Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Cool, quirky little place run by two Turkish sisters. This is one of my favourite places in the area. Ask for a rocket chai latte (chai latte with a shot of espresso) - they'll do it with soy milk.
9 locals recommend
52A Coffee House
52A Southgate RdCool, quirky little place run by two Turkish sisters. This is one of my favourite places in the area. Ask for a rocket chai latte (chai latte with a shot of espresso) - they'll do it with soy milk.
Friendly neighbourhood pizza place, italian restaurant and wine shop. Brunch on the weekends as well.
90 locals recommend
Sweet Thursday
95 Southgate RdFriendly neighbourhood pizza place, italian restaurant and wine shop. Brunch on the weekends as well.
Highly recommended: a London stalwart ... The chef of the same name has published a number of cookbooks. Amazing, fresh and healthy food to eat in or to take away - I especially love their pastries.
364 locals recommend
Ottolenghi Islington
287 Upper StHighly recommended: a London stalwart ... The chef of the same name has published a number of cookbooks. Amazing, fresh and healthy food to eat in or to take away - I especially love their pastries.
Wonderful local pub - a little young and hip and filled wit taxidermy. For a surprising change of scene, just go to the restroom. Featured in a number of 'hip East London' type guidebooks
41 locals recommend
The Hunter S
194 Southgate RdWonderful local pub - a little young and hip and filled wit taxidermy. For a surprising change of scene, just go to the restroom. Featured in a number of 'hip East London' type guidebooks
Fabulous peruvian restaurant with excellent food and pisco sours. There are many peruvian restaurants in London and only one (with a Michelin star) is better than Andina
139 locals recommend
Andina Shoreditch
60-62 Commercial StFabulous peruvian restaurant with excellent food and pisco sours. There are many peruvian restaurants in London and only one (with a Michelin star) is better than Andina
Saturdays this is the very good food and drink market in London - it is still a bit of a secret. 40 Maltby Steet is one of the restaurants at the end of the market serving good food and organic wines. And there are two gin distilleries here: Jensen and Little Bird.
99 locals recommend
40 Maltby Street
40 Maltby StSaturdays this is the very good food and drink market in London - it is still a bit of a secret. 40 Maltby Steet is one of the restaurants at the end of the market serving good food and organic wines. And there are two gin distilleries here: Jensen and Little Bird.
A bustling venue with food stalls of all sorts (fish tacos!) and a couple of bars. Always a great night out - they will close to mount a canopy for a few weeks Oct so it will be warm for the winter
61 locals recommend
Dinerama
19 Great Eastern StA bustling venue with food stalls of all sorts (fish tacos!) and a couple of bars. Always a great night out - they will close to mount a canopy for a few weeks Oct so it will be warm for the winter
Brilliant canal-side cafe serving great coffee, pastries and simple food. Sometimes a cocktail is possible. Sit and watch the swans (closed in the coldest months)
216 locals recommend
Towpath Café
42 De Beauvoir CresBrilliant canal-side cafe serving great coffee, pastries and simple food. Sometimes a cocktail is possible. Sit and watch the swans (closed in the coldest months)
A Little Of What You Fancy
464 Kingsland RoadPermanently closed
If you walk the New River Walk north you will come by Primeur and if it is lunch time, you should stop. Great neighborhood restaurant that does not take reservations.
110 locals recommend
Primeur
116 Petherton RdIf you walk the New River Walk north you will come by Primeur and if it is lunch time, you should stop. Great neighborhood restaurant that does not take reservations.
Relatively newly refurbished pub ... their trademark is 1 GBP oysters during happy hour every day. Good cocktails and good food though a little overpriced .... stick to happy hour I say.
141 locals recommend
The Duke of Cambridge
30 Saint Peter's StreetRelatively newly refurbished pub ... their trademark is 1 GBP oysters during happy hour every day. Good cocktails and good food though a little overpriced .... stick to happy hour I say.
Coffee and pastries ... great for a special cupcake or croissant aux amandes
133 locals recommend
Violet
47 Wilton WayCoffee and pastries ... great for a special cupcake or croissant aux amandes
Brilliant coffee and brunch place under the arches of the rail tracks. They have wonderful bread and pastries as well (it's a bakery). And perfect before or after a stroll in and around London Fields.
272 locals recommend
E5 Bakehouse
396 Mentmore TerraceBrilliant coffee and brunch place under the arches of the rail tracks. They have wonderful bread and pastries as well (it's a bakery). And perfect before or after a stroll in and around London Fields.
Forge & Co.
154-158 Shoreditch High StAll day eatery that is excellent for brunch
The best view in London: this restaurant is at the top of a new building known as the walkie talkie. There is an indoor garden, a bar/cafe, and a haute cuisine restaurant. Reserve!
