Morito

"One of the trailblazers of small plates eating with their original restaurant in Exmouth Market, Morito has continued doing what they do best on the Hackney Road. The tapas approach means that you can keep going if you aren’t satisfied, or just have a few bits and bobs. The Spanish and North African-inspired menu changes but it’s hard to go wrong. Roast quail, seafood rice, any croquette and cheese fritters are excellent. Sitting at the counter is perfect for a couple, or bring any friends or family you want to modestly impress. The brunch menu is excellent too." - jake missing, sinead cranna, daisy meager

"Because vegetarians have the right to eat exceptional food at pretty restaurants too, Morito on Hackney Road dedicates a whole section of their menu to our veggie friends. And that section contains the Spanish-North African menu’s knockout dish: the labneh, which is smooth yoghurt topped with vegetables and nutty good stuff. Order a side of the warm flatbread and get deep into it." - heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak, jake missing

"Morito’s location on Hackney Road makes it feel like a neighbourhood restaurant, but once you’re inside, it’s immediately clear that this place would murder the competition anywhere it opened. It’s always busy, and that’s because the food is exceptional. You’ll find a Mediterranean/North African twist on brunch, and it’s a great way to break an eggs royale habit. The scrambled menemen eggs is the dish to get. If it’s on, the bougatsa (a Cretan filo pastry with fresh cheese, sugar, and cinnamon) is worth trying as well." - jake missing, daisy meager, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley

"Morito’s location on Hackney Road is useful to know about, especially for a pre or post-Columbia Road Flower Market haul on a Sunday. It’s always busy because the food is top-to-bottom fantastic. They do Mediterranean/North African brunch, including chilli-flecked menemen eggs on toast and a very good Cretan filo pastry with fresh cheese, sugar, and cinnamon." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna

"Boris Johnson was booed out of Morito and, really, that’s all you need to know. The Spanish-North African spot in Hackney is a stalwart of London’s dining scene for good reason." - jake missing, heidi lauth beasley, sinead cranna