Rubedo in Hackney

Avoid. I only usually leave reviews when I have a really positive experience. But this place is a trap. I went with my partner in July 2024 on a rare night we could both had a weekend night off work. We were told there would be a table for us in 30-45 minutes, and agreed we would take a walk while we waited. A server then chased us over a block down the pavement to say we could sit at the bar while we waited. So, we (two men holding hands, clearly a couple) took a seat, but never got a table in an hour and a half of waiting, while a number of straight couples, both reservations and walk-ins, all got table service. And we got to listen to conversations from the waitstaff about them being a couple, questions about their date night, offerings of shareable menu items and pairings, etc. We were never given the table we’d agreed to wait for. In the meantime, we got expensive mocktails that were mostly water, dinner from the main menu (not a bar menu, we checked…and also the bar is just two seats) that is in tiny portions. (I got 4 or 5 small artichoke hearts fried to death with a bit of rocket as an over-£10 entree), and very overcooked pasta. I love a quality, niche tasting menu, but this was not it. And the price estimate is way off. We spent £70, no alcohol, on three tiny plates and two mocktails. We ate so little (and both of us have small appetites ) that I had to cook a full dinner afterwards when we got home. And a very leery man just sitting around, staring, and occasionally arguing with the front of house. Maybe a manager or owner? All the while, it was unclear who to ask for to get another dish or to get the check. There was no care to try to serve us our dinners at the same time, even though we requested it. I waited over 20 minutes between my partner getting his dinner and me getting mine. The bartender and servers were very friendly…I’d have loved to have seen them at another restaurant with decent food and better management. TLDR; Don’t go if you want good food and non-bigoted service.

Four of us went to Rubedo for my sister's birthday on August 3 2024. She and her husband live locally in Stoke Newington and were keen to try this place for the first time. The food was spectacularly bad. For starters we ordered peas on a bed of cow curd. The peas were raw and heavily salted. The other starter was a plate of half-cooked red peppers with two tinned anchovies swimming in oil. For mains we had the pasta with lobster that was bland and with no discernible sight of any lobster, just a watery sauce. Two of us had the lamb for our main, which was presented in raw strips on a bed of oil and which was such hard work to cut through with the knife, let alone chew. There were no vegetables. We were told to order the latkes if we wanted potatoes, then were told they'd sold out. We ordered a £45 bottle of white wine (second cheapest on menu) with a nose of wet fox. We weren't even provided with a cooler for it, on such a hot evening. The waiters were pretty disinterested in their jobs and the bill came to over £200. I travel constantly to New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Milan and other such cities with my work. I also eat in many London restaurants. I know what a good restaurant is and will never go back to Rubedo. I advise anyone reading this to avoid it too.

We had high hopes for this restaurant after reading glowing reviews about its food and wine, especially since it's so close to home. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations. For a place that prides itself on a passion for wine, the selection by the glass was surprisingly limited. One of our guests was disappointed to find that there was only one red wine option available by the glass. Despite the abundance of wines displayed throughout the restaurant, the waitress informed us that they were unwilling to open another bottle, leaving our guest with no choice but a chilled wine, which wasn't what he wanted, they didn’t bother to offer him a refill, simply taking away his empty glass mid-meal without a word. As for the food, it was distinctly average. In an area with so many excellent dining options at the same price point—such as Primeur, Cadet, Jolene, and Saltene—this restaurant doesn’t come close to measuring up Overall, we left feeling disappointed and unlikely to return. For the price and reputation, we expected much more.

Hadn’t visited since pre pandemic and am so pleased I did ! The food is as delicious as ever and the welcome (including by the charming Québécoise server) warm. To start, we ordered an array of simple yet tasty vegetarian dishes: spicy peppers, courgettes, yummy asparagus and watermelon. Then lemon pasta and outstanding agnolotti with short rib. My only criticism last time was the all organic wine list, which is not to everyone’s taste and quite expensive. I’m pleased to report that they have now broadened this to include “normal” wines. As an added incentive, opposite Rubedo is Oddono, one of London’s best ice cream parlours. If you don’t live in the area, the only challenge is getting there ! Go now- this is one of London’s very best Italian restaurants!

