Welcome to London x London’s Dalston Guide: your guide to the best bars, restaurants and things to do in this East London neighbourhood.
Dalston sits in the London Borough of Hackney, sandwiched between Stoke Newington and Hackney Central, with Kingsland Road running through its centre and Dalston Junction and Kingsland stations providing easy access.
Dalston has spent the last decade near the top of every “coolest neighbourhood” list going, and it still delivers.
Turkish grills, secondhand racks and late-night dance floors sit side by side here, often within a few doors of one another.
The area started life as a farmstead back in the 1200s, growing over the centuries into a district of grand townhouses before settling into the diverse, densely packed neighbourhood we know today. Time Out ranked it the 13th coolest neighbourhood in the world in 2021, a nod to a reputation built up over decades rather than overnight.
A strong Turkish influence runs through the area’s food scene, with some of the best restaurants in East London tucked along its main streets. Beyond the kitchens, Dalston is just as well known for its thrift stores, its bars and its live music venues, and the crowds tend to spill happily between all three on a good night.
Turkish grills, vintage racks and late-night dancing
