East London is home to some of the most amazing food, from mouth-watering pizza to awe-inspiring sushi, our local’s guide has you covered.
Dalston
JONES & SONS
Located in a bustling hotspot of East London’s edgy, eclectic and sometimes outright bizarre assembly of characters and happenings. Jones and Sons is rich in its food and charm. It’s not only nailed its cool and industrial aesthetic and re-crafted classic European dishes, but it proved to be the perfect spot to soak in the comings and goings of busy East London.
Stamford Works, 3 Gillett Street, London N16 8JH
LITTLE DUCK THE PICKLERY
Small but perfectly formed. Framed with linen curtains and rows of wine bottles, Little Duck the Picklery invites you in to their fermented wonderland. An open kitchen, combined with a cosy corners by the window create a scene that is both intimate and inspiring. The menu is listed on a chalkboard, but everything looks so tempting.
68 Dalston Lane, London E8 3AH
ANGELINA
This family-run East London restaurant has been wooing both the foodie crowd and locals with its innovative Japanese-Italian fusion. The vibe is cool west village New York meets modern neighbourhood trattoria. The space is shallow and small, framed by vast windows and decorated simply with large fig trees and mellow, lanterned lighting.
56 Dalston Lane, London E8 3AH
Shoreditch
BISTRO FREDDIE
A good bistro is a fine thing and thankfully Bistro Freddie is just that, and then some. Who doesn’t like a small, classy but unpretentious restaurant serving up a roster of classics, all done with such precision and care, they can’t fail to wow. Well, that’s exactly what you get here, which is why it comes as no surprise that this stylish dining room was heaving during our mid-week visit. Located on the corner of Luke Street and Phipp Street, just off the hustle and bustle of Great Eastern Street, Bistro Freddie provides a tranquil gastronomic oasis, slap bang in the heart of Shoreditch. Devoid of gimmick or ostentatious glamour, just walking through its curtained entrance to be greeted by a solicitous waiter, while the chatter of enthusiastic fellow diners thrums in the background – you instinctively know that only very good things can happen here. Peruse the hand-written menu while sipping on a glass of champagne, then kick off proceedings with a meltingly tender Jambon de Paris and Celeriac Remoulade or the Roasted Beetroot, Whipped Goats Cheese and Orange salad. Next, the truly memorable Grilled Bavette Steak in Peppercorn Sauce is a hit. Along with sides of fabulously crunchy House Cut Chips and Mayonnaise and indulgent Creamed Spinach. Accompany your meal with bottle a wine from the comprehensive, all-French wine list – we went for the Domaine Crève-Cœur, Côte Du Rhône, since you’re asking.
Bistro Freddie, 74 Luke Street, Greater, London EC2A 4PY
PEARLY QUEEN SHOREDITCH
Gastronauts are flocking to squeeze in – to eat & sip the day or night away at Pearly Queen Shoreditch. It’s a natural addition to East London, where seafood and shellfish have long been part of the local’s original fare, sold on the streets and in local pubs. At the helm, its very own pearly king, Michelin starred head chef and owner Tom Brown, who already runs the successful Cornerstone in Hackney Wick. Tom runs a tight and perfect ship offering inventive dishes with exacting attention to detail in a casual, hip setting. Original artwork, framed and quirky painted oysters and portraits adorn the walls. While the menu is tweaked daily with fresh and seasonal produce the oysters are a mainstay. Already a winner, regulars are returning to order Tom’s tasty shellfish creation, the buffalo oyster – even if you’re not an oyster lover we think you might be swayed. Pearly Queen manages to hit the spot on any number of meal-period or appetite levels, along with some of the finest cocktails, curated by Max Denning of Dalston’s Three Sheets. It’s the sort of place you can pop in on your own and sit at the bar for a sneaky couple of oysters and a Salty Dog cocktail – or bring a first date, propose marriage or just chill with friends.
44 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT
SOHALIA
Given the thumbs up by The Guardian’s Jay Rayner, this Lebanese-inspired restaurant and wine bar is a must-visit. It hits all the spots, with a divine menu and a generous social heart. Just a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street stations, its cool, laid-back and stylish interior make for a casual catch up or intimate dinner.
232 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6PJ
THE SMOKING GOAT
The menu describes the food as inspired by the late-night canteens of Bangkok and Smoking Goat certainly hits some serious South-East Asian flavour notes on the head. We ordered the chilli fish sauce chicken wings as an appetiser – and my word they were good. The Som Yum or spicy papaya salad perfectly combined the flavours of fish sauce, chilli, dried shrimp and lime to create a dish that would rival the old ladies of Luang Prabang. The smoked brisket and bone marrow massaman curry was a thing to behold, served in a cooking pot with two perfect bits of melt in the mouth bone marrow nestled among a rich curry, perfect for dipping in rolled up sticky rice in. The people behind Smoking Goat know what they’re talking about.
64 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ
THE LIGHT BAR
The Light Bar shines a light on this historic venue, formerly a Victorian electricity station turned legendary 2000s nightclub, now a modern British restaurant and bar. Serving seasonal dishes with locally-sourced ingredients across three floors and a terrace. Much like its dynamic history, its menu is a product of the ever-changing seasons: Namayasai English Radishes – the perfect prop for dragging through dollops of wild garlic mayo – and the creamy Burrata, Rhubarb & Stepney City Farm Broad Bean Tops. THE crab is a must: Crab Appelletti, draped in rich brown crab chilli butter, alongside a crisp glass of mineral wine. Tip – order extra bread for maximum plate-cleaning-bread-mopping.
233 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6PJ
GLORIA
Gloria is a gaudy welcome change to the restaurants we’re inundated with today, an antithesis to the stripped back industrial décor that fills every crevice of Shoreditch. Yes, the food is good but I say it’s more about the occasion, the atmosphere. Gloria is a big night out. It is somewhere to get dressed up, sip cocktails and savour the food, without worrying that your allotted time slot is up.
54-56 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3QR
CASA DO FRANGO
Just minutes from Shoreditch High Street, Casa Do Frango offers up the best Portuguese interpretation of the ubiquitous piri piri chicken, Algarve style. The menu is deliciously tempting and is an interesting edit of eye-pleasing sharing plates. Come hungry and enjoy the sharing plates as starters: charred cauliflower (vegan friendly), bacalhau fritters – made with Atlantic cod, potato, tomato and topped with piri piri sauce – and garlic prawns with even more piri piri. The plat de résistance, the piri piri chicken – you won’t be disappointed. You can mix and match the flavours: half chicken with lemon and garlic and a half of the Piri Piri chicken. The lemon and garlic got our vote, along with a scattering of fragrant dried oregano.
2 King John Ct, London EC2A 3EZ
@casadofrango_london
ISSHO NI
A welcoming yet seriously cool space to enjoy sushi and cocktails. With Eduardo Aguilar at the helm, the former head chef of Bone Daddies, Shakafuyu and Kiri, you can trust you’re in good hands. His style here is a contemporary Japanese, Izakaya-style menu (which means sharing) The fish is, as you’d hope, super-fresh and well-prepared – but even the ‘standard’ rolls are extra-special, like they’ve had a sprinkle of culinary genius upon them. Added to that was the attentive and friendly service. There’s no denying we have some outstanding sushi restaurants in London, and competition is high, but few boast excellent ingredients and creative dishes, served in a warm and friendly atmosphere – and at a reasonable price too.
185 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 6AB
LAHPET
One of the few Burmese restaurants in London, its name means fermented tealeaves, and you’ll spot more than a few dishes embracing them on this exciting menu. From the deliciously bitter Lahpet Sour infused with gin, Campari and fermented tea leaves to the restaurant’s signature tea leaf salad – with a fried mix of broad beans, butter beans and split peas – you’ll soon find a new way to get your caffeine buzz. Homemade shan tofu fritters, made onsite from split peas are crisp on the outside but melt in the middle. Try the steamed balachaung buns with fried onions, shrimp and garlic, served with a sweet chilli juice. With ingredients imported from Myanmar, intricate details and plenty of flavour – Lahpet offers the perfect insight to Burmese cuisine and purse-friendly prices.
58 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6JW
YANJI
To those who aren’t familiar with Asian barbecue, the Chinese are fond of skewers stuffed with tiny cubes of meat, while the Koreans prefer to slap their meat directly onto the coals to cook and cut it up after. Yanji focuses on the Chinese style of barbecue offering a variety of meats and veggies to tantalise your tastebuds. At Yanji, the star dish on the menu is the lamb skewers which you cook at your own table barbecue on a self-revolving spit. The Korean dishes come in the form of sides and mains. No Korean meal is ever complete until a side of Kimchi (a fermented spicy cabbage) has been devoured, and the Yanji version was pretty top notch. Other notable sides include the japchae, a sweet potato noodle dish flavoured with sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil which the thirsty noodles soak up like a sponge.
153 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 7DG
DISHOOM
A well-established feature and much-loved institution of the East London scene, Dishoom upholds a fine reputation and certain air of exclusivity. Serving delicious Iranian-influenced Indian food with fragrant, delicate flavours and sumptuous combinations of spices.
7 Boundary Street, London E2 7JE
CECCONI’S
Step into Cecconi’s from the hustle and bustle of Shoreditch and be transported to all-day Venetian brasserie, serving the best of northern Italian dishes in the classiest of settings. The decor is understated elegance, less is more, with wooden tables and chairs, allowing the fabulous food to speak for itself. While you get on with the business of choosing starters, order an aperitif – a Velluto, a cocktail of Bombay Sapphire, Chambord, lemon and Italicus, an aromatic liqueur of bergamot peel, lemons, chamomile, lavender and other botanicals. To eat, expect cicchetti – small snacks or side dishes, typically served in traditional bàcari, or bars, in Venice – and pizza and pasta, washed down with glasses of the best wines Italy has to offer.
58-60 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP
Spitalfields
THE CULPEPER
What we really love about the place is that you feel immediately at ease as you walk in, with friendly staff providing a warm welcome. The decor is rustic, and large windows envelop the triangular-shaped corner building giving a light, airy feel inside. The menu has been tastefully put together, a case of less is more, with two levels of starter, depending on your budget and how hungry you are. You won’t go wrong with the Comté cheese croquettes or the deep-fried pork and black pudding fritter with pickled walnut and mustard. The succulent, juicy mussels with cider, bacon and leeks also make a good starter or a light lunch. For mains, the ragù Neapolitao with basil and Parmigiano Reggiano certainly hits the spot or pan-fired gnocchi with wild garlic, watercress, pistachio, ricotta and pangritata is packed full of texture and flavour. Wash down with a delicious bottle of Dosset, a light organic vino rosso or any one of Culpeper’s fine organic wines. Desserts such as the zingy lemon posset with Yorkshire rhubarb and shortbread will help to round off an excellent meal here.
40 Commercial Street, London E1 6LP
GUNPOWDER
The chefs at Gunpowder really know what they’re doing – high-quality ingredients are cooked with bright, vibrant flavours and a knowing combination of spices. Its dishes read like culinary poetry: karwari soft shell crab and rasam ke bomb. The problem, of course, with such an enticing small platters menu like Gunpowder’s is that it’s easy to come over with a case of ‘kid-in-a-sweetshop’ syndrome and order the whole sch-bang.
11 White’s Row, London E1 7NF
SOM SAA
The Thai food served here is beyond authentic, making no apologies whatsoever to the wimpy Western palate. An easily navigable menu with the suggestion you choose across the different sections.
43A Commercial Street, London E1 6BD
CRISPIN
This all-day and night cool curated café/wine bar is housed in a glass pavilion and seats 40 inside and 30 outside. It’s a pretty hub of blonde wood with Pom Pom Factory crafted paper floral table decorations and hanging paper floral branches. At the helm of the kitchen is chef, Lewis de Haas who previously worked at the Shed in Notting Hill and Petersham Nurseries. Immediately order the Dusty Knuckle bread and brown butter (cultured butter from the Estate Dairy), along with the lightest, creamiest and fluffiest burrata we’ve ever tasted – a chilled glass of 2020 Mas De Daumas Gassac Rose from Languedoc is always a good choice. Expect delicious sharing plates such as: braised spring lamb, carrot and kefir lime and pink fir potatoes with confit garlic. Leave a little room for pudding: 70% vegan chocolate pot served with Capezzena olive oil is an absolute winner or try the elevated panna cotta with strawberry, elderflower and black pepper. The service is great and very helpful, together with excellent and knowledgable wine recommendations.
Pavilion on The Corner, White’s Row, London E1 7NF
@crispin_e1
PLEASANT LADY
Pleasant Lady have brought the breakfasts of Beijing to the streets of Spitalfields. With a vendor in the centre of the market, you’ll spot it by the crowds. There’s something so therapeutic about watching the experts freshly make up your Jian Bing. The batter pours onto the hot plate and is swirled around, then topped with a cracked egg, tangy sauce, the herbs and spring onions and crispy wonton. And if you fancy adorning the original with a meaty morsel, they also offer Iberico Char Siu Pork, Cumin Spiced Lamb, or Grilled Miso Chicken. What better way to spend a sunny summer’s day than people-watching while you’re gorging on the champion of all street food?
Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6EW
YUU KITCHEN
This edgy restaurant brings the flavours of south-east Asia and the Pacific Rim to the streets of East London. Comic-book in style, they bring together influences from Manga, Asian fashion, and pop culture – all adding to the place’s unique, slightly risqué feel. The meat dishes are devilishly moreish, but the vegetable dishes are equally as exciting and delicious. Personal favourites include the grilled broccoli with an apple and onion dressing and fried shallots, as well as some grilled cauliflower with sweet corn, jalepeño dressing, shallots, garlic chips and chives.
29 Commercial Street, London E1 6NE
Whitechapel
TOWNSEND
As bright light floods into a small, perfectly-formed dining room in Whitechapel’s historic gallery, you’d be forgiven for thinking all was well in the world. In previous incarnations, this room has been occupied by the likes of Angela Hartnett, and the then team behind 10 Greek Street. But now it’s home to Townsend, the namesake of the architect, Charles Harrison Townsend, who designed Whitechapel Gallery in 1897. The menu is seasonal, small-plated and small in size, which thankfully means you don’t have to pick and choose too much. It changes daily depending on what produce has arrived in. There’s a refined comfort theme that carries through all the courses. Townsend’s commitment to the joyful, the beautiful and the delicious pays off.
77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX
Aldgate
Start with the creamy and luscious burrata, generously drizzled with olive oil. Then share a platter of cured meats and cheeses. The cheeses are superb and go perfectly with the earthy-tasting charcoal focaccia – this is where Zia Lucia stands out from the pizzeria crowd. Their USP is their experimental dough options – from the traditional flour dough to an unusual vegetable charcoal black base which gives a unique flavour, as well as aiding your digestion. So it’s ciao to post-pizza bloat! Friendly service, excellent pizzas and a fabulous list of toppings. The locals must be delighted to have it on their doorstep.
Unit 1a, 12 Piazza Walk, Aldgate East, London E1 8ZH
Hoxton
ELINE
Restaurant Eline has been open for less than a year, yet it feels like a family-run place that’s been part of the local community for generations. A warm and friendly local restaurant with a bottle shop showcasing a vast selection of natural wines – what’s not to love. Each dish makes the most of every ingredient – beautiful, delicious and served on hand-thrown crockery made in Italy. It’s clear there’s love and passion given to every plate of food, such as the mouth-watering John Dory served with the juiciest plum tomato and insanely delicious jersey royals.
1C Rosewood Building, Cremer Street, London E2 8GX
Broadway Market
WE ARE THE BACH
A relaxed brunch spot in the heart of East London’s bustling Broadway Market. They cater well for gluten-free diets as well as veggie and vegan. The vegan breakfast with spicy sweet potatoes, falafel, hummus and avocado with toast, chilli jam, peppers and courgette is delicious.
12 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ
London Fields
MARTELLO HALL
This place ticks all the boxes – great venue, fab atmosphere, awesome music and delicious food. They have a new roof terrace too. Try their Vegan Viking pizza or Smokey Bandit.
137 Mare Street, London E8 3RH
With a modern Mexican menu inspired by the owner’s grandmother and funky, industrial-style decor, this restaurant is an artsy mix of old meets new. Interesting posters adorn the walls, and art pieces catch the eye. Kick off with a margarita – try the avocado margarita, made with tequila reposado, homemade avocado sauce, agave and lime or Sandy the Showgirl, made with mezcal, tequila reposado, agave and lavender – all beautifully presented. Totopos guacamole served with nachos, along with romanesco broccoli served with aioli and onion dressing, are as good as they look. Chicken tinga with pico de gallo; grilled prawn with guacamole, and wild mushroom with okra, fennel and mole amarillo – each one a juicy tongue masterpiece. If you have the appetite, go for the whole baby chicken al pastor served with habanero and jackfruit sauce, it certainly packs a punch. If you can somehow find room for dessert then the churros with dulce de leche are a perfect ending… along with another margarita, of course.
143 Mare Street, London E8 3FW
ALL’S WELL
Seasonal, Sustainable, Sensational: All phrases which come to mind when describing Hackney’s eco-friendly restaurant All’s Well. Chef Chantelle Nicholson’s hyper-seasonal menu hasn’t failed to make its mark on the East London dining scene. Delving into the best of British produce, vegetables are made the star of the show in flavour-packed dishes such as roasted wonky carrots served with cashew cream, addictive deep-fried Brussels sprouts and roasted kuri squash tempura. The attention to sustainability goes beyond the dishes – there’s an imaginative cocktail menu, including our favourite, the Fig-leaf Martini. The bar also offers an array of organic wines including bottles from local heroes Renegade.
171 Mare Street, Hackney, London E8 3RH
@whereallswell
Hackney Wick
CRATE TAPROOM & PIZZERIA
A pizza joint-cum-brewery with beats to see you through to the early morn (well, 1am on Fridays and Saturdays). We love this spot for its earthy interior and cavernous structure. Although it doesn’t seem it, with a craft beer in hand and a human(ish) sized pizza laid out to devour, it really is the best way to see in the weekend. Trust us. Mike’s Garage music makes an appearance every Friday and Saturday with an immersive electronic set like no other. A weekend antidote for all.
Unit 7, Queens Yard, London E9 5EN
@cratebrewery
BARGE EAST
Barge East, like so many things in East London is more than just a restaurant – it has a strong community ethos, supporting local business and has sustainability at its heart. Its surrounding sensory organic kitchen gardens supply some of the fresh herbs and vegetables that make their way onto your plate. Amongst the gardens is festoon-lit alfresco seating where an Airstream caravan serves up casual, street food classics with a twist: buttermilk chicken burger or English crayfish roll, served with slaw and panisses (chick pea fries). Brunches are big at the weekends – especially their Flatbread Society brunch. Made with a potato based dough, the flatbread is served with bacon, haddock or lamb. On board Barge East and below deck, you’ll find a cosy and intimate saloon where the cheerful and genious head chef, Stefano Camplone from Pescara, Italy has created a fine dining menu that is faultless and has seasonality at its core. Service at Barge East is super warm and welcoming – the food is top notch without the stuffiness and the vibe is as cool as the crowd who come to dine.
River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN
@bargeeast
Canary Wharf
FISH GAME
There’s a warm and inviting atmosphere at Fish Game, Canary Wharf’s recently opened restaurant serving up, well – fish and game. It does what it says on the tin very well and with a twist – combining British seasonal produce with classic Italian cooking due to the influence of Genoan-born owner, Roberto Costa. Adding to the glamour and lights of the surrounding area, Fish Game offers something a little different amongst the nearby restaurants. Most of the dishes are simply cooked over an ash and charcoal grill in the open kitchen. From beautifully fresh line caught Cornish monkfish with rosemary, lime and smoked Maldon salt, to the juicy Angus Aberdeen beef ribeye, served off the bone alongside a deeply creamy bone marrow. There are some interesting starters: chilli lime marinated grilled octopus and bone marrow with a chilli sauce and candied lime; Moray Firth squid with fermented chilli and fried Cavalo Nero and one of our favourites, the Sicilian arancini made with Great Windsor Park game and served with a next level whisky ketchup. With more than 200 wines to choose from and an Agave bar, you won’t be short of finding something delicious to pair with your meal.
14 Water Street, London E14 5GX (Just a few minutes walk from the Wood Street exit of Canary Wharf)
CAFE SPICE NAMASTE
Conventional wisdom has generally held that anyone in London seeking the most delicious and authentic Indian food heads to Brick Lane or nearby. But, as it turns out, Cafe Spice Namasté can be found at Royal Albert Wharf in the historic Docklands and is definitely one of the best Indian restaurants in London, let alone East London. Having moved from its City location two years ago, this 27-year-old institution just gets better. We loved the delicious kale, onion and beetroot bhajia from the day’s special menu and the succulent ginger seasoned lamb cutlets were to die for. Then a silky Parsee lamb Dhaansaak served with rice and the Goan pork vindaloo served with a sourdough flatbread – highly recommended by loyal customers at the next table. The rose and cardamon kulfi made a perfect ending to the meal. We’d keep coming back to Cafe Spice Namasté, even if it ceased to serve anything but the Goan Pork Vindaloo – but happily the menu is slightly more extensive, and we look forward to making our way through all the dishes.
1-2 Lower Dock Walk Royal Albert Wharf, London E16 2GT (Just a few minutes walk from DLR, Gallions Reach)
Walthamstow
RHYTHM KITCHEN
An airy, whitewashed space softened by large palm leaves stencilled on the walls, rustic style wooden tables and the large rum-filled bar at the far end, just to remind you that you could be in a Caribbean beach bar after all! The menu offers a good mix of dishes without overwhelming diners.
257 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London E17 9PT
READ THIS ISSUE OF BEAST MAGAZINE
Tag us with your copy of Beast magazine @beastmag_london on Instagram