Bright New Cafe Brings Kaya Toast and Technicolour Rice Bowls to East London

Snackbar, a new east London cafe, co-working space, and urban farm, is now open in Dalston. Founder Freddie Janssen has been searching for a site for over two years, and raised just over £21,000 to open at Farm Shop’s premises on Dalston Lane.

Dishes, like those at Snackbar’s many previous pop-ups and residencies, are globally inspired, and developed with Bao Borough development chef Anaïs van Manen, who will work on menu development and events alongside Janssen. Expect a monthly changing menu, with stand-out dishes on opening including a rice bowl with pickled daikon, sweetcorn, egg yolk, and either karaage or soy mushrooms; babi guling sandwich with pickled watermelon and tamarind sambal; and kaya toast — brioche toast, cold butter, coconut egg jam, and onsen egg with soy. It immediately enters into London’s genuinely interesting cafe food offers.

Anton Rodriguez/Snackbar

The cafe will be open six days a week, with the menu designed for taking away as much as eating in. Guest dinners from the likes of James Lowe at Lyle’s — Janssen’s former employer — and Nuno Mendes at Mãos are incoming. It’s an exciting addition to London’s all-day dining options, and adds to Dalston Lane’s growing culinary presence, including Little Duck The Picklery, Italian-Japanese mash-up that is better than it sounds Angelina, and vegetarian favourite Mildred’s.

Snackbar, 20 Dalston Lane E8 3AZ
Tuesday — Friday: 8a.m. — 4p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00a.m. — 4p.m.