Guidebook for London
Drinks & Nightlife
Fantastic selection of local beers and real ales. They run a beer festival three times a year, and the food is excellent. Great range of single malts, and in winter they offer mulled mead!
53 locals recommend
The Pembury Tavern
90 Amhurst RdFantastic selection of local beers and real ales. They run a beer festival three times a year, and the food is excellent. Great range of single malts, and in winter they offer mulled mead!
It's a bit grubby, but that's how we like it. The back room plays host to super-intimate indie gigs from bands that are just the right side of obscurity.
79 locals recommend
The Shacklewell Arms
71 Shacklewell LnIt's a bit grubby, but that's how we like it. The back room plays host to super-intimate indie gigs from bands that are just the right side of obscurity.
Great for a pint outside in the summer, overlooking Hackney Downs park.
49 locals recommend
The Star by Hackney Downs
35 Queensdown RdGreat for a pint outside in the summer, overlooking Hackney Downs park.
Food Scene
An offshoot of Borough Wines, the selection here is exceptional. The menu is short, but carefully chosen, and the staff are always happy to recommend the perfect bottle to accompany your meal.
74 locals recommend
L'Entrepot
An offshoot of Borough Wines, the selection here is exceptional. The menu is short, but carefully chosen, and the staff are always happy to recommend the perfect bottle to accompany your meal.
One of my favourite coffee shops, this place has a wonderfully relaxed vibe: it's dog friendly, family friendly, and very welcoming. Also now serving food in the evenings (bring your own booze).
44 locals recommend
The Russet
17 Amhurst TerraceOne of my favourite coffee shops, this place has a wonderfully relaxed vibe: it's dog friendly, family friendly, and very welcoming. Also now serving food in the evenings (bring your own booze).
Try the amazing fresh juices and shakes! They serve Climpson & Son's coffee (and sell the beans, so you can grind your own).
33 locals recommend
Healthy Stuff
168 Dalston LnTry the amazing fresh juices and shakes! They serve Climpson & Son's coffee (and sell the beans, so you can grind your own).
Great coffee, excellent food, and I love the interior. Also, they run London Fields Radio from here!
54 locals recommend
Wilton Way Cafe
63 Wilton WayGreat coffee, excellent food, and I love the interior. Also, they run London Fields Radio from here!
If you've got a hangover, a full English breakfast from Mess Cafe will sort you out. Great value, too.
19 locals recommend
Mess Cafe
38 Amhurst RdIf you've got a hangover, a full English breakfast from Mess Cafe will sort you out. Great value, too.
LARDO
201 Richmond RdPhenomenal Italian food! Their wild boar pappardelle is amazing.
Jones & Sons
3 Gillett StThe best steak in London, without a doubt.
Floyd's
89 Shacklewell LnWe had the most amazing rice pudding ice cream here!
Stokey Karaoke
20 Stamford HillBrilliant burgers. Try their pickleback, I dare you!
Coppa Bar & BBQ
Ice cream sandwiches here are phenomenal!
The baby brother of Lardo, this tiny neighbourhood Italian is a gem. When we're feeling lazy it's very tempting to go for a pizza, as it's practically on our doorstep!
32 locals recommend
Lardo Bebé
158 Sandringham RdThe baby brother of Lardo, this tiny neighbourhood Italian is a gem. When we're feeling lazy it's very tempting to go for a pizza, as it's practically on our doorstep!
Everything Else
Their bread is pretty special: go early at the weekend, before it sells out. Great coffee and snacks, with sourdough pizza served on Sundays. Dog friendly!
272 locals recommend
E5 Bakehouse
396 Mentmore TerraceTheir bread is pretty special: go early at the weekend, before it sells out. Great coffee and snacks, with sourdough pizza served on Sundays. Dog friendly!
This is where I come to lounge in exquisitely crafted Danish furniture and think fondly of a future in which I could afford to own it. While having a coffee and reading a pretentious design magazine.
9 locals recommend
CHASE & SORENSEN
238B Dalston LnThis is where I come to lounge in exquisitely crafted Danish furniture and think fondly of a future in which I could afford to own it. While having a coffee and reading a pretentious design magazine.
Small but perfectly formed yoga studio - very laid back and friendly if you want to drop in for a session.
29 locals recommend
Yoga On The Lane
105 Shacklewell LnSmall but perfectly formed yoga studio - very laid back and friendly if you want to drop in for a session.
London Fields
London Fields West SidePerfect for a cheeky outdoor dip in the summer!
Arts & Culture
If you like experimental music, this place is for you. Whether it's ambient, electronic, jazzy or just batshit crazy, OTO has the most eclectic line up in town.
203 locals recommend
Cafe OTO
18-22 Ashwin StreetIf you like experimental music, this place is for you. Whether it's ambient, electronic, jazzy or just batshit crazy, OTO has the most eclectic line up in town.
Excellent little basement venue, always playing host to the freshest new bands.
74 locals recommend
Birthdays
33-35 Stoke Newington RoadExcellent little basement venue, always playing host to the freshest new bands.
Oslo Hackney
1A Amhurst RdLive music and amazing sliders!
Shopping
CUPCAKES. So many cupcakes. They have a stall on Broadway Market on Saturdays, too.
133 locals recommend
Violet
47 Wilton WayCUPCAKES. So many cupcakes. They have a stall on Broadway Market on Saturdays, too.
Sightseeing
Chatsworth Road
Chatsworth RoadExplore the Sunday market.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadFull of dogs and DSLRs. Oh, and flowers, obviously.