98 locals recommend
Darwin Brasserie
20 Philpot LnThe best view in London: this restaurant is at the top of a new building known as the walkie talkie. There is an indoor garden, a bar/cafe, and a haute cuisine restaurant. Reserve!
Tina’s puts you instantly at ease: large communal table in the middle (sofas too) populated with help-yourself jars of Marmite and and jam, and locals helping each other with the Guardian crossword.
71 locals recommend
Tina, We Salute You. N1
47 King Henry's WalkTina’s puts you instantly at ease: large communal table in the middle (sofas too) populated with help-yourself jars of Marmite and and jam, and locals helping each other with the Guardian crossword.
Cool bar and restaurant for anyone venturing out to up-and-coming Clapton. Check out the bathrooms . . . spooky
68 locals recommend
The Elephants Head
43 Lower Clapton RdCool bar and restaurant for anyone venturing out to up-and-coming Clapton. Check out the bathrooms . . . spooky
Do you want an amazing slice of pizza and a selection of great beers and a few cocktails? Quick, casual and always welcoming . . . Voodoo Rays is the place.
118 locals recommend
Voodoo Ray's
95 Kingsland High StDo you want an amazing slice of pizza and a selection of great beers and a few cocktails? Quick, casual and always welcoming . . . Voodoo Rays is the place.
London's best known food market and a great place to while away a few hours. Monmouth Coffee has a fantastic store here and the Rake is a great pub for a pint.
1617 locals recommend
Borough Market
Borough High StreetLondon's best known food market and a great place to while away a few hours. Monmouth Coffee has a fantastic store here and the Rake is a great pub for a pint.
Excellent neighborhood Italian - cozy, delicious and good value. When you are done, stroll south through London Fields to the top of Broadway market and go for a drink or catch the canal walk home.
205 locals recommend
LARDO
201 Richmond RdExcellent neighborhood Italian - cozy, delicious and good value. When you are done, stroll south through London Fields to the top of Broadway market and go for a drink or catch the canal walk home.
Wonderful restaurant upstairs from Happiness Forgets - the menu is focused on quality of local/organic ingredients and innovative European cooking. There is a 'secret' winelist if you ask
221 locals recommend
Hoxton Square
Hoxton SquareWonderful restaurant upstairs from Happiness Forgets - the menu is focused on quality of local/organic ingredients and innovative European cooking. There is a 'secret' winelist if you ask
Highly regarded restaurant on Columbia Road ... You must book ahead if it's the weekend.
162 locals recommend
Brawn
49 Columbia RdHighly regarded restaurant on Columbia Road ... You must book ahead if it's the weekend.
Amazing Mediterranean style grilled food ... The lamb meshoui and the cold beets mezza are incredible. Nice cool atmosphere under railway arches and conveniently close.
81 locals recommend
Berber & Q - Grill House
338 Acton MewsAmazing Mediterranean style grilled food ... The lamb meshoui and the cold beets mezza are incredible. Nice cool atmosphere under railway arches and conveniently close.
At Bright - the second from the team at unreservable P Franco - you can book and it is also damn good. Bright serves up small plates, perfectly suited fo delving into their wine cellar along side them.
17 locals recommend
Bright
1 Westgate StAt Bright - the second from the team at unreservable P Franco - you can book and it is also damn good. Bright serves up small plates, perfectly suited fo delving into their wine cellar along side them.
Shopping
Great for a meeting, something quick and delicious to eat or drink right away or take with you, and for high quality coffee beans and other deli food and drink specialties.
144 locals recommend
De Beauvoir Deli Co
98 Southgate RdGreat for a meeting, something quick and delicious to eat or drink right away or take with you, and for high quality coffee beans and other deli food and drink specialties.
Drinks & Nightlife
Excellent local pub with good food and a cozy atmosphere (and it is the closest)
85 locals recommend
De Beauvoir Arms
113 Southgate RdExcellent local pub with good food and a cozy atmosphere (and it is the closest)
A buzzy cool place in Shoreditch with incredible cocktails and not much of a wait. They will make excellent off-menu drinks if you want to be surprised and have a great collection of rye and bourbon.
117 locals recommend
Happiness Forgets
8-9 Hoxton SquareA buzzy cool place in Shoreditch with incredible cocktails and not much of a wait. They will make excellent off-menu drinks if you want to be surprised and have a great collection of rye and bourbon.
Best cocktails in London and only a 15 minute walk. Best to make a booking though you can often walk in with 2 people. More cool, classic, 40s vibe. Bartenders consistently say this is the best place.
