At the time of writing, inflation is running at 9.9%. This means that unless you've had an 9.9% pay rise this year, you're essentially losing money. So, in this guide, I'm covering Hackney restaurants, bars, coffee, clothing shops and event deals. Enjoy East London, on a budget.

PS: I appreciate how annoying it is to read a recommendation, and then have to look up the location separately, so I’ve added an interactive map. Once you've perused this guide, you can easily navigate to the deals closest to you.

In this article:

• Part 1: Food, drink and coffee

• Part 2: Clothing, shoes and accessories

• Part 3: Hackney culture, venues and free stuff

• Part 4: Sports

Hackney easily has some of the best food in the UK. You can walk down most streets and try cuisines from all over the world. Discover where the best Hackney food and drinks deals lie.

A Slice of Blue 🍕

Music-themed pizza venue with the most incredible interior and pillowy dough. When I first moved to London, this place was my go-to. 

What are the deals?

• THURSDAY - Margherita Pizza & Margarita Cocktail for £12.

• SATURDAY - Buy 1 get 1 free on pizzas 12-4pm.

Please note, all of these deals are eat in only.

Location

43 Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0NS.

Beehive ☕🥪

Social enterprise in Bethnal Green offering coffee, lunch and cakes. Having stumbled upon this place earlier this year, it struck me that the quality of food for the price is impressive.

What are the deals?

• DAILY - £4.50 Avocado toast

• DAILY - £5.00 toasties

Location

305 Cambridge Heath Rd, London E2 9LH

Bread and butter cafe 🥗

Another great place to enjoy a working lunch. Their build your own salad is the best around.

What are the deals?

• MON-FRI - £6 build-your-own salad

Location

7 Enfield Rd, London, N1 5EN

Caldera 🌮🍸

Independent Mexican restaurant and bar located on Mare Street.

What are the deals?

• TUESDAY - £4 tacos when you dine in. 

• THURSDAY - Buy one, get one Margaritas all night long.

• EVERY DAY - £6 lunch burritos.

Location

143 Mare St, London E8 3FW

Clapton Hart 🍺

18th century boozer offering great drinks, food and a laid-back atmosphere. Plenty of space for group bookings and they have a big screen out the back and inside for sport events.

What are the deals?

• EVERY DAY - £3.30 pints of Volden Session and Volden Pale Ale

• EVERY DAY - £8.50 sausage and mash

Location

231 Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8EG

Coach and horses 🍺

Any place that offers buy one, get one on sunday roasts is a winner in my book. Must be pre-booked.

What are the deals?

• THURSDAY - 2 for 1 burgers

• SUNDAY - 2 for 1 sunday roast (!!!)

Location

178 Stoke Newington High Street, London, N16 7JL

Crown and shuttle 🍺

Legendary Shoreditch pub with a huge (and deceptive) beer garden.

What are the deals?

• THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SUNDAY - Get any big plate with a craft beer, glass of wine or a spirit and mixer for £12.50 between 12 and 6.

Location

226 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6PJ

Del 74 🌮

Amazing taco spot in Dalston. Be prepared for loud music. Great spot for a date.

What are the deals?

• TUESDAY - £2.50 tacos, £3.50 beers, £3 shots (lol), Buy one, get one margarita jugs

• WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY - Happy hour 5-6pm.

• SATURDAY - Happy hour 1-5pm

Location

129 Kingsland High Street London, E8 2PB

Diddy’s Bar

London Fields' best secret. A wonderful, intimate bar with great music.

What are the deals?

• WED - SUN - £6 Aperols and £7 Tommy's Margaritas, all night.

Location

69 Mare St, London E8 4RG

Doms Subs 🥪

The best sandwich you'll ever have. Admittedly there aren't any rich pickings deal wise, but the food is good value for money (imo) and worth including. Sandwiches are around £9, but trust us you'll stay full all day. 

Location

262 Hackney Rd, London E2 7SJ

The Dove 🍔

Broadway Market pub offering a global selection of beers and food in a prime location.

What are the deals?

• MONDAY + TUESDAY - Any EFL beer and burger for £12.

Location

24-28 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ

Da Bagel Spot 🥯

Who doesn't like bagels? 

What are the deals?

• EVERY DAY - £3.75 choice of bagel, snack and drink.

