The Hackney Pearl

After visiting a nearby restaurant, I stopped by here just for a coffee and ended up wishing that I had eaten here instead. The Hackney Pearl while being spacious manages to also feel comfortable and intimate. The waitstaff are very nice and we were greeted and seated upon entering, which for a place with a coffee shop vibe was impressive. Even on at 4pm on a weekday there were quite a few customers there. Some people were set up with laptops and everyone looked very comfy.
We only had coffees so I cant comment on the food or drinks, but the coffee was very good. It was one of the strongest coffees that I have ever had, which I very much liked. It’s rare to find a strong Americano as most places water down the coffees.
They also serve alcoholic drinks, food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and have outdoor seating and are only a stone’s throw from Hackney Wick station.
I will be coming back here to try their food! Check it out!

This place was on my ‘to try’ list for a while and a couple of weeks ago, we gave it a try. And it was a bit disappointing…
I don’t know why, but the place looked very tired to me: old tables, old chairs, old sofas… It is in the middle of nowhere and it was almost empty. Maybe because it was raining and people couldn’t really use the space outside?
I went with some friends and we all had coffee and something to eat. I usually don’t feel like eating savoury stuff in the morning, so I ordered a piece of carrot cake. It was ok, but not one of the best I have ever tried!
My friends had some bread and mushrooms and some scrambled eggs. They looked good and they said they tasted good as well, but I didn’t try them.
Coffee was ok. I have had better flat whites, to be honest.

I love this venue, it’s hipster, it’s homely, it’s everything you want from Hackney Wick.
What’s not to like that they’ve taken the road out the front and turned it into a bit of an urban park, or the lovely old ‘school feel’ tables and chairs; This place feels miss matched and real.
…however I can’t give them a higher rating as I’m not particularly fond of what they offer.
The first time I came here was to stop off for a coffee on my way to the hot tubs at Number 90 (Soak, formerly know as the supper tub), and I rather enjoyed my flat white there. So after leaving my card at the bar and returning the next day I tried the mezze.
I’m sorry, but I really wasn’t impressed. It was expensive, the hummus bland and the red goop (I assume beetroot), was just boring! This came with cabbage and bread…
We asked for pepper and they brought us a mill, this wasn’t working… and five mill’s later one actually worked. You’d think they’d upkeep these consider they serve food!
The wine however was great — but then I find it hard to find a red that isn’t palatable — you have to do an astoundingly bad job!
So whilst liking the place and it’s vibe, I decided on my third visit to go back for just a coffee, however made the mistake of ordering the plum tart. It came cold, crumbly and soggy. For around £8 for a coffee and desert and being charged on TOP of that for the privilege of not spend enough… I think in future I’m just going to stick to the coffee.

I ate here for the second time recently, and it was even better than the first. I had the Arbroath Smokie, which was outstanding. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, and there are tables outside for eating in the summer. The service is friendly, and they do a good selection of wine and beer.

After wandering aimlessly around the nothingness surrounding Hackney Central station looking for a drink, we hopped on Unilocal and found The Hackney Pearl was the only place anywhere near us. So, we tentatively headed through the industrial estate. I was NOT expecting to turn the corner and find what we did.
An array of seating outside, tables, benches, grassy areas. Everyone looked so relaxed and happy, I felt like I was at a friend’s garden party. There were even dogs enjoying their spot.
The selection of beers and wine is extremely good, and the food was fantastic. We both had the chicken and roasted cauliflower and it was so good I got told off by my friend for licking the bowl (what are you gonna do?)
On the way out I bought (on a whim) a £2 takeaway brownie. BEST BROWNIE EVER. I still have dreams about that brownie.
The only negatives were the price; this place in not cheap (£12.50 for dinner and £6 for a VERY small glass of house wine) and the slow service. The brilliant waiter, unfortunately all by himself and running about like crazy, never missed a beat though and kept up a friendly and helpful demeanour throughout. What a star.

I’d love to visit here especially after cycling.
Lovely coffee, food and friendly staff.
There is large terrace and you can put your bicycle safely. Even you sit inside, it is very easy to keep eye on your bike.