Siamo stati con amici in questo piccolo ristorante. Tutto davvero speciale. Semplice e autentico. Proverò a tornarci la prossima volta che sarò a Londra.

Rubedo is awesome. I've been here about a dozen time over the years and the standards have slipped not one inch. Last night's dinner was possibly one of the best. Amazing fresh oysters with a kind of rhubarb salsa - a mushroom ragout with shaved parmesan - artichoke salad (the only criticism - the artichokes were under seasoned, but the staff were happy to bring us some salt which transformed the dish) - little pork filled tortellini in an intense pork broth. Everything was delicious. We also enjoyed some of the restaurant's fantastic natural wine, and the pudding of my dreams - lemon sponge in elderflower custard. The food is simple, but expertly prepared and full of flavour. Every dish at Rubedo is presented beautifully like little works of art. The room has a nice relaxed atmosphere and the staff are lovely. It's small plates, which is not my favourite style of eating. But the food here is so good I don't really care. Rubedo is the best restaurant on Church St.

Excellent small place on Church street. Great food and wine. Thank you for a great meal, an excellent end to the week. We hadn't been for a while and had forgotten how tasty the dishes are and overall nice vibe. Staff are friendly and attentive.

Absolutely amazing place from every point of view! The food is excellent, simple and perfectly done. The staff is great and the place is so warm and cozy, it really makes you feel at home! Would love to be useful and say something you could improve but everything is just perfect as it is!

Great restaurant. Really interesting and unusual food options. Really tasty food combinations. We chose mainly vetegarian options - with a few sardines that snuck in. Very friendly and pleasant service. Background music that was to my taste. Overall, highly recommended and reasonably priced.

We've been to Rubedo a couple of times in the past, but just went back after a while away and it was amazing. Every dish was honestly incredible (I'd thought it was on the pricey side before but this was 100% worth it, and pretty cheap for the quality). Really good wine and service too. What a great place.

Went back to Rubedo as my first decent meal out after lockdown and it felt like a dream. The food was excellent, the wine perfect and the service friendly, professional and helpful. Easily the best restaurant on Stoke Newington Church Street and well worth visiting for wine, food or both

Quaint little restaurant with lovely staff. However, the quality and price of the food were somewhat mismatched. As this was my first restaurant experience since lockdown, I was really looking forward to it. I totally appreciate that the staff were under a lot of pressure having just reopened after all this time and therefore we were restricted to a set menu. The food was good but not great, with some dishes being a little bland. The relish on the pork chop was super tasty. We were also seated at the bar on uncomfortable wooden stools and staring at the dishwasher. I imagine had we been seated by the window our experience might have been different.

Great little find, every plate was excellent and different, staff were amazing and super accommodating (for example, they allowed my girlfriend and I to share one of the mains as a half-portion starter). Maybe a tad little pricey given the area it's in, but still worth it the visit!

Came here for lunch when visiting the area and was lucky enough to get a table without a reservation (if you want to be sure of a table I’d suggest booking in advance as it is very popular). Believe the menu changes frequently. We ordered 2 starters, 2 mains and a cheese plate all of which we shared. Our favourite was the Burrato, radicchio, balsamic and roast roscoff onion but they were all delicious. Portion sizes are sensible and beautifully presented. Would happily return when next in the area.

Small - 20 seats? Wooden, simple, cosy. Lovely service from owners I guess who know their food and wine. Delicious, unusual fresh dishes all of which can be shared. String Italian/Southern France influence but don't think big plates of pasta here. Light, fresh, interesting, delicious dishes...they taste of summer. Reasonable prices... £70 for 2 is plenty with another £25 or so for a carafe of decent wine... Well worth a visit and a long detour! Book!!!

Really welcoming staff. The food was all fresh, well displayed and tasted amazing. The wine also suited. Will be back when I can.

