The Deli Downstairs

"The Picnic Pick: A hench sausage roll  ⏱️ 4-minute walk to Victoria Park’s Royal Gate East entrance Please do not be surprised if you gain a large following of anxious sighthounds while walking through Victoria Park with this meaty, super-stuffed sausage roll. Pop by The Deli Downstairs—an idyllic pseudo Sainsbury’s for Hackneyites who rightfully deem rhubarb jam and fresh goats’ curd to be essentials—and order the sausage roll. You’ll inevitably get distracted by the Guinness cake and arty tinned fish packaging, but order those too, why not. And then make your way to the park. Gingham blankets and modern picnic poster child—Torres crisps—encouraged.  " - heidi lauth beasley

"This Hackney spot is just a Hunter welly boot shuffle from Victoria Park, and it’s a superior place to stock up on top-tier snacks. The shelves of The Deli Downstairs are lined like a Willy Wonka’s chocolate shop—but for adults who dream of Torres crisps, Guinness cake, and their vegetables displayed in wicker baskets. There are a few seats outside, but the likelihood is that these will have already been nabbed—but it’s easy to cosplay at a countryside picnic. Load up with a seeded bagel and some of Papo’s Bagels’ jalapeño smear, as well as some totopos, and head over to the park. Gingham blankets and Nora Ephron paperbacks are encouraged. " - sinead cranna

"Whether your weekend plan involves lazily strolling around Victoria Park, or staying home for a Netflix marathon, The Deli Downstairs is the superior place in Hackney to stock up on top-tier snacks. There are a few seats outside, but the likelihood is that these will have already been nabbed, so really this is a grab and go situation. Inside, the shelves are lined like a Willy Wonka’s chocolate shop—but for adults who dream of Torres crisps, Guinness cake, and vegetables displayed in wicker baskets. A seeded bagel and some of Papo’s Bagels' jalapeño smear should definitely be in your basket, as should some sturdy, corn totopos. The selection of well-stuffed sausage rolls are always a hit, and you can’t go far wrong with the tarts here either. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch" - Sinéad Cranna