Hackney Restaurant Festival: Acme Fire Cult Launches February Deals

Key Points

• A new Hackney Restaurant Festival launches in February 2026, founded by Dalston’s Acme Fire Cult and the hospitality app EatClub.​
• The chef-led event aims to spotlight independent neighbourhood restaurants during the quieter winter season, boosting footfall and supporting local culinary talent.​
• Paul Rosser from Acme Fire Cult seeks to enhance accessibility and affordability with offers like set menus and up to 40% discounts.​
• Inspiration draws from New York Restaurant Week to make fine dining more reachable.​
• Participating venues include Mangal 2, Pastarocia, Al’s Place, Neighbours the Dumplings, Berber & Q, and Big Mama’s.​
• Pan Koutlakis, CEO of EatClub, highlights the festival’s goal to fill seats in February, a tough month for eateries.​
• Diners access deals via the free EatClub app by redeeming codes at participating spots.​
• The festival runs from 1 to 28 February; more details at eatclub.co.uk.​

Hackney (Evening Standard) 13 January 2026 – Acme Fire Cult, the popular Dalston live-fire restaurant, and EatClub, the hospitality app, have announced the launch of the Hackney Restaurant Festival next month. This chef-led celebration spotlights independent neighbourhood joints amid the winter lull, featuring set menus, discounts up to 40 per cent, and community support for Hackney’s vibrant food scene. Paul Rosser from Acme Fire Cult emphasised boosting accessibility when diners tighten belts post-holidays.

What is the Hackney Restaurant Festival?

The Hackney Restaurant Festival emerges as a fresh initiative to rally local diners around esteemed eateries in the borough. Founded by Acme Fire Cult and EatClub, it runs throughout February 2026, targeting the post-Christmas slowdown. As reported in the Evening Standard, the event unites “some of Hackney’s most highly regarded restaurants,” fostering community ties and culinary flair.

This neighbourhood series draws direct inspiration from successful models like New York Restaurant Week. Paul Rosser, from Acme Fire Cult, told the Standard:

“I’ve always admired how New York Restaurant Week makes fine dining more accessible, and that inspired our festival.”

He continued:

“Hackney boasts a dynamic and ever-changing food landscape, filled with innovative, independent restaurants that are deeply embedded in the local community. Kicking off in February also assists restaurants during one of their quieter times, ensuring these local gems continue to thrive while providing opportunities for people to socialise and relish the exceptional cuisine Hackney has to offer.”​

EatClub’s involvement brings tech-driven ease, allowing punters to snag deals seamlessly. Pan Koutlakis, CEO of EatClub, stated to Yahoo News UK:

“February can be challenging for many dining establishments, so we’ve created this festival with a clear objective: to fill more seats during a crucial time for restaurants.”

The app remains free, enabling users to browse venues and redeem offers via codes.​

Who Founded the Hackney Restaurant Festival?

Acme Fire Cult, a Dalston favourite known for its outdoor terrace and live-fire cooking, spearheads the effort alongside EatClub. Paul Rosser, a key figure at Acme Fire Cult, drove the vision for affordability, as covered by the Evening Standard. The restaurant, celebrated for its smoky grills and cult following, positions itself beyond mere dining – “It’s Not Just A Restaurant, It’s A Cult!” according to its site.​

EatClub, the app partner, specialises in dynamic pricing to aid off-peak bookings. Pan Koutlakis leads as CEO, with the platform now active in London spots like Shoreditch and Soho. As noted in East London Times coverage of the Standard report, this duo aims to drive footfall precisely when independents need it most.

What Deals Can Diners Expect?

Offers centre on value, including fixed set menus and hefty discounts. A standout promotion hits 40 per cent off, making high-end bites wallet-friendly. Paul Rosser highlighted this to the Standard, noting the intent to counter reduced winter spending.​

Pan Koutlakis reinforced the strategy: initiatives like these directly tackle empty tables in lean months. Diners download EatClub gratis, scout participating spots, and apply promo codes on-site for instant savings. Such accessibility echoes broader trends, akin to how apps revolutionised post-COVID recovery, as Koutlakis discussed in past Forbes Australia interviews.

Which Restaurants Are Participating?

Confirmed participants showcase Hackney’s diversity: Mangal 2, Pastarocia (likely Pastarocia for pasta lovers), Al’s Place, Neighbours the Dumplings (specialising in dumplings), Berber & Q (Turkish BBQ), and Big Mama’s (possibly Big Night or a homey Italian). These venues represent the borough’s “innovative, independent” ethos, per Rosser.​

Hackney’s scene thrives with spots like these, amid a landscape of fire-cooked feasts and neighbourhood gems. While full lists evolve, early announcements spotlight community anchors, from Dalston kebabs at Mangal 2 to dumpling havens.

Why Launch in February?

February marks a nadir for hospitality, post-holiday budgets waning. Rosser pinpointed this to the Standard: the timing “assists restaurants during one of their quieter times.” Koutlakis echoed: “to fill more seats during a crucial time.”​

Winter traditionally sees lulls, yet Hackney’s independents endure via such boosts. The festival counters this, much like New York Restaurant Week sustains buzz in off-seasons. By centring “neighbourhood joints,” it bolsters locals over chains.

How Inspired by New York Restaurant Week?

Rosser explicitly credited New York Restaurant Week for democratising fine dining.

“I’ve always admired how [it] makes fine dining more accessible,”

he said. Hackney’s version adapts this: discounts and sets mirror the US model’s allure, tailored to East London’s vibe.​

This cross-Atlantic nod fits Hackney’s global palate, blending local talent with proven tactics. Similar UK efforts, like London Restaurant Festival, prove efficacy, though Hackney’s stays hyper-local.​

How Does EatClub Work for the Festival?

Users grab the free app, peruse offers, and redeem codes at tables. EatClub’s tech, honed post-COVID, excels at filling gaps dynamically. Koutlakis, in LinkedIn updates, touted London rollout success.

No upfront costs; seamless integration suits casual diners. Visit eatclub.co.uk for updates.​

What is Acme Fire Cult’s Role?

As founder, Acme Fire Cult leverages its Dalston draw – think custom grills in a brewery yard. Rosser’s quotes anchor promotion, tying fire-cooking prowess to festival ethos. The spot’s terrace buzz sets the tone for community feasts.

Impact on Hackney’s Food Scene?

Hackney pulses with eateries: from Morito’s Cretan plates to Bambi’s DJ nights. This festival elevates independents amid BBQ stars like From The Ashes. By drawing crowds, it sustains the “dynamic” landscape Rosser praises.

Neutral observers note risks – oversaturation – yet upsides dominate: visibility, revenue, loyalty. Echoes past events like Park Hack’s fayre, blending food and community.