Welcome back to The Date Edit, our running series of ready-made date plans for queer women who want a good day out without spending half their life on Google Maps (or our preferred method, Citymapper). The idea is simple: one area, a handful of solid spots, and a route that naturally takes you from daytime coffee to late-night cocktail without needing a spreadsheet.
This one’s set in Hackney, a part of East London that does food, drinks, and people-watching extremely well. It’s busy without being stressful, cool without being theatrical, and full of places where you can actually hear each other talk. Imagine if you will: good pastries, a walk, a browse, then drinks that can easily roll into the evening.
Vibe: Laid-back, East London, good food and better drinks
Area: Hackney (London E8)
Best For: Weekend day date that can turn into a night
Budget: ££
Length: 4–7 hours
The Day Thing
Pophams
Start at Pophams, because it’s the kind of place that immediately makes the day feel like it’s going somewhere, without screaming “I planned this for three weeks.” The pastries are the main event: properly flaky, slightly indulgent, and very easy to eat so if conversation is lacking, just fill your face with food. The coffee is strong, the space is calm but not dead, and there’s usually just enough background noise that you’re not hyper-aware of every pause.
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It works especially well for a slightly later start: think late morning or early lunchtime, where you can take your time, grab a pastry (or two), and sit in the window or at a small table while you both wake up properly.
Price Point: £
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Related article: The Date Edit: Cute Bethnal Green Brunch Date Idea
The Afternoon Thing
London Fields → Broadway Market → Donlon Books
From there, walk up to London Fields. It’s usually busy in a good way, people meeting friends, sharing food on the grass, and plenty of dogs around. It’s ideal for a casual wander, grab a coffee to go and people watch as you walk.
Head on towards Broadway Market, which in great whether it’s in full market mode or just doing its usual local thing. You can dip into a couple of shops, pick up a snack if you somehow didn’t eat enough at Pophams.
Once you’ve had a stroll, drop into Donlon Books. It’s a compact, well-curated bookshop with art books, photography, queer titles, zines, and magazines you didn’t know you needed. Browsing here gives you something to talk about that isn’t just work or where you live: you can point things out, laugh at weird covers, and quietly clock what they gravitate towards. You might walk out empty-handed, or you might leave with an over-priced book you’ll later justify as “a nice thing for the flat.”
Price Point: Free, unless you buy a book
If It Goes Well
Elliot’s Hackney
Head to Elliot’s Hackney on Mare Street, a restaurant, bar and natural wine spot that works perfectly for the middle or later part of the date. The room feels relaxed but put-together, with a mix of bar seating and tables, and a crowd that’s very East London without it feeling like a scene. The menu leans into wood-fired cooking, sharing plates and sourdough pizzas, with a natural wine list that’s big enough to be interesting but not overwhelming, just please for the love of God, don’t say ‘Natty wine,’ that’ll definitely cut your date short.
It’s a good place to sit for a while: order a couple of plates to share, try a glass or two of something, and it’ll be the evening before you know it. You’re close enough to carry on towards Mare Street for a nightcap at Behind This Wall.
Behind This Wall
Price Point: ££ (depending on how many cocktails you have)
See you next time for the next instalment of The Date Edit.
Nonchalant x
Babs heads up Logistics and Product here at Nonchalant Magazine.
