Empire Café

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SquareMeal Review of Empire Café

The Hackney Empire’s in-house café (the former Marie Lloyd bar) has been transformed into something out of Urban Pantry by the folks behind the Old Ship Inn a few doors down. The Empire Café shares its neighbour’s enthusiasm for ‘Great British’ produce, but presents it more casually in the form of a (sorry-looking) breakfast buffet, salad bar, carvery & selection of sandwiches & cakes. Service is largely self-service. There are some nice ingredients – Cumbrian air-dried ham & tangy Ticklemore goats’ cheese on the deli counter, for example – but it’s not all such sparkling quality. Vintage shades, funky wallpaper & an antique clock display jazz up the room somewhat, though at its core this is a functional café: good for meal deals, a pre-theatre bite & a drop of (English) wine. The strongest selling point is the sofa-filled mezzanine: as peaceful a hideaway as you’ll find in Hackney Central.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Under £30
Cuisines
Ambience
Widely spaced tables
Food Occasions
Breakfast
Perfect for
Child friendly
Food Hygiene Rating

Location

The Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London, E8 1EJ

020 8985 2424 020 8985 2424

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 7am-7pm

Reviews

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Call Empire Café to make a booking on:

020 8985 2424 020 8985 2424

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