Location

93 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AE

Dal Fiorentino

Difficult to describe just how good these sandwiches are. Everything is prepared fresh on the premises in front of you and they make the bread which is absolutely incredible. Salty, olive-oil drenched pillowy goodness and all the Italian good stuff inbetween.  

What are the deals?

• EVERY DAY - Range of incredible, incredible sandwiches starting at £4.50 for a small. I personally find this size of sandwich sustains me for hours.

Location

74 Hoxton St, London N1 6LP and Brick Lane, E2 6EH

Flat Earth Pizzas 🍕

Vegetarian and vegan pizza with a focus on sustainability and gut-loving ingredients. Vogue voted it one of London's best pizzas. They also offer Growing Communities organic veg boxes for £9 a box which you can buy weekly and pick-up in store.

What are the deals?

• TUESDAY TO FRIDAY - £12.50 for a 500ML carafe of wine

Location

Flat Earth Pizza, 286-290 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9DA

Gaff 🥔

Maybe it's just because I was born in the 90s, but my ultimate comfort food is a jacket potato roasted in the oven. Gaff in Hoxton is the best I've come across. 

What are the deals?

• EVERY DAY - £4.50 jacket potatoes with all the trimmings.

Location

8 Creekside, London SE8 3DX

G Kelly 🥧

This place is a Bow institution. It's been around for 100 years and has pictures of the original owners strewn around the place. The food is served instantly, and is of really good quality. This was my first pie, mash and liquor experience in Hackney, and it won't be the last. Vegan and vegetarian options available.

What are the deals?

• EVERY DAY - 1 pie, mash and liquor plus drink for £5.50. Apple crumble for £2.

Location

526 Roman Rd, Old Ford, London E3 5ES

Gallery Cafe ☕

Vegan cafe in Bethnal Green with stunning interiors and plenty of space for working lunches. Huge garden at the back for when the sun comes out.

What are the deals?

• MON - FRI - Any coffee and a pastry for £5.

Location

St. Margarets House Settlement, 21 Old Ford Rd., Bethnal Green, London E2 9PL

Hoxton Cabin 🍺

Good time venue in Hoxton offering comedy, live music and laughs.

What are the deals?

• MON - £3.50 pints

• DAILY - 2 cocktails for £12 4-7pm. Or 10% discount for students and NHS workers.

Location

132 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DP

JUJU’s Bar & Stage

Brick Lane bar with a rotating roster of fun events.

What are the deals?

• Tues - Friday - £6 cocktails between 4-6pm

• Most events are free entry

Location

3 Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG

Laxeiro 🇪🇸

Laxeiro has got to be one of the best restaurants in Hackney. Delicious, authentic Spanish tapas located on Columbia Road. And the good news is, their lunch deal won't break the bank. To enjoy tapas as it was intended, best to go with a friend or group so you can enjoy a range of dishes.

What are the deals?

• MON - FRI - 2 dishes and a drink for £15.

Location

3 Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG

The Marksman

Michelin star pub on Hackney Road offering an excellent Friday deal.

What are the deals?

• FRIDAY - 12-2 - Worker's Lunch £15 for dish of the day and a glass of wine/beer/soft drink.

Location

254 Hackney Road, London, E2 7SJ

Marquis 🍺

Stoke Newington boozer offering a range of enticing drink deals.

What are the deals?

• MON - THURS - £5 cocktails and £4 beers before 7pm

• THURS - Every 4th pint of Budvar free

Location

 48 Stoke Newington Rd, London, N16 7XJ

Naiiva 🥩

I think this may be the cheapest steak and chips you can get in Hackney, bar Wetherspoons. I've asked the guys running this Broadway Market stall if they have social media or a website, but they tell me they don't need to promote anything as they are always busy. To be fair, every time I go they are doing a roaring trade. The food is delicious.

What are the deals?

• SATURDAYS - Steak, chips and chimmichurri - £12

Location

Broadway Market, London Fields

Number 90 🍔

This Hackney Wick spot is probably better known for its late night music than burgers, but the latter is pretty darn great, too.  It's located right on the water so you can dine with a view, and if you're lucky there may be live music or DJs playing too.

What are the deals?

