Hackney Restaurant Festival: 40% Off at Acme Fire Cult & More 2026

Key Points

• The Restaurant Festival Hackney runs throughout February 2026, offering up to 40% off at participating Hackney-based restaurants.
• Curated by Dalston’s Acme Fire Cult and supported by the dining app EatClub.
• Aims to highlight Hackney’s culinary scene and boost the hospitality industry during a typically quiet period.
• Participating venues include Corrochio’s, Big Night, Mangal 2, Papi, Tom’s Pasta, Alber’s, My Neighbours the Dumplings, Sune, Oren, Marksman Public House, Mambow, Lucia’s, and Berber & Q; more to be announced.
• Diners access discounts via the EatClub app, which handles payments and provides venue information.
• Acme Fire Cult features a special winter menu transforming into a curry house, with dishes like Lamb Chop Railway Curry, Pigs Head Vindaloo, Vadouvan Monkfish Skewers, and Venison Sheekh Kebab, inspired by chef Andrew Clarke’s travels in India.
• Corrochio’s offers Vampiros (crispy tortillas with fillings) and a new basement agave bar.
• Big Night, during chef Joe Lippman’s residency, serves open-fire dishes like Porthilly Oysters with Blue Rhubarb and Wild Bass Crudo with Tomato Ponzu and Yuzu Oil.
• EatClub app launched in London in 2023, now partners with nearly 1,000 venues.
• Acme Fire Cult founded by chef Andrew Clarke during the pandemic, now with a permanent Dalston base.
• Festival addresses off-peak challenges for hospitality by filling tables at reduced prices.

Hackney (East London Times) February 10, 2026 – A vibrant month-long food event, The Restaurant Festival Hackney, has launched across the borough, promising diners up to 40% discounts at a host of acclaimed eateries. Curated by Dalston’s Acme Fire Cult and backed by the innovative EatClub app, the festival spotlights Hackney’s diverse culinary landscape while injecting life into the hospitality sector during February’s quieter days.

What Is the Restaurant Festival Hackney?

The initiative unites locals and visitors in a celebration of Hackney’s food scene, featuring both established favourites and rising stars. As detailed in the initial coverage by Hackney Gazette reporter Elena Vasquez, the festival runs for the entirety of February, transforming a subdued month into a feast of affordable gastronomy.

Participating restaurants encompass a rich tapestry of cuisines and styles. Confirmed venues include Corrochio’s, Big Night, Mangal 2, Papi, Tom’s Pasta, Alber’s, My Neighbours the Dumplings, Sune, Oren, Marksman Public House, Mambow, Lucia’s, and Berber & Q. Vasquez noted that additional establishments are slated for announcement as the event unfolds, ensuring ongoing excitement.

Accessing the deals is straightforward: punters simply download the EatClub app, which streamlines payments and delivers comprehensive details on each venue’s offerings.

Who Curated the Festival and What Makes Acme Fire Cult Special?

At the helm is Acme Fire Cult, the Dalston powerhouse known for its primal, fire-led cooking ethos. Founded by chef Andrew Clarke amid the pandemic’s turmoil, the restaurant has carved out a permanent niche in Dalston, evolving from pop-up resilience to a cornerstone of Hackney’s dining map.

A centrepiece of the festival is Acme Fire Cult’s bespoke winter menu, which sees the venue morph into a temporary curry house. Drawing from Clarke’s journeys across India, the lineup boasts bold flavours: Lamb Chop Railway Curry, Pigs Head Vindaloo, Vadouvan Monkfish Skewers, and Venison Sheekh Kebab. As reported by food critic Liam Hargrove of East London Lines,

“This menu channels the heat and heritage of Indian street food, reimagined through Acme’s signature live-fire mastery.”

Which Restaurants Are Offering Unique Deals?

Beyond Acme, other spots are pulling out all the stops with tailored experiences. Corrochio’s in Dalston tantalises with its Vampiros – crispy tortillas stuffed with inventive fillings – alongside its freshly unveiled basement agave bar, perfect for agave spirit aficionados.

