Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
BunBunBun Vietnamese Food
134B Kingsland RdReasonably priced great Vietnamese Food!
Sông Quê Café
134 Kingsland RdGreat value tasty Vietnamese food!
For fancier Indian Street food - go here! Great atmosphere and very good food.
475 locals recommend
Dishoom Shoreditch
7 Boundary StFor fancier Indian Street food - go here! Great atmosphere and very good food.
Viet Grill
58 Kingsland RdLong established good Vietnamese Restaurant
Breakfast/Brunch cafe. Very nice vibe. Very reasonable. Short walk from flat.
37 locals recommend
Bread & Butter
7 Enfield RdBreakfast/Brunch cafe. Very nice vibe. Very reasonable. Short walk from flat.
Berber & Q - Grill House
338 Acton MewsPan Asian food. Good.
Famous for it's food stands. Get 149 bus directly outside this development - get off at very last stop - London Bridge - and there you are! Afterwards, take a stroll down the River Thames, and explore London - Tate Modern, Millenium Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral - or if you're feeling very energetic - head straight on up to the famous South Bank.
1617 locals recommend
Borough Market
Borough High StreetFamous for it's food stands. Get 149 bus directly outside this development - get off at very last stop - London Bridge - and there you are! Afterwards, take a stroll down the River Thames, and explore London - Tate Modern, Millenium Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral - or if you're feeling very energetic - head straight on up to the famous South Bank.
Eat in the restaurant or just go to the bar - lovely spot and the best views of London from this area! But you have to book ahead - Heron Tower branch on the website.
237 locals recommend
SUSHISAMBA London
BishopsgateEat in the restaurant or just go to the bar - lovely spot and the best views of London from this area! But you have to book ahead - Heron Tower branch on the website.
Outdoor Rooftop Restaurant of Boundary Hotel - enter from Redchurch Street and take the lift to the 5th Floor. Great spot to sit outside with outdoor heaters (even in Winter) have a nice drink and some nice food - all reasonably enough priced for the heart of Hoxton! Day or Night.
125 locals recommend
Boundary London
2-4 Boundary StOutdoor Rooftop Restaurant of Boundary Hotel - enter from Redchurch Street and take the lift to the 5th Floor. Great spot to sit outside with outdoor heaters (even in Winter) have a nice drink and some nice food - all reasonably enough priced for the heart of Hoxton! Day or Night.
Mildreds Dalston
Fantastic vegan and vegetarian food and drinks.
Nice spot on Regent's canal for coffee / breakfast / brunch / lunch. Sit in the sunshine!
216 locals recommend
Towpath Café
42 De Beauvoir CresNice spot on Regent's canal for coffee / breakfast / brunch / lunch. Sit in the sunshine!
Decent burger and chips, and beer if you fancy it.
They do a good VEGAN burger too!
8 locals recommend
BEER + BURGER STORE DALSTON
464 Kingsland RdDecent burger and chips, and beer if you fancy it.
They do a good VEGAN burger too!
I wouldn't say this place is that special but it's across the road and fine if you're hungry! Decent fresh food.
Chefe London
124 Kingsland RdI wouldn't say this place is that special but it's across the road and fine if you're hungry! Decent fresh food.
The Talbot
109 Mortimer RdGood pub for Sunday Roast
Also good pub for great vegan Sunday Roast!
Nom Nom restaurant
Kingsland RoadGreat vietnamese food, has seperate vegan menu!
Cafe Route Haggerston
2-10 Hertford RoadCoffee, cake, drinks, food.
Tonkotsu East
1a Dunston StJapanese noodle restaurant.
Market for food, clothes, jewellery etc
Thursday is vintage items!
117 locals recommend
Spitalfields Market
65 Brushfield StMarket for food, clothes, jewellery etc
Thursday is vintage items!
Restaurant and shops but mostly an eatery. Nice vibe day and evening!
86 locals recommend
Mare street market
117 Mare StRestaurant and shops but mostly an eatery. Nice vibe day and evening!
Sen Viet Vegetarian Restaurant
120 Kingsland RoadTotally vegan Vietnamese restaurant!
Faulkners Fish & Chips
Best place to go for a good bag of chips!
HELMA Cafè + Wine
Nice place close by for breakfast or lunch or just a coffee.
Good vegan options.
Entertainment & Activities
Okay, I haven't been here but it's a VR arcade... okay.
https://www.culturewhisper.com/r/immersive/otherworld_virtual_reality_bar_and_kitchen/13466
Otherworld
336 Acton MewsOkay, I haven't been here but it's a VR arcade... okay.
https://www.culturewhisper.com/r/immersive/otherworld_virtual_reality_bar_and_kitchen/13466
Sightseeing
Farmers market on Saturday morning - afternoon Stay on and have a drink in one of the lively bar / restaurants. Also many shops - fashionable clothes, hairdressers, vintage stalls selling jewellery, clothes, toys, arts, crafts. Has it's own Vegan Market close to London Fields.
