Neighbourhood Guide: Where to eat, drink and have a good time in Hackney Wick

Once a rundown industrial suburb, Hackney Wick – or simply, The Wick – is now considered one of the trendiest parts of the capital, popular with creatives, artists and musicians.

Located in East London, the area underwent a significant regeneration when the Olympic Park was built on its doorstep for the 2012 games, and has completely transformed. 

In fact, it was recently crowned ‘the coolest’ place to live in London.

It’s not difficult to see why with its canalside bars and restaurants, street art, and even rumours of the rapper Drake bagging a property in the area.

Visitors to the neighbourhood have plenty of choice when it comes to food and drink.

Beer lovers, in particular, are in for a treat as The Wick is home to several craft breweries. 

Crate was the first brewery in the area and remains one of the most popular. With riverside views, freshly brewed beers and great tasting pizza, it’s little wonder crowds flock to this East London institution. 

Beer Merchants Tap is another local favourite serving up one of the best selections of beers in the area.

We’re also fans of Old Street Brewery, which serves American-style craft beer and hosts regular live events. 

If you’re after a pub, head to The Lord Napier Star. Calling itself “the focal point of Hackney Wick”, this graffiti-covered landmark reopened its doors in 2021 after a 25 year-long closure. It offers food, beer, cocktails, live music and a weekly pub quiz night. 

There’s also The Lock Inn, a friendly neighbourhood pub right by the canal. With its cosy vibe, it serves a great selection of drinks as well as burgers, pizzas and bar snacks. It also hosts live traditional Irish music once a month.

When it comes to restaurants, Hackney Wick has no shortage of supply. 

Barge East is one of our top picks. This floating restaurant offers a truly unforgettable dining experience offering award-winning food on a 120-year old restored Dutch barge. Next to it is the Barge East Gardens and Terrace, one of the biggest outdoor eating and drinking spots in London. 

Another of our canalside picks is Number 90 Bar & Kitchen. It serves locally-sourced food and has a beautiful outdoor terrace. Perfect for those long summer evenings. 

Randy’s Wing Bar is another great canalside option. Offering American-style wings, you can also pick up a bottle from their award-winning sauce range. 

For homemade Italian food, we recommend Gotto Trattoria. Set up by three brothers and their friend, it serves some of the best pizza and pasta in the area. 

If you like seafood, try the lively Cornerstone, known for its understated but delicious and full-of-flavour dishes and excellent service. We also rate Silo, an innovative, zero-waste restaurant. 

When you’ve eaten all you can, it’s time to take a walk around the local area and check out the amazing art scene.

Hackney Wick attracts artists from all over the world – both established and up-and-coming – and is awash with incredible street art, graffiti and murals. You could spend hours wandering around checking out the jaw-dropping creations. There’s literally a different piece on every street corner. 

Then if you’re after some green space, head to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. With five trails, formal gardens and plenty of picnic spots, it’s the perfect place to escape your hectic working day.

The park also hosts live festivals and concerts and drop-in gardening sessions and is home to a whole host of artwork including the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide, which you can have a go on. But be warned, it’s described as a “hair-raising experience, not for the faint-hearted.”

Finally, if you’re looking for coworking space in the area, the brand new Makers Corner is the perfect spot. Combining fully serviced office space with beautifully designed maker space, it will serve creative and social-impact-focused businesses when it opens in early 2024. 

Find out more about this revolutionary flexible workspace