89 locals recommend
69 Colebrooke Row
69 Colebrooke RowBest cocktails in London and only a 15 minute walk. Best to make a booking though you can often walk in with 2 people. More cool, classic, 40s vibe. Bartenders consistently say this is the best place.
A beautiful neighbourhood pub with good food - close to home.
Also, the best local pub to watch sport (they were showing the Rugby World Cup in a separate TV room they have)
133 locals recommend
The Scolt Head
107A Culford RdA beautiful neighbourhood pub with good food - close to home.
Also, the best local pub to watch sport (they were showing the Rugby World Cup in a separate TV room they have)
Passing Clouds is another joint on the De Beauvoir/Haggerston/Dalston border, but while its geography is disputable, its preeminence in the cool stakes is big.
49 locals recommend
Passing Clouds
1 Richmond RoadPassing Clouds is another joint on the De Beauvoir/Haggerston/Dalston border, but while its geography is disputable, its preeminence in the cool stakes is big.
Private members club so you will need to know someone ... beautiful rooms decorated with vintage wallpapers and amazing taxidermy (tigers, polar bear, etc.). And great for a private function.
14 locals recommend
The Kings Head
257 Kingsland RdPrivate members club so you will need to know someone ... beautiful rooms decorated with vintage wallpapers and amazing taxidermy (tigers, polar bear, etc.). And great for a private function.
Very cozy and popular pub serving wonderful pub food and the usual adult beverages. A great place for a drink before catching a film at the Hackney Picturw House
147 locals recommend
The Spurstowe Arms
68 Greenwood RdVery cozy and popular pub serving wonderful pub food and the usual adult beverages. A great place for a drink before catching a film at the Hackney Picturw House
Local brewery with a 'taproom' bar open to the public serving their beers.
101 locals recommend
The Taproom
163 Upper StLocal brewery with a 'taproom' bar open to the public serving their beers.
Off Broadway
63-65 Broadway MarketBuzzy locals bar on Broadway Market.
Small downstairs venue that often has good electronic music on weekend nights - book in advance to be sure of entry.
56 locals recommend
The Nest
36 Stoke Newington RoadSmall downstairs venue that often has good electronic music on weekend nights - book in advance to be sure of entry.
Cozy basement cocktail bar ... It has a certain run down charm and the drinks are pretty good (though not on par with 69 Colebrooke Row or Happiness Forgets)
98 locals recommend
Ruby's
76 Stoke Newington RdCozy basement cocktail bar ... It has a certain run down charm and the drinks are pretty good (though not on par with 69 Colebrooke Row or Happiness Forgets)
Pub with an amazing selection of beers .... can be very busy on weekend nights. There is a 'secret' cocktail bar downstairs if you want something calmer. This place has oysters and food also.
83 locals recommend
Well & Bucket
143 Bethnal Green RdPub with an amazing selection of beers .... can be very busy on weekend nights. There is a 'secret' cocktail bar downstairs if you want something calmer. This place has oysters and food also.
The best place for an excellent cocktail and a 10 minute walk from the house. Better than more hyped and fashionable 'Untitled' next door. It is a small venue with tables for 2 and room at the small bar .... so get there in time to get a seat.
28 locals recommend
Three Sheets
510b Kingsland RdThe best place for an excellent cocktail and a 10 minute walk from the house. Better than more hyped and fashionable 'Untitled' next door. It is a small venue with tables for 2 and room at the small bar .... so get there in time to get a seat.
From the genius behind 69 Colbrooke Row in Angel, Untitled has a menu of drinks that celebrates the senses through alcoholic spirits. The minimalist design pays homage to Andy Warhols Silver Factory studio in NYC ... and feels like it is from the set of 80s film Moonraker. Go there!
17 locals recommend
Untitled Restaurant and Bar
538 Kingsland RdFrom the genius behind 69 Colbrooke Row in Angel, Untitled has a menu of drinks that celebrates the senses through alcoholic spirits. The minimalist design pays homage to Andy Warhols Silver Factory studio in NYC ... and feels like it is from the set of 80s film Moonraker. Go there!
Sightseeing
Excellent street market on Saturdays with some of the best street musicians you will find in London.
Featured in Vogue article 'The New Shoreditch' as one of the cool new neighbourhoods in London.
1735 locals recommend
Broadway Market
Broadway MarketExcellent street market on Saturdays with some of the best street musicians you will find in London.
Featured in Vogue article 'The New Shoreditch' as one of the cool new neighbourhoods in London.
