Key Points
- Eleven98, a pioneering supper club in Hackney, East London, has transformed into a hyperlocal urban farm, focusing on sustainable, farm-to-table dining experiences for culinary travellers.
- The initiative integrates urban agriculture directly into the dining process, using rooftop and vertical farming techniques to grow fresh produce on-site.
- Launched on Thursday, March 19, 2026, Eleven98 emphasises hyperlocal sourcing, reducing food miles to zero by cultivating ingredients within the venue itself.
- The supper club caters to culinary tourists seeking immersive experiences, blending dining with educational tours of the urban farm setup.
- Key features include seasonal menus crafted from home-grown herbs, vegetables, and microgreens, paired with storytelling about sustainable urban living.
- Eleven98 collaborates with local Hackney growers and chefs to promote biodiversity and community involvement in urban farming.
- Pricing starts at £75 per person for a multi-course tasting menu, with bookings essential due to limited seating.
- The project addresses East London’s growing demand for eco-conscious dining amid rising interest in regenerative agriculture.
- As reported by Travel and Tour World, Eleven98 positions Hackney as a hub for innovative culinary tourism, attracting visitors from across the UK and Europe.
- Future plans include expanding the urban farm to neighbouring sites and hosting workshops on hydroponics and permaculture.
Hackney, East London (East London Times) March 19, 2026 – Eleven98, the innovative supper club in Hackney, has officially unveiled its transformation into a hyperlocal urban farm, redefining dining for culinary travellers in East London. This bold initiative, launched today, integrates on-site farming with immersive supper club experiences, spotlighting sustainable practices in one of the capital’s most vibrant boroughs. The move comes as urban agriculture gains traction amid climate concerns and a surge in demand for authentic, low-impact food experiences.
- Key Points
- What is Eleven98’s Hyperlocal Urban Farm Concept?
- How Does Eleven98 Integrate Farming into Supper Club Dining?
- Why is Hackney the Ideal Location for This Urban Farm?
- What Makes Eleven98 Appealing to Culinary Travellers?
- Who Are the Key Players Behind Eleven98?
- What Are the Sustainability Benefits of This Model?
- How Much Does It Cost and How to Book?
- What Challenges Does Eleven98 Face?
- What’s Next for Eleven98 and Hackney Supper Clubs?
What is Eleven98’s Hyperlocal Urban Farm Concept?
Eleven98’s core concept revolves around turning unused urban spaces into productive farms that directly supply its supper club kitchens. According to coverage in Travel and Tour World under the “Hackney supper club” tag, the venue utilises rooftop gardens, vertical hydroponic systems, and indoor grow lights to cultivate a range of produce including kale, tomatoes, basil, and edible flowers.
“This isn’t just dining; it’s a full-circle experience where guests see, touch, and taste the journey from seed to plate,”
stated the project’s lead, as highlighted in the article
“Eleven98 Turns East London Into A Hyperlocal Urban Farm For Culinary Travellers: Here’s What You Need To Know,”
published on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
The farm spans approximately 500 square metres across the venue’s upper levels, optimised for Hackney’s microclimate. As detailed by Travel and Tour World journalists, every ingredient served is grown on-site, eliminating transport emissions and ensuring peak freshness.
This hyperlocal approach aligns with broader trends in East London, where community-led farming initiatives are proliferating to combat food insecurity and promote resilience.
How Does Eleven98 Integrate Farming into Supper Club Dining?
Eleven98 seamlessly blends agriculture with gastronomy through structured evenings that begin with farm tours. Guests arrive for a guided walkthrough of the growing systems, learning about soil-less cultivation and pest management without chemicals.
“Our hydroponic towers yield 10 times more produce than traditional soil methods in the same space,”
explained a spokesperson in the Travel and Tour World feature.
Dining follows, featuring five to seven courses where each dish spotlights a specific farm element. For instance, a starter of microgreen salad with foraged Hackney herbs precedes mains like urban-farmed mushroom risotto.
Wine pairings draw from low-intervention English producers, maintaining the locavore ethos. As reported extensively under the Hackney supper club tag on Travel and Tour World, sessions cap at 20 diners to foster intimacy, with timings from 7pm to 10pm, three nights weekly.
Why is Hackney the Ideal Location for This Urban Farm?
Hackney’s dense urban fabric and progressive community make it a natural fit for Eleven98’s model. The borough boasts over 100 community gardens and a history of grassroots food projects, providing fertile ground—literally—for expansion.
Travel and Tour World’s coverage notes that Eleven98 leverages Hackney’s rooftop potential, often underutilised amid the area’s high-rise conversions.
Local council support, including grants for green roofs, has been pivotal.
“Hackney Council’s sustainability targets align perfectly with our zero-waste farm,”
a venue representative told Travel and Tour World journalists. Proximity to global travel hubs like London City Airport draws culinary travellers, positioning Eleven98 as East London’s answer to destination dining.
What Makes Eleven98 Appealing to Culinary Travellers?
Culinary tourists flock to Eleven98 for its unique narrative-driven experiences. Beyond meals, the supper club offers “farm-to-fork” workshops, teaching techniques like aquaponics. As per the March 19, 2026, Travel and Tour World article, international visitors comprise 40% of bookings, lured by social media buzz and features in global travel guides.
The venue’s aesthetic—rustic shipping containers repurposed as grow houses—enhances Instagram appeal. Menus evolve weekly with harvests, ensuring novelty. “We’ve had chefs from Michelin-starred spots join as guests, raving about the purity of flavours,” noted the coverage under the Hackney supper club tag.
Who Are the Key Players Behind Eleven98?
The project stems from a collective of Hackney locals, led by entrepreneur Mia Chen, a former urban planner with a passion for regenerative food systems. Chen partnered with chef Theo Patel, known for pop-up events in Dalston, and agronomist Dr. Lena Kowalski from the University of East London. Travel and Tour World credits their collaboration as the spark:
“Chen’s vision, Patel’s menus, and Kowalski’s expertise create a trifecta of innovation”.
Community stakeholders include Hackney growers’ co-op members, who supply seeds and volunteer labour. No external investors are named, underscoring the grassroots ethos.
What Are the Sustainability Benefits of This Model?
Eleven98 slashes carbon footprints by localising production. Hydroponics uses 90% less water than field farming, per Dr. Kowalski’s input in Travel and Tour World reports. Biodiversity thrives via companion planting, attracting pollinators to the rooftop.
Waste is minimised: kitchen scraps feed worm composters, enriching the system. The model serves as a blueprint for scaling urban farms, potentially influencing policy. “This could inspire 50 more sites across London,” Kowalski stated.
How Much Does It Cost and How to Book?
Tickets range from £75 to £120, covering the full experience. As outlined in the “Here’s What You Need To Know” piece by Travel and Tour World, advance booking via the Eleven98 website is mandatory, with waitlists for peak dates. Group rates and private events are available for £100-plus per head.
What Challenges Does Eleven98 Face?
Urban farming hurdles include weather volatility and space constraints. Hackney’s pollution requires air filtration for crops, as noted in coverage. Scalability demands permits for expansion, with council approvals pending. Despite this, early reviews praise resilience: “A beacon in urban food deserts,” per a guest quote in Travel and Tour World.
What’s Next for Eleven98 and Hackney Supper Clubs?
Expansion plans target adjacent rooftops by summer 2026, aiming for 1,000sqm. Partnerships with London tour operators will boost accessibility. As Travel and Tour World reports, Eleven98 eyes certification as a B-Corp, amplifying impact.
This initiative cements Hackney’s status as a culinary innovation hub, blending tourism, sustainability, and community. With East London’s food scene evolving, Eleven98 leads the charge.
