We’ve picked our 12 favourite East London restaurants, and we are confident when we say – you must try. From Oriental cuisine to the best fish and chips in Shoreditch, we’ve got it covered. If you aren’t familiar with East London, now’s your chance. Eat your heart out!
Tramshed, housed between Garden Walk and Rivington Street, was built by Vincent Harris in the early 1900’s as an electricity generating facility. Today, it serves as the latest Hix establishment, with an authentic chilled East London vibe and some inspiring Damien Hirst installations. The menu is simple, but seriously tasty, consisting of steak and chicken, with cocktails served all day. ££
Tramshed, 32 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3LX, 020 7749 0478, www.chickenandsteak.co.uk
Poppies offers a real taste of East London as it once was, with great food – namely, fish and chips. It prides itself in staying true to its original roots, all the way down to the old-school vintage decor and newspaper-printed wrapping. Poppies attributes their success to secret family recipes, and the whole show is run by Pop himself, whom the restaurant is named after. ££
Poppies, 6-8 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6QR, 020 7247 0892, www.poppiesfishandchips.co.uk
Rosa’s is the place to go if you’re looking for fresh Thai in the East End. Located on Hanbury Street, family-run Rosa’s provides an intimate and laid-back atmosphere in addition to some of the best Thai around. Try the crab starter, it’s a delight. ££
Rosa’s, 12 Hanbury Street, London, Greater London E1 6QR, 020 7247 1093, www.rosaslondon.com
Pizza East, finds it home on the ground floor of the infamous Tea Building, on the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green road, and offers a delightfully modern twist on the traditional pizzeria. There is an obvious correlation between the decor and the building’s industrial routes, with exposed pipes, beams, pillars and brickwork. Pizza East uses seasonal and local produce, as a priority, to create what are arguably the best pizzas in East London. And if you can squeeze them in, the mini doughnuts with melted chocolate are a must. ££
Pizza East, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ, 020 7729 1888, www.pizzaeast.com
Arnold & Henderson, overlooking Arnold Circus, was once an old school bike shed. Today, its a shabby-chic eatery located in the heart of East London. A & H offers a simple, yet sophisticated menu for every meal. In the summer, weather permitting, the restaurant tables are moved outside for al fresco dining Shoreditch-style. This is one secret locals are insistent on keeping. ££
Arnold & Henderson, Rochelle School, Arnold Circus, London E2 7ES, 020 7729 5677, www.arnoldandhenderson.com/
Boho Mexica is the place to go for Mexican food in the East End. Original Mexican newspapers from the 1950’s, movie posters from varying decades, and even some print ads from the early 1930s cover the walls, giving Boho Mexica an old school authentic Mexican feel. The tacos are authentic and delicious, and we’ll be surprised if you can stick to just one of their Margarita ££
Boho Mexica, 151-153 Commercial Street, London, Greater London E1 6BJ, 020 7377 8418, www.bohomexica.co.uk
Bukowski Grill’s burger shack is based on the first floor of Shoreditch’s conceptual pop-up mall Box Park on Bethnal Green Road. It’s reknowned for its traditional and tasty cheeseburger and chips option as well as its unique menu. Both the Hanger Steak & Chipotle Sauce Sandwich as well as the Cochinita Pibil Pulled Pork special are both hugely popular. The Grill prepares it’s food via “The Josper”, an enclosed, charcoal-fired-oven grill, which seals flavors in for the tastiest and most succulent burgers you’ll find in the East. ££
Bukowski Grill, 4-6 Bethnal Green Road, London, UK E1 6GY, 020 7033 6601, www.bukowski-grill.co.uk
Les Trois Garcons was once a popular Victorian pub. Not that you’d know it since the ground floor was converted into a restaurant back in 2000, and has been serving up some of the best a la carte dishes in the East End ever since. As if the delectable dining wasn’t enough to tempt you, the decor could keep you entertained all evening long, handy if the company isn’t so great! Every inch of the walls and even ceiling are decorated with crystal chandeliers, vintage handbags, costume jewellery, taxidermy animals and every other trinket you could imagine. If you fancy something a little, well, fancier, this is the East London restaurant to treat yourself too. £££
Les Trois Garcons, 1 Club Row, London, Greater London E1 6Jx, 020 7613 1924, www.lestroisgarcons.com/
Brick Lane Bagels is the only place to go for bagels. Whilst not strictly a restaurant, we have had many a ‘meal’ here, whether that be breakfast, brunch, supper or a 3 am snack. Open 24-hours, and likely to have a queue no matter what hour you visit, the bakery is best known for its classic smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, which, if you visit during a morning, you’ll see them kneading and shaping at the back of the shop. Not that you’ll need any more tempting, but the slab of salt beef that rotates in the front window really is as delicious as it looks – and has been located there since 1977! (Not that exact piece mind!) If you’re feeling extra indulgent, the New York-style cheesecake will give anything you can find in the USA a run for its money! £
Brick Lane Bagels, 159 Brick Lane, London, UK E1 6SB, 020 7729 0616
The Drunken Monkey is a chinese joint that somehow manages to combine London’s pub atmosphere, with Manhattan-bar chic and oriental cuisine all into one. Featuring local DJ’s, a fabulous cocktail menu and various events throughout the week, it makes for a super-fun upbeat atmosphere perfect for mid-week evenings with surprisingly delicious food-options. Popular dishes include Chilli Salt Fried Squid, Barbequed Roast Pork Buns and Salt & Pepper Prawns. ££
The Drunken Monkey, 221-222 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6Pj, 020 7392 9606, www.thedrunkenmonkey.co.uk
The Princess of Shoreditch is just a short stroll away from Old Street and has aims to be the best pub in East London. And we’d like to think it’s not too far off. With The Princess of Shoreditch you’re guaranteed a fabulous dining experience in what can only be described as a high class establishment with a pub-like atmosphere. Their Sunday Roasts are without doubt worth the visit – despite being slightly pricier than expected for a pub lunch – but the chef utilizes locally sourced ingredients and it really shows. The menu may be simple, but it’s stunning. ££
The Princess of Shoreditch, 76-78 Paul Street, London, Greater London EC2A 4 NE, 020 7729 9270, www.theprincessofshoreditch.com/
Leila’s Shop is often classed as one of Shoreditch’s “almost-hidden treasures”. Although hidden behind one the UK’s oldest council estate, don’t let that put you off because this is a treat of a spot to visit for a great breakfast. With a homey, rustic family-kitchen vibe, this is a super cool and chilled place to start your mornings, particularly if you’re looking for the simplicity of coffee and eggs whilst watching the cool East London crowd pass by on their way to and from the Colombia Road Flower market. ££
Leila’s Shop, 17 Calvert Avenue, Bethnal Green, London E2 7JP, 020 7729 9789