Open Kitchen - Hackney

#11 - Vegetarian - Hackney, European, British

Open Kitchen

Open Kitchen
4.2 / 5 (1499 reviews)

Description

OKN1 is a restaurant run by student chefs at Hackney Community College. While some reviewers had negative experiences with service and food, others were highly impressed. They were surprised by the high quality of dishes like scallops and chicken Ballotine and found the prices to be a bargain. Despite some rough edges, the food was consistently delicious. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the staff, while in training, were friendly and attentive. Overall, OKN1 offers a unique dining experience and showcases the talent of young chefs. It's worth a visit to support these ambitious students.

Last update: 17.01.2026 from: Sandra

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★ 4.2 / 5 from 1499 reviews
sandra-elliott-bush5
21.08.2025

Lunch was delicious. Lots of choice

alice-gee-1
21.08.2025

This is the teaching restaurant of Hackney Community College, but I was rather impressed by the food.  Comfortable space, good soundtrack and a pretty outdoor area in the back in nice weather.  We shared the asparagus to start, which was blanched then griddled and served with a tasty lovage alioli.  Good dish and nicely balanced.  Nice texture on the home made alioli. My companion's main of hake was really good.  Crispy skin.  The potato and chorizo accompaniments worked well.  My shrimp burger was a little too uniform in taste with every bite the same.  Nice deep fried burger though, and the mayo based sauce was surprisingly peppery and full of capers. We shared a dessert of salted caramel and amaranth pot.  I liked the accompanying cake but the pudding was too creamy for my taste.  Oh the other hand, my companion who loves rich desserts was ecstatic. Service was friendly but could be a little haphazard.  Our waitress forgot to bring the lemon my companion asked for to accompany his hake.  Happily my shrimp burger did come with quite a large wedge of lemon that we could share.

sheree-r-4
27.08.2024

I visited London for an event and traveled from Sunderland for it. I discovered an incredible restaurant run by students. I was impressed by the high quality of the food and drinks. The students who served us were extremely confident and polite. A big congratulations to everyone, but a special shout out to Lexi and Tom, who were level 1 students volunteering for a shift. They were so professional. The future of the catering and hospitality industry is in good hands with these students.

steve-kenward
21.08.2025

Great food amazing value giving the youngsters experience in the restaurant industry highly recommended ????

didums01
27.08.2024

A restaurant run by students sounds like a recipe for disaster but how wrong I was. The service and food was better than a lot of other places I have visited. I would say give it a visit and be amazed by the talent of these students.

FAQ

The second closest stop is Hoxton, located 436 meters away.

You can use the WiFi of the restaurant at no extra cost.

You can also enjoy gluten-free menus at the restaurant.

You can watch major sporting events on a screen / TV right in the restaurant.

The diner and its premises are wheelchair accessible and thus reachable with a wheelchair or physical disabilities.

More information

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