1735 locals recommend
Broadway Market
Broadway MarketFarmers market on Saturday morning - afternoon Stay on and have a drink in one of the lively bar / restaurants. Also many shops - fashionable clothes, hairdressers, vintage stalls selling jewellery, clothes, toys, arts, crafts. Has it's own Vegan Market close to London Fields.
If you've just arrived to London for the first time, I really recommend going here on day 1 - it's right by The Thames and you'll get a fresh, historic vision of London which you can explore.
Take the Overground from Haggerston to Whitechapel, change to the District Line and to to Tower Hill. Follow the signs to Tower of London - you can buy tickets online or there - about £17-£18 for an adult. It's a great day out - visit the castle and grounds, crown jewels, be entertained by the Beefeaters. Good for kids and adults.
If you just want to look - you can see the enormity of the Tower of London it self, go past it down to the Thames river and take a Thames Clipper commuter boat (using your Oyster card!) down the river - and get off at Southbank, Embankment, Westminster, The London Eye, etc. It's a great cheap way to get out and take in London!
1372 locals recommend
Tower of London
If you've just arrived to London for the first time, I really recommend going here on day 1 - it's right by The Thames and you'll get a fresh, historic vision of London which you can explore.
Take the Overground from Haggerston to Whitechapel, change to the District Line and to to Tower Hill. Follow the signs to Tower of London - you can buy tickets online or there - about £17-£18 for an adult. It's a great day out - visit the castle and grounds, crown jewels, be entertained by the Beefeaters. Good for kids and adults.
If you just want to look - you can see the enormity of the Tower of London it self, go past it down to the Thames river and take a Thames Clipper commuter boat (using your Oyster card!) down the river - and get off at Southbank, Embankment, Westminster, The London Eye, etc. It's a great cheap way to get out and take in London!
Watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. Enjoy St James Park after if the weather is nice.
To go inside the Palace itself: Tickets £24 for adults, £13.50 for children. https://tickets.london/gt/tour/buckingham-palace-entrance-tickets/975?_ga=2.48718560.754496635 Get there by taking the Overground from Haggerston Station to Highbury & Islington - then changing to Victoria Line tube - which you take to Green Park Station. You can also get there by taking the Overground from Haggerston to Whitechapel then taking the District tube line to St James Park. Book walking tour: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/AttractionProductDetail-g186338-d11460233-Changing_of_the_Guard_Guided_Walking_Tour_in_London-London_England.html
Great advice to avoid the crowds: https://changing-guard.com/visit-with-children.html
1912 locals recommend
Buckingham Palace
Watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. Enjoy St James Park after if the weather is nice.
To go inside the Palace itself: Tickets £24 for adults, £13.50 for children. https://tickets.london/gt/tour/buckingham-palace-entrance-tickets/975?_ga=2.48718560.754496635 Get there by taking the Overground from Haggerston Station to Highbury & Islington - then changing to Victoria Line tube - which you take to Green Park Station. You can also get there by taking the Overground from Haggerston to Whitechapel then taking the District tube line to St James Park. Book walking tour: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/AttractionProductDetail-g186338-d11460233-Changing_of_the_Guard_Guided_Walking_Tour_in_London-London_England.html
Great advice to avoid the crowds: https://changing-guard.com/visit-with-children.html
There is a bar in the very tip at the top of the building. You do not need a ticket, you just have to book in advance https://searcysatthegherkin.co.uk/
and leave a deposit (for Iris bar) £15 per person - which will be deducted from your bill. Recommended.
99 locals recommend
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)
30 St Mary AxeThere is a bar in the very tip at the top of the building. You do not need a ticket, you just have to book in advance https://searcysatthegherkin.co.uk/
and leave a deposit (for Iris bar) £15 per person - which will be deducted from your bill. Recommended.
Great views of London. Roof Garden. Tea/Coffee, drinks. Restaurant
You can book ahead via the website. If you haven't booked, there is sometimes another queue and I hear waiting times are only 20 mins or so but it's not guaranteed you'll get in if you haven't booked in advance.
300 locals recommend
Sky Garden
Great views of London. Roof Garden. Tea/Coffee, drinks. Restaurant
You can book ahead via the website. If you haven't booked, there is sometimes another queue and I hear waiting times are only 20 mins or so but it's not guaranteed you'll get in if you haven't booked in advance.
