Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Legendary 24-hour bakery known for traditional Jewish-style filled bagels such as salt beef and smoked salmon.
236 locals recommend
Beigel Bake
159 Brick LnLegendary 24-hour bakery known for traditional Jewish-style filled bagels such as salt beef and smoked salmon.
A London institution. Described by many as the very best place in London for kebabs and Tandoor roasted meats cooked Pakistani style. Meal for two, including service, approx. £40
381 locals recommend
Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate StA London institution. Described by many as the very best place in London for kebabs and Tandoor roasted meats cooked Pakistani style. Meal for two, including service, approx. £40
Nice spot with excellent coffee. Recommended for breakfast and/or lunch. Open 8:00-20:00 daily including weekends.
33 locals recommend
Grounded
9 Whitechapel RdNice spot with excellent coffee. Recommended for breakfast and/or lunch. Open 8:00-20:00 daily including weekends.
Coffee, breakfast, lunch and now dinner & drinks as they close at 11 pm! Lovely staff and a cool space to kill time and watch the world walk by
8 locals recommend
Benugo - The Warehouse
33 Commercial RdCoffee, breakfast, lunch and now dinner & drinks as they close at 11 pm! Lovely staff and a cool space to kill time and watch the world walk by
Locals secret! Fantastic traditional Korean street food. The dim sum, steak bibimbap, and pork neck come highly recommended!
Mon-Fri: 12:00-15:00 18:00-22:30
Sat:18:00-22:30
10 locals recommend
Bari Bari
24 White Church LnLocals secret! Fantastic traditional Korean street food. The dim sum, steak bibimbap, and pork neck come highly recommended!
Mon-Fri: 12:00-15:00 18:00-22:30
Sat:18:00-22:30
Late night Napolitan pizza-by-the-slice bar. Ideal spot to get coffee and watch the neighbourhood from. The staff are lovely and most customers seem to be Italian so they're doing something right!
10 locals recommend
Circle & Slice
11 Whitechapel RdLate night Napolitan pizza-by-the-slice bar. Ideal spot to get coffee and watch the neighbourhood from. The staff are lovely and most customers seem to be Italian so they're doing something right!
A laid back all day dinning spot, where you can enjoy a coffee and a sandwich or share a couple of dinner plates with good wine.
47 locals recommend
Foxcroft & Ginger Whitechapel
69-89 Mile End RoadA laid back all day dinning spot, where you can enjoy a coffee and a sandwich or share a couple of dinner plates with good wine.
They source their own produce, use organic where possible, free range meats and sustainable fished seafood. The result: delicious! Closes at 10.30pm daily
OI HANOI
91 Whitechapel High StreetThey source their own produce, use organic where possible, free range meats and sustainable fished seafood. The result: delicious! Closes at 10.30pm daily
Far and away the best burgers in London in brioche buns plus skin-on, thin-cut chips
16 locals recommend
Patty & Bun
22-24 Liverpool StFar and away the best burgers in London in brioche buns plus skin-on, thin-cut chips
A worthy excuse to visit the landmark 30 St Mary Axe AKA The Gherkin. K&C is an upmarket bakery chain known for its indulgent cakes and gourmet snacks.
99 locals recommend
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)
30 St Mary AxeA worthy excuse to visit the landmark 30 St Mary Axe AKA The Gherkin. K&C is an upmarket bakery chain known for its indulgent cakes and gourmet snacks.
Long Shot Coffee
127 Leman StGreat local coffee and snacks from 7 am
Celebrated chef Tom Aitkins newest outpost. Open daily for lunch, breakfast and weekend brunch. Committed to serving fresh, ethically sourced and sustainainably farmed ingredients
16 locals recommend
Tom's Kitchen
1 Commodity QuayCelebrated chef Tom Aitkins newest outpost. Open daily for lunch, breakfast and weekend brunch. Committed to serving fresh, ethically sourced and sustainainably farmed ingredients
Cafe and small shop, with an in-house bakery and cake counter, where the vast majority of the food and drink products are British.
100 locals recommend
Albion
2-4 Boundary StCafe and small shop, with an in-house bakery and cake counter, where the vast majority of the food and drink products are British.
Independent coffee shop with great service, pastries, cakes, quiches, and beautiful salads. Recommended
44 locals recommend
Exmouth Coffee Company
83 Algate EastIndependent coffee shop with great service, pastries, cakes, quiches, and beautiful salads. Recommended
Often packed and buzzing. Expect decent portions served with efficiency and the occasional dash of charm. Old-school with an authentic feel, whitewashed dining room and copper bar
125 locals recommend
Il Bordello
70 Wapping WallOften packed and buzzing. Expect decent portions served with efficiency and the occasional dash of charm. Old-school with an authentic feel, whitewashed dining room and copper bar
Filled to the brim with fresh produce from Italy, you’ll find artisan charcuterie and cheeses, a treasure trove of wines and some serious coffee
18 locals recommend
Bottega Wapping
70 Wapping WallFilled to the brim with fresh produce from Italy, you’ll find artisan charcuterie and cheeses, a treasure trove of wines and some serious coffee
Daily lunch-time street-food market next to Petticoat Lane with a wide range of international food stalls
Goulston Street
Goulston StreetDaily lunch-time street-food market next to Petticoat Lane with a wide range of international food stalls
Sightseeing
Whitechapel is the world's most famous bell foundry and the oldest manufacturing company in Great Britain! The foundry is notable as the makers of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell.
