The New Hackney Restaurant Every Food and Wine Lover Needs to Know About | Teal by Sally Abé

This might be one of London's most exciting restaurant openings of 2026.

If you're searching for the best new restaurants in Hackney, Teal by Sally Abé deserves a place at the very top of your list. Combining exceptional British ingredients, thoughtful cooking and a wine list designed with pairing in mind, this new East London restaurant is already attracting attention from food lovers, wine enthusiasts and restaurant critics alike.

As someone who is always looking for outstanding food and wine experiences, Teal immediately stood out as one of the most exciting additions to London's dining scene.

Who is Sally Abé?

For those unfamiliar with Sally Abé, she is one of Britain's most celebrated chefs. Over the course of her career, she has worked in and led some of the UK's most respected kitchens, earning a reputation for modern British cooking that champions seasonality, flavour and exceptional produce.

Many will recognise Sally from Great British Menu, where her creative dishes and technical expertise have made her a standout figure on the programme. She has also held leading roles at acclaimed restaurants including The Harwood Arms, The Ledbury and The Pem.

Teal marks an important milestone in her career as her first solo restaurant, giving her the opportunity to create a dining experience that reflects her own culinary vision.

Teal by Sally Abé in Hackney

Located in Hackney, East London, Teal offers a modern take on British dining that feels both refined and welcoming.

The restaurant celebrates the very best seasonal British ingredients while avoiding unnecessary complexity. The result is food that feels confident, elegant and deeply rooted in Britain's culinary heritage.

The atmosphere strikes a balance between relaxed neighbourhood restaurant and special occasion destination, making it equally suitable for a midweek dinner or a memorable evening out.

A Menu That Celebrates British Produce

One of the things that immediately impressed me about Teal was its commitment to showcasing outstanding British ingredients.

The menu changes with the seasons, allowing the kitchen to make the most of the freshest produce available throughout the year.

Highlights include:

• Dorset crab royale with peas and lovage

• Cornish mussels with Jersey Royals

• Exceptional British beef dishes

• Seasonal game, including venison

• Nostalgic desserts with a contemporary twist
  

Each dish feels thoughtfully constructed, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine while demonstrating the technical skill of the kitchen.

For anyone interested in modern British food, Teal provides an excellent example of how traditional ingredients can be elevated through careful cooking and creative presentation.

The Wine List and Food Pairings

For wine lovers, Teal offers much more than simply an impressive menu.

The restaurant's wine programme has been carefully curated to complement the food, with a focus on creating memorable food and wine pairings that enhance both the dish and the glass.

It's always encouraging to see a restaurant treat wine as an integral part of the dining experience rather than an afterthought.

The list offers opportunities for both casual wine drinkers and serious enthusiasts to discover bottles that work beautifully alongside the menu.

My Favourite Pairing: Meursault Les Chevalières 2019

The standout wine pairing of the evening was undoubtedly the Meursault Les Chevalières 2019 from Burgundy.

For Chardonnay lovers, Meursault is one of the world's most celebrated appellations, renowned for producing wines that combine richness, complexity and freshness.

This particular bottle delivered everything I look for in great white Burgundy.

The aromas opened with toasted hazelnuts, warm brioche and baked apple, layered with citrus notes that brought lift and freshness. On the palate, the wine was rich and textured without ever feeling heavy, maintaining remarkable balance throughout.

Paired with the Dorset crab royale, the wine was exceptional.

The creamy texture of the Meursault echoed the luxurious nature of the dish, while the wine's bright acidity enhanced the sweetness of the crab and refreshed the palate between bites.

It was a perfect example of how thoughtful wine pairing can elevate a dining experience from excellent to unforgettable.

Why Teal Should Be On Your London Restaurant List

London's restaurant scene is one of the most competitive in the world, which makes it increasingly difficult for new openings to stand out.

Teal succeeds because it offers something that many restaurants strive for but few achieve: exceptional food, genuine hospitality and a wine programme that feels integral to the experience.

Whether you're searching for:

• The best new restaurants in London

• The best restaurants in Hackney

• Modern British restaurants in East London

• Restaurants with excellent wine lists

• The best food and wine pairings in London

• A restaurant from Great British Menu chef Sally Abé
  

Teal deserves your attention.

For me, it delivered exactly what I hope to find when dining out: outstanding ingredients, thoughtful cooking and a wine pairing that I'll still be thinking about long after the last glass has been poured.

Teal by Sally Abé is firmly on my list of London's must-visit restaurants for 2026.

If you've visited Teal, I'd love to know your favourite dish or wine pairing. And if it's still on your wishlist, trust me, it's worth moving to the top of the list.

Teal by Sally Abé, 52 Wilton Way, Hackney, London, E8 1BG Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite