From late-night parties to excellent comprehensive schools, living in Dalston certainly does offer a little bit of everything. Seen as more residential than Shoreditch, and better for nightlife than Islington, Dalston is the go-to neighbourhood for young partygoers and families. It's quite the mix.
A combination of old and new, Dalston features lively settings at Kingsland Road and plenty of tree-lined residential streets just off the main thoroughfare. The north-east London postcode is high in demand and is awash with creativity, boutique shops and the latest restaurants.
Storm in a Teacup
Head to Storm in a Teacup and browse a selection of curated garments. It has promoted sustainable fashion since 2011 and is a big hit with people living in Dalston. Find the latest looks with a selection of high-end, quality clothes, accessories and shoes.
You can also sell you unwanted designer clobber to make space for some new items. All designs at Storm in a Teacup are sourced from fellow fashion collectors and enthusiasts. It's what makes the store a community hotspot in Dalston as well as a great place to find trendy garments.
Find at 366 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, London E8 4DA
Phone no: 020 8127 5471
Email: Shop@storminateacuplondon
Follow @storminateacuplondon
Tin Café
As a local neighbourhood coffee spot, Tin Café ensures that you’ll enjoy more than a hot brew. Choose from a selection of homemade pastries, cakes and hearty sandwiches that will satisfy your hunger cravings.
There’s also free WIFI and a bike pump for Dalston’s many cyclists. So you can stop by and get your bike road-ready while sipping on strong coffee. Tin Café also promotes local talent by featuring their works of art on its walls.
Find at 1 Middleton Rd, Dalston, London E8 4BL
Phone no: 020 7249 9355
Follow @Tin_Cafe
Chick ‘n’ Sours
A chicken shop with a difference, Chick' n' Sours serves succulent fried chicken and encourages you to wash them down with sour cocktails. Enjoy the Dalston-esque interiors that feature funky bar stools, exposed brickwork and quirky wall art.
And let’s not forget the fried chicken and sour cocktails. Choose from chicken with house fry sauce, katsu curry and plain tender options. Then order cocktail specials like Chicken ‘n’ Club with its gin, raspberry shrub and blackcurrant leaf.
Find at 390 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, London E8 4AA
Phone no: 020 3620 8728
Email: [email protected]
Follow @chicknsours
Brilliant Corners
Mix music and food at Brilliant Corners, a well-reviewed Japanese restaurant with an emphasis on music. The restaurant-bar serves dishes inspired by Japan's izakayas, as well as bites like edamame beans and chicken kara-age. Not to mention, there's top-notch sushi.
The music element of Brilliant Corners is what sets it apart from the rest. There’s a world-class sound system, which DJs make the most of with impressive sets. And if you fancy listening to live music; you’re in luck. Brilliant Corners often hosts live artists, who mostly play relaxing jazz sounds.
Find at 470 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, London E8 4AE
Phone no: 020 7812 9511
Email: [email protected]
Follow @brilliant_cnrs
Prick
If you were looking for proof of Dalston's hipster vibes, then look no further than Prick. Described as "London's first cactus and succulent boutique", Prick sells a range of cacti and is a big hit with those living in Dalston.
Choose your cacti and give your Dalston apartment a shot of green. Most of the cacti are imported from Holland, and there are more than 150 varieties to choose from. Buy cute cacti for your mantlepiece or go for a larger one that looks like it came straight out of the desert.
Find at 492 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, London E8 4AE
Phone no: 07465 416143
Follow @prickldn
The Shelter
Nightlife is a big deal in Dalston. So it won't come as a surprise to learn that there are many places to shake your leg. The Shelter is a revamped bar and club with a focus on playing great music for those in attendance.
Strong industrial vibes are going on at The Shelter, with exposed pipes and dim red lighting. Despite being spread over two floors, it's a small, intimate club. But the sounds are anything but quiet: it's known for having some of the best DJs around.
Find at 267 Kingsland Rd, Whitmore Estate, London E2 8AS
Phone no: 020 3774 6351
Follow @ShelterClubLondon
Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
The open space of Dalston Eastern Curve Garden lets you embrace tranquillity and is a little oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle. The garden is located on an old railway line and features colourful flowers and plants that offer an alternative to the neighbourhood's built-up surroundings.
The Borough of Hackney is the third most densely populated area in the capital, so the presence of Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is most welcome. Go for a scenic stroll or sit and admire local nature as you get away from the noise of London.
Find at 13 Dalston Ln, Dalston, London E8 3DF
Follow @EasternCurve
The Arcola Theatre
Shoreditch, Hoxton and Dalston are all known as creative neighbourhoods. Representing the artist vibes in Dalston is the Arcola Theatre, one of London’s leading off-West End stages. There’s a mixture of new works, as well as classic productions to see here.
Indulge in world drama with programmes like Grimeborn, which shows bold new versions of classic operas. While the Playwrought programme champions new writing and voices by commissioning 12 fresh and exciting scripts.
Find at 24 Ashwin St, Dalston, London E8 3DL
Phone no: 020 7503 1646
Follow @arcolatheatre
The Rio
If you’re living in Dalston and looking for a local cinema, head to The Rio. Set in a Grade II listed building, this picturehouse is an independent Art Deco cinema with bags of charm. It’s located on Kingsland High Street and shows a range of flicks, from blockbuster movies to art-house favourites.
The Rio has existed in Dalston for more than 100 years, which makes it a staple of the local community. Initially called Kingsland Palace of Animated Pictures, the cinema has gone through many iterations over the years before settling on the name The Rio in 1976.
Find at 107 Kingsland High St, Dalston, London E8 2PB
Phone no: 020 7241 9410
Follow @riocinema
London Fields Lido
Sticking with the Art Deco vibes, London Fields Lido is a popular outdoor heated pool in the Borough of Hackney. For a city where it mostly rains, historic lidos are particularly popular in the capital. Of the many options, London Fields Lido is perhaps the best.
It features a 50m Olympic size swimming pool and is open all-year-round – even in sub-zero degrees temperature. Head here in the warmer months, however, and you can expect a bustling place full of sun-seekers. And those looking to refresh with a dip in this historic swimming pool.
Find at London Fields West Side, Hackney, London E8 3EU
Phone no: 020 7254 9038
Follow @better_uk
Living in Dalston
If you’re a partygoer, Dalston has you covered. If you’re looking to lay down roots, the north-east area has you covered for that too. Want to embrace your Bohemian side? Dalston is the place to be. Living in Dalston offers an eclectic mix that caters to most tastes. And that makes it one of London’s prime neighbourhoods.
