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Dalston Yard has a reputation for shaking things up in Hackney, and this winter, it’s offering a sneak preview of its ambitious plans with YARDLIFE, a food festival set to run from December through February. More than just another pop-up, this three-month event promises to bring some of the most exciting chefs and culinary concepts to East London, setting the stage for the venue’s full launch in spring 2025.

Curated by Dominic Cools-Lartigue, the force behind Street Feast and The Tramshed Project, YARDLIFE is a love letter to the capital’s culinary scene. It’s ambitious, collaborative, and designed to be as much about community as it is about the food.

The format is simple: a 500-seat dining space anchored by multiple kitchens where you can mix and match dishes or order directly from chefs. With names like Jordan Bailey, Andrew Clarke, Gizzi Erskine, and James Cochran on the roster, the menu promises a diversity of styles and influences.

Highlights for December include Ruben’s Ruebens offering tacos and birria, while Bailey – formerly of Michelin-starred Aimsir – debuts his smashburgers under the name HEARD. Wine bar WINEHAUS will focus on natural and biodynamic bottles paired with raw milk cheeses and artisan charcuterie, while Freak Scene’s Scott Hallsworth brings his take on Southeast Asian small plates. For fans of live-fire cooking, Andrew Clarke’s menu of ribs, chops, and prime cuts should hit the mark, while Cochran’s cult-status fried chicken adds a hearty dose of indulgence.

Desserts aren’t an afterthought, either. The Winter Pudding Pantry will serve warm, wintry options like salted caramel buttermilk pudding and pear and brown butter tart.

Alongside the culinary offerings, YARDLIFE will host local DJs every weekend, turning the evenings into a lively celebration of Hackney’s creative spirit. The event’s staggered schedule—a December launch followed by a January return—ensures the energy stays fresh, with chefs like Gizzi Erskine and Denai Moore joining the line-up in the new year.

YARDLIFE runs December 6th – 22nd and every Thursday to Sunday through February.

Yardlife, Hartwell St, E8 3DU