Guidebook for London
Food Scene
The Barge House
46a De Beauvoir CresGreat brunch-in-bread experience by the canal
Curio Cabal
258 Kingsland RdGreat food and vibe, friendly staff and... good coffee
HER Coffee
13 Downham RoadJust downstairs for when you just need that quick espresso pick up.
Lively, Venezuelan, authentic and a nice view over the canal.
65 locals recommend
Arepa & Co - Haggerston
58A De Beauvoir CresLively, Venezuelan, authentic and a nice view over the canal.
Authentic ramen with a HUGE machine that makes it as a working art installation, tasty tempura.
139 locals recommend
Tonkotsu East
1a Dunston StAuthentic ramen with a HUGE machine that makes it as a working art installation, tasty tempura.
Quality, interesting food without pretense - and no, they don't serve raw duck it seems...
65 locals recommend
Rawduck
197 Richmond RdQuality, interesting food without pretense - and no, they don't serve raw duck it seems...
Turkish owners, Mediterranean food with a strong touch of Dalston and health. Great for brunch.
71 locals recommend
Cafe Route
Turkish owners, Mediterranean food with a strong touch of Dalston and health. Great for brunch.
A slight trek - either by bus or on foot - but SO worth it, Michelin-direction of food but as unpretentious as the old car garage that houses it... but VERY serious about their food.
110 locals recommend
Primeur
116 Petherton RdA slight trek - either by bus or on foot - but SO worth it, Michelin-direction of food but as unpretentious as the old car garage that houses it... but VERY serious about their food.
There are a whole string of Vietnamese restaurants along Kingsland Road, most of which are very recommendable and fun as well - a testament to the families who fled war by boat and plane in the 70s. However, Cay Tre stands out as the best recommended in our household and is on Old Street just around the corner.
69 locals recommend
Cay Tre Hoxton Shoreditch
301 Old StThere are a whole string of Vietnamese restaurants along Kingsland Road, most of which are very recommendable and fun as well - a testament to the families who fled war by boat and plane in the 70s. However, Cay Tre stands out as the best recommended in our household and is on Old Street just around the corner.
Careful - it's addictive. The menu is short, but the tastes are great, a modern take on Korean street food. It is small and takes no reservations, but there is an off license next door if you need a queue beer...
54 locals recommend
On The Bab
305 Old StreetCareful - it's addictive. The menu is short, but the tastes are great, a modern take on Korean street food. It is small and takes no reservations, but there is an off license next door if you need a queue beer...
Truly (like, truly) authentic Argentine beef and style on Broadway Market
103 locals recommend
Buen Ayre
50 Broadway MarketTruly (like, truly) authentic Argentine beef and style on Broadway Market
In the Ace Hotel, so a cool vibe, a string trio for brunch (with suitable mohawks typically standing as a juxtaposition to a cello); The food is all-around, but high quality and also open very late for dinner which can be handy after a night in Shoreditch
75 locals recommend
Hoi Polloi
100 Shoreditch High StIn the Ace Hotel, so a cool vibe, a string trio for brunch (with suitable mohawks typically standing as a juxtaposition to a cello); The food is all-around, but high quality and also open very late for dinner which can be handy after a night in Shoreditch
Ok, we kid you not, it's a Michelin-star diner. Original dishes, great style, and for it's quality relatively easy to get reservations (or at least it was...)
61 locals recommend
Lyle's
56 Shoreditch High StOk, we kid you not, it's a Michelin-star diner. Original dishes, great style, and for it's quality relatively easy to get reservations (or at least it was...)
Smoke that? Almost anything is game, from meat to vegetables, and originally put together.
7 locals recommend
Rök
26 Curtain RdSmoke that? Almost anything is game, from meat to vegetables, and originally put together.
We were initially put off by the name, but turns out, no lard.
An amazing open-flame oven cooking everything from aubergine to pizzas and a very cozy vibe make this place special.
205 locals recommend
LARDO
201 Richmond RdWe were initially put off by the name, but turns out, no lard.
An amazing open-flame oven cooking everything from aubergine to pizzas and a very cozy vibe make this place special.
We've not yet been to this branch, but the original on Exmouth Market is magic - fun, inventive and tasty - so we look forward to trying it out soon!
162 locals recommend
Morito
195 Hackney RdWe've not yet been to this branch, but the original on Exmouth Market is magic - fun, inventive and tasty - so we look forward to trying it out soon!
Right across the bridge from Broadway Market and a short walk down the canal from the flat, this Brighton team came with a focus on honest ingredients and an open kitchen. Tasty.
34 locals recommend
Poco
129A Pritchard's RdRight across the bridge from Broadway Market and a short walk down the canal from the flat, this Brighton team came with a focus on honest ingredients and an open kitchen. Tasty.
On the go, quick bite and coffee? Want some to take home? This place is quality and charm - like something across from rural France and Manhattan...
144 locals recommend
De Beauvoir Deli Co
98 Southgate RdOn the go, quick bite and coffee? Want some to take home? This place is quality and charm - like something across from rural France and Manhattan...
Parks & Nature
Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadGetting Around
The Overground - surprisingly not only does it work to go South to go East or West, but also if you go North to Highbury & Islington it's a straight shot into Central London on the Victoria Line.
82 locals recommend
Haggerston station
The Overground - surprisingly not only does it work to go South to go East or West, but also if you go North to Highbury & Islington it's a straight shot into Central London on the Victoria Line.
These are our favourite racks because they let you skip right to the cycle-priority Pitfield Road path to Shoreditch, the City and beyond.
2-10 Hertford Rd
2-10 Hertford RoadThese are our favourite racks because they let you skip right to the cycle-priority Pitfield Road path to Shoreditch, the City and beyond.
Sightseeing
Sundays - make a point of it if you can - it's soooo authentically East London while at the same time international, chic, hippie, artsy and fun. Decent food, lovely flowers. Go as early as you can if you want to avoid crowds, but otherwise they are part of the charm. There are Santander Cycle bike racks all around.
1660 locals recommend
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadSundays - make a point of it if you can - it's soooo authentically East London while at the same time international, chic, hippie, artsy and fun. Decent food, lovely flowers. Go as early as you can if you want to avoid crowds, but otherwise they are part of the charm. There are Santander Cycle bike racks all around.
Saturday is the market itself, but the neighbourhood is charming every day. Food, bars, vinyl records, seafood hawkers, and charm.
1735 locals recommend
Broadway Market
Broadway MarketSaturday is the market itself, but the neighbourhood is charming every day. Food, bars, vinyl records, seafood hawkers, and charm.