Teal by Sally Abe

Sally Abé describes the opening of Teal as 20 years in the making, and her CV more than bears that out. She has cooked at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, spent five years at The Ledbury, headed up The Harwood Arms, and most recently led the kitchen at The Bull at Charlbury, accumulating Michelin stars and a devoted following along the way. Now, on a quiet street in Hackney, she has finally opened on her own terms. Named after her favourite game bird, Teal is a little British bistro built around seasonal produce, classic foundations, and an unshakeable commitment to championing women — the room designed with her sister, the kitchen led alongside head chef Abbie Hendren. The menu revives lesser-known British dishes with real finesse: haunch of deer with pickled walnut, Dorset crab royale, Victorian-era snacks, and a £1 penny lick ice cream whose proceeds go entirely to Hackney Food Bank. Fine dining is not what she wants to do anymore; she wants to cook food that makes your heart happy.