Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

very cool place to hangout with friends on a nice day. plenty of cool seating with drinks and a designated playground area for kids. great for picnics. dog friendly and plenty of covered seating

Today I finally visited after many years on my list. I was waiting for the perfect moment, when the Spring flowers were blooming and the sky was blue, whilst also being off work. It’s possibly my new favourite place in London. I just loved it. Peaceful. Birds singing. Beautiful light. Colour. Plenty of space / seating. Refreshments and toilets available. Free to visit but donations welcome. Street parking (free / unrestricted) not too far a walk in Hackney CPZ section H on a Saturday. Opened at 12pm on the Saturday I visited. Really nice place to sit in the sun and escape the city. Recommend.

A proper hidden gem – calm, creative, and community-led Tucked away behind an unassuming wooden gate on Dalston Lane, this place is exactly what you hope to find in the middle of a busy bit of London—a peaceful, leafy haven that somehow still feels full of life. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden isn’t just a pretty green space (though it absolutely is that). It’s clearly been built with heart. You’ll find fairy lights strung through the trees, tucked-away benches, raised beds growing all sorts, and a relaxed mix of families, couples, creatives, and locals all happily coexisting. There’s a small café hut serving hot drinks, craft beers, and the odd snack or pizza—plus lots of community events throughout the year. I stumbled across a music evening once, and another time it was a lantern-making workshop. There’s no pressure to join in, but the sense of welcome is real. It’s also surprisingly green in the nature sense—proper planting, bees buzzing, birds flitting about, and not manicured to within an inch of its life. It feels loved, not polished. Only thing to note: it can get busy on warm evenings, and it’s not huge, so maybe don't expect loads of open space to run around in. But honestly? That just adds to the cosy vibe. In short: A beautiful, slightly magical spot that makes you feel like you’ve found something special. Pop in for a coffee or a wander—you’ll leave feeling better than when you arrived.

Cute garden in the busy city, great to spend some time with friends. Also cafe and bathroom there.

Amazing little free space so beautifully kept. Lots of options of soft drinks as well as wines and beers. Plenty of shady spots and shelter as well as seats in the sun.

We happened across this hidden gem while staying at the Premier Inn in Dalston. It was heatwave time and we were hot and exhausted and it was like an oasis of cool and calm. Gorgeous setting, lovely ice lollies and drinks and a wonderful atmosphere. It was full of a mix of cool folk and is worth a visit.

(1 star – only because zero isn't possible) I’m deeply shocked and appalled by our recent experience at the Curve Garden in Dalston. What was meant to be a birthday celebration for my 13-year-old disabled son turned into an incredibly upsetting and humiliating incident for our entire family and group. The manager shouted aggressively at my son for picking up a large stick—something that was openly lying around the garden space, clearly a part of the natural environment there. Instead of addressing the situation calmly or with any kind of understanding or empathy, especially towards a child with additional needs, he became immediately confrontational. When I tried to calmly advocate for my son, the manager turned his aggression toward me and the rest of our group. He was not just rude—he was threatening and verbally abusive. Despite us having set up for a birthday party, we were told to leave in a manner that was not only abrupt but downright hostile. I cannot overstate how unacceptable this behaviour was. No one—especially a child—should be treated this way in a public space, let alone one that presents itself as a community-focused garden. This is not how you run a safe, inclusive, or respectful environment. I sincerely hope the management is held accountable for this appalling conduct. I would strongly advise other families, especially those with children or anyone with additional needs, to think twice before visiting.

Gorgeous hidden gem Tucked away in Hackney, this place feels like a real escape. Lovely selection of beers and soft drinks, and you can even bring your own food. The garden is lush and peaceful — you’d never guess you were in the middle of the city. A great spot to unwind!

Lovely little park. There are what seem to be found objects and furniture decorating the park, plenty of social seating, including old vintage-y couches beneath some shade. Rather romantic. There's also a bar serving coffee, hot chocolate, tea, chai, beer, and wine. (See photos for menu.) I had the chai and it tasted a bit odd to me; I didn't finish it. That's the only reason this review isn't five stars. There are a lot of low-tech arts and crafts decorative elements here that are very well done. The effect is absolutely charming. I think if they added puppies, I would have fainted from the adorableness of it all.