• THURSDAY - Buy one, get one on burgers and fries

Location

90 Wallis Rd, London, E9 5LN

Pizza Union 🍕

Not the best pizza in Hackney, but a solid 7. Don't come expecting sourdough - this is a thin and crispy vibe. But your wallet will thank you and so will the 90s.

What are the deals?

• DAILY - Pizza from £4.95, beer and wine from £3.95. 

Location

Various locations in Aldgate, Hoxton, Dalston and Spitalfields. Check their website.

Portuguese Love Affair 

Including this place for their unreal codfish cakes which taste exactly like the ones you find in Porto, Lisbon, or literally anywhere in Portugal. Heavenly.

What are the deals?

• Codfish bites - £3.70 for two with aioli which makes a decent lunch 

Location

Hackney Road

Quarter Kitchen 🌮

Tiny Mexican kiosk offering extremely delicious and affordable breakfast and lunch delights. 

What are the deals?

• Tacos from £5.50

Location

St John at Hackney Churchyard, Lower Clapton Rd, London E5 0PD

Sager & Wilde 🍝

Michael Sager is known for being a purveyor of delicious wine, but did you know the Paradise Row location in Bethnal Green also specialises in homemade, hand-rolled pasta? A delectable deal for a weeknight bargain.

What are the deals?

• MONDAY - FRIDAY - 5-6.30pm - Pasta and a glass of wine for £12

Location

250 Paradise Row, London E2 9LE

Voodoo Rays 🍕

 Nice spot for a slice. Or a 22'' pizza pie. Choice is yours.

What are the deals?

• MONDAYS - £3 for a slice, £22 for a 22 inch pizza pie.

Location

95 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB

Well Street Pizza 🍕

Homerton's signature pizzeria delivers on (cut price) slices of heaven.

What are the deals?

• MON - FRI - £10 Pizza and soft drink 12-5pm. If you want beer or wine it's £10.50

• MON - £14 - Two pizzas

Location

184 Well St, London, E9 6QT

Weino Bib 🍷

Classy wine and snack bar down an unassuming street.

What are the deals?

• TUES - Tuesday's Pie Night - A pie & glass of Gamay £10

Location

39 Balls pond Rd, N1 4BW

More Hackney food and drinks deals…

Check out the following websites for more Hackney (and beyond) food / drink deals.

• Soft Launch - They let you know when new and existing restaurants offer 50% off.

• First table - Book the first (or last) table, and receive 50% off your meal. You do have to pay a small booking fee, but it's worth it if you're dining in a 4.

• Tastecard - More orientated towards chains, but I've noticed quite a few independents on there too, and I believe you can get a 60 day free trial to unlock all the discounts. I cancelled mine before the end date fine and didn't get charged.

• Too Good to Go - I missed this off the first iteration of my guide, but it's a gamechanger. This app allows you to literally save good food that would have gone into the bin, while helping businesses to stay afloat. Some businesses I've seen on there lately include Pavillion Bakery, The Bach and Planet Organic.

Buying second hand is far and away the best method to save money and shop sustainably. Since living here, I find the charity shops and various swap events so good, that I rarely buy brand new clothes anymore. If you are feeling snobby about this, consider the journey to the shop floor or warehouse and how many hands and bodies have touched brand new clothes.

Here's a round-up of the best spots to look sharp, on a budget.

AS Colour

This Shoreditch-based shop offers brand new clothing, but it's organic and socially responsible. They sell very good quality basics and you can buy 4 items for £60.

Five Sisters

Located in an unassuming part of Mare Street, this charity shop has a range of high-street and designer wear that's really worth checking out.

Paper & Cup x SCT

Coffee and charity shop in Shoreditch offering high-street to designer-wear, books, jewellery and shoes.

Shelter

Shelter is located all over the city but the Hackney-central based charity shop is my favourite and offers all manner of clothing, shoes, books, accessories and homeware. The money you spend is donated to help the homeless.

The Box

Technically not very fitting in the 'cost of living' category, but often get asked about sample sales so wanted to include this. The Box hosts weekend sample sales from designer brands like Sunspel, Paul Smith and YMC. Be prepared to queue and tickets usually required. 

Roman Road Market

Genuinely nice clobber, at very affordable prices. Mostly ex-designer / high-street. Open most days from around 10-4, but check the website to be sure.

