Dalston Superstore
A joint venture from the founders of club nights Disco Bloodbath and Trailer Trash, this split-level industrial club is the go-to weekend destination for art students, media hipsters and gay clubbers.
117 Kingsland High Street, E8; dalstonsuperstore.com
The Shacklewell Arms
An unassuming pub tucked away from the buzz of Kingsland Road, where you can catch live bands and sip on real ales, or just watch the football. The 200-capacity 'back room' is home to club nights.
71 Shacklewell Lane, E8, shacklewellarms.com
A Little of What You Fancy
With a small but perfectly formed menu, this place certainly aims to do you good. British and French bistro-style dishes and a drinks list making the most of London's own, with gin from Sipsmith and beers from The Kernel brewery.
464 Kingsland Road, E8; alittleofwhatyoufancy.info
The Hackney Pearl
The décor of this award-winning bar-cum-café-cum-restaurant is billed as 'Gran's kitchen meets continental bar'. The food's pretty good, too.
11 Prince Edward Road, E9; thehackneypearl.com
Tina, We Salute You
This coffee shop and exhibition space started life as a cupcake stall at Brick Lane market, and now showcases the work of a new local artist on its walls every eight weeks or so. Coffee is by East End roasters Square Mile.
47 King Henry's Walk, N1; tinawesaluteyou.com
Beyond Retro
Vintage clothes favourite Beyond Retro (branches in Soho, Brick Lane and Brighton) opened their flagship store in Hackney last year. Widely acknowledged to be the best place in London for original, hand-picked vintage pieces.
92 Stoke Newington Road, N16; beyondretro.com
Pelicans & Parrots
Continuing the vintage trend, this furniture, clothes and art shop is a treasure trove of curiosities, many of which are inspired by the owners' fascination with 17th-century antiques.
40 & 81 Stoke Newington Road, N16; pelicansandparrots.com
Pages of Hackney
This distinctive blue bookshop on the once-infamous Lower Clapton Road has shelves of second-hand gems, a personal book-ordering service for hunting down out-of-print tomes, a monthly book group and regular exhibitions.
70 Lower Clapton Road, E5; pagesofhackney.co.uk
Rio Cinema
An independent cinema, showing classics (try the Sunday matinees), indie flicks and documentaries. Only one screen, but the lovely Art Deco auditorium and homemade cakes more than make up for it.
107 Kingsland High Street, E8; riocinema.org.uk
Arcola Theatre
A converted paint factory in Dalston, this fringe theatre supports new writing and bigger contemporary names. It also aims to become the world's first carbon neutral theatre.
24 Ashwin Street, E8; arcolatheatre.com
E5 Bakehouse
An artisan bakery and coffee shop tucked under a railway arch. E5 holds bakery classes on a Saturday where you can learn to make their speciality sourdough. Pick up a loaf of their signature Hackney Wild pain de campagne.
Arch 395, Mentmore Terrace, E8; e5bakehouse.com
Duke's Brew & Que
With a no-reservations American Brunch at weekends and barbecue every night, Duke's is the place to go for a rack of ribs or a stack of hangover-annihilating French Toast. The 'Brew' refers to the craft beers made on the premises.
33 Downham Road, N1; dukesjoint.com
Russell's of Clapton
The brainchild of ex music-industry executive Annette Russell, this modern B&B has five individually styled bedrooms. A little slice of luxury, it even has its own resident whippet, Reggie.
Chatsworth Road, E5; russellsofclapton.com
The Towpath Café
Perched beside Regent's Canal, at first glance this simple café is little more than a counter, an alcove and some alfresco wooden tables, but its quaint situation and wholesome menu have made it a local favourite.
Read more: local boy Craig McLean sings the praises of Hackney.