London's original flower market is still in full swing every Sunday. Go early (9 30 ish) to avoid the crowds. The street is lined with cafes and boutiques selling cards, design items, art and more
1660 locals recommend
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadLondon's original flower market is still in full swing every Sunday. Go early (9 30 ish) to avoid the crowds. The street is lined with cafes and boutiques selling cards, design items, art and more
Bustling, ethnic and edgy, it is on every day (I think), great for plantains, cassava, and halal meats.
134 locals recommend
Ridley Road Market (Stop P) station
Bustling, ethnic and edgy, it is on every day (I think), great for plantains, cassava, and halal meats.
A London landmark - climb into the whispering gallery and then through the dome to the top. Breathtaking. From here you can cross the river Thames on the Millenium footbridge to the Tate Modern
845 locals recommend
St. Paul's Cathedral
A London landmark - climb into the whispering gallery and then through the dome to the top. Breathtaking. From here you can cross the river Thames on the Millenium footbridge to the Tate Modern
The New River was a canal built in the 1800s to bring water into London. What os left of it forms a walking path (if you can follow it) which begins nearby and winds north through London.
34 locals recommend
New River Walk
The New River was a canal built in the 1800s to bring water into London. What os left of it forms a walking path (if you can follow it) which begins nearby and winds north through London.
Beautiful classic neo-roman pillar designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Inside is a winding staircase to the top. You won't have to visit the gym today.
107 locals recommend
The Monument to the Great Fire of London
Fish Street HillBeautiful classic neo-roman pillar designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Inside is a winding staircase to the top. You won't have to visit the gym today.
Arts & Culture
A theatre that produces high quality theatre, often traditional/classic in their style and origin. A local landmark to be sure
224 locals recommend
Almeida Theatre
Almeida StreetA theatre that produces high quality theatre, often traditional/classic in their style and origin. A local landmark to be sure
London's best modern art museum - a huge collection that is free to view and usually one or two that require tickets. I can get you passes to these through my sponsorship if you desire.
2008 locals recommend
Tate Modern
BanksideLondon's best modern art museum - a huge collection that is free to view and usually one or two that require tickets. I can get you passes to these through my sponsorship if you desire.
Wonderful old cinema that often shows classics (If you are willing to go a little further, the Hackney Picture House is nicer/newer).
322 locals recommend
Rio Cinema
107 Kingsland High StreetWonderful old cinema that often shows classics (If you are willing to go a little further, the Hackney Picture House is nicer/newer).
One of the nicest cinemas in London - you can book your places online as is customary in London
445 locals recommend
Hackney Picturehouse
270 Mare StOne of the nicest cinemas in London - you can book your places online as is customary in London
The oldest music hall in London still holds wonderful concerts, events, opera, and all manner of quirky entertainment. A taste of the old east end.
162 locals recommend
Wilton's Music Hall
1 Graces AlyThe oldest music hall in London still holds wonderful concerts, events, opera, and all manner of quirky entertainment. A taste of the old east end.
Featured in one of my photos: In the summer, the Dalston Roof Park holds concerts, film screenings, yoga and a bar starting at 5 PM on the roof of a four story former factory building.
79 locals recommend
Dalston Roof Park
18-22 Ashwin StFeatured in one of my photos: In the summer, the Dalston Roof Park holds concerts, film screenings, yoga and a bar starting at 5 PM on the roof of a four story former factory building.
Probably the best theatre in London for serious productions. You may have to book your tickets ahead of time.
218 locals recommend
National Theatre
Upper GroundProbably the best theatre in London for serious productions. You may have to book your tickets ahead of time.
A wonderful 'divey' pub with 'Jazz Time' on Sunday's from 23 00 ish with the incomparable Alan Weekes and his band. You need to be there before to be sure to get irrigation next to Passing Clouds.
108 locals recommend
The Haggerston
438 Kingsland RdA wonderful 'divey' pub with 'Jazz Time' on Sunday's from 23 00 ish with the incomparable Alan Weekes and his band. You need to be there before to be sure to get irrigation next to Passing Clouds.
Entertainment & Activities
Open air public swimming pool is heated in the winter (be careful your head gets cold). Open to residents of London Borough of Hackney - check online or go by for details.
591 locals recommend
London Fields
London Fields West SideOpen air public swimming pool is heated in the winter (be careful your head gets cold). Open to residents of London Borough of Hackney - check online or go by for details.
Vortex
11 Gillett SquareLegendary jazz club
Arsenal Football Club
75 Drayton ParkOne of the world's best football clubs plays here.
Essentials
Turkish bath open for ladies on Mon, We'd, Fri and for men Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun. In addition to Hammam and steam, they have beauty treatments.
HAMAM
4A CrosswayTurkish bath open for ladies on Mon, We'd, Fri and for men Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun. In addition to Hammam and steam, they have beauty treatments.