Fantastic food, I had the chicken mograbiah, it was delicious, crispy and flavourful skin on the outside sealing in the juices on the inside. Nice laid back atmosphere and very attentive waitstaff.

Good drinks menu. Limited beers on tap but good bottles.
Good amount of seating.
Good for a few chilled drinks.

I love this place and visit often for coffee or the odd sandwich. The coffee is great. Surroundings unpretentious, thrown together in a very cool way. However I do think the food prices are a little over priced sometimes for the food. This is the only criticism. If they can’t attract a grand enough chef due to it’s non-​central location– they should adjust the prices accordingly. The food is good but just not to the level they charge.

Despite its ideal location and being one of the pioneer café/​restaurant in (now trendy) Hackney Wick, the Hackney Pearl has let itself down since the first time I went there in 2011. Do not go there hoping to experience a fantastic dining experience as the dishes on offer are often overpriced, overrated and with lengthy pompous names to make them sound better than they taste (sadly — the kitchen staff seems to be changing every 3 months). Once, I even found massive bits of paper in my supposedly chocolate — milkshake. The tears in my eyes
However, if you are ready to pay the price, the coffee is good, the staff — when not running around looking sweaty and desperate at the busiest times is lovely, the wifi connection is excellent and the location is ideal for a morning-​after-​the-​rave debrief with your — hungover but still cool friends over a fresh juice.

I love it here. Especially because you can enjoy a long cycle ride to get here, then sip on a great cappuccino. Never managed to resist ordering food at the same time.
Delicious food.
Slightly stuffy/​weird staff but don’t care.
Great amount of outdoor seating.

Landed at the Hackney Pearl one in advance of a warehouse cinema screening in The Yard nearby. Although it benefits from a funky shabby chic aesthetic, I found the food lamentably shabby too. My mezze to share consisted of 3 piles in trefoil arrangement: humous, cabbage, and some other salad, accompanied by some white bread. At £8.50 it was risibly overpriced. My companion plumped for a salad, and fared much better with roasted celeriac, feta, seeds, rocket. The atmosphere is very casual (and noisy) — we ended up sharing a table with a group of drinkers; £14−16 for a meaty main is too much in this context. Hackney Pearl, «You left me wanting».

Like dorothy stumbling out of a train shaped tornado I emerged into a strange new world. I was greeted by a fur clad native and led down a dark alleyway to the hippest place evar! (I make the jokes because it’s incredibly far from my cricklewood home)
Unfortunately I may have missed it’s glory days. Met a business associate for a casual meeting, this was her turf but she hadn’t been there for a few weeks I think, and she noted how unbelievably crowded it was compared to her previous visits.
Yeah this place is really cool looking but really it was the fact that it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere and yet so popular and trendy. I felt like one of the cool kids there. It’s hidden behind the overground station, really in the middle of nowhere guys.
The menu looked tasty («whimper» and expensive) and so did the drinks, only grabbed a cider cause it was a short meeting and dorothy had another trainado to catch. But if I ever want to feel über hep and happen to be in this area I know where to go.

If you long for the ‘mean’ streets of West Oakland, bits of Emeryville, or, now, the not-​so-​mean streets of West Berkeley, then you’ve come to the right place, sort of.
The formerly industrial area that surrounds the Pearl appears to be teeming with artists who began moving to the area in recent years, lured by affordable housing. If the Hackney Pearl were plunked down in our post-​industrial bits back home, already the artists would have been displaced by those who could afford the current extortionate rents.
Back to the Pearl: there were picnic tables and benches IN THE STREET at which folk could have lunch, a drink, and a smoke. That’s right. It’s open air in the middle of the road. Puff away!
My pals and I sat closer to the front of the place and had our bevvies: Meantime Stout. Aaaaaah! I love a good stout and a groovy café in the middle of seemingly nowhere. As of 2012, that ‘nowhere’ will be directly adjacent to an Olympic site. So, I guess, in a year the Hackney Pearl will be teeming with business. I say GO NOW before it becomes too terribly overcrowded.
To be fair, we’d already eaten elsewhere before arriving at HP, so, although the food looked appetizing, I can barely remember the menu and need to go back with a hunger in my belly for a proper meal, and, of course, another pint of stout.

