This beloved neighbourhood boozer has been a local landmark forever. But since 2015 it’s been in the hands of chef friends Tom Harris and Jon Rotheramand – both St. John alumni –and is packed day and night. The hottest table to book is for Sunday lunch, after a morning shopping for blooms on Columbia Road. The roast is the best around but don’t skip the caraway and black treacle sourdough to start and the brown-butter and honey tart for pudding.

Compania is a dim-lit rustic Italian restaurant. A cosy wooden nook for pasta night, red wine and tiramisu. Enjoy the view of their open kitchen as you immerse your senses in their rotation of classic Italian dishes and before you leave, take some focaccias for the upcoming week. 

Get up close and personal with free-range animals in the heart of the city. Hackney City Farm is the place to go when cuddling with a piglet or a baby sheep is in need. Spend the day making four-legged friends and enjoy some classic Italian lunch outdoors in their beautiful garden before you head out. PD. Check out their pottery classes too, they are sublime! 

Tapas, but make them global. Morito does a wonderful job of crafting a thoughtful menu of small plates with origins from Spain to North Africa.