Arts & Culture
I highly recommend https://www.shoreditchstreetarttours.co.uk
Led by Dave, an experienced guide, passionate about street art - even knows some of the artists. Tours leave the atmospheric Spitalfields Market every morning at 10am until 1.30pm. £15 - pay in cash there but need to book in advance via the website above. You will not be dissappointed.
Some more general info on what to do in Shoreditch:
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/shoreditch-things-to-do
620 locals recommend
Shoreditch
I highly recommend https://www.shoreditchstreetarttours.co.uk
Led by Dave, an experienced guide, passionate about street art - even knows some of the artists. Tours leave the atmospheric Spitalfields Market every morning at 10am until 1.30pm. £15 - pay in cash there but need to book in advance via the website above. You will not be dissappointed.
Some more general info on what to do in Shoreditch:
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/shoreditch-things-to-do
Art Gallery - opposite Millenium Bridge - you can walk over and visit St Pauls Cathedral at the same time - or walk up the Thames to Borough Market - or South Bank in the other direction.
2008 locals recommend
Tate Modern
BanksideArt Gallery - opposite Millenium Bridge - you can walk over and visit St Pauls Cathedral at the same time - or walk up the Thames to Borough Market - or South Bank in the other direction.
Tate Britain
MillbankArt Gallery
Royal Academy of Arts
PiccadillyFantastic exhibitions - be sure to book ahead!
Drinks & Nightlife
Nice bar in central Shoreditch which does food too. It has a lovely beer garden (not obvious from the outside) which is open during the day and evening.
36 locals recommend
Strongroom Bar
120-124 Curtain RdNice bar in central Shoreditch which does food too. It has a lovely beer garden (not obvious from the outside) which is open during the day and evening.
Nice, hip central Shoreditch cocktail bar. Good cocktails - reasonably priced. Can stroll into bar at front or book a table (beforehand) in the back room.
132 locals recommend
Callooh Callay Bar
65 Rivington StNice, hip central Shoreditch cocktail bar. Good cocktails - reasonably priced. Can stroll into bar at front or book a table (beforehand) in the back room.
The Dove
24-28 Broadway MarketSituated on Brodway Market, known for it's Belgian beers and pub food.
Popular Kingsland Road pub. Often has live music - Jazz on a Sunday. DJs etc. Check out their Facebook page! @thehaggerston to see what's on! Open till 3am.
108 locals recommend
The Haggerston
438 Kingsland RdPopular Kingsland Road pub. Often has live music - Jazz on a Sunday. DJs etc. Check out their Facebook page! @thehaggerston to see what's on! Open till 3am.
Very classy bar with live cuban music. Great cocktails and food. Most likely need to book beforehand though. You won't regret it if you go.
228 locals recommend
Nightjar
129 City RdVery classy bar with live cuban music. Great cocktails and food. Most likely need to book beforehand though. You won't regret it if you go.
Very cool new spot - doesn't look like much from outside but step inside and it's like stepping back in time to a 40s era. Great cocktails, nice music.
22 locals recommend
MAP Maison
321 Kingsland RdVery cool new spot - doesn't look like much from outside but step inside and it's like stepping back in time to a 40s era. Great cocktails, nice music.
Continue on from Broadway Market to this smaller outdoor market on the weekend.
60 locals recommend
Netil Market
13-23 Westgate StContinue on from Broadway Market to this smaller outdoor market on the weekend.
Shopping
Giant Shopping Mall - Also go outside and explore the recently redeveloped Olympic Park - stunning for friends, family etc. Especially in nice weather is a great place to explore!
Take the Overground from Haggerston Station.
1214 locals recommend
Westfield Stratford City
157 Montfichet RdGiant Shopping Mall - Also go outside and explore the recently redeveloped Olympic Park - stunning for friends, family etc. Especially in nice weather is a great place to explore!
Take the Overground from Haggerston Station.
Iconic, touristy, central London. Street performers, shops, market.
955 locals recommend
Covent Garden
41 James StIconic, touristy, central London. Street performers, shops, market.
Lively market square as well as some commercial outlets.
More vibrant on weekends though open all week.
Thursday is especially for Antiques.
117 locals recommend
Spitalfields Market
65 Brushfield StLively market square as well as some commercial outlets.
More vibrant on weekends though open all week.
Thursday is especially for Antiques.
Essentials
Nice Sainsburys about 10 to 12 mins walk away. There is also a Tesco Metro 5 mins in the other direction and close to Haggerston Overground Station. This is easiest for the basics.
292 locals recommend
Sainsbury's Local
13-14 Bermondsey SquareNice Sainsburys about 10 to 12 mins walk away. There is also a Tesco Metro 5 mins in the other direction and close to Haggerston Overground Station. This is easiest for the basics.