The Hackney Pearl (now called the Pearl Hackney Wick) is an adorable café situated in the heart of Hackney Wick. It’s near the River Lea Navigation which crosses to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Westfield Shopping Centre at Stratford. I’ve eaten here a few times now and recently visited with my mum who was in town, and she loved it. It’s perfect for weekend brunch or lunch with a lover or a few friends. With a range of dishes to suit fish and meat-eaters along with vegetarians and vegans, it’s got something for everyone. If you’re looking for Hackney Wick restaurants, restaurants near Olympic Park, places to eat near Westfield Stratford or best brunch East London do give The Hackney Pearl a try.
Restaurant Interior
The Hackney Pearl Menu
The menu isn’t vast, but it’s delicious. The dishes often change because they use fresh seasonal produce which is mostly from Britain. Their eggs and meat are free-range, the fish is sustainably caught in Essex or Cornwall, and they make most of the food on the premises. Breakfast and brunch are served at the weekend from 10 am until 1 pm. It includes dishes like free-range scrambled eggs on sourdough toast with rocket. You can add extras to this from a list including dry-cured streaky bacon, Cumberland sausage and baked beans. Mum tried this dish and ate it all, so that’s the big thumbs up from her. Or you can go for a breakfast bap which comprises of egg mayonnaise, sweet chilli jam, dry-cured streaky bacon and rocket. The other meat dish was the Merguez sausage has topped with a fried egg.
Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Sourdough Toast and Rocket
Homeboy opted for the honey roast Portobello mushroom with ricotta, rocket and walnuts on toast. I tried half of this, and it was delicious, so simple but super tasty.
Honey Roast Portobello Mushroom on Toast
I went for the pancakes with elderflower strawberries, whipped cream and golden syrup which was fabulous. A healthy alternative was the homemade granola with fresh strawberries which is served with either milk or yoghurt.
Elder Flower Strawberry Pancakes
They also feature a few sandwiches like Wiltshire ham, baby gem lettuce, cheddar and piccalilli or roast vegetables with hummus. At midday the lunch kicks in which usually features a soup. I visited a few months back with a friend who enjoyed a delicious Tuscan style tomato soup which is served with bread. This time it was a courgette version.
Tuscan Style Tomato Soup
Other dishes included the vegetarian mezze with homemade focaccia which you can try as a starter and share. The bigger meals were roast pork belly or chicken, both free-range, served with potatoes, courgette and kale. Or you could try the mussels cooked in saffron and sherry. The charcuterie selections included home-cured beef, rabbit and pork terrine and more.
Broad Bean and Pea Bruschetta
Veggie options included purple sprouting broccoli and capers with mustard dressing and a red lentil salad with spinach and cherry tomatoes with feta. I remember this lovely broad bean and pea bruschetta I had a while back, and it was so darn delicious. Desserts included homemade ice cream or sorbet, plum and frangipane tart or a chocolate pot with crushed hazelnut biscotti and double cream, yum! You’ll also spot such delicious cakes and tempting treats on the counter. They serve Ozone coffee, London brewed craft beers, wines, spirits and cocktails.
The Hackney Pear Interiors
The interiors are light industrial with painted breeze block walls, distressed painted concrete floor and exposed air conditioning pipes. The chairs and tables are an eclectic bunch of vintage finds. It’s bright and airy inside thanks to the floor to ceiling windows. Overall, it’s very laid backspace with cosy charm and welcoming community vibe.
Restaurant Interior
There are plenty of outside seats so you can soak up the sun if it’s a beautiful day. With a mix of creative locals and those seeking out a Hackney style brunch, it’s a lovely place to spend a lazy weekend morning sipping your Ozone coffee or a locally brewed London beer with your lunch.
The Hackney Pearl Information
Restaurant Exterior Seating
Cuisine: British, Mediterranean and Modern European style cooking using local produce and seasonal ingredients
Price: Breakfast dishes around £8, sandwiches about £5.50 and lunch £12.50 and upwards
Website: Hackney Pearl Website
Address: 11 Edward Road, Hackney Wick, London E9 5LX. It’s in the ground floor of Oslo House, just look for the building with the big sign on it that says, Hackney Wick
Near: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Stratford Westfield Shopping Centre. It is a short walk from Hackney Wick Overground station
Open: Check the website for up to date opening times
Wi-Fi: Yes
Décor: Light industrial
Seating: Inside room for around 30 with plenty of seats out the front
Reservations: You can book online if you want
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Homeboy and my mum and previously Richy for dining at this eatery with me.
