Namo

Namo’s shabby chic ‘gentrified IKEA meets cool colonial’ look has Hackney’s style-conscious diners smitten. The bohemian surroundings, decked terrace, colourful silk lanterns & bonus ‘Banksy’ on the outside wall are very alluring, but, warns a detractor, ‘a patterned cup & a wicker chair do not a hearty meal make’. Portions tend to be small, although the budget Vietnamese food is ‘fine’ – if not as thrilling as you’ll find on Kingsland Road or Mare Street. In common with its sister restaurant, Englefield Road’s Huong Viet, Namo’s strength is in decent, if sometimes rather slapdash, renditions of Vietnamese standards such as goi cuon rice-paper rolls, banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) & fragrant noodle soups. Weekly specials & wines from Bottle Apostle are points of interest on what’s otherwise a mainstream menu.