Traid

You're going to want to put aside at least 30 minutes to browse this absolute mecca in Dalston. Again, you'll find a mix of designer-wear and high-street garms here.

Swoop Swaps @ The Factory, Dalston

Bring up to 10 old items, get up to 10 new items. Last time I went to this, I came away with a pair of APC trainers. It's the best clothes swap I've found. You have to pay £10 entry, but you'll potentially come away with a brand new wardrobe.

Having a nice day out or going to an event doesn't have to cost the earth. Here's my round-up of budget - or free - things to do in Hackney.

The Garden at 120 - Free Entry

The BEST view of London, in my humble opinion. You don't need to book tickets, but check the website for timings.

Backyard Comedy Club

Bethnal Green comedy club offering entertainment most nights of the week. Tickets range from £5 - £10.

Castle Cinema

All films are £5 on Mondays. Pre-booking advised.

Central Tickets

Not specific to East London, but including as there are plenty of the listings are for events around Hackney. This website tells you all the very, very cheap events where tickets haven’t sold or for various reasons the event has been reduced. You’ll find theatre, comedy and gig tickets going from £4. You need to read their emails though for the latest listings.

Hackney Picturehouse

If you're with the Three network or know someone who is, you can get £3 tickets to any film. 1 voucher per week, valid Friday to Sunday.

Hackney Museum - Free Entry

Learn about the history of Hackney.

Hackney City Farm - Free Donation/Entry

This gorgeous place is well worth a visit, not only to see the animals and communal garden, but on Thursday evenings they have free live music at their restaurant Frizzante.

Hoxton Arches - Free Entry

Art exhibitions on almost every weekend. Best to check their Instagram for the latest updates.

Jealous Shoreditch - Free Entry

Contemporary gallery in Shoreditch.

Museum of the Home - Free Entry

Hoxton-based museum charting everything to do with the home through the ages. Put aside an hour or two to browse this fascinating place.

Rich Mix Cinema

Theatre, art exhibitions and live music all live inside this Shoreditch events space.

The Nelsons

Karaoke every Saturday and reasonably-priced drinks.

Whitechapel Gallery - Free Entry

Free exhibitions and collection displays in a Whitechapel historic building.

I understand that basic exercise such as walking, Tik Tok dance routines and running are free, but thought it might be useful to share some tips on low-cost, or trial exercise options in East London.

Better swim membership - £40 / month

Ok, let's be real here. £40 is a lot of money, but if you're an avid swimmer and go enough, cost per swim works out very affordable. In the summer months, if you swim 3 times a week, each swim will be around £3.30. The best thing about Better is that there are so many Better leisure centres across London (and the UK) and your swim membership grants you entry to all of them. Also, if you're a student or over 50, the rates are lower.

Free gym trials - Nuffield, Fitness First, Class Pass

Most gyms, even the fancy ones, will let you 'try before you buy' and I write this having just returned from a free 'tour' at one of the brands mentioned above. It's really easy to sign up for these, and most of the time, there's no hard sell involved. Here are some of the current London free gym / swim trials I've found and tried:

• Nuffield - You can book a free tour at any of their London locations and make full use of the facilities, pool, gym, sauna etc. You just state your availability and receive a text which you show to the front desk.

• Fitness First - Same thing with Fitness First. Go to the link in the brand name and book a 'tour' which enables you to try out the facilities, on the house.

• Class Pass - This one slightly baffles me as it feels too good to be true, and yet I've been marketed it, three times. Class Pass will give you 50ish credits to enjoy a 1 month trial. I was offered this in January and redeemed the free trial, only to be offered it again recently. Just be sure to cancel it before the month is up if you don't want to carry on, though, as otherwise you'll be charged £60.

Tennis

Hackney Tennis is £3.25 per court, per hour and Better Tennis is around £5.

Your Friendly Runners

As aforementioned, running is free. But if you want to try and make some friends while you do it, I've been following Your Friendly Runners on Instagram for a while. If I didn't hate running with every fibre of my being, I'd be at one of their runs. It looks fantastic fun. If you enjoy running, join them.

That’s all…For now ✌️

This list is by no means exhaustive, and I’m going to try and keep it regularly updated with new deals and finds. 

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