We came here after a lazy day sunbathing and reading the park. This was the third time we had been here. We had the asparagus, burrata, salt hake and pork to share followed by the two dessert options. All of the dishes were yummy and we went for a white wine that they recommended. It complimented all of the dishes and went down a treat. We’ll be going back again as their menus changes all of the time. Their autumn and winter options are sure to be delicious.

Small restaurant with a great vibe. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Very chatty. A very extensive wine list but the waiter was more than happy to spend a little time helping us choose. The food menu is short, which I usually consider a good thing as it usually means the food is fresh and I wasn't disappointed here. Burrata, pasta, focaccia, my companion's cod...all good. Even the side salad was fresh and tasty. The deserts were great...lots of fresh fruit. The chef frequently pops out of the kitchen to deliver food which he's obviously very proud of and with good reason. He even came out to explain to my companion how he made the desert (baked peach) after she enquired. I can't wait to return and see what is on the menu next time!

My friend ben and i called in late one saturday night, really just because it looked busy. Must be half decent we thought. So in we went. We were greeted very warmly by a whirlwind of a woman called Nico. As it was the end of the evening she sat us at a four person table rather than two. What a lovely treat! Especially as ben my friend has put on a few pounds lately due to the depressive state of his somewhat stagnant hiphop career. We were very comfortable. I could even wedge my head into a ceiling crevice so i didn’t have to think about sitting up straight. The food was superb. Excellent lemon sole - with complimentary new potatoes to make up for the lemon sole’s tiny legs. Peach and buratta starter ( which rhymes, maybe ben could use this kind of writing for his gigs) was excellent too. As was the gamay. But the real treat were the staff - and apparently they were a man down. Nico and Danni the other waitress couldn’t have been nicer. Or more knowledgable about the food and wine. They even agreed to turn up Pavement on the stereo as i’m recently slightly obsessed by them. It felt like being in their front room. But without carpet. And, i’d imagine, their Jason Donovan posters. Do go along. It’s a real quiet warm delicious treat. (If you like that sort of thing)

Every now and again you visit a restuarant that you will not forget- Rubedo does this for us. There were no weak courses! The duck was fantastic. The mussels with the monks beard was the best mussels i have ever had (and I love mussels). The double chocolate cake was also first class. We enjoyed the natural wines and in fact became fans of these types of wines after visiting. Lastly we felt right at home with the great service we received. Now this is one of my all time favourite restuarants (and I am a frequent traveller)!

I celebrated the first part of my 30th Birthday at Rubedo where Nico and Lorenzo helped me organise a private dinner for 20 of my family. I couldn't have asked for a better 30th, Nico and Lorenzo were both incredibly helpful from the first moment...

Special aniversary dinner, where to go, this is a small resturant in church street. Really interesting and differnt menu, so needed staff to really explaine all the details. Very very inesting. Small portions, a little expensive, but very tasty and very different and certainly and...

I love this restaurant. They have an unrivaled wine selection, incredible food and the best, most attentive staff of any restaurant in Stoke Newington.

If I were a selfish man, I’d rate this restaurant one star, in a snakey effort to stop everyone going, thereby making it easier for me to get a table. However the staff are too nice, the food too good, and the atmosphere too welcoming...

I’m surprised that more savvy people don’t know about this gem which has been open for two and a half years. Went there for the third or fourth time yesterday. The food was as original and scrumptious as ever: gnocco di Modena, fried but cloud-light;...

Visited Rubedo for the first time last night and what a joy it was. A cosy restaurant with an even cosier menu - if you have very specific dietary requirements this is unlikely to be the place for you if you want much choice. But...

Rubedo is a small restaurant, with a limited menu of high quality food. Three of us ate for a little under £40 each, which included one apero + some olives and toasted almonds; three main courses; one shared Crême Catalan (like a crême brulée with...

