Old Victorian pub The Elephant’s Head is being turned into Elephant Hackney
The Rum Kitchen co-founder Stevie Thomas and ex-Manteca chef Francesco Sarvonio have teamed up to transform this old Clapton pub into a southern Italian restaurant specialising in Neapolitan pizza. At Elephant Hackney, Francesco’s menu blends regional Italian traditions with seasonal British produce, resulting in dishes like:
- frittatina with peas and basil
- ox cheek croquettes with anchovy mayo
- buffalo mozzarella with tomato carpaccio
- fried courgette flowers with spicy honey aioli
- Elephant Marinara pizza with caper leaves and confit garlic
- Margherita Sbagliata pizza
- La Squisita pizza with pancetta and squacquerone
- house tiramisu
- fried lavender donut with Amalfi lemon custard
Elephant Hackney may not be a pub anymore but the drinks list is still on point, with beers including a custom Elephant Walk Grolsch and local brews from Five Points, and cocktails like Negronis, Spicy Margs and Climpson & Sons Espresso Martinis.
Just as much attention has been paid to the building itself, with David Shrigley prints, vintage Italian film posters and a Dumbo piece inside the dining room, which will be bathed in natural light from a 25-year-old skylight salvaged from an old East End cinema. Sounds like a great new neighbourhood spot for all you Clapton peeps.
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Put the kettle on!
Key Information
Opening date | Weds 9th July 2025
Address | 43 Lower Clapton Rd, London E5 0NS
For more information | @elephanthackney