Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Great all-day breakfasts, with views across the lake. Outside seating so come on a warm day or grab a coffee and croissant (or their signature turmeric bun) to take with you on a walk around the park.
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Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadGreat all-day breakfasts, with views across the lake. Outside seating so come on a warm day or grab a coffee and croissant (or their signature turmeric bun) to take with you on a walk around the park.
Excellent cakes, sandwiches and coffee. A tiny space to eat in, or get a sandwich to go and take it to the park just across the road and eat your lunch by the Regent's canal. They've recently started opening in the evenings for aperitivo.
27 personas locales recomiendan
The Coffee Room
6A Grove RdExcellent cakes, sandwiches and coffee. A tiny space to eat in, or get a sandwich to go and take it to the park just across the road and eat your lunch by the Regent's canal. They've recently started opening in the evenings for aperitivo.
East London outpost of this popular and affordable sourdough pizza chain. Be prepared to queue. Takeaway pizza also available.
561 personas locales recomiendan
Franco Manca
52 Broadway MarketEast London outpost of this popular and affordable sourdough pizza chain. Be prepared to queue. Takeaway pizza also available.
Try the signature Hackney Wild or Heritage Wholemeal. Loaves are available as half loaves too. The E5 also does breakfast, coffee, cakes and wholesome and tasty lunches. If you like the bread, bread-making classes are available - you'll get tons of bread plus your own sourdough starters, dough scraper and recipe book to take away. A second branch has just opened next door selling cheese, dry goods, ceramics and bread-making equipment.
272 personas locales recomiendan
E5 Bakehouse
396 Mentmore TerraceTry the signature Hackney Wild or Heritage Wholemeal. Loaves are available as half loaves too. The E5 also does breakfast, coffee, cakes and wholesome and tasty lunches. If you like the bread, bread-making classes are available - you'll get tons of bread plus your own sourdough starters, dough scraper and recipe book to take away. A second branch has just opened next door selling cheese, dry goods, ceramics and bread-making equipment.
Claire Ptak's Violet bakery/cafe sells delicious cakes, made with seasonable ingredients and unusual flours such as buckwheat and rye. Open for breakfast and lunch. Not cheap, but delicious. If you want to try your hand at any of her recipes while you're here, you'll find the Violet Bakery cookbook on my shelf...
133 personas locales recomiendan
Violet
47 Wilton WayClaire Ptak's Violet bakery/cafe sells delicious cakes, made with seasonable ingredients and unusual flours such as buckwheat and rye. Open for breakfast and lunch. Not cheap, but delicious. If you want to try your hand at any of her recipes while you're here, you'll find the Violet Bakery cookbook on my shelf...
Only open for weekday lunches, the Rochelle Canteen is a charming and hidden gem, run by Margot Henderson (wife of St John's Fergus Henderson). Ring the doorbell by a mysterious gate to be let in. The Canteen is located in an old school bikeshed; in the summer there are tables outside in the lovely garden. Advance booking for lunch recommended. Bring your own wine (corkage applies).
80 personas locales recomiendan
Rochelle Canteen
16 Playground GardensOnly open for weekday lunches, the Rochelle Canteen is a charming and hidden gem, run by Margot Henderson (wife of St John's Fergus Henderson). Ring the doorbell by a mysterious gate to be let in. The Canteen is located in an old school bikeshed; in the summer there are tables outside in the lovely garden. Advance booking for lunch recommended. Bring your own wine (corkage applies).
The best bagels in London. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Try the legendary salt beef or buy 1/2 dozen freshly baked bagels (usually still warm) to take home for the bargain price of £1.50.
236 personas locales recomiendan
Beigel Bake
159 Brick LnThe best bagels in London. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Try the legendary salt beef or buy 1/2 dozen freshly baked bagels (usually still warm) to take home for the bargain price of £1.50.
Lively and hip pizza joint with loud music, negronis, wine on tap and inventive pizzas. The salted caramel chocolate pie is a dream. Book ahead at weekends or be prepared to wait (there's a great bar just for this purpose).