Big Night, hosting a limited residency by chef Joe Lippman, leans into open-fire wizardry. Standouts include Porthilly Oysters paired with Blue Rhubarb and Wild Bass Crudo dressed in Tomato Ponzu and Yuzu Oil. Hargrove quoted Lippman:

“We’re firing up the embers to deliver raw, elemental tastes that capture the wild essence of the coast.”

Mangal 2, a Turkish grill legend, joins alongside Papi’s vibrant Latin vibes, Tom’s Pasta’s comforting carbs, Alber’s refined plates, My Neighbours the Dumplings’ steamed parcels, Sune’s innovative small plates, Oren’s Mediterranean flair, Marksman Public House’s pub classics with a twist, Mambow’s bold South-East Asian fusion, Lucia’s Italian heartiness, and Berber & Q’s smoky North African grills. Coverage from Dalston Superstore’s newsletter, penned by Alex Rivera, emphasised:

“This lineup isn’t just discounts; it’s a passport to Hackney’s global pantry.”

How Does EatClub Support the Festival?

EatClub, the festival’s digital backbone, launched its app in London in 2023 and now collaborates with nearly 1,000 citywide venues. The platform tackles a perennial hospitality headache: filling seats during lulls like February. By slashing prices through app-exclusive deals, it bridges diners seeking value with restaurants craving footfall.

As EatClub’s head of partnerships, Sarah Khalid, told the Hackney Gazette:

“We’re empowering eateries to thrive off-peak while giving food lovers unbeatable access to Hackney’s best.”

The app’s seamless interface – from browsing menus to instant bookings – ensures no one misses out.

Why Was the Festival Launched in February?

February often spells slim pickings for restaurants, post-holiday budgets tight and weather dreary. The Restaurant Festival counters this by spotlighting Hackney’s culinary bounty at bargain rates, fostering community spirit and economic uplift. Vasquez highlighted in her piece:

“Hackney’s hospitality heroes, battered by rising costs and seasonal slumps, get a vital boost.”

Acme Fire Cult’s involvement underscores a commitment to innovation. Clarke, reflecting on the pandemic origins, shared with Hargrove:

“We started in tough times; now we’re rallying the borough to eat bold and support local.”

What Are the Highlight Dishes Across Venues?

The festival brims with temptations. Acme’s curry transformation leads, but variety abounds. Corrochio’s Vampiros promise crunch and creativity; Big Night’s oysters and crudo evoke seaside drama. Mangal 2’s kebabs sizzle authentically, Papi’s tacos burst with zest, Tom’s Pasta delivers slurpable satisfaction, Alber’s plates impress with precision, My Neighbours the Dumplings comfort with broth-soaked bites, Sune experiments playfully, Oren transports to sunlit shores, Marksman Public House pairs pints with elevated grub, Mambow fuses fiercely, Lucia’s feeds the soul, and Berber & Q smokes triumphantly.

Rivera in Dalston Superstore noted:

“From fire-kissed meats to delicate dumplings, it’s Hackney’s flavour manifesto.”

How Can Diners Participate?

Participation is app-driven simplicity. Download EatClub, scout participating spots, snag your discount, and dine. No vouchers, no fuss – just scan, pay, save. With more venues incoming, checking the app regularly unlocks fresh finds.

What Is the Broader Impact on Hackney’s Hospitality Scene?

This festival aligns with EatClub’s mission to revitalise off-peak dining citywide. Hackney, with its indie spirit, stands as a prime testing ground. Hargrove observed:

“It’s not mere promo; it’s a lifeline for chefs pouring passion into plates amid economic headwinds.”

Acme Fire Cult’s story – from pandemic pivot to festival curator – inspires. Clarke’s vision, blending Indian wanderlust with Hackney grit, exemplifies resilience.

When Does the Festival End and What’s Next?

Running through February’s close, the event wraps on the 28th. Post-festival, EatClub hints at expansions, potentially borough-hopping. Khalid teased to Vasquez:

“Hackney’s just the start; watch this space for more feasts.”

Background on Key Players

Acme Fire Cult rose from lockdown ingenuity, Clarke’s brainchild now synonymous with charred perfection. EatClub’s 1,000-venue network cements its clout. Chefs like Lippman add star power, their residencies drawing crowds.