Small, simple, amazing dishes from the popular cuisine, great wine - this is what I was looking for. Thank you for the experience ✨

Apparently this restaurant has only recently opened, but you already need reservations to get a spot. There are only 8 or 9 tables, so make sure to book in advance. The atmosphere is cosy and unpretentious, just at this time of the year the tables...

arrived on spec to this tiny bohemian space; we ate and drank well , and had excellent service first class wines by the glass tiny menu offers enough choice for vegetarians not sure about diet flexibility , but v helpful vibe to the place

We went with friends for dinner - first the positives - the staff are friendly and keen to explain items on the short but interesting menu, the food is also good - I had a nice bowl of pasta - not the sort of food...

Can’t praise this Stoke Newington bistro highly enough. Went for lunch. The food is amazing. Really interesting food cooked beautifully. The wine recommendation was perfect. it’s a small place but you feel so at home like eating in a friends place. Great service. Will be...

How have I missed this place for the last two years, well not anymore. The food is excellent, the service is friendly and knowledgeable. This is real Italian food, possibly the best I have ever eaten. Can't wait to go back

Delicious authentic freshly cooked Italian food, washed down with fabulous organic wine. Great atmosphere and very friendly staff. Excellent value for money. The restaurant was full which speaks volumes. Very highly recommended.

Recommended by my our son, we booked a table and soon found out why he likes the place. Small, friendly with awesome food and great service. Nothing to dislike and lots of good reasons for going again!

Title says it all, really excellent neighbourhood restaurant - great staff. Small but perfectly formed

Really delicious food, not too expensive, expertly sourced ingredients. The olive oil is very good, as was the burrata and the mains. For anyone looking for a relaxed atmosphere that lets the ingredients speak for themselves, excellently cooked and presented, this is your place! Complimenti...

Warm welcome really made to feel at home, great service. Clearly everyone who works there is passionate about food and service. Food itself was delicious, the tomato salad being my favourite. Clean fresh food was such a lovely evening. Go!

i went there under a recommendation so was it the chef's night out I will never know. the menu is very small (3 entrees very few mains and only 1 desert) so we ordered just about everything on the menu and we were disappointed with...

This is the second time I've visited Rubedo and I love it. I'm just surprised it hasn't received more reviews. A relatively limited menu (they should probably try to have a pasta dish each day, and maybe add a few more desserts) but delicious, wholesome...

We were looking for some healthy food when we found this place, the Mediterranean menu cooked by some spaniards and served by Italian staff was absolutely amazing. The asparagus, the pork, salad, etc were very tasty and fresh. I would recommend to everybody in London...

We're from the neighbourhood so we've been 4-5 times and have never been disappointed. It's very fresh good seasonal ingredients, well made and presented + fantastic selection of natural wines. Absolutely recommend!

The first meal I've eaten out in a while which surprised and delighted me. Simple, respectful, flavourful cooking using good quality ingredients, served alongside wonderful natural wines. Lucky people who live nearby, it's everything I hope for in a neighbourhood restaurant. Will definately be back.

We have been going to Rubedo regularly since it opened and we are still regularly surprised by new ingredients and dishes, and delighted to find old favourites revisited. Always seasonal, always high quality, always friendly. A real gem we hope to still be enjoying many...

Went for "Sunday lunch". Not your classic British Sunday lunch, that's for sure. It's an Italian restaurant with a bit of a difference. Food is beautifully prepared and yummy and service is very friendly and accommodating. They seem passionate about what they are doing, right...

This is one of the places where the chef understands how food should be treated. They have a simple food offering but everything on the menu sounds delicious.The wine menu is surprisingly big and the knowledgeable staff will help you with the pairing. It's the...

Great place, great food, and great staff! Won't be disappointed. Perfect for a date or a small dinner group!

I'd highly recommend this neighbourhood Italian/European restaurant in Stoke Newington. Visited with my son, who lives in the neighbourhood, on a Wednesday evening. The menu changes daily and the wine list is extensive. What adds to the place is the attitude of the staff and...

We have walked past Rubedo several times and seen it packed, so we popped in for the first time tonight. Great food, amazing wine, but the highlights were the deserts and service/hosting, which were both fabulous. A bit different to the other places on Church...

