The Hackney

I write a lot of reviews and eat a lot of delicious meals, however, it is rare to experience a local meal in such an innovative and welcoming location. This renovated bank and previously multi-use property is so grand and gorgeous, but still chic and impressive. Fine dining in a historic location really provides guests the opportunity to experience the grandeur of the past and the very best of the present. It’s hard to believe a restaurant like The Hackney is available in eastern North Carolina. The vibe definitely gives New York, Chicago, Los Angeles. This is such a gem. Additionally, the beautiful thing about this restaurant, it is also a distillery! Gin is distilled visibly behind the bar. The combination of farm to table dining as well as house made high-quality liquor is truly an elevated experience for anyone who comes in the door. I would recommend visiting sooner than later because Chef Jamie has already been nominated for a James Beard award so it is only up from here for The Hackney. Make your reservation today! Lastly, chef Jamie is the creator of the grit crouton so if you see it anywhere, just know this is his innovation. The grit crouton time is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted in my life, order the Caesar salad salad!

We are grateful to have this acclaimed restaurant and its James Beard finalist chef in our area of eastern North Carolina. The Hackney serves a gourmet menu featuring fresh local seafood, meat and produce. Dining there is more than a meal—it’s a special experience. For those who enjoy cocktails, the Hackney distills its own gin and vodka. Every meal there is a special occasion..

This restaurant checks all the boxes for a nice fine dining experience in Washington. The wait staff always does a phenomenal job and the cocktails are so good! Washington is so lucky to have a spot like The Hackney. Also- try the burger! It’s amazing.

What an all-around, wonderful experience! Lovely atmosphere; the food that Chef is cranking out is both beautiful and delicious; the wine list is broad and filled with delightful options; the cocktails are well made; and the service was very attentive. All this set in a gorgeous historic building that also houses one of the best gin distilleries in the world!

We are so fortunate to have a Michelin star finalist chef here in Washington. The food has been exceptional, service wonderful and an overall five star experience.

Just for context: I have been to many wonderful "fine-dining" restaurants, and enjoy trying new places, new experimental flavors, experiencing amazing food cultures and experiences. The food was perfectly cooked except for the toffee pudding, which I think was put in the broiler a little too long so part of it mostly tasted burnt, but the parts that didn't were delicious. Nothing too experimental which you wouldn't expect in a beautiful, little town in NC, but had delightful twists on staples. Cheesy polenta instead of croutons, swordfish paired with lobster and a pea/basil sauce, a delicious amuse bouche of a shot of apple/sweet potato bisque. Our service was very friendly but not what I would expect for the prices. We didn't get an order taken for about 10 minutes, the waitress (again, very sweet) was mumbling so much neither my husband or I could understand often what she was asking... It was not bad service, I just think when dinner is $100/person or more, part of what you're paying for is the service of a fine dining caliber. That all being said, I think for how delicious and well cooked the food was (besides the dessert) we might go back for a special occasion. It was our anniversary and we still enjoyed a lovely meal even if it wasn't perfect ❤️

My husband and I are local patrons of this restaurant. And from our many satisfied visits to this establishment I can promise you it is NOT your typical, run-of-the-mill dining experience! Suzanne, Chef Jamie and ALL of the staff are awesome! The food is local sourced when possible -which is most everything-, and prepared to perfection! Not to mention Nick and the distillery! Not just one great gin, but several nice offerings. And just recently he has now added vodka to the 1000 Pier’s line up! We are grateful you are here, and look forward to many more memories with you!

What a wonderful experience!! One of the best meals I’ve ever had! Great people with a community supported source for as much as they can get locally. From the servers to the owners everyone was friendly. Nick and Susanne have an outstanding place. The interior is beautiful and historic. The Gin they brew and also source locally is so good. Nick gave us a personal flight tasting educating us about gin and the process they us. Chef Jamie is a genius with his preparation of dishes!

