Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
So good it’s already made the pages of Vogue, this Japanese restaurant puts modern twists on traditional, home-cooked dishes. The menu boasts all the usual suspects – think melt-in-the-mouth sashimi; piping-hot karage (fried chicken); and succulent charred pork skewers – alongside inventive salads and their own unique sushi roll creations. Interiors-wise, it’s like a Pinterest board come to life, with brushed gold countertops, untreated wooden stools and delicate foliage atop the tables.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
UCHI
144 Clarence RdSo good it’s already made the pages of Vogue, this Japanese restaurant puts modern twists on traditional, home-cooked dishes. The menu boasts all the usual suspects – think melt-in-the-mouth sashimi; piping-hot karage (fried chicken); and succulent charred pork skewers – alongside inventive salads and their own unique sushi roll creations. Interiors-wise, it’s like a Pinterest board come to life, with brushed gold countertops, untreated wooden stools and delicate foliage atop the tables.
If you haven’t yet tried the pizza at Sodo, you’re missing a trick. The Italian joint now has five sites across the capital, but Clapton was one of the first, following a successful pop-up at E5 Bakehouse down by London Fields. The setting is simple, but that’s not what diners come for – here, it’s all about the pizza, which Sodo take seriously. All the dough is fermented for 48 hours and then baked at super-hot temperatures so that it’s light and airy with plenty of sourdough tang.
143 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sodo Pizza Clapton
126 Upper Clapton RdIf you haven’t yet tried the pizza at Sodo, you’re missing a trick. The Italian joint now has five sites across the capital, but Clapton was one of the first, following a successful pop-up at E5 Bakehouse down by London Fields. The setting is simple, but that’s not what diners come for – here, it’s all about the pizza, which Sodo take seriously. All the dough is fermented for 48 hours and then baked at super-hot temperatures so that it’s light and airy with plenty of sourdough tang.
Serving up dim sum dishes in a fun, informal atmosphere, this dumpling house and sake bar is the first of its kind in Clapton. The décor is scuffed but darkly glamorous come night-time – all glowing multi-coloured lightboxes and lanterns – and the hand-crafted dumplings are almost pretty enough to frame. Classic siu mai and har gau are steamed to perfection, and team so well with the menu’s fresh and spicy salad selection. There are also plenty of veggie-friendly options, and an impressively extensive sake list which can also be enjoyed in the dedicated dive bar downstairs.
115 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
My Neighbours the Dumplings
165 Lower Clapton RdServing up dim sum dishes in a fun, informal atmosphere, this dumpling house and sake bar is the first of its kind in Clapton. The décor is scuffed but darkly glamorous come night-time – all glowing multi-coloured lightboxes and lanterns – and the hand-crafted dumplings are almost pretty enough to frame. Classic siu mai and har gau are steamed to perfection, and team so well with the menu’s fresh and spicy salad selection. There are also plenty of veggie-friendly options, and an impressively extensive sake list which can also be enjoyed in the dedicated dive bar downstairs.
A staple in the Clapton community since 1974, this family-run restaurant specialises in juicy, flavour-packed Turkish wraps – made from fresh ingredients sourced daily and packed with a choice of sumptuous salads (we really rate the ‘Sumakli’ – red onion, parsley, sumac and pomegranate vinegar). There’s plenty of modern twists on the menu too, including their bestselling vegan doner kebabs and halloumi fries, all served up in a minimal, airy space.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dom's Place
199 Lower Clapton RdA staple in the Clapton community since 1974, this family-run restaurant specialises in juicy, flavour-packed Turkish wraps – made from fresh ingredients sourced daily and packed with a choice of sumptuous salads (we really rate the ‘Sumakli’ – red onion, parsley, sumac and pomegranate vinegar). There’s plenty of modern twists on the menu too, including their bestselling vegan doner kebabs and halloumi fries, all served up in a minimal, airy space.
