21 Sid

A coffee/bakery combo, 21 Sid is a much-loved quaint and colourful Italian deli filled to the brim with pastries, baked goodies and the smell of freshly ground coffee beans. There are no bad options but, if feeling particularly naughty, their frappes are a treat in every sense of the word.

Finch Cafe

A brilliant place to pop into for a pre-work breakfast; this light-filled spot has a middle eastern twist on traditional brunch items, plus freshly squeezed OJ and many a tea to choose from.

Franze & Evans

Family-run and with an emphasis on seasonal produce gracing their delectable plates, Franze & Evans is a brilliant spot for some casual lunchtime dining. With a huge selection of drinks to choose from, you can enjoy your delicious breezy Italian lunch with anything from a smoothie, in-house iced tea, or a cheeky cocktail.

Well Street Kitchen

Well known in the London foodie scene for their evening pop ups, which feature up and coming chefs, Michelin superstars and exploratory tasting journeys, Well Street Kitchen is a fine lunchtime find. Think seasonal soups, hearty Cuban sandwiches and all manner of egg-based brunching.

Dom’s Subs

Maybe you’re in need of a quick sandwich pick-up-and-eat-at-your-desk kinda lunch - but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an absolute beast of a subway. Dom’s Subs are equal parts ridiculous and incredible; they certainly do not skimp on the filling. Take a look over their meaty signatures, vegan spiced creations and cheesy delights to see which tickles your fancy. They all require two hands to eat.

Pophams

Pophams are something special, and in the pastry game there’s nobody more adept at mastering the secrets of lamination. Whether you’re a pain au chocolat dreamer, a rosemary and sea salt twist fanatic or a first time sampler of their legendary maple bacon creation, Pophams is very much worth a pop in.

E5 Bakehouse

One of the original East London artisanal bakeries, E5 Bakehouse is a charming addition to the railway arches beneath London Fields overground. With their very own stone mill onsite, they take the art of breadmaking seriously - and rise to the occasion with every loaf.

Netil Market

A socially conscious creative community, with diversity and independence in mind, Netil market is always worth a look into. Excellent food stalls (this is where Bao started off!), clothing, accessories and handcrafted homewares - this is a great place to find something unique.

Hackney City Farm

Ponies, donkeys, pigs and poultry; what’s not to love? This free (yes, free!) city farm is a nice escape from city living and includes a bountiful shop onsite for organic produce - think pulses, pastas, grains and oils. Everything you could need for a jaunt back to nature.

Conservatory Archives

Do you like plants? Perhaps even being completely surrounded by plants and breathing in that fresh, sweet oxygen? Conservatory Archives is a HUGE space filled to the brim with tropical greenery bound to be an excellent topical conversation starter in your weekly Zoom meetings.

Fancy a day in Hackney and East London? With Desana you have access to ARC Club, Second Home, Protein Studios and Mindspace Shoreditch - as well as hundreds of other spaces across London.

*Cover photo: Getty Images