As you can see here on Yelp, Sandy and I first visited The Hackney the year they opened, in October 2019. We've been trying to come back since then but only just made that happen this week. I stand by everything I said in my original review, which was well before Executive Chef Jamie Davis became a James Beard Award Finalist for Best Chef Southeast. A well-deserved acknowledgment of his work here. Sandy and I had dinner on back-to-back nights. We regret that they no longer do a Sunday brunch as they did in 2019 so we couldn't do the trifecta. (They do serve lunch from 12-2p on Saturdays.) Since my original review was comprehensive and still applies, let me just highlight some questions that this visit answered for us: (1) Can you take a perfect cocktail like The Last Word or Corpse Reviver No 2 and make it a "G&T" by adding tonic to it? Yes, yes you can. I was a bit concerned about doing this, but found the drinks quite refreshing as an appetizer companion compared to the originals. (2) Are those really collard greens? Yes, yes they are. Sandy and I kept asking ourselves that as we enjoyed the NC Collard Green Salad on day 2 (sorry, we ate before the camera). We've both eaten a lot of collards but nothing as crisp and refreshing as this salad. (3) Can you put trout in shrimp bisque? Yes, yes you can, especially if you put it on a bed of rice and shrimp. I was delighted at how well the bisque complemented the trout without overwhelming it. (4) Can you eat lionfish? Yes, yes you can. And if you serve it whole (bone in) and chicken fried you capture all of the juiciness of the meat. Between the trout and the lionfish I would choose the trout, but in 5 visits to The Hackney over 5 years I've never been disappointed in a menu item I've chosen. Congrats to Chef Jamie. Thanks to our server on both nights, Kayla Lilley, as well as the entire wait staff who chip in as needed. Owner Susanne worked front of house and made us feel very welcome, and we enjoyed re-connecting with owner Nick after so many years. Hope to see y'all again in fewer than 5 years!

I really wanted to like this place because the inside and the ambiance is that of a 5 star dining. However, the food was very mediocre. I ordered the simplest thing on the menu: the smashburger with truffle fries and it was a huge dissapointment. I took 2 bites of my burger and it was just too sweet and dry. As for the fries, the first round were severely undercooked. So I had them redone to be more "well done" and they were perfect. BF ordered the scallops and they were okay. The cocktails were also just okay, we also ordered a bottle of wine and that was good. The service was good though, she was attentive and checked on us every now and then. Overall, BF and I wouldn't return unless somehow, the food gets better.

It's always cool to find a repurposed building. This restaurant used to be a Bank. We discovered it while traveling in the area and took the opportunity to make a reservation online. We started with the Steamed Wild NC Shell'em Mussels appetizer along with a bottle of Ghostrunner red wine blend. Then for the main course we shared the NC Seared Swordfish and then finished with the Pumpkin Cheesecake. All the food is locally sourced and prepared with wonderful flavors. Service was awesome and the atmosphere was great with music.

Great restaurant! Our server Kayley was very sweet & recommended the best espresso martini! Can't wait to get back!

I moved here from a large city. I thought fine dining had not been created here but then I was introduced to The Hackney. Susan and staff are remarkable

The chef is local and makes a point to get local ingredients. He truly cares about his community, his staff, and the restaurant. A fantastic, must try place.

We visited tonight for the first time after many folks recommendations. I got the filet and my wife got the pork chop. The filet is cut medallion style which is in two pieces. First piece was good but second had a piece of fat running through it. My wife's chop was tasty. The service is sub-par. They bring out bread which was delicious but never cleared the plates. This restaurant would be a ton better if the servers were trained. We received our food and didn't have a knife to cut the meat. Our server never came back to check. I ordered a vodka/cranberry and they did not have cranberry juice. We went on a Friday night. I still told them to bring me a vodka and the cranberry something and they still charged for cranberry juice. Food is good and service needs help. The place is really nice. We will come back but no time soon. Give it a 4 because it's local but really a 3.

reserved a table for lunch on Saturday. The menu was small which says they're focused on making the food perfect. Drinks from the bar were great although a little slow. Appetizers were very good. We got pork belly and BBQ oysters. Entree's we're fish and chips, Rabbit confit, Red Drum, and a smash burger. I tasted them all, super good. Also a collard salad with a champagne vinaigrette was surprisingly delicious. Deserts we're finely made and again very well prepared and tasty. We even got some to go. Service was a little busy but she was attentive. The atmosphere is stunning. Dress to impress.

