215 Hackney is a neighborhood cafe/restaurant that offers a rich and flavorful essence of the Middle East in the heart of East London. Founded by long-time friends Ali and Cemal, both originally from the Mesopotamia region (modern-day Kurdistan), who have been residents of Hackney for over 28 years. They decided to leave their jobs and start a business together, opening their fourth local cafe serving Middle Eastern cuisine. Both Ali and Cemal have a deep love for their community, having attended Tyssen Primary School and Stoke Newington Secondary School together.
The menu is curated by the head chef Erdal Atas from Diyarbakir, Turkey, who brings extensive knowledge of Middle Eastern cuisine. The second head chef, Furkan Hakyemez, has experience from top restaurants in Istanbul and the Middle East and is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, focusing on blending fine dining techniques with street food flavors.
215 Hackney places a strong emphasis on using local suppliers, thereby supporting the local economy and businesses that have inspired them. They also encourage customers to bring their own cups for takeaway coffee to reduce the use of disposable cups, offering a discount to those who do. Despite using 100% biodegradable takeaway coffee cups, they believe there is more to be done to further reduce their carbon footprint.
Founded in 2020, 215 Hackney operates in the Food Delivery and Food and Beverage industries. While their headquarters location and details of their last investment are not available, the company's focus on community, locally sourced ingredients, and sustainability demonstrates a strong commitment to social responsibility and environmental consciousness.