Rawduck – review

The Reuben, a Rawduck big-hitter. Photograph: Rawduck

The team behind Ducksoup in Soho have opened a new cafe next to Hackney Central station.

Their inspiration? Their desire for good grape on their doorstep.

The culinary collective live locally and felt there was nowhere in the neighbourhood to go for wine.

Rawduck on Amhurst Road is making the organic and biodynamic wines that have been a mainstay at Ducksoup the focal point of its evening service.

Accompaniments come in the form of cheese boards and charcuterie – the selection is sourced from The Ham and Cheese Company in Bermondsey – and these are available throughout the day.

The cafe calls on suppliers from around the capital, bringing in bread from Sally Clarke, and it counts on Violet’s in Dalston for carrot cake.

Like Ducksoup, Rawduck has both a long bar and prominently displayed bottles of wine, which denote their esteemed place in the cafe’s overall offer.

But unlike its Soho sister Rawduck is light and bright, presenting simple dishes that do not require a fully-kitted kitchen.

“It’s very different because it has to be, and I like that,” says co-founder Rory McCoy.

Rawduck is a laidback, social space and, if the weather stays fine through this month, you could find yourself enjoying the venue’s suntrap of a garden with fennel and catmint growing around the perimeters above.

Rawduck aims to be as distinctive and pleasing in its sound as much as in its taste and appearance. McCoy is a pianist and all the staff are passionate about music.

A second-hand Technics turntable was spinning throughout my visit.

Topping their list of popular snacks at present are two fiery toasties: The Reuben and Dirty Bird. 

5 Amhurst Road
E8 1LL
020 8986 6534