3.5 stars. Not sure where to begin with this review...we enjoyed our dinner here but the food seems overly fanciful and pricey for what you get. Service is incredible and drinks are on point, some of the best cocktails in Washington. The restaurant is also beautiful inside however watch your knees on the table, you actually have to move the table out if you are sitting on the inside which is strange. I wanted an appetizer but am not a tomato or fruit fan and all three appetizers included these elements in them. We had the filet medallions which were not prime grade and very thin for $49, but flavor-wise the dish was on point. The scallops were delicious as well, and the lobster, cauliflower puree and mushrooms were nice, but the peas and whatever green soupy mess (a previous reviewer called it green swamp juice) that was served with it didn't really add to the dish. It would have been better had it been kept simple. The sticky toffee pudding was delicious as well. Overall, this would be a 3.5, I'd like to come back and try the smash burger but more as a lunch visit. And I'd certainly return to the bar for the cocktails.

The food and service is always excellent. Atmosphere is extremely nice as well. Definitely a place to try.

We just came in to try the Gin. Distillery was closed but the restaurant gave tastings. Our bartender was amazing! Well versed in the gin AND she poured a true 2 oz pour. I had a field a dreams and he had blantenz

I came to Washington for a wedding which ended early. Instead of going back to my B&B I wanted to treat myself. The B&B site recommended The Hackney. I can't say enough positive things about this establishment. From walking in the door walking out it was fabulous. I had the Wild Mushroom Risotto which was excellent. Being by myself I sat at the bar to eat. The Hackney have two excellent ambassadors in bartenders Kailey and Samantha. In leaving I told them that I would come back to Washington just come back to The Hackney!

Wow, amazingly sophisticated for a a small town. Very cosmopolitan interior. I met the owner, a delightful person. Order the 3 course meal with wine pairings. You can go wrong here. PS order a gin and tonic

Great dining experience!! Excellent service and steaks were delivered as promised!! Awesome experience!

Never disappointed with the drinks and food at The Hackney. Stopped in for dinner tonight before a theatre event. Everything was fantastic.

This is a historic building housing a distillery and restaurant. We were told by family that the chef is great, and I'd have to agree. We ate at the bar, but even that was very comfortable, our bartenders were friendly and accommodating. Our meal started with homemade bread and cinnamon butter, and a shooter of the sweet potato & apple soup - so delicious!! My bf had the shrimp & grits and I had swordfish, which had a great crispy sear and perfect seasoning. We both devoured our dinner and still decided to try the sticky toffee pudding - i was thinking it was a bread pudding but it wasn't - although we loved it ! Great flavors from the first drink (Field of Dreams) to the dessert.

The Hackney restaurant's building was once a bank. It has been renovated. The restaurant has a large and open feel. The menu has limited options so might not be the best option in town if looking for a diverse menu. I went with the fish & chips as I wanted to stick with the seafood while at the Inner Banks. The dish was amazing but they did forget to bring the chips out so I had to ask where they were as it was to come with the fried fish. It seems the employees should know what the four entrees on the menu are and what they come with.

Wonderful dinner experience. We went on a Saturday evening with a group. We had reservations and had a lovely table next to the window. It's inside a building that was previously a bank. Lovely architecture and it was great to see they kept the vault door as the entry way to the kitchen. The food is seasonal and the menu changes according to the server. We had to flounder and the duck. The flounder was whole and paired with this immensely flavorful white bean crab sauce with pine nuts. The flounder was cooked perfectly and the sauce was exceptional. The flounder did come with a side of fries which were not great but also not needed: it took away from the dish. The duck was a well composed and cohesive dish. Im a stickler when it comes to duck and this was perfectly cooked with a wonderfully crispy skin and sat on top of a delicious cider duck jus. The white sweet potato and apple sauce puree paired well with the duck and well seasoned and cooked green beans. Also the honeycomb was a nice touch to add as an extra element to the dish. We also ordered drinks which were great. Great Manhattan and Espresso Martini. They had a seasonal menu which we did not partake in but did have a lot of fun Halloween featured cocktails. The drinks did take longer than expected to receive but worth the wait. The service was wonderful. They always came by to check on our table and ensured we were happy with food, drink, etc. Great hospitality. Overall, I'd highly recommend and will definitely be back.