Drinks & Nightlife
If it’s atmosphere you’re looking for, this is Lower Clapton Road’s best offer. This local haunt has kept its original frontage from the previous incumbents, the Biddle Bros builders merchants. With a relaxed vibe, friendly clientele and no-frills attitude, this bar makes for a great authentic night out. The bar area offers comfy sofas, whilst the back room, with its skylights, piano and glass wall, is host to jam nights, live acoustic sessions and monthly DJ sets from local record slingers. On Fridays and Saturdays, come here to dance the night away, make new friends and sing your heart out.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Biddle Bros
88 Lower Clapton RdIf it’s atmosphere you’re looking for, this is Lower Clapton Road’s best offer. This local haunt has kept its original frontage from the previous incumbents, the Biddle Bros builders merchants. With a relaxed vibe, friendly clientele and no-frills attitude, this bar makes for a great authentic night out. The bar area offers comfy sofas, whilst the back room, with its skylights, piano and glass wall, is host to jam nights, live acoustic sessions and monthly DJ sets from local record slingers. On Fridays and Saturdays, come here to dance the night away, make new friends and sing your heart out.
Just on the Lower Clapton-Hackney border on Clarence Road, the Pacific Social Club has a real sense of fun. It’s small and cash-only – you have been warned – but remains a complete gem, serving moreish and reasonably priced vegan Japanese street food and great coffee. The alcohol selection is modest but, by crikey, do they know how to put together a cocktail – check out the hibiscus margarita. Don’t think, just do it. The decor is as eclectic and eccentric as their social media presence – the Pacific Social Clubbers have an irreverent sense of humour. If you like your music on the experimental side, you’ll like it here.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pacific Social Club
8 Clarence RdJust on the Lower Clapton-Hackney border on Clarence Road, the Pacific Social Club has a real sense of fun. It’s small and cash-only – you have been warned – but remains a complete gem, serving moreish and reasonably priced vegan Japanese street food and great coffee. The alcohol selection is modest but, by crikey, do they know how to put together a cocktail – check out the hibiscus margarita. Don’t think, just do it. The decor is as eclectic and eccentric as their social media presence – the Pacific Social Clubbers have an irreverent sense of humour. If you like your music on the experimental side, you’ll like it here.
You may be familiar with Del74’s Dalston restaurant, but their original Clapton residence is smaller and more intimate. Here, you’ll find a small but perfectly formed selection of drinks, and a finely crafted dinner menu featuring tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, nachos and wings. For your margaritas, you get the choice of mezcal or tequila, and your choice of ingredients and garnish: mouth-watering cucumber, watermelon, or lime. Get ’em at the very reasonable price of five pounds on Taco Tuesdays Happy Hour, and we’ll forgive you for trying all variations. Meanwhile, their frozen margaritas are a godsend this summer.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Del74 Dalston & Clapton
87 Lower Clapton RdYou may be familiar with Del74’s Dalston restaurant, but their original Clapton residence is smaller and more intimate. Here, you’ll find a small but perfectly formed selection of drinks, and a finely crafted dinner menu featuring tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, nachos and wings. For your margaritas, you get the choice of mezcal or tequila, and your choice of ingredients and garnish: mouth-watering cucumber, watermelon, or lime. Get ’em at the very reasonable price of five pounds on Taco Tuesdays Happy Hour, and we’ll forgive you for trying all variations. Meanwhile, their frozen margaritas are a godsend this summer.
Formerly the Bonneville, The Elephant’s Head has been restored to its former glory – its name coming from the carved stonework on the top of the building. It’s a great place for those who love a classy cocktail and appreciate a good wine list. The mixologists skilfully prepare your drinks at a bar bedecked with taxidermy and kooky vintage decor, and their hearty food menu will please those with even the largest of appetites. It’s a perfect Sunday spot for a roast, particularly since they have a bottomless offering! If that wasn’t enough to excite you, even the loos in this place are an experience. As you descend the stairs, dry ice rises from somewhere below, letting you glide spookily.
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Elephants Head
43 Lower Clapton RdFormerly the Bonneville, The Elephant’s Head has been restored to its former glory – its name coming from the carved stonework on the top of the building. It’s a great place for those who love a classy cocktail and appreciate a good wine list. The mixologists skilfully prepare your drinks at a bar bedecked with taxidermy and kooky vintage decor, and their hearty food menu will please those with even the largest of appetites. It’s a perfect Sunday spot for a roast, particularly since they have a bottomless offering! If that wasn’t enough to excite you, even the loos in this place are an experience. As you descend the stairs, dry ice rises from somewhere below, letting you glide spookily.