Best Restaurants in Dalston (2026): Tables Worth the Wait

Dalston is good for charcoal grills, natural wine and Cafe OTO, and the restaurants people save most are Babsang, Mangal 2 Restaurant and The Black Eel. Ranked from 21 places we track here, creator picks first.

Restaurants in Dalston

Updated · 21 places we track in Dalston, all first recorded in March 2026

Dalston does not tidy itself up for visitors. Turkish grills sit next to natural wine bars next to a bakery that sells out by lunchtime, and almost all of it is on the high street rather than behind an unmarked door. Cafe OTO puts on music most venues would not risk.

How we chose

We track 21 places in Dalston filed under restaurants. 4 of them turned up in creator videos we pulled apart. Places with a creator mention, a member save or a member gem rank first, and mentions weigh most. The rest runs on a broader popularity signal from our wider place index, so the tail of this list moves less than the top does. Last added to in March 2026.

Ranked restaurants in Dalston

Babsang, Dalston, restaurant

Babsang

Restaurant · Dalston

Creative Korean cooking in a relaxed London setting where traditional flavors meet modern touches.

“The topokki is amazing alongside some ice cold Hite beers and soju.” (Babsang)

@londontheinside on tiktok

1 creator video · 1 member save · 1 public list

Mangal 2 Restaurant, Dalston, restaurant

Mangal 2 Restaurant

Restaurant · Dalston

Unpretentious Turkish grill serving inventive meat dishes alongside an interesting natural wine list.

Mangal 2 – elevated Turkish, cool crowd, proper East London date

@immyperry on tiktok

1 creator video

The Black Eel, Dalston, restaurant

The Black Eel

Restaurant · Dalston

The Black Hill. It's a Grade II-listed former pie and mash shop, and here Riley's runs the kitchen.

@aton_of_food on tiktok

1 creator video

The Marquee Moon, Dalston, restaurant

The Marquee Moon

Restaurant · Dalston

Next up, we have the Marquee Moon in Dalston.

@aton_of_food on tiktok

1 creator video

Dalston Jazz Bar, Dalston, restaurant

Dalston Jazz Bar

Restaurant · Dalston

Cozy seafood restaurant where live jazz fills the air every night.

Acme Fire Cult, Dalston, restaurant

Acme Fire Cult

Restaurant · Dalston

Creative European cooking over live flames with outdoor seating in London.

The Scolt Head, Dalston, restaurant

The Scolt Head

Restaurant · Dalston

Tucked away pub where you can grab classic British fare and enjoy sunny afternoons in their lovely garden.

House of MoMo, Dalston, restaurant

House of MoMo

Restaurant · Dalston

Neighborhood gem serving up delicious Nepalese dumplings and a solid drinks selection.

OREN, Dalston, restaurant

OREN

Restaurant · Dalston

Mediterranean sharing plates and cocktails in a relaxed London setting.

Mangal 1, Dalston, restaurant

Mangal 1

Restaurant · Dalston

Turkish restaurant serving exceptional kebabs and fresh pide in a welcoming atmosphere.

Andu Ethiopian Vegan Café, Dalston, restaurant

Andu Ethiopian Vegan Café

Restaurant · Dalston

Cozy Ethiopian restaurant where you bring your own drinks and enjoy genuine home-cooked meals.

Storm in a Teacup, Dalston, restaurant

Storm in a Teacup

Restaurant · Dalston

Hunt through creative designer finds and surplus stock without breaking the bank.

The Hunter S, Dalston, restaurant

The Hunter S

Restaurant · Dalston

Quirky pub serving proper British food in a lively, characterful setting.

The Talbot, Dalston, restaurant

The Talbot

Restaurant · Dalston

Charming gastropub serving European cuisine with a relaxed vibe and garden terrace.

Somine, Dalston, restaurant

Somine

Restaurant · Dalston

Turkish kebabs and meze keep locals coming back to this warm, inviting spot in London.

Pamela, Dalston, restaurant

Pamela

Restaurant · Dalston

Vegan Chinese restaurant in London where creative cooking and a buzzy crowd make for a really good night out.

Jones & Sons Dalston, Dalston, restaurant

Jones & Sons Dalston

Restaurant · Dalston

Former factory turned stylish restaurant serving modern British food and cocktails in Dalston.

Supa Ya Ramen, Dalston, restaurant

Supa Ya Ramen

Restaurant · Dalston

London ramen joint that puts creative twists on classic broths and toppings.

Oxfam, Dalston, restaurant

Oxfam

Restaurant · Dalston

Beer + Burger Store Dalston, Dalston, restaurant

Beer + Burger Store Dalston

Restaurant · Dalston

Casual hangout serving juicy smashed burgers paired with quality craft beers in Dalston.

Dalston, Dalston, restaurant

Dalston

Restaurant · Dalston

More in Dalston

Where this data comes from

Spillist pulls places out of TikToks and Reels and keeps track of what people save. The counts on this page cover the 21 places we hold in the Dalston neighbourhood. Spot something wrong or closed? Tell us.

All Dalston guides