Tucked away in the charming small town of Washington, North Carolina, The Hackney is a restaurant that stops people in their tracks the moment they walk through the door. Housed inside a beautifully restored 1920s bank building, this spot blends historic grandeur with modern fine dining in a way that feels almost unreal.
From a James Beard Award-nominated chef to an on-site gin distillery, everything about The Hackney is designed to impress. Whether you are a foodie, a history lover, or simply someone looking for an unforgettable night out, this place delivers on every single level.
A 1920s Bank Building That Became Something Magical
Walking into The Hackney feels like stepping back in time — except the food is firmly rooted in the future. The restaurant occupies a stunning restored 1920s bank building at 192 W Main St in Washington, NC, and the architecture alone is worth the visit.
Soaring ceilings, original stonework, and carefully preserved details give the space a grandeur that most restaurants simply cannot manufacture.
What makes this building so special is how effortlessly history and hospitality coexist. The old vault, the bank’s bones, and the open layout all tell a story while welcoming guests into something entirely new.
Reviewers consistently rave about the atmosphere, calling it grand, gorgeous, and chic all at once.
The building sets the tone before a single dish arrives. You are not just eating dinner — you are dining inside a piece of North Carolina history that has been lovingly brought back to life.
Chef Jamie Davis and His James Beard Recognition
Not every small-town restaurant can claim a James Beard Award Finalist on its team, but The Hackney can. Executive Chef Jamie Davis has earned national recognition as a Best Chef Southeast finalist, a distinction that puts him among the most celebrated culinary talents in the entire country.
For a restaurant in eastern North Carolina, that is genuinely extraordinary.
Chef Jamie is also credited with inventing the now-legendary grit crouton — a crispy, savory twist on a Southern staple that has become something of a signature innovation. Guests who have spoken with him directly describe a chef who is passionate, approachable, and deeply connected to the ingredients he works with.
His creativity shows up on every plate. Whether it is a delicate fish collar with mango chutney or a perfectly seared tile fish, Chef Jamie consistently turns fresh, local ingredients into something that feels genuinely inspired and memorable.
Farm-to-Table Philosophy Done Right
The Hackney takes its farm-to-table commitment seriously, and guests can taste the difference. The kitchen sources as much as possible from local farms and regional producers, meaning the menu reflects what is fresh, seasonal, and available right now.
That kind of dedication to local sourcing is rare, and it shows in every bite.
Reviewers have highlighted dishes like grilled peach starters, NC collard green salads, and corn risotto as standout examples of how local ingredients can be transformed into something truly elegant. The menu is not just locally sourced — it is thoughtfully composed, with each element chosen to complement the others in unexpected and delightful ways.
For diners who care about where their food comes from, The Hackney offers real transparency and genuine quality. Eating here feels like supporting something bigger than a single meal — it feels like investing in the community and the land around it.
The On-Site Gin Distillery Is a Genuine Showstopper
Here is something you do not see every day: a restaurant where you can watch gin being distilled right behind the bar. The Hackney is home to the 1000 Piers distillery, where house-made gin and vodka are crafted on-site and served directly to guests.
The process is completely visible, adding a layer of transparency and theater that elevates the whole dining experience.
Owner Nick has developed several gin expressions under the 1000 Piers label, and he has been known to offer personal tasting flights to curious guests, walking them through the botanicals and distillation process in a way that is educational without being stuffy. Recently, vodka was added to the lineup, giving cocktail lovers even more to explore.
The cocktail menu built around these house spirits is exceptional. Drinks like The Last Word and Corpse Reviver No. 2 have earned praise from guests who know their way around a well-crafted cocktail menu.
A Menu That Changes and Keeps You Coming Back
One of the most exciting things about The Hackney is that the menu is never the same twice. Chef Jamie rotates dishes regularly based on what is fresh and in season, which means loyal guests always have a reason to return.
A meal from three months ago might look completely different from what is served tonight — and that unpredictability is part of the fun.
Past dishes have included tile fish on creamed corn with smoked trout roe, lionfish served whole and chicken-fried, swordfish paired with lobster and a pea-basil sauce, and a beloved apple-sweet potato bisque amuse-bouche. The range is impressive, stretching from approachable comfort to genuinely adventurous territory.
Even with all that variety, the quality remains remarkably consistent. Guests who have visited five or more times report never being disappointed by a single menu item — which says everything you need to know about the kitchen’s standards and Chef Jamie’s creative range.
The Grit Crouton Caesar Salad You Have to Order
If there is one dish at The Hackney that guests talk about with near-religious devotion, it is the Caesar salad topped with Chef Jamie’s signature grit crouton. The grit crouton is exactly what it sounds like — a crispy, golden cube made from grits instead of bread — and it has become one of the most talked-about food innovations to come out of eastern North Carolina in recent years.
Multiple reviewers have described it as one of the most delicious things they have ever tasted. The crouton adds a uniquely Southern twist to a classic dish, with a satisfying crunch and a subtle corn flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy dressing and sharp parmesan.
Chef Jamie is the original creator of this idea, so ordering it here means experiencing the real thing at its source. It is a small detail that reveals a lot about the thoughtfulness behind every item on the menu.
Prix Fixe Dining That Offers Remarkable Value
Fine dining can feel intimidating when the bill arrives, but The Hackney offers a prix fixe option that makes the experience genuinely accessible without sacrificing quality. Available on select evenings, the multi-course prix fixe menu with wine pairings has been described by guests as a remarkable value — a phrase you do not often hear at this level of cuisine.
