The Spurstowe Arms

Wilton Way, north of London Fields, has emerged as the most gastronomic thoroughfare in hipper-than-thou Dalston. It has the lot: a cake shop, a posh off-licence, a coffee bar, & a proper boozer in The Spurstowe Arms. The pub (now, finally, with its own sign outside) has the taxidermy, vintage lamps & artfully placed mirror ball of many a trendy urban pub, but never looks as if the designers have taken over. It’s a cool pub, loved by a cool crowd, & yet is pretty straightforward, featuring a walled beer garden, jugs of bloody Mary on the bar, a fresh pint of Broadside & some fine tunes on the sound system. Alas, the food could be so much better. Fish, chips & minted peas, & potato ravioli with wild mushrooms, are inexpensive but uninspired. A global wine list offers around a dozen wines with plenty under £20.