35 locals recommend
Whitechapel Bell Foundry
34 Whitechapel RoadWhitechapel is the world's most famous bell foundry and the oldest manufacturing company in Great Britain! The foundry is notable as the makers of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell.
Central London's only marina redeveloped from the former commercial docks designed by Thomas Telford - this vibrant community is one of the capital's hidden gems!
257 locals recommend
St Katharine Docks Marina
50 St Katharine's WayCentral London's only marina redeveloped from the former commercial docks designed by Thomas Telford - this vibrant community is one of the capital's hidden gems!
Columbia Road overflows with bucketfuls of beautiful flowers every Sunday. Alongside the market you’ll find a host of independent galleries and shops
1660 locals recommend
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadColumbia Road overflows with bucketfuls of beautiful flowers every Sunday. Alongside the market you’ll find a host of independent galleries and shops
Built in 1724, each room inside this Georgian terraced house has been decorated to evoke 18th century life as experienced by a family of Huguenot silk weavers
79 locals recommend
Dennis Severs' House
18 Folgate StBuilt in 1724, each room inside this Georgian terraced house has been decorated to evoke 18th century life as experienced by a family of Huguenot silk weavers
The iconic London landmark. An incredible feat of engineering inside and out.
1577 locals recommend
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge RoadThe iconic London landmark. An incredible feat of engineering inside and out.
Locals secret! Created in memory of East End residents killed in the WWII, the garden is an ideal spot to bask in the sunshine and enjoy some peace and quiet
17 locals recommend
Hermitage Riverside Memorial Garden
Wapping High StreetLocals secret! Created in memory of East End residents killed in the WWII, the garden is an ideal spot to bask in the sunshine and enjoy some peace and quiet
Arts & Culture
Arthouse cinema and bar showing blockbuster and independent films in a renovated 19th-century building
244 locals recommend
Genesis Cinema
93-95 Mile End RdArthouse cinema and bar showing blockbuster and independent films in a renovated 19th-century building
Beautiful galleries, exhibitions, artist commissions, collection displays, historic archives, education resources, inspiring art courses, Cafe/Bar and Bookshop. Open all year round - worth a visit
589 locals recommend
Whitechapel Gallery
77-82 Whitechapel High StBeautiful galleries, exhibitions, artist commissions, collection displays, historic archives, education resources, inspiring art courses, Cafe/Bar and Bookshop. Open all year round - worth a visit
The world's oldest surviving Grand Music Hall. Over 300 yrs it's evolved from Victorian sailors' pub to music hall, Methodist Mission to rag warehouse before reopening as the exciting venue it is now
162 locals recommend
Wilton's Music Hall
1 Graces AlyThe world's oldest surviving Grand Music Hall. Over 300 yrs it's evolved from Victorian sailors' pub to music hall, Methodist Mission to rag warehouse before reopening as the exciting venue it is now
The world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from architecture and fashion to graphics, product, industrial, and graphic design
330 locals recommend
The Design Museum
224-238 Kensington High StThe world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from architecture and fashion to graphics, product, industrial, and graphic design
Huge Grade I listed warehouse constructed in 1811, serving primarily as a store for imported tobacco, now operates as an events space with loads on all the time
36 locals recommend
Tobacco Dock
Wapping LaneHuge Grade I listed warehouse constructed in 1811, serving primarily as a store for imported tobacco, now operates as an events space with loads on all the time
This industrial, modern, yet still-intimate clubbing space hosts grade-A DJs and producers from across the globe making the most of the outstanding soundsystem
Studio Spaces
110 Pennington StThis industrial, modern, yet still-intimate clubbing space hosts grade-A DJs and producers from across the globe making the most of the outstanding soundsystem
Drinks & Nightlife
The Oliver Conquest
70 AldgateNice old boozer with a relaxed vibe and large gin selection.
Lively hideaway with weathered decor featuring pub fare and draft beer, live music and DJs. Open til late
38 locals recommend
Indo
133 Whitechapel RdLively hideaway with weathered decor featuring pub fare and draft beer, live music and DJs. Open til late
Cosy unchanging boozer with piano and pavement terrace in a cobbled backstreet
61 locals recommend
The Pride of Spitalfields London
3 Heneage StCosy unchanging boozer with piano and pavement terrace in a cobbled backstreet
Upscale pub fare and creative cocktails served in an airy, industrial-chic space with a roof garden.