252 personas locales recomiendan
Pizza East Shoreditch
56 Shoreditch High StLively and hip pizza joint with loud music, negronis, wine on tap and inventive pizzas. The salted caramel chocolate pie is a dream. Book ahead at weekends or be prepared to wait (there's a great bar just for this purpose).
Sister restaurant to The Coffee Room a couple of doors down. The Pizza Rooms does good value pizza to eat in or takeaway. They also deliver via Deliveroo.
40 personas locales recomiendan
The Pizza Room
2a Grove RdSister restaurant to The Coffee Room a couple of doors down. The Pizza Rooms does good value pizza to eat in or takeaway. They also deliver via Deliveroo.
If you want fish and chips, this is the place to go. Good quality food to eat in or takeaway. The restaurant does other excellent fish dishes too, with a daily selection of imaginative specials. If you want fish and chips but don't want to go as far as the Fish House, the Britannia Fish Bar on Grove Road (less than 5 minutes walk across the canal) is not bad (you might want to share the fish though - it's huge!). Whatever you do, DON'T go to the Victoria Fish bar on Roman Road - it's awful!
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Fish House
128 Lauriston RdIf you want fish and chips, this is the place to go. Good quality food to eat in or takeaway. The restaurant does other excellent fish dishes too, with a daily selection of imaginative specials. If you want fish and chips but don't want to go as far as the Fish House, the Britannia Fish Bar on Grove Road (less than 5 minutes walk across the canal) is not bad (you might want to share the fish though - it's huge!). Whatever you do, DON'T go to the Victoria Fish bar on Roman Road - it's awful!
A cafe by day, restaurant by night, decorated with quirky photographs and objects like old gramophones and typewriters. Delicious salad selections plus hearty hot dishes like stews and borscht. They don't have a drinks licence so bring your own beer or wine. Cash only. Great value.
50 personas locales recomiendan
Little Georgia Hackney
87 Goldsmiths RowA cafe by day, restaurant by night, decorated with quirky photographs and objects like old gramophones and typewriters. Delicious salad selections plus hearty hot dishes like stews and borscht. They don't have a drinks licence so bring your own beer or wine. Cash only. Great value.
I've listed this as a restaurant but it's also an excellent wine bar selling an interesting selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Snacks and meat/cheese platters if you need something to nibble alongside your wine. A good place for a romantic meal or drinks with friends.
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L'Entrepot
I've listed this as a restaurant but it's also an excellent wine bar selling an interesting selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Snacks and meat/cheese platters if you need something to nibble alongside your wine. A good place for a romantic meal or drinks with friends.
Drinks & Nightlife
A hidden cocktail bar in an old canalside warehouse just a stone's throw from the flat. They make their own gin and whisky (an excellent gift to take home from London). Small nibbles available and also a good spot for a quiet coffee during the day. They now do pizza (also available to takeaway) and small plates too, served in the bar and their adjacent restaurant. Probably my favourite local place to eat.
45 personas locales recomiendan
East London Liquor Company
221 Grove RdA hidden cocktail bar in an old canalside warehouse just a stone's throw from the flat. They make their own gin and whisky (an excellent gift to take home from London). Small nibbles available and also a good spot for a quiet coffee during the day. They now do pizza (also available to takeaway) and small plates too, served in the bar and their adjacent restaurant. Probably my favourite local place to eat.
Air BnB don't have a category for 'pub' but this is what this is - a proper old fashioned East End pub. No thrills and don't try to order any thing too fancy - beer, gin & tonic and crisps is the way to go here. Live bands at weekends.
116 personas locales recomiendan
The Palm Tree Pub
127 Grove RdAir BnB don't have a category for 'pub' but this is what this is - a proper old fashioned East End pub. No thrills and don't try to order any thing too fancy - beer, gin & tonic and crisps is the way to go here. Live bands at weekends.
This is a great local pub. Cosy and friendly. If you're hungry they also serve Pieminster pies (meat and veggie) and mash.
58 personas locales recomiendan
The Camel
277 Globe RdThis is a great local pub. Cosy and friendly. If you're hungry they also serve Pieminster pies (meat and veggie) and mash.
Buzz the door to be let in and climb the stairs right to the top where you'll find a New York-style loft bar with mis-matched furniture, train track views and cocktails.
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Night Tales
14 Bohemia PlBuzz the door to be let in and climb the stairs right to the top where you'll find a New York-style loft bar with mis-matched furniture, train track views and cocktails.
Parks & Nature
London's first public park in the East End, Victoria Park has been traditionally known at the People's Park. As well as being a beautiful spot to walk and relax, it also has history trails and tree trails to follow. The Pavilion is a good place to stop for brunch and a coffee.
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Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadLondon's first public park in the East End, Victoria Park has been traditionally known at the People's Park. As well as being a beautiful spot to walk and relax, it also has history trails and tree trails to follow. The Pavilion is a good place to stop for brunch and a coffee.
Meath Gardens is built on the site of the old Victoria Park cemetery. Perhaps this accounts for its peace and quiet, or perhaps its because it's the most hidden of the numerous green spaces in this area. The gardens host local youth football matches at weekends.
Meath Gardens
Smart StreetMeath Gardens is built on the site of the old Victoria Park cemetery. Perhaps this accounts for its peace and quiet, or perhaps its because it's the most hidden of the numerous green spaces in this area. The gardens host local youth football matches at weekends.
Located in the heart of the long strip of greenery that stretches from just opposite the flat to Mile End park, this whole area (which host the Ecology and Art Pavilions) is a great spot for a stroll, a run or to take a bottle of wine and sit and watch life on the canal.
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The Ecology Pavilion Mile End Park
125 Grove RdLocated in the heart of the long strip of greenery that stretches from just opposite the flat to Mile End park, this whole area (which host the Ecology and Art Pavilions) is a great spot for a stroll, a run or to take a bottle of wine and sit and watch life on the canal.
Arts & Culture
Free to enter, great fun for kids and adults alike. Explore the history of childhood and toys, and reminisce when you see relics from your own childhood now preserved and on display. Hosts temporary exhibitions and has a shop, cafe and outside ping pong table (bring your own bats - we can supply these!)
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V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath RoadFree to enter, great fun for kids and adults alike. Explore the history of childhood and toys, and reminisce when you see relics from your own childhood now preserved and on display. Hosts temporary exhibitions and has a shop, cafe and outside ping pong table (bring your own bats - we can supply these!)
A peek into the life of a Victorian schoolchild. Check website for opening times (weekdays are often devoted solely to school groups).
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Ragged School Museum
46-50 Copperfield RdA peek into the life of a Victorian schoolchild. Check website for opening times (weekdays are often devoted solely to school groups).
Chisenhale Gallery
64 Chisenhale RdA history of the domestic interior, located in an old almshouse. The herb garden is a beautiful place for a wander in the summer. Free entry.
326 personas locales recomiendan
Museum of the Home
136 Kingsland RoadA history of the domestic interior, located in an old almshouse. The herb garden is a beautiful place for a wander in the summer. Free entry.
Hidden behind Fleet Street, Dr Johnson's House is a must-visit. Discover the man who wrote the first proper English dictionary and learn about life in 18th century London. The house is furnished as it was when Johnson lived there, and in the square outside is a statue to commemorate his oyster-eating cat, Hodge, described by Boswell as 'a very fine cat indeed'. Pop into the nearby Cheshire Cheese pub for an atmospheric ale or something to eat.
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Dr. Johnson's House
17 Gough SquareHidden behind Fleet Street, Dr Johnson's House is a must-visit. Discover the man who wrote the first proper English dictionary and learn about life in 18th century London. The house is furnished as it was when Johnson lived there, and in the square outside is a statue to commemorate his oyster-eating cat, Hodge, described by Boswell as 'a very fine cat indeed'. Pop into the nearby Cheshire Cheese pub for an atmospheric ale or something to eat.
Essentials
Not especially cheap but chock full of great produce from fruit and veg, fresh bread and organic products to wine, beer and spirits. They stock wine chosen by the excellent Borough Wines and also have a deli counter for cheese, olives and charcuterie. Open 7am - 10 pm
58 personas locales recomiendan
SimplyFresh Bethnal Green
201-203 Roman RdNot especially cheap but chock full of great produce from fruit and veg, fresh bread and organic products to wine, beer and spirits. They stock wine chosen by the excellent Borough Wines and also have a deli counter for cheese, olives and charcuterie. Open 7am - 10 pm
Visit the fruit sellers here for a proper experience of East End life from a family who have been trading for generations. Hipsters queue up alongside Cockney grannies and the area's Asian community to stock up on cheap and fresh fruit and veg. Downey Brothers fish stall next door sells cockles, whelks and oysters.
Globe Town Market
Roman RoadVisit the fruit sellers here for a proper experience of East End life from a family who have been trading for generations. Hipsters queue up alongside Cockney grannies and the area's Asian community to stock up on cheap and fresh fruit and veg. Downey Brothers fish stall next door sells cockles, whelks and oysters.
Entertainment & Activities
If you fancy trying your hand at letterpress or book-making, the London Centre for Book Arts is the place for you. Workshops are available to browse via their website. There is a small shop selling print-related tools, wrapping paper, cards and books.
London Centre for Book Arts
56 Dace RdIf you fancy trying your hand at letterpress or book-making, the London Centre for Book Arts is the place for you. Workshops are available to browse via their website. There is a small shop selling print-related tools, wrapping paper, cards and books.
Shopping
6 Gunmakers Lane, E3 5GG (not Newington Green Road, as the Air BnB map insists!). Always good for a browse, the Peanut Vendor sells mid-century furniture, plants and tasteful knick knacks for the home. They also have a cafe serving good coffee, breakfast pastries and banana bread, and toasted sandwiches.
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The Peanut Vendor
6 Gunmakers Wharf6 Gunmakers Lane, E3 5GG (not Newington Green Road, as the Air BnB map insists!). Always good for a browse, the Peanut Vendor sells mid-century furniture, plants and tasteful knick knacks for the home. They also have a cafe serving good coffee, breakfast pastries and banana bread, and toasted sandwiches.
Gorgeous plants, unusual plant pots, terrariums, bunches of flowers plus cards and wrapping paper. A hipster florist basically.
Grace & Thorn
312 Hackney RdGorgeous plants, unusual plant pots, terrariums, bunches of flowers plus cards and wrapping paper. A hipster florist basically.
Even if you don't to buy any flowers, a Sunday morning trip to Columbia Road is well worth a trip. Cockney flower sellers set up alongside boutique shops [clothes, crafts, vintage glassware and crockery, design], coffee, and a good pub in the form of The Royal Oak. Go early (before 10am) if you want to avoid the crowds as it does get busy, especially on sunny days.
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Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadEven if you don't to buy any flowers, a Sunday morning trip to Columbia Road is well worth a trip. Cockney flower sellers set up alongside boutique shops [clothes, crafts, vintage glassware and crockery, design], coffee, and a good pub in the form of The Royal Oak. Go early (before 10am) if you want to avoid the crowds as it does get busy, especially on sunny days.
Delectable stationery and a good place for gifts - fine paper, pens, leather pencil cases and more. Better when it's not market day (Sunday) though as it can get really packed.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Choosing Keeping
21 Tower StDelectable stationery and a good place for gifts - fine paper, pens, leather pencil cases and more. Better when it's not market day (Sunday) though as it can get really packed.
A calm and inspiring space selling plants and other lovely gifts including ceramics, notebooks and botany-related books (novels, poetry, how to's)
11 personas locales recomiendan
Botany
A calm and inspiring space selling plants and other lovely gifts including ceramics, notebooks and botany-related books (novels, poetry, how to's)
Small batch jams made with tasty and unusual flavour combinations (lemon and vanilla bean, raspberry and geranium, blackberry and bay), as well as coffee, chutneys, artisan spirits and other lovely food products and homewares. Great place for gifts. Go at the weekend to sample their limited edition doughnuts filled with their jams. Yum!
10 personas locales recomiendan
London Borough of Jam
51D Chatsworth RdSmall batch jams made with tasty and unusual flavour combinations (lemon and vanilla bean, raspberry and geranium, blackberry and bay), as well as coffee, chutneys, artisan spirits and other lovely food products and homewares. Great place for gifts. Go at the weekend to sample their limited edition doughnuts filled with their jams. Yum!