Small and cosy place with a very friendly feel. Service is first class. The starters were delicious particularly the Jerusalem artichoke. The main course portions were small....eg. sea bream and spaghetti dishes. Nonetheless they were very tastey. We didn't have time for pudding so left...

The food is very good, the service is very good and the price is very resonable. Had a realy good time here.

Fabulous little restaurant with organic food and wonderful natural wine choices in a simple setting. I would love to see a couple more vegetarian options but otherwise this is a lovely little place.

Fresh and delicious Italian-inspired food in a homey atmosphere. Rubedo isn't a huge restaurant but it's perfect for both an intimate date or a group of friends. Ask for wine recommendations and you will not be disappointed. We tried practically everything on the menu and...

We booked this place to celebrate a friend's birthday. The food was delicious, fresh, and very reasonable priced! We ordered most of the meals on the menu and all of them were YUM! Staff helps a lot to pick the wine you would like so...

and the vegetables were still the star of the show, when it should have been the meat served with them. We ordered lamb on both occasions. The first time around the dish was lamb served with broad beans. The lamb itself was cooked nicely but...

My parents were visiting and decided to take them for something new and different, outside the regular London routine. A complete success. The food was absolutely fantastic. We shared every single plate in the menu, from starters, to mains and desserts. Each of them had...

I have now been twice to this little restaurant. Every time we chose different dishes and shared among each other. The taste is authentic, you can tell that the product is fresh and unique which is a must as these days restaurants tend to serve...

We came for dinner and enjoyed some healthy dishes which we chose to share a bit like tapas. The wine was delicious and service was great. I love the idea of a changing menu according to what fresh local produce comes in. The only downside...

Beautiful little gem in Stoke Newington. Seasonal high quality ingredients, very friendly and knowledgeable staff, follow their wine recommendations!

Great place on many levels. Service was exceptional, we were made to feel welcome, in a rather snobby crowd which is something quite hard to achieve. The natural wine was great and the guy made a real effort to explain it, it was from his...

Rubedo is a great place to spend an evening with friends. Very delicious food and great atmosphere are guaranteed. We were in a group, so we tried a lot of different dishes and loved all of them! What is more, the staff is very welcoming...

I went to Rubedo with some of my friends and we had a very nice experience. The food is clearly chosen for its seasonality and quality and you can see the passion and good execution behind each dish. Do not miss the smoked eel with...

Went for the second time a couple of days ago. The first time was very good. This time it was excellent. We had a delicious Jerusalem Artichoke; Chicory, Buttermilk and Coolea Cheese; and monkfish which was the best I have ever tasted. Finished off sharing...

I was not aware of Rubedo's opening or location, i was just passing by when i looked inside and read Natural wines on the front door. I am very curious and aware of the natural wines market this days and thought i must come in....

I went there already twice, for dinner and lunch and both times I had the most pleasurable experience. The food is amazingly tasty and fresh, simple and surprising. The wine list is just as perfect as the menu and will satisfy connoisseur's curiosity and taste...

I went already twice at the restaurants and I find this place amazing. The food is delicious, tasted and affordable. The service is really friendly. There is an amazing choice of wine that will satisfy anyone. The atmosphere is cosy..I will highly recommend it..

really tasted food and for a french and gourmet like me , it's a compliment RUBEDO is a very good italian , food was " melt in your mouth" ... good proportion and on the top of that a very large wine selection .... punctillously...

Fantastic new addition to Stoke Newington restaurant scene. I've been a few times already and everytime I left happy and satisfied. Not only for the cosy atmosphere and the two friendly blokes behind the counter, but also for the fine food (the owners are quite...

Rubedo was just great, food amazing and stuff very friendly and professional! I definetly recommend this restaurant to anybody, especialy to good wine lovers!

Great food and atmosphere. Perfect place to come with friends to share a very good bottle of natural wine and eat really simple food done very well.

Since it first opened this autumn we have made several visits to Rubedo as it struck us as the most interesting restaurant in the area. Stokey is fast becoming a food destination but nowhere else do you find such variety of mainly home style Italian...