This super-cool pub on Broadway Market continues to pull in the punters.

The Venue
Sat on the corner of Broadway Market, a stone's throw from the increasingly fashionable London Fields, this venue can't be missed – if only for the flock of people drinking outside the pub on the street. As one of the first 'trendy' places, alongside The Dove, on the much-hyped market stretch, it continues to pull in the crowds. Today, the decor in the two-floored venue hasn't changed a lot from when it first opened – there's still an open kitchen at the back, a mish-mash of dark wooden vintage-style tables and chairs and a large chalkboard displaying the dishes of that day. There are two bars – upstairs is always a better bet to get served if there's not a private function – and benches that pepper the front of the venue. The toilet cubicles are sparse – there's only one for the ladies – and people often come in from the park to use the facilities, so expect a wait.

The Atmosphere
If you hate being surrounded by hipsters, the Cat isn't for you. Rather than being somewhere for Hackney locals, the venue is packed with uber-cool vintage-clad art school grads who formerly occupied the Shoreditch venues down the road – and even the staff could be considered intimidating. Saying this, however, the venue is child-friendly and, if you visit on a Sunday afternoon, you're likely to see a fair few kiddies. The music played varies from day to day – sometimes a DJ occupies the front part of the kitchen downstairs and bands play upstairs from time to time, too. Background music includes popular indie and pop tracks and old-skool hits you forgot even existed. There's a pub quiz on a Tuesday night, too. The venue gets packed at the weekend, especially if you're after breakfast on Saturday or a Sunday roast but, during the week, it can be a pleasant venue to have a drink.

The Food
Food isn't cheap at the Cat and Mutton, but the dishes change frequently and are always freshly prepared and tasty. Expect to find typically gastropub dishes, including sea bass, lamb chops, steak, and risotto, all for around £14 each. At the weekend, the roast includes beef, pork, lamb or chicken with roasted potatoes, cauliflower cheese, greens, Yorkshire puddings and gravy. And there's a veggie option - a veggie wellington with creamed leeks. A few snacks can also be purchased at the bar.

The Drink
Draught beers include Red Stripe, Amstel, Guinness, San Miguel and an ale like Timothy Taylor Landlord, while the extensive wine list includes red, white and rose wines from around the world. A small glass of wine starts at £3.95, while you're looking at spending about £14 for a bottle. Pints are just shy of £4, which is pretty average for the area.

The Last Word
Yes it's slightly overpriced and often packed with trendies, but as one of the original foodie pubs in the area that's still able to pack them in, it's definitely doing something right.

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