One reviewer called the Wednesday prix fixe experience exceptional, raving about all three courses and the wine selections that accompanied them. Another described it as a real gem, noting that the value far exceeded what they expected from a restaurant of this caliber.
For special occasions or date nights, it is one of the smartest ways to experience everything The Hackney does best.
Booking the prix fixe is also a great way for first-time visitors to get a full sense of Chef Jamie’s range and the kitchen’s capabilities in one beautifully structured sitting.
Cocktails Crafted With Skill and House-Made Spirits
The bar program at The Hackney is every bit as impressive as the food. Using house-distilled gin and vodka from the 1000 Piers distillery, the team creates cocktails that are balanced, creative, and memorable.
Classic recipes get elevated with house-made spirits, and the result is a drinks menu that feels both familiar and entirely original.
Standout cocktails like the Pimms Cup made with house Pimms and the gin-forward Last Word have earned enthusiastic praise from guests with serious cocktail knowledge. The drinks are not just accompaniments to the meal — they are an experience in their own right, worth arriving early to enjoy at the bar.
For guests who prefer wine, the list is broad and thoughtfully curated, with options that pair beautifully across the menu. Whether you are a cocktail devotee or a wine enthusiast, the beverage program at The Hackney will not leave you searching for something better.
Service That Makes Every Guest Feel Welcome
Great food only goes so far without great service, and The Hackney understands this deeply. From the moment guests walk in, the staff works to create an atmosphere that feels warm, personal, and genuinely attentive.
Owners Susanne and Nick are often present on the floor, connecting with guests and making sure every visit feels like a special occasion.
Reviewers have singled out individual servers by name — a sign that the staff leaves a real impression. Descriptions like attentive, friendly, and personable come up again and again across dozens of reviews, painting a picture of a team that truly cares about the experience they are delivering.
Even the owners pitch in during busy service, which gives the restaurant a community feel that is rare at this level of dining. The Hackney manages to be both polished and personal — a combination that keeps guests coming back year after year.
Fresh Local Seafood That Steals the Show
Washington, NC sits along the Pamlico River, and The Hackney takes full advantage of its coastal location by featuring fresh, locally sourced seafood as a cornerstone of the menu. Dishes like tile fish on creamed corn with smoked trout roe, fish collars with mango chutney, and chicken-fried lionfish have become memorable highlights for guests who appreciate the sea-to-table difference.
The kitchen handles seafood with a confidence and precision that speaks to Chef Jamie’s training and instincts. Fish is never overcooked or underwhelming — it arrives at the table perfectly prepared, with accompaniments that enhance rather than compete with the natural flavor of the catch.
For anyone visiting eastern North Carolina, eating fresh regional seafood at this level of execution is a genuinely rare opportunity. The Hackney turns proximity to the water into a culinary advantage that most restaurants in the area simply cannot match.
Vegetarian Options That Actually Impress
Fine dining restaurants do not always make vegetarians feel welcome, but The Hackney is a refreshing exception. The kitchen crafts plant-forward dishes with the same creativity and care as everything else on the menu, ensuring that guests who skip meat never feel like an afterthought.
Dishes like the grilled peach starter and corn risotto have drawn enthusiastic praise from non-meat eaters and carnivores alike.
One reviewer shared that their vegetarian daughter — who often struggles to find satisfying options at restaurants — left genuinely thrilled after a meal of grilled peach, corn risotto, and truffle fries. That kind of inclusive menu design speaks to a kitchen that thinks beyond the obvious.
The Parmesan truffle fries, available as a side, have developed their own devoted following among guests of all dietary preferences. Crispy, rich, and deeply satisfying, they are the kind of side dish that makes you wonder why every restaurant does not serve them this way.
The Relaxed, Social Atmosphere Sets It Apart
There is something about the open layout of The Hackney that encourages conversation — not just with your own table, but with the people dining around you. The restored bank building’s generous proportions create a space that feels lively and communal without ever becoming noisy or chaotic.
Guests frequently describe the vibe as relaxed, social, and surprisingly comfortable for a fine dining setting.
Multiple reviewers have noted that the atmosphere gives off strong big-city energy — think New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles — while remaining rooted in the warmth of a small North Carolina town. That balance is genuinely hard to pull off, and The Hackney makes it look effortless.
Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, a graduation, or just a Tuesday that deserves something special, the atmosphere wraps around the experience and makes everything feel more significant. The building does not just house the restaurant — it elevates every single moment spent inside it.
Hours, Reservations, and How to Plan Your Visit
Planning a trip to The Hackney requires a little preparation, but it is absolutely worth it. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday for dinner starting at 5:15 PM, with Friday service running until 10:30 PM.
Saturday lunch is served from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, making it one of the few chances to experience the restaurant in daylight. The kitchen is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and for special events like the prix fixe dinners. With a 4.8-star rating across hundreds of reviews, tables fill up quickly — particularly since Chef Jamie’s James Beard recognition brought national attention to the restaurant.
You can reach The Hackney by phone at +1 252-623-2368 or visit their website at thehackneywashingtonnc.com to book your table. The address is 192 W Main St Suite A, Washington, NC 27889.
Do not wait too long — this is the kind of place that rewards those who plan ahead.