Great atmosphere and great food! Service was very prompt as well. As soon as you walk in you are greeted by friendly staff. It looks like the restaurant is an an old bank!

I drove to North Carolina from Baltimore just to enjoy the creativity at the Hackney. I was greeted upon arrival and immediately sat for dinner. The restaurants atmosphere was very inviting and the large ceiling and the vault door was very cool to see. The ambiance was very calming and not loud. The food and drinks were amazing.

Ate their Thanksgiving diner in 2023. Best ever. Highly recommend. Fantastic restaurant. Google their chef. Top notch. Well worth the money.

Gin tasting was very educational and they have expanded their selections. Great service and place to take guests

Very solid upscale dinner on the main drag in Washington. It's an elegant space inside an old bank building. It's one large room with a banquette down the middle and a bar to one side with several chandeliers hanging throughout. They had a strong cocktail and wine program and an interesting menu. There are only a few dishes each for appetizers and entrees, so it's not one of those places that will overwhelm you with choices. I had a crab dip appetizer that was a little heavy for me, but the entree was a stunner. It was seared tuna with radishes, corn, and diced peaches. I would have never thought of pairing peaches with tuna, but now I don't know that I ever want tuna without them again. Servers were well-versed in the menu and the pacing of the meal was good. I noted that most people seemed to dress up a little for this place -- not formal wear or anything, but upscale casual/business for sure. You would definitely feel under-dressed in shorts and/or a T-shirt.

My wife and I have wanted to try The Hackney's 3 course, fixed price menu for months and did so last night. She had Filet medallions and the wine pairing and found everything to be excellent. I enjoyed the tomato and peach salad as a starter, but it was the fried softshell crab that blew me away. Chef Jaime served the crab on a concoction of puréed cauliflower with a bit of diced apple. Sheer genius. It elevated the crispy crab light years beyond what tartar or cocktail sauce could have done. Portions have grown since the early days and pricing is very reasonable in light of the exceptional food and service. Can't wait to return.

The oysters with bruschetta were great. The lighting was a bit too bright for my liking at dinner time but overall very cute place. The gin themed drinks were a highlight.

Chef Jamie Davis has put Washington, NC on the map with his focus on locally sourced ingredients at The Hackney. A beautifully appointed restaurant created by local construction company, Stocks & Taylor. Every meal is a special event unto itself.

Great service and food! The staff were very nice and I will definitely return in the near future.

Excellent service, wonderful food. Nice calm atmosphere. Lots of fish on the menu. Loved it

Made reservations on Tuesday, 04 April 2023 while in town for business with a colleague. The Hackney is a lovely renovated older bank with high ceilings, chandeliers, and a gorgeous bar. There were few people-we guessed it was because in the small town of Washington businesses appeared to slow early in the week, if they were open at all. We both ordered pan seared flounder with morels, asparagus, clams, soft shell crab broth, and baby potatoes. It was delicious and just the right portion size. The Hackney also has an on-site distillery making specialty gins. We asked about a tasting and were treated to a personal tasting of three floral gins. Had we not been flying, I would have purchased some bottles. Parallel parking was available on the street. The Hackney would be a lovely location for special events.

Everything went well- from the kitchen's being in a bank vault to some of the most delicious food I have had. The service was excellent and the restaurant is both elegant and comfortable. A delight!

Great food selection, drink options and the bartenders are very friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. Building is a cool place to check out as well.

All around an excellent location and vibe. From the elegant interior design to the indelibly impressive cocktails, this place is a gem. Thanks for your authenticity and good taste.

Fine dining at it's best. Pricy but worth it. The best in Washington NC. The staff will give you some suggestions if asked and not just the expensive items. The tables are well separated and lighting is perfect.

At first glance, this restaurant seems very fancy. Fancy enough to require a dress code. I called the restaurant to inquire about a dress code. They were very warm in assuring me that everyone from shorts and flip flops to well-dressed people were all accepted. We were greeted and promptly taken to our seats. There was a three course meal special of the day which was a very good deal. Everything we ate was delicious and the food combinations were amazing. The food quality was on point. We didn't need to go eat at another restaurant after eating here. Will visit again.

