Lardo

As east London’s culinary sands shift around it, Lardo has quietly matured into one of Hackney’s most dependable neighbourhood hangouts. Some of that, perhaps, is down to the unique, globe-trotting view it takes on Italian cooking - ‘flavours, techniques and combinations reflecting a much wider world,’ says the website. The short version being, if you’re expecting a bowl of carbonara, you’re in the wrong place.

What you can expert is bold, wide-spectrum cooking that is never predictable. First, though, the interiors - rather beautiful, we think. There’s something of Lyle’s in the dining room, albeit less minimal and more industrial. High ceilings meet huge windows spilling with natural light, and hung timber shelves heaving with bottles; Lardo manages to be neighbourly and chic, but still quite a spectacle. The energy all comes from the open kitchen, which dominates the space, thrumming with busy chefs and a mirrorball pizza oven that does the heavy lifting on the menu.

The pizzas remain (because what else are you going to do with a mirrorball pizza oven) but the real magic happens in the unexpected corners of the menu. Suspend your expectations of what an Italian restaurant should be, and immediately order the sesame prawn spring roll with Parmesan cream and chilli oil - a dish that delivers on all levels, and shows there are great riches to be found in the thoughtful combination of otherwise alien cuisines.

Deep fried sausage ravioli with Calabrian chilli is altogether more traditional, but just as fantastic - the perfect crunchy snack to warm up as you dissect the rest of the menu. Wild boar cannelloni, blistered in the pizza oven's searing heat, arrive with perfect, crisp edges, even if the sauce could use a touch more reduction. A stout, architectural block of tiramisu finishes things off, showing that Lardo knows how to deliver on the classics too.

Ultimately, Lardo thrives because it refuses to play it safe. Hackney is overflowing with places to eat, but few manage to combine neighbourhood warmth with such inventive culinary thrills.

Tucked along Richmond Road in Hackney, Lardo is one of East London’s most beloved neighbourhood restaurants, the sort of place locals return to week after week, drawn in by its warm, unfussy charm and a menu that’s as seasonal as it is satisfying.

Open seven days a week, Lardo offers a full à la carte menu from noon until late, with a line-up of small plates, handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and indulgent desserts that evolve with the best of British produce. The kitchen works closely with seasonal availability, meaning some specials may only appear for a short window, which only adds to the appeal. It’s the kind of place where you’re likely to discover a new favourite every time.

The menu is rooted in Italian comfort with a Hackney twist. Think homemade focaccia, saffron and vegan ‘nduja arancini, or a beef carpaccio with pickled kohlrabi and salsa verde. Pastas include crab linguine with Calabrian chillies, paccheri with Sicilian fennel sausage ragu, and the kind of creamy risotto that’s made for slow lunches. Pizza-wise, both red and white base options are covered from the spicy ‘Hotties’ (pepperoni, scamorza, pickled jalapeños) to a dreamy white-base Carbonara pizza with guanciale, egg yolk, and pecorino.

For dessert, don’t miss the tiramisu or the hazelnut gelato affogato, the perfect way to round off a laid-back evening with friends. On weekends, Lardo’s brunch menu offers seasonal twists on the classics from 11am to 2pm, paired with house roast coffee from Cuppers Choice or loose leaf tea by Brew Tea Co.

As for drinks, Lardo keeps it local and low-intervention. The wine list champions organic and biodynamic bottles, the beers are often brewed just around the corner, and the cocktails are built with craft spirits and serious care. Whether you're after a casual lunch, romantic dinner, or lively group night, Lardo always hits the mark. It’s Hackney hospitality at its best.