Claire Ptak was made world-famous thanks to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who chose the Californian implant to bake their wedding cake. Hackney locals have been buying her goodies since 2005 when she first started selling them from a Broadway Market stall. Her shop-café north of London Fields specialises in seasonal bakes such as almond polenta muffins topped with chamomile apricots and peanut-butter cherry cake.

The second neighbourhood joint from actor Theo James and restaurateur Ed Templeton, chef Naz Hassan. Unlike Lupa (their first) this one is an ode to Milan – and so the menu is made up of Vitello tonnato (topped with expertly just-fried capers), creamy saffron risotto and veal Milanese served on the bone. The food is good, the vibe – on a corner spot of the charming Wilton Way – might be better. 

Everything feels very wabi-sabi organic at Momosan Shop, and we are here for it. This lovely shop is terribly elegant and seriously refined. We adore it for beautiful gifts – for others our ourselves – or even just to peruse when inspiration is lacking. We love their focus on only stocking pieces from independent craftspeople.

London Fields Lido is a 50m Olympic size wonder of an outdoor pool within Hackney. Not only is this pool heated all year round, it is also makes for the perfect picnic spot to bring any of your little ones.