I want you to be our moderately upscale restaurant in Washington. You almost have it, but are missing a few things. The salads are overpriced scaled to value. Cocktails are UNDERPRICED as they are the BEST tasting by far in town. Waitstaff aprons need to be CLEAN at ALL times, soiled aprons at the table ruin your guests' appetite. Staff should not reach from the right so their sleeves skim my plate to serve a person on the left. They should not ask me to hand the person next to me a hot plate or ask me to pass drinks to others. Staff can take a couple extra steps to make it more full service.

The Hackney was recommended over and over so we decided to try and get a seat for dinner without having a reservation. We arrived early with the expectation we would be seated at the bar. The decor is modern and lovely. We started with cocktails, the Cloudy G&T and Sting like the bee. We were treated to an amuse bouche of gazpacho and focaccia with a brown sugar butter - delicious! I opted for the fig risotto and my husband went with the lamb loin. My risotto was served with a truffle balsamic drizzle which I asked for on the side since I find truffle is often overpowering. The balsamic sauce had a nice zing and I ended up using about 1/2 of the amount I was offered. My one tiny complaint of the entire evening was the size of the portion of risotto for $38 - however it was very tasty, not mushy or sticky and honestly I knew I wanted dessert so I would not have eaten a larger portion anyway. My husband enjoyed his lamb, cooked to a perfect medium, the sauce and carrots were also a tasty accompaniment so a winner there! For dessert we had the sticky toffee pudding and the blueberry crème brûlée - both were amazing! We also ordered an Americano and a bourbon to enjoy with the desserts. The bartenders were attentive and made sure we were not overlooked. The bathroom was clean and tidy, loved the individual hand towels. High praises for Hackney and we will definitely make the drive to return. Looking forward to a fall trip back to Washington. Total bill with tip for 2 was just over $200. Enjoy!

Delicious food. Excellent cocktails. Good service. Expensive. Not too noisy. I would eat here again.

A quiet elegance highlighted by the warmth and help of our server. A delightful menu that exceeded our expectations. From the hot, crispy bread, followed by the crab cake main course, to our sticky toffee pudding, our dinner was one the best we have had. We will return for sure.

The food is delicious, well presented and innovative combinations. Space is bright and airy and well designed. The servers collaborate with each other, and when it gets busy, the owner Suzanne, pitches in. This is by far the best restaurant I have found in Eastern North Carolina since moving here from the San Francisco Bay area last summer. You won't be disappointed!

Dear Nicholas, I really do like when the owners reply to a review. It shows that they care. Yours showed exactly what you care about. Yours went south after you stated the we fundamentally disagree. After that all you did was try and prove me wrong by announcing all your positive reviews and proceed to say that I was wrong. I'm a business owner and understand that you can't make everyone happy. I also understand that it is rude and arrogant to belittle a customers thoughts and opinions. The Gods honest truth is that, if the "vast majority of your customers" had been served the food we were served, there is absolutely no way they would not feel the same way we did, especially if they were local and raised on seafood. Your last statement saying that , "we have an amazing team here pushing the creative boundaries of great, locally sourced food here in Eastern NC I'm sorry you didn't appreciate that." Well, I did not appreciate the passive aggressiveness of the statement. I'm not an restaurant owner. But I am a business owner and a nice guy so here are a few free tips. #1 NEVER belittle or invalidate a customers opinion. #2 You should not have to "push the boundaries to locally sourced seafood here in Eastern NC." Keep it simple

My wife and I were in Washington for a couple of days last week and had dinner at The Hackney. Overall, a very nice experience. Decent service (which seems to be saying a lot these days), very nice ambiance and a quality meal. We tried the corn fritters, scallops and grouper. All were very good and nicely presented. Definitely worth a try if you're in town or close by.

Great place with a well-curated menu. Love that they make a point to use seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Top Notch Foodie Restaurant in Little Washington. Service is great and Executive Chef, Jamie Davis is the Real Deal, the Soft shell Crab and Grits, the Catfish and Grits, heck anything he puts together with his grits is delicious... the menu changes regularly and it seems to me that they really aim to source their ingredients locally from farms and fishermen in the region. Everything I have eaten here is in line with what you would expect from a "High-end restaurant" in any major city in America. Craft Cocktails, many made with 1000 Piers Gin, which is distilled locally in Washington (the Field of Dreams is a Family Favorite), are a nice treat as well.

