Despite the relentless gentrification that’s sweeping through East London, there remains an underlying frisson of possibilities that, from the perspective of urban renewal and design, is rather thrilling.
Especially when the mixed bag of run-down period architecture, narrow streets, residential and commercial spaces throws out something so pleasingly clean-lined as Acqua7.
Styled as a concept bar, retail space, diner and a vaguely defined ‘integrated creative platform’, the new space – designed by Italian architecture outfit Arkyna Design, and owner and Dalston native, Cyrus Cookson – makes the most of a narrow space. White dominates the colour palette in the walls and beamed ceiling whilst the brown stained floors, Irish oak counter and potted greens provide a gentle visual counterpoint.
The menu is mod-European, which translates to coffee poured from Moka pots, cantaloupe and rosewater smoothies, avocado and bacon toast, salads, and charcuterie all chased down by cocktails. While waiting for orders to arrive, whet the appetite with a trawl through the retail nooks in the wall stocked with wines and coffee beans.
ADDRESS
7 Balls Pond Road
-
Corner Corner may be London's most unique entertainment destination yetThe newly-opened venue combines food, jazz and—yes—urban farming beneath one sprawling roof
-
The Wallpaper* Design Issue comes with our Salone del Mobile must-seesThe May 2025 issue of Wallpaper* is on sale now, taking in Milan Design Week, the Venice Biennale, and a very stylish tea party
-
Aboard Gio Ponti's colourful Arlecchino train in Milan, a conversation about design with FormafantasmaThe design duo boards Gio Ponti’s train bound for the latest Prada Frames symposium at Milan Design Week
-
Corner Corner may be London's most unique entertainment destination yetThe newly-opened venue combines food, jazz and—yes—urban farming beneath one sprawling roof
-
For a taste of Greece, head to this playful new restaurant in London’s ChelseaPachamama Group’s latest venture, Bottarga, dishes up taverna flavours in an edgy bistro-style setting
-
A buzzy Korean pop-up becomes a permanent fixture in East LondonChef Joo Won has turned his Calong pop-up permanent in the arty enclave of Stoke Newington
-
New London restaurant Alba is a sun-soaked affairIts name meaning ‘sunrise’ in Italian, Alba is a new Amalfi-inspired restaurant set to shine in Knightsbridge
-
Now boarding Air Anya: Anya Hindmarch’s ode to aviation’s golden ageAnya Hindmarch’s new London concept store and travel accessories collection celebrate the glamour of 1970s air travel
-
‘A place for carnivores’ – Ibai is a London restaurant that celebrates Basque Country beefA Clerkenwell restaurant where unhurried steak is the star of the show
-
La Môme London finds its home at The Berkeley hotelAll the razzle-dazzle of Cannes and Monte Carlo is wrapped up in this one fabulous dining room and terrace in London
-
The new dawn of the London sandwich shopThe appeal of a quick meal between two slices of bread has long held sway in the UK. We look back on the rise of the sandwich shop and explore the new wave of London venues that are making it a more stylised experience