98 locals recommend
The Culpeper
40 Commercial StUpscale pub fare and creative cocktails served in an airy, industrial-chic space with a roof garden.
Apples & Pears
26 Osborn StCocktail bar open 'til 1 am daily
Friendly service, nice atmosphere, good drinks selection and open late
14 locals recommend
London Hospital Tavern
176 Whitechapel RdFriendly service, nice atmosphere, good drinks selection and open late
London's oldest riverside pub dates back to 1520. The Prospect used to be a regular meeting place for smugglers, pirates and cut-throats. Views from the pub were sketched by both Turner and Whistler
77 locals recommend
Lamb & Flag
24 James StLondon's oldest riverside pub dates back to 1520. The Prospect used to be a regular meeting place for smugglers, pirates and cut-throats. Views from the pub were sketched by both Turner and Whistler
The Castle
15 Grosvenor Rise ELocal pub but lacking on a vibe
Originally a 700 yr old tavern cited in the work of Dickens, Pepys, and Chaucer, the renowned pub and venue is a foundation for the local creative community
64 locals recommend
George Tavern
373 Commercial RdOriginally a 700 yr old tavern cited in the work of Dickens, Pepys, and Chaucer, the renowned pub and venue is a foundation for the local creative community
E1 8LG
Royal Mint StreetLocals secret! Nice bar with a happy hour that lasts 5 hours (4.00-9.00pm), Mon-Fri!
Essentials
Sainsbury's
2 Tulse HillClosest convenience store and cashpoint
Waitrose & Partners
134-152 Balham High RoadHuge branch with a cafe and large deli
The famous meat market. All the market's business is over by 8.00am so be prepared to get up early!
60 locals recommend
Smithfield Market
Grand AvenueThe famous meat market. All the market's business is over by 8.00am so be prepared to get up early!
One of London's outstanding markets. It's existed on this site since the 13th Century.
1617 locals recommend
Borough Market
Borough High StreetOne of London's outstanding markets. It's existed on this site since the 13th Century.
Entertainment & Activities
From the Crown Jewels to the infamous Tower Ravens, experience the history of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress.
1372 locals recommend
Tower of London
From the Crown Jewels to the infamous Tower Ravens, experience the history of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress.
Home to one of the world’s finest collections of children’s toys, doll’s houses, games and costumes
418 locals recommend
V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath RoadHome to one of the world’s finest collections of children’s toys, doll’s houses, games and costumes
A working farm in the middle of the city with cows, goats, pigs, ducks and even owls! Good cafe and on Saturdays a very good farmers market
58 locals recommend
Stepney City Farm
Stepney WayA working farm in the middle of the city with cows, goats, pigs, ducks and even owls! Good cafe and on Saturdays a very good farmers market
Shopping
Its cobbled walkways and glass Victorian roof make it an attractive place to shop, eat and drink or simply relax
47 locals recommend
Leadenhall Market
Gracechurch StreetIts cobbled walkways and glass Victorian roof make it an attractive place to shop, eat and drink or simply relax
Old Spitalfields Market
16 Commercial StFamed indoor market known for its fashion and food
Store for carefully selected new and vintage designer homeware, stationery and clothing items
31 locals recommend
Labour and Wait
85 Redchurch StStore for carefully selected new and vintage designer homeware, stationery and clothing items
American vintage clothing outlets don’t get much bigger or better than this. Vast warehouse near Brick Lane packed with vintage clothing and accessories.
39 locals recommend
Beyond Retro Cheshire Street
Cheshire StreetAmerican vintage clothing outlets don’t get much bigger or better than this. Vast warehouse near Brick Lane packed with vintage clothing and accessories.
The great stalwart of independent music, formerly of Covent Garden, relocated after rents in the West became unaffordable. Lucky for us!
46 locals recommend
Rough Trade East
Brick LaneThe great stalwart of independent music, formerly of Covent Garden, relocated after rents in the West became unaffordable. Lucky for us!
It’s a lot of things, but at its core, it’s streetwear rooted in the original London punk streetwear scene
49 Commercial St
49 Commercial StreetIt’s a lot of things, but at its core, it’s streetwear rooted in the original London punk streetwear scene
Silk print dresses, shirts, shoes, and matching prints on the walls all made in the UK. Pricey but eccentric and unique
9 locals recommend
House of Hackney
131 Shoreditch High StSilk print dresses, shirts, shoes, and matching prints on the walls all made in the UK. Pricey but eccentric and unique
Independent boutique for men's designer fashions and footwear, plus high-end grooming products
13 locals recommend
Present London
140 Shoreditch High StIndependent boutique for men's designer fashions and footwear, plus high-end grooming products
A mall of independent and global, fashion and lifestyle stores and cafes made from repurposed shipping containers!
377 locals recommend
BOXPARK Shoreditch
2-10 Bethnal Green RdA mall of independent and global, fashion and lifestyle stores and cafes made from repurposed shipping containers!