Pockets

About Pockets

Pockets in Hackney serves one thing only — a falafel pita that's become a local obsession. Owner Itamar Grinberg's Israeli-style recipe packs bright green, pillowy falafels with fried potato, sharp pickled veg, tangy amba sauce, and fresh coriander into warm steamed bread that somehow holds it all together. "Every bite has a different complexity," notes one regular, and it's true, the layers build from crunchy to creamy to herbaceous. Reviewers note that kids seem drawn to the fried potato centre and the mild tahini, while parents report being able to ask for extra chilli. At £9, it's generous enough to share with a smaller appetite. Expect queues at weekend lunchtimes (20–40 minutes isn't unusual), though arriving near opening or closing shaves the wait considerably. No seating, but locals drift across to the pub's outdoor tables opposite. The single-item menu and watching each pocket assembled to order makes this feel like street food theatre.

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