoury breakfast-inspired menu."

"Crepeaffaire is a popular chain for a reason, as it serves up delicious desserts that never disappoint. Whether you fancy a classic Nutella crepe or want to push the boat out with something more outlandish, you won’t find a better crepe in London. This is definitely one of the best desserts in London!"

"This stylish country-house hotel would be worth a visit for the views alone, but as it happens, the food is as pretty as the outlook. The menu blends classics with more modern concepts, but whichever you go for, you can bet it’ll be gorgeously-presented as Head Chef Jean-Didier Gouges is big on using flowers and herbs for presentation."

"A celebrated destination in the well-heeled London suburb of Richmond, The Petersham Restaurant offers an elegant British fine dining experience. From the dining room, look out onto panoramic views of the Thames and the rolling greenery beyond, while…"

"One of Richmond’s finest restaurants, with a panoramic view overlooking water meadows and the river. Modern classical cuisine and scrumptious afternoon teas."

"Don’t ask for the menu – there isn’t one - and don’t baulk at the bill (which there will be), because by the time you’ve gorged your way through the umpteen dishes spirited up from Chef Peng’s basement kitchen, you’ll have realised this Pimlico institution thoroughly deserves its not-so-secret fame. Chef Peng (that’s him, occasionally glowering from the top of the stairs, casting an approving eye of his necessarily tiny cohort of diners) has been doing his Taiwanese-influenced thing here since 1982, and if the signature “don’t ask, just get” service doesn’t do it for you (calm down, you can call a halt when you’ve had enough, or if it’s too spicy) then the celebrated wine list certainly will. Never tried a Gruner Veltliner with crispy frogs’ legs served with fermented bamboo shoots and chilli?"

"Since opening in Pimlico in the early Eighties, Hunan has been a favourite of those in the know. A daily set menu of frequently changing dishes shows both Hunanese and Taiwanese influences – braised pork, spicy aubergine or the renowned broth with pork, Chinese mushroom and ginger. Wine lovers will appreciate the well chosen list, with a focus on Bordeaux and Burgundy."

"Choice is overrated, and no one knows this better than Hunan. Menus don't exist at this Pimlico restaurant, with diners instead being prepared 12 or 18 courses as decided by Chef Peng. In a true test of trust, you’ll only be asked if you don’t like anything and what level of spice you can handle."

"We had a memorably good delivery from this Bethnal Green restaurant at the beginning of lockdown. They do seasonal special sushi platters and their wagyu and foie maki rolls are amazing. Read our Test Drive."