Out of the Frying Pan, Into The Acme Fire Cult

With the chilly season in full swing forcing us to stay holed up in our flats, we found ourselves longing for the summery days of al fresco dining and barbeque parties.

Here’s a spot you should bookmark for next summer — Acme Fire Cult is a local favorite in Dalston, specialising in grilled dishes served straight out of a fire oven in their outdoor kitchen.

The main seating area is an outdoors-covered terrace, with loud and energetic music filling up the space. For a more intimate experience, Acme Fire Cult also offers a cozy, candlelit indoor space.

Although known for its grilled meats, a quick glance at the menu shows that vegetables make up a large portion of the offerings. Organic, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients show the chefs' creative flair, who constantly experiment to offer their clientele the boldest, freshest new flavours.

The restaurant was conceived by chef Andrew Clarke, who launched Acme Fire Cult during the pandemic when outdoor dining was a necessity.

Acme Fire Cult is also located next to the Dusty Knuckle, another local joint. Known for its outstanding brunch and coffee, Dusty Knuckle is also a social enterprise that provides training programs for at-risk youth — a story worth its own spotlight.

For the grilled dishes, we ordered a stunning smoky pork chop, a bream with a decadent butter sauce, and a chicken with peri peri spices and onions. Each dish was unique and told its own story, coming together to create a memorable feast.

To round things off, we ordered a round of classic cocktails, though the acme cocktails seem worth a try for next time.

Acme Fire Cult is still open over the winter, albeit with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays in January and February.

However, the real magic happens in the Summer.

The rustic terrace, seasonal menu updates, and charm of open-fire cooking make it an essential spot in East London.

Written by Mika Sudjarwo