Penkul & Banks in Hackney

Really poor. We were immediately rushed to make an order, despite the food service ending at 4:30pm and it only being 3.50pm.Food was bland, flavourless and overpriced, waiter seemed very dazed. They brought the wrong beers we ordered, and forgot the tap water.They also charged and additional £3.50 for artichoke hearts with our pitta which we thought was going to be a small sharer bowl but was just two mushy artichokes that went on top, really not worth getting this! The Shakshuka really could have done with some more seasoning or some zest, anything really to make it taste of something, and the same was true for the slow cooked lamb.Really got the impression the staff couldn't be arsed as it was near end of service on a Sunday. This doesn't fly at all as we are still paying customers and the staff are still getting paid for their work. We still paid the service charge considering this. Please do better.

I had the Damascus platter and it’s just so delicious❤️☺️ super generous portion too! So make sure you come with an empty stomach

Cool little place for breakfast and lunch coffee was amazing service was excellent. People working there really welcoming and friendly highly recommended. And the food was delicious.

The best brunch I’ve had in a while. Mediterranean inspired food has become top of the list for me and this one is just too good to put into words. Great vibes as well!!

Cute little brunch place serving middle eastern food:) the hummus is really nice!

What a fantastic place to have a meal and relax! Just been to 215 Hackney and tried their Damascus plate with home made houmous, mergeuez, salad, eggs, pitta etc. This was a healthy, filling and super delicious meal, exactly what I've been looking for for a few days while staying in London. I also had their haloumi in vine leaves and brownie which were mouth watering. But the place itself and people who work here are simply the best staff I ever encountered in London. Darina is making this place, she's a super star! So friendly and relaxed and looking after their customers so well! I felt like I went to see friends for meal and I only met her today for the first time! I also heard the owner has been offering free meals during the lockdown, they also sell second-hand books from which profits go to charity, which makes this place even a bigger gem and I will definitely be back here again! Stay the way you are guys! 👍👏

Absolutely delicious food, tasty coffee , generous portions and very friendly chef and waiter giving us more bread and some little freebies! Plus they donate some of their profits to Warchild charity . Amazing place would definitely recommend

This is a little gem. All the food was just delicious, drinks (coffee and smoothie) were too, you can feel the freshness of the ingredients. And to top it all up, the service was super warm without being overwhelming, absolutely perfect.

I loved the place, a bit loud to my taste, but which public place isn't! :DThe food was amazing, so delicious I ate the whole plate even thought for me that portion would have been enough for 2 or 3 meals! (that's my portion only, for most people probably it's a 1.5 meal or some people it's a good big portion)The staff is very friendly a swellI will defenitely go back and bring everyone I know!

Amazing food. All very fresh and great quality. Group of 5 of us came for breakfast and everyone really enjoyed it. Definitely worth a try. Friendly service and great coffee. We will definitely come back and look forward to trying the lunch menu.