Reviews - Open Kitchen
Reviews summary
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.
Was MikeM962015 at Open Kitchen a mag?
A unique experience, a limited menu but some high quality cooking, excellent presentation and food to delight the palate. The meal was exceptional value for money. The service was delivered with a smile and enthusiasm resulting in an enjoyable evening for all. I would thoroughly recommend this restaurant and many thanks to the skilful students who train at this college. View all feedback.
What rebeljenn dislikes about Open Kitchen:
I found the menu limited and opted for the vegetarian dishes as I do not eat pork or fish. The vegetable soup starter was excellent. The bread was nice too. We both found the main dishes (salmon pasta and veg lasagna) to be bland. The desserts were alright. I had crem brulee. It was good. The staff were friendly enough and are in training as part of hoxton community. If they had better mains, I would go again as Marc... View all feedback.
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Reviews from various users
Last update : 21.08.2025
Lunch was delicious. Lots of choice
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.
Great food amazing value giving the youngsters experience in the restaurant industry highly recommended ????
Last update : 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.
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.
Where to start Attentive staff, great food and a lovely experience Starters of Arancini and prawns and burrata were simple and full of flavour. Mains were gnocchi and striploin. Both beautifully presented and tasty. All accompanied with a delicious Italian red, Brunito Rossi Toscana. This is part of Hackney College, bringing through trainee restaurant staff. Come on down for a great food experience
This is a college restaurant staffed by trainees and students small menu open kitchen all cooked fresh great open restaurant good service we had mushroom bourguignion with mash , chicken kiev poached egg and skin on chips really good and a couple of carafes of house wine would definitely go back reasonably priced a great find
Had a very nice evening tonight food was tasty particularly the butternut squash and Stilton starter, and the cauliflower and caper side), good value £35 for 3 courses and half a bottle of wine). Also the staff were really lovely and seemed genuinely thrilled we enjoyed ourselves a lovely evening! Also, excellent portion sizes....
Last update : 15.12.2022
Big day in the greene king premium cook! big food and good laugh also:
Had a Team Building day here! Absolutely fabulous! Thanks all!
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.
Brilliant place with A class food n amazing prices.
The food here is great but the best thing is the 2 for 1 cocktails every Thursday and Friday evening! The cocktail are so so good and so affordable can’t get a better deal anywhere in London. Don’t be fooled but the opening times indicated on here though, they open until 9 10pm Thursday and Friday night!