Color me surprised. I'm not from the area, I was just in the mood for something different. I stumbled on The Hackney using the same platform you're using to read this. I made a reservation, a process that hinted at what I was in for. The dining room is roomy, with hints of the building's storied past peppered throughout - the kitchen is in a bank vault; there's wood craftsmanship on the crown molding that you just don't see any more. The chandeliers are just the right blend of traditional and contemporary for the setting. But you're probably wondering about the food, aren't you? The Hackney assists you through their 17 item menu by dividing it into "Start", "Middle", "End", and "Cheeses". Yep, only 17 items in 4 categories (not including individual cheeses). You won't find a grilled cheese sandwich or a burrito here (unless they change the menu and come up with their own take on those items). A kitchen can crank out fantastic food consistently if they keep the menu short - and my meal was pretty close to breathtaking. My "Start" was Fried Oysters on tartare hollendaise, the batter was crisp and flaky, just as you'd want it. The hollendaise really set the flavor off. In the "Middle" I opted for "The Hackney Wagyu Burger". Cooked to perfection, and the bun had the right amount of crunch. It was a glorious mess to eat, and was the best burger I've had in quite a while. It deserves its own category, it feels criminal to call it a mere burger. Lastly, my "End" was a "Deconstructed Lemon Meringue", an item that apparently made its debut on the menu today, and I was fortunate enough to be the first to try it. This little gem made my taste buds explode. I got it for the lemon, just about jumped out of my seat over the lavender. You should stop reading now and go get some. No? Still here? Ok, I'll make it quick - Sadly, I don't drink so the impressive wine & cocktail list was lost on me - I may well have missed half the experience, but it's good to leave something for someone else to write. The Hackney is positioned to be a place for people who want a fantastic foodie experience. Also consider special dates, and those occasions when you want to impress or honor your guest... this gem will do the trick.

The Hackney is where you go to treat yourself right. To pamper you and your family. I highly recommend to locals and those visiting. Pricing in line with what you'd expect. Nothing unusual. I'm from Atlanta - this restaurant easily matches or exceeds our favorite Atlanta restaurants. Easily.

This was an amazing experience. Before ordering we were offered a complimentary tasting of the gin from the distillery. The tasting was amazing and changed our minds from the bottle of wine we originally planned to order to the special house cocktails made with the gin. We also bought 2 bottles to take home. On to the food, we both ordered the catch of the day which was trout over grits, and the fried oysters as an appetizer. The portions were huge and the flavors were delicious. Post meal, the owner and chef came out to welcome us and speak with us. I would highly recommend this place for a date night or nice group dinner. I wouldn't recommend for families with small kids.

Wow!!! One of the best meals of the year. Had special shrimp and grits catch with a sauce that blew my mind. Service was excellent and vibe is terrific. Homemade gin cocktails were perfect. A++++

I wanted to take my parents out for dinner while I was here visiting from Alaska. We ended up at the Hackney because at our first restaurant we waited 20 min for service and decided to explore other establishments downtown. When entering we were greeted by the owner Susanne and were immediately seated and served. The service was excellent. Our waitress was on top of it even though she was also training another server. The food was amazing. Chef Jamie is someone everyone needs to keep in eye on in the culinary world. Catch and grits was one of the best plates I have ever tasted. My mom's shrimp scampi was cooked perfectly. The wagyu burger was delicious. If you have a special occasion to celebrate or just want to dine in class the Hackney is the spot to be. I am sure it will reservation only in the never future as they recover from COVID. I cannot wait to return to visit my parents and treat them to dinner at the Hackney- next time I will try the Gin.

First experience here I took my wife for valentines. I made reservations in advance. The owner personally was greeting guest at the door. He escorted us to one of the best views in the house overlooking the whole restaurant. The service was outstanding. The food was great, the experience was a night I will always remember. The only full fine dining experience in Washington, NC as of 2022 if you ask me.