Liked the vibe, staff and menu. The pea and broad bean bruschetta was simple and delicious, as was the cuttlefish and chorizo stew. Very good wine and cocktail list.

Tucked away in an unlikely location in Hackney Wick, the Pearl is well worth seeking out. I’ve only eaten breakfast there, but look forward to checking out the dinner menu soon.
Lovely bloody Mary to start, and the bubble and squeak was just smashing, along with Yasmin green tea. Engaging service, very cute setting, not hugely expensive.
Only criticism (which is a bit of a bugbear of mine) when I ask for a side order of bacon, two tiny rashers doesn’t really cut it.

This place is so unique, you really do have to try it. Its a local bar/​restaurant that makes everything from scratch including the cakes and biscuits they serve up with coffee during the day.
The place is designed in 50 – 60’s shabby chic — unpretentious, cosy and with an impeccable feeling of being truly local. The menu is limited to three of four dishes for each course, but the menu changes daily and is produced with the finest, locally sourced produce.
You can eat anything from braised rabbit to bubble and squeak, pan-​fried turbot to baba ghanoush. The wine list is extensive, and they always have a seasonal special on the menu. The mulled cider was a particular favourite of mine in the winter.
The place has excellent wifi and plenty of plugs if you need an office retreat, a vast array of board games and a fantastic outdoor space for the rare occasions London sees the sun.
I almost don’t want to review it, as I’d rather it stay a local secret, but then who am I to deny you a fantastic meal out…

This place has been open for a few months so I don’t why I’ve only JUST been here as it’s literally 30 seconds from my house!
Really chilled out vibe — I recommend the Bubble & Squeak which was super tasty. The homemade ice tea is also amazing and all the cakes are homemade too!
If you want to have a quiet drink in the area and you live in Hackney Wick then you should definitely give this place a try

Ok, so it’s not easy to get to and may not be worth the trip if you’re living in West London (why are you living in West London, anyway?), but The Hackney Pearl is charming, very-​chilled out, inexpensive, and great for East-​end locals looking for tasty homemade food and delicious cocktails on Sunday afternoon. Throw in a game of scrabble and some healthy menu choices and I’m sold The Hackney Pearl is my new favourite place.
Located in the middle of no where near Hackney Wick, The Hackney Pearl’s view isn’t exactly brilliant but it has outdoor seating for the summer and plenty of space inside so you don’t feel like someone is sitting on top of you, as you do when brunching at most places in East London. It has a very cosy, relaxed atmosphere, a small menu which changes daily, and an open-​plan kitchen. Admittedly, a part of me loves this place because I can take the bus from my doorstep and walk through Victoria Park about two miles home for a bit of exercise.
I went for the first time on a Saturday afternoon, in search of what was promised to be a delicious bloody mary. I was pleasantly surprised as I downed a small glass of fresh tomato juice with just the right amount of spice and a kick of vodka. Just because I couldn’t resist ordering something from the menu, I went for their homemade granola and natural Greek yogurt which was divine.
As I took a look at the rest of the menu, I knew I had to return, with a team of eaters in tow so we could try as many different items as possible. And that we did, the very next day for brunch. For four people we had plenty to fill us up including lamb fritters and homemade tzatziki, a couple of cucumber and goats cheese salads, a salami panini, a meze platter, a few more bloody mary’s (£4.20 what a deal!), coffees and cakes (one for each of us including a delicious lemon tarte) and a partridge in a pear tree. The bill came to about £15 each, including tip, which is decent for the amount we put away.
A tear came to my eye as I watched the owner add braised octopus to the menu for the evening, and I was too full to order anything else. Oh well, I will just have to go back!
If you need a hint for how to get there: From Shoreditch, take the 26 or 388 bus right to Hackney Wick and it’s a 3 minute walk to The Hackney Pearl.

The Hackney Pearl is a new café and Bar situated in the heart of Hackney Wick and is aptly named as all those who live in Hackney Wick know there is the only classy place you can come for a late night cup of coffee or glass of wine as it is opened till 11pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
I sampled their scrambled eggs recently which were nicely cooked, service is always with a smile and the décor is minimal. Love it.