A London favorite! I'm surprised there are only a few reviews but then again I don't want it to get too popular either. It's the cafe I've always dreamed of. Perfect place to relax, get work done, and enjoy nature. Might not be so fun during a rainy day but perfect for sun. The menu is simple too (no food) but the ambiance makes up for it. Hella chill!

Beautiful garden to have a cup of tea or a pint with friends. As Alex and Zara mention - it really is a hidden gem. So many people walk right by it without realizing that right next to Dalston station you'll find such a zen and beautiful space. It has a charming capacity to transport you to a completely different place right in the heart of East London. It's community run and all the more cozy for it! Worth a stop - not sure why more people aren't writing about Eastern Curve..

A hidden oasis in the heart of Dalston, an area really lacking in its green and pleasant space. Describing itself as a meeting place for people and plants Volunteer run, the Curve acts as a community space for the local East-enders Opened in summer 2010, the garden was created on the Eastern Curve railway line which once linked Dalston Junction Station to the North London Line. It's come a long way since then. Flowers and plants are growing everywhere, with veggies and herbs all around. I love the cute home-made scarecrows and the drink carton bird seed boxes hanging from the trees. There's a large wooden pavilion which hosts different community projects and classes - gardening, gargoyle sculpting, BBQs - you name it. Last Sunday I saw couples dancing together in sensuous rhythms for the African Tango picnic at the curve. I'm hesitant to post this lest it becomes crazy with hipster types. People must already know about it - however it wasn't busy last Sunday despite the intermittent sunshine. A far more pleasant way than London Fields to whittle away an East London afternoon in, They allow food and drink as long as you clean you up after yourself. I imagine a very welcome addition if you live in the area.

*Love this place* Such a sweet little unassuming garden, I don't think most people who walk past it realise it's there! This is a small, community run garden with a few chairs and tables, lots of green leafy areas to sit, a reasonably clean toilet and a jolly lovely vibe. Most recently, I went here for a picnic with a friend, and sat amongst mums & babies, dalston hipsters, and a troupe of hi-vis wearing construction workers having a lunch break from the nearby roadworks they were tending to. They run events every now and again at weekends which seem worth popping into if you're nearby. A perfect place to pop by and read your metro, munch your lunch or contemplate your day - made even more special by the fact that it's created and managed by volunteers - I know that sounds sappy, but it makes me love Dalston Curve even more :)

This place will just make you feel good :) Maybe it's being surrounded by so much greenery in the middle of zone 2. Maybe it's the community feel, with people scattered all around the garden, drinking coffee, reading papers and playing games. Maybe it's the funky disco ball twinkling in the greenhouse at the back where the locals grow their own veggies. All I know is that I want to bottle up all the good vibes and positive energy from this place and hand it out to sad people on the street to make them feel better. Perfect for a cosy drink on a summer's eve or just a bit of chillout time - I watched a beautiful sunset here with two mates and was thankful that we'd wandered in to investigate rather than walking straight past with the crowd. And now you know what to do too!

Charming secret garden just across Dalston Junction station. Very spacious, quiet place - rare find in this area. Staff, beer, vibe - all get 5 stars

Seldom do I fall so in love with a café. It does happen from time to time, but everything needs to be perfect. Usually the food is good but the music is too loud, the food is mediocre but the interior is really cool. The worst that can happen in Dalston Eastern Curve Garden? It might rain on your food. This beautifully placed café has no loud music, offers some delicious cakes, coffee and reasonably priced tea. There is wifi. On a sunny day, little is better than reading a book or writing on your laptop in this garden oasis. And it really is a garden oasis. There's lavender, colourful flowers, a good mix of seating and there is a little bit of shelter. Many families drop in, a few community projects are in and out, a few individuals just wile away the hours here. If this were closer to me, it would be my (seasonal) local.

A little gem in east london. Excellent customer service. Had a very nice conservation with the owner on its history. Run by mostly volunteers as a social enterprise. It's a great place to come have some quite time and maybe a drink. It's more than capable of accommodating large crowds and often has good music. It has a wonderful atmosphere. The only drawback is the 2 toilets that can have a long que when the venue is busy. But then you have time for the beautiful flowers.