Aso Rock Restaurant

Like the Aso Rock mountain range on the outer reaches of Nigeria’s capital, Aso Rock Restaurant is an unwavering pillar in Hackney. The family-run Nigerian restaurant has served the community for decades. It started out as a small takeout spot and now has a jazzy neon-lit bar, to sit with a cold Guinness, and a simple but warm, foliage-filled dining space. While we might not arrange a whole occasion around dinner here, it strikes the right balance for a solo meal or for a group needing a fill before a gig or dance in the area. We recommend getting a satchel-sized box with a rice-based meal or soup-based meal. The latter, which includes the likes of egusi stew and okra stew, is led by their excellent speciality ayamase. All of the food can be sneakily pepper-heavy, so first timer’s—don’t load up your forks or hands too much.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch