Mike's guide to East London for the curious
Bars
Interesting cocktails presented with panache, 18th century speakeasy decor
87 locals recommend
The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell
49-50 St John's SquareInteresting cocktails presented with panache, 18th century speakeasy decor
Don't miss this one, we haven't found anything like it in the world. Quiet speak-easy with very innovative cocktails, wonderfully presented "with a story". Hard to describe, just go.
27 locals recommend
Lounge Bohemia
1e Great Eastern StDon't miss this one, we haven't found anything like it in the world. Quiet speak-easy with very innovative cocktails, wonderfully presented "with a story". Hard to describe, just go.
The Last Tuesday Society
11 Mare StAbsynth bar with "museum of curiosities"
Wine bar underground in a cave. Can get busy at usual times, maybe can be a little bit touristy. A bit damp sometimes and the smell of cheese can be a bit overpowering... I'm really selling it aren't I!
114 locals recommend
Champagne Bar
87-135 Brompton RdWine bar underground in a cave. Can get busy at usual times, maybe can be a little bit touristy. A bit damp sometimes and the smell of cheese can be a bit overpowering... I'm really selling it aren't I!
Best to have a bike to get around this part of town. This is where all the cool kids hang out.
7 locals recommend
The Milk Float
White Post LaneBest to have a bike to get around this part of town. This is where all the cool kids hang out.
A huge cornerstone of the bank/city/suits nightlife. Sunday morning "all you can eat" brunches are notable for the selection of oysters, lobsters etc on offer. You can also get the "all you can drink champagne" upgrade https://www.thened.com/london/restaurants/neds-sunday-feast. Bookings are usually needed to eat at one of the eight restaurants in the massive space.. https://www.thened.com/london/restaurants
26 locals recommend
The Ned
27 PoultryA huge cornerstone of the bank/city/suits nightlife. Sunday morning "all you can eat" brunches are notable for the selection of oysters, lobsters etc on offer. You can also get the "all you can drink champagne" upgrade https://www.thened.com/london/restaurants/neds-sunday-feast. Bookings are usually needed to eat at one of the eight restaurants in the massive space.. https://www.thened.com/london/restaurants
Food scene
Elegant nose-to-tail eating - there is almost always something on the menu you've never heard of before. This restaurant is a chef's favourite
25 locals recommend
St John Bread and Wine
94-96 Commercial StElegant nose-to-tail eating - there is almost always something on the menu you've never heard of before. This restaurant is a chef's favourite
Only place to risk having steak in London. Everything else is great too: starters, sides, desserts, cocktails. Discovered "Bombas & Parr" here when they started out as jellymongers. Bookings essential
152 locals recommend
Hawksmoor Spitalfields
157A Commercial StOnly place to risk having steak in London. Everything else is great too: starters, sides, desserts, cocktails. Discovered "Bombas & Parr" here when they started out as jellymongers. Bookings essential
Angelina
56 Dalston LnOutstanding Italian/Japanese fusion restaurant. Love this place.
Boundary London
2-4 Boundary StBoundary Rooftop. Walk-ups only for a rooftop meal
Like St John's but a little bit fancier looking and doing more grilly/smokey stuff. Becoming an HRT favourite!
33 locals recommend
BRAT wood grill & wine bar
4 Redchurch StreetLike St John's but a little bit fancier looking and doing more grilly/smokey stuff. Becoming an HRT favourite!
Morito
195 Hackney RdMoorish tapas that's truly more-ish.
An oasis of tasty calm amongst the bustle of the market. Turnips is founded by the high-end fruit & vegetable supplier that has it's stall right next door. The food centres around the interesting and high quality vegetables/fruits that they have but it's not a vegetarian place. The wine is also really good. First place I ever had "fish sausage" and it was divine. Oh yes and the fruit sorbets are awesome too (peach sorbet that tastes -exactly- like peaches, etc)
Turnips Restaurant Borough Market
An oasis of tasty calm amongst the bustle of the market. Turnips is founded by the high-end fruit & vegetable supplier that has it's stall right next door. The food centres around the interesting and high quality vegetables/fruits that they have but it's not a vegetarian place. The wine is also really good. First place I ever had "fish sausage" and it was divine. Oh yes and the fruit sorbets are awesome too (peach sorbet that tastes -exactly- like peaches, etc)
Filipino Fusion by Executive Head Chef and Pinoy front runner, Francis Puyat. Best dressed oysters I've ever had.
29 locals recommend
Rapsa @ 100 Hoxton
100-102 Hoxton StFilipino Fusion by Executive Head Chef and Pinoy front runner, Francis Puyat. Best dressed oysters I've ever had.
There are a bunch of authentic Vietnamese restaurants down this road. This one in particular has stood the test of time but you could go to any of them and have a great meal really. Some are BYOB
110 locals recommend
Sông Quê Café
134 Kingsland RdThere are a bunch of authentic Vietnamese restaurants down this road. This one in particular has stood the test of time but you could go to any of them and have a great meal really. Some are BYOB
The only other place to order steak in London (in addition to Hawksmoor). Their dry aged steak is _very_ tasty. Can often accommodate larger groups and has usually has tables at shorter notice.
Sagardi
95 Curtain RdThe only other place to order steak in London (in addition to Hawksmoor). Their dry aged steak is _very_ tasty. Can often accommodate larger groups and has usually has tables at shorter notice.
Music
Legendary music venue. Owned by VICE UK https://www.vice.com/en/article/ex575k/how-vice-bough-a-brothel-v10n12
35 locals recommend
The Old Blue Last
38 Great Eastern StLegendary music venue. Owned by VICE UK https://www.vice.com/en/article/ex575k/how-vice-bough-a-brothel-v10n12
Sightseeing
Dennis Severs' House
18 Folgate StStep back in time to the 18th century
Go straight to the back where there is a gold bar in a box that has a hole in the side. You can reach your arm in and feel how heavy gold is!
32 locals recommend
Bank of England Museum
Bartholomew LaneGo straight to the back where there is a gold bar in a box that has a hole in the side. You can reach your arm in and feel how heavy gold is!