Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Local hangout for everyone from The Krays, Kevin Rowland from Dexys Midnight Runners & once David Beckham. Family run since 1905 and one of only two grade II listed cafes in UK. Featured in Legend (Tom Hardy) as did most of our neighbourhood
Be warned - you WILL share a table. You WILL engage in conversation with the locals!
160 locals recommend
E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green RdLocal hangout for everyone from The Krays, Kevin Rowland from Dexys Midnight Runners & once David Beckham. Family run since 1905 and one of only two grade II listed cafes in UK. Featured in Legend (Tom Hardy) as did most of our neighbourhood
Be warned - you WILL share a table. You WILL engage in conversation with the locals!
Koya Ko Hackney
10 Broadway Market MewsOver hyped IMHO as I like bolder flavours but worth a visit!
Great coffee - but the food is even better! They don't always serve food so check ahead :)
14 locals recommend
Ozone Coffee
Emma StreetGreat coffee - but the food is even better! They don't always serve food so check ahead :)
Exquisite Capri style Italian restaurant / bar. Book WAYYYY ahead or visit at unpopular times to avoid disappointment
18 locals recommend
Gloria
54-56 Great Eastern StExquisite Capri style Italian restaurant / bar. Book WAYYYY ahead or visit at unpopular times to avoid disappointment
Go for the yellow shop, not the white one. Don't ever ask why, just know it. open 24/7 365. Try the salt beef bagel if you eat meat, or a super bargainous £1 cream cheese bagel. Personally I like to buy poppy seed bagels and then take home to fill myself (literally)
Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery
Go for the yellow shop, not the white one. Don't ever ask why, just know it. open 24/7 365. Try the salt beef bagel if you eat meat, or a super bargainous £1 cream cheese bagel. Personally I like to buy poppy seed bagels and then take home to fill myself (literally)
Crispy octopus legs, pork or tofu buns. Hong Kong style cafe with a straight-out-of Wes Anderson interior. The HK French Toast looks good
HOKO Hong Kong Cafe
Crispy octopus legs, pork or tofu buns. Hong Kong style cafe with a straight-out-of Wes Anderson interior. The HK French Toast looks good
Drinks & Nightlife
Preferred it when it had karaoke every night of the week, East End owners, free cheese sandwiches on the counter and a fish man who comes round with a basket full of cockles & whelks. Its been refurbed, prices have gone up and the hipsters have moved in. Go enjoy if you can get a seat...
46 locals recommend
Birdcage
80 Columbia RdPreferred it when it had karaoke every night of the week, East End owners, free cheese sandwiches on the counter and a fish man who comes round with a basket full of cockles & whelks. Its been refurbed, prices have gone up and the hipsters have moved in. Go enjoy if you can get a seat...
East End working mens club thats seen recent secret shows by everyone from Harry Hill to Liam Gallagher and DJ nights by Optimo & burlesque events. Wooden walls without irony.
58 locals recommend
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
42-46 Pollard RowEast End working mens club thats seen recent secret shows by everyone from Harry Hill to Liam Gallagher and DJ nights by Optimo & burlesque events. Wooden walls without irony.
MOTH Club
Valette StreetOne of the best live music venues in the area, super hipster
Sebright Arms
31-35 Coate StGreat pub which hides a great little live venue in the basement
Three Sheets
510b Kingsland RdTop cocktails
A Bar with Shapes for a Name
Top cocktails
Happiness Forgets
8-9 Hoxton SquareTop cocktails
Seed Library
Top cocktails
Tayēr + Elementary
152 Old StTop cocktails
Discount Suit Company
29A Wentworth StTop cocktails
Secret jazz club - book your table ahead of your visit! Live jazz, cocktails etc
228 locals recommend
Nightjar
129 City RdSecret jazz club - book your table ahead of your visit! Live jazz, cocktails etc
Silverleaf
Top cocktails
Good spacious traditional pub. Sunday roasts. SoDo pizza provide food for the rest of the week, but on Monday they have buy one get one free
39 locals recommend
The George & Vulture
63 Pitfield StGood spacious traditional pub. Sunday roasts. SoDo pizza provide food for the rest of the week, but on Monday they have buy one get one free
Arts & Culture
V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath RoadFirst Thursday of the month sees all the micro-galleries entice you in with free BOOZE
142 locals recommend
Redchurch Street
Redchurch StreetFirst Thursday of the month sees all the micro-galleries entice you in with free BOOZE
Legendary record label & shop with their East London premises. Catch exclusive gigs & signings. Decent coffee & beer. Good spot to buy gifts for music lovers
46 locals recommend
Rough Trade East
Brick LaneLegendary record label & shop with their East London premises. Catch exclusive gigs & signings. Decent coffee & beer. Good spot to buy gifts for music lovers
Curzon Hoxton
55 Pitfield StLocal cinema, not cheap and not a huge choice. Mostly art-house but some big flicks
Rich Mix
35-47 Bethnal Green RdLocal cinema, with an eclectic schedule of film & events
Parks & Nature
London Fields station
Essentials
Sells everything and isnt Tesco
Always some characters topping up their mobile phone or electricity payment card
Falcon Food & Wine
Sells everything and isnt Tesco
Always some characters topping up their mobile phone or electricity payment card
Getting Around
Bethnal Green (Stop D) station
Santander Cycles
Everything Else
Never been in, but I imagine some of our guests would like to
You have to book in advance
32 locals recommend
Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium
Bethnal Green RoadNever been in, but I imagine some of our guests would like to
You have to book in advance