Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Fabrique Bakery
385 Geffrye StPure focus on quality bread and tasty baked treats.
Exposed brick and white tiles line this hip canteen serving Japanese ramen with homemade noodles.
139 locals recommend
Tonkotsu East
1a Dunston StExposed brick and white tiles line this hip canteen serving Japanese ramen with homemade noodles.
This quirky canalside cafe/bar with hammocks and a terrace offers Venezuelan mains and light bites.
65 locals recommend
Arepa & Co - Haggerston
58A De Beauvoir CresThis quirky canalside cafe/bar with hammocks and a terrace offers Venezuelan mains and light bites.
Traditional food with a Latin twist is on the menu of this airy, bleached wood canalside bar/diner.
46 locals recommend
The Barge House
46a De Beauvoir CresTraditional food with a Latin twist is on the menu of this airy, bleached wood canalside bar/diner.
Waterside cafe for coffee and a range of dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
216 locals recommend
Towpath Café
42 De Beauvoir CresWaterside cafe for coffee and a range of dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
Canalside restaurant and terrace giving young local people the chance to work in the food industry.
18 locals recommend
Waterhouse
10 Orsman RdCanalside restaurant and terrace giving young local people the chance to work in the food industry.
Deep South barbecue in a brick-walled pub conversion with extensive craft beers on tap.
115 locals recommend
Duke's Brew & Que
33 Downham RoadDeep South barbecue in a brick-walled pub conversion with extensive craft beers on tap.
Mainstay of Shoreditch's Vietnamese enclave, for beef pho in a basic street-kitchen setting.
110 locals recommend
Sông Quê Café
134 Kingsland RdMainstay of Shoreditch's Vietnamese enclave, for beef pho in a basic street-kitchen setting.
Vast dining space under vaulted brick railway arches for simple Modern British menu and cocktails.
46 locals recommend
Beagle
397-400 Geffrye StreetVast dining space under vaulted brick railway arches for simple Modern British menu and cocktails.
Small but lovely. Great if you fancy a cheap but delicious pizza, lunch or brunch.
47 locals recommend
Stringray Globe Cafe
109 Columbia RdSmall but lovely. Great if you fancy a cheap but delicious pizza, lunch or brunch.
If you love artisan street food, arts and crafts, vintage clothing and a bustling crowd, then Broadway Market is for you. Small and busy, and open on Saturdays.
1735 locals recommend
Broadway Market
Broadway MarketIf you love artisan street food, arts and crafts, vintage clothing and a bustling crowd, then Broadway Market is for you. Small and busy, and open on Saturdays.
Drinks & Nightlife
Spacious bar with table football, hung with flags and memorabilia, showing matches on big screen.
50 locals recommend
Bar Kick
127 Shoreditch High StSpacious bar with table football, hung with flags and memorabilia, showing matches on big screen.
Low-lit Shoreditch bar with Lewis Carroll-themed interior and long menu of innovative cocktails.
132 locals recommend
Callooh Callay Bar
65 Rivington StLow-lit Shoreditch bar with Lewis Carroll-themed interior and long menu of innovative cocktails.
Alice in Wonderland-inspired cocktail lounge with basement venue for DJ sets, theatre, parties.
35 locals recommend
Looking Glass Cocktail Club
49 Hackney RoadAlice in Wonderland-inspired cocktail lounge with basement venue for DJ sets, theatre, parties.
Modern bar with an original concept of pre-mixed cocktail drinks from a slick, mirrored bar.
17 locals recommend
White Lyan
153-155 Hoxton StreetModern bar with an original concept of pre-mixed cocktail drinks from a slick, mirrored bar.
Convivial gay super-pub offering an array of performances, plus a late-night disco scene.
44 locals recommend
The Glory
281 Kingsland RdConvivial gay super-pub offering an array of performances, plus a late-night disco scene.
A reclaimed 18th century pub on Columbia Road, the Birdcage is a nice pub for a lunchtime drink, pie and mash and craft beers. Occasional live music.
http://pubshistory.com/LondonPubs/BethnalGreen/BirdCage.shtml
46 locals recommend
Birdcage
80 Columbia RdA reclaimed 18th century pub on Columbia Road, the Birdcage is a nice pub for a lunchtime drink, pie and mash and craft beers. Occasional live music.
http://pubshistory.com/LondonPubs/BethnalGreen/BirdCage.shtml
Parks & Nature
Park with free BMX track, a community orchard and food-growing garden, a farm and sports amenities.
88 locals recommend
Haggerston Park
Yorkton StreetPark with free BMX track, a community orchard and food-growing garden, a farm and sports amenities.
A sweet little City farm, well worth a visit if you fancy seeing some pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese, sheep and rabbits, followed by brunch or a quick coffee. Free entry, and near to Broadway Market.
269 locals recommend
Hackney City Farm
1a Goldsmiths RowA sweet little City farm, well worth a visit if you fancy seeing some pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese, sheep and rabbits, followed by brunch or a quick coffee. Free entry, and near to Broadway Market.
Shopping
An East End market dating back to 1869, Columbia Road is London's leading flower market and is open on Sundays from 8am to 2pm. Unfortunately, it is ram-packed but worth 30 minutes of time just for the atmosphere. Don't go if you can't deal with massive crowds!!! If you're not there on a Sunday or don't like crowds, go during the week to see some cobbled streets and arty shops. Ezra Street has been the scene of many films due to its iconic look.
1660 locals recommend
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadAn East End market dating back to 1869, Columbia Road is London's leading flower market and is open on Sundays from 8am to 2pm. Unfortunately, it is ram-packed but worth 30 minutes of time just for the atmosphere. Don't go if you can't deal with massive crowds!!! If you're not there on a Sunday or don't like crowds, go during the week to see some cobbled streets and arty shops. Ezra Street has been the scene of many films due to its iconic look.
Arts & Culture
Originally an Almshouse, the explores the home from 1600 to the present day by presenting a series of rooms as you walk through the museum. Great for some peace and quiet, a bit of history, and a snack. Free entry and some cool cards in the shop. Closed on Mondays (apart from Bank Holidays), Easter and Christmas.
326 locals recommend
Museum of the Home
136 Kingsland RoadOriginally an Almshouse, the explores the home from 1600 to the present day by presenting a series of rooms as you walk through the museum. Great for some peace and quiet, a bit of history, and a snack. Free entry and some cool cards in the shop. Closed on Mondays (apart from Bank Holidays), Easter and Christmas.
The Museum of Childhood has the largest collection of childhood objects in the United Kingdom, such as dolls, teddies, and puppets from the 1600s. Free entry and next to Bethnal Green tube. If you want a quiet experience, visit after 2pm when the noisy primary school parties start to leave for the day. Great for reminiscing about childhood :-)
418 locals recommend
V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath RoadThe Museum of Childhood has the largest collection of childhood objects in the United Kingdom, such as dolls, teddies, and puppets from the 1600s. Free entry and next to Bethnal Green tube. If you want a quiet experience, visit after 2pm when the noisy primary school parties start to leave for the day. Great for reminiscing about childhood :-)