Guidebook for London
Food Scene
It's like no where else in London. A classic east London cafe that's been serving the community since 1900. It's a listed building and is used in many films - including Legend, a Tom Hardy film about the notorious gangsters from the 60s, the Kray Twins. No flat white's or smashed avo here, just great homemade food in large portions and cheap prices. It's full of locals and those in the know. Make sure to tell them if it's your birthday - you'll get special treat. Not open on Sundays.
161 locals recommend
E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green RdIt's like no where else in London. A classic east London cafe that's been serving the community since 1900. It's a listed building and is used in many films - including Legend, a Tom Hardy film about the notorious gangsters from the 60s, the Kray Twins. No flat white's or smashed avo here, just great homemade food in large portions and cheap prices. It's full of locals and those in the know. Make sure to tell them if it's your birthday - you'll get special treat. Not open on Sundays.
Actually a late night wine bar and critically acclaimed restaurant serving delicious small plates of food until 1am. Also has a wine cellar attached and an off-licence.
15 locals recommend
The Laughing Heart
277 Hackney RdActually a late night wine bar and critically acclaimed restaurant serving delicious small plates of food until 1am. Also has a wine cellar attached and an off-licence.
Pretty vegan cafe with a lovely garden. All sorts of vegan and vegetarian treats as well as great coffee.
91 locals recommend
Gallery Cafe
21 Old Ford RdPretty vegan cafe with a lovely garden. All sorts of vegan and vegetarian treats as well as great coffee.
My favourite Italian restaurant in the whole of London. It's small, intimate, buzzing and serves delicious home made food.
57 locals recommend
Campania
23 Ezra StMy favourite Italian restaurant in the whole of London. It's small, intimate, buzzing and serves delicious home made food.
An area under the railway arches across the road with different bars and restaurants. Lively at the weekend.
19 locals recommend
Paradise Row
Paradise RowAn area under the railway arches across the road with different bars and restaurants. Lively at the weekend.
Great pizza restaurant under the arches. Small, intimate, sharing tables, buzzy with great food and wine.
14 locals recommend
Sodo Pizza Bethnal Green
266 Poyser StGreat pizza restaurant under the arches. Small, intimate, sharing tables, buzzy with great food and wine.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bijou neighbourhood cocktail bar, it's a quirky, table-service den full of stuffed animals and exotic drinks. Great little place, also does small plates of food - including an incredible scotch egg.
189 locals recommend
Satan's Whiskers
343 Cambridge Heath RdBijou neighbourhood cocktail bar, it's a quirky, table-service den full of stuffed animals and exotic drinks. Great little place, also does small plates of food - including an incredible scotch egg.
Traditional English pub full of regulars. Serves great pizza and lots of different beer.
59 locals recommend
The Florist Arms
255 Globe RdTraditional English pub full of regulars. Serves great pizza and lots of different beer.
Small, traditional English pub serving a selection of ales and great pie and mash Has some tables outside, full of locals and those in the know.
58 locals recommend
The Camel
277 Globe RdSmall, traditional English pub serving a selection of ales and great pie and mash Has some tables outside, full of locals and those in the know.
A traditional working mens club with eclectic taste. From racy, cultural or refined to mostly wild, unhinged good-times. Engaging and encouraging the growth of local artists, musicians, DJs, and performers; working with them to create and promote all sorts of accessible events. Seen by many as a vital part of community life.
58 locals recommend
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
42-46 Pollard RowA traditional working mens club with eclectic taste. From racy, cultural or refined to mostly wild, unhinged good-times. Engaging and encouraging the growth of local artists, musicians, DJs, and performers; working with them to create and promote all sorts of accessible events. Seen by many as a vital part of community life.
Local comedy club, a staple since 1998 in the comedy scene. Quirky nights and pool.
24 locals recommend
Backyard Bar
231 Cambridge Heath RdLocal comedy club, a staple since 1998 in the comedy scene. Quirky nights and pool.
Parks & Nature
The areas oldest and largest and known as the people's park. Has a lake, great cafe and different play areas for children. The regents canal also runs through it.
1666 locals recommend
Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadThe areas oldest and largest and known as the people's park. Has a lake, great cafe and different play areas for children. The regents canal also runs through it.
Shopping
My favourite place in London on a Sunday. Also home to my favourite Italian restaurant and local pub. The most beautiful market in London with a street full of flower stalls and larger than life stall holders it full of east end charm and character. Also lots of independent shops, cafes, pubs and musicians playing at both ends. A great experience, regardless of wether you're there for the flowers.
1660 locals recommend
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadMy favourite place in London on a Sunday. Also home to my favourite Italian restaurant and local pub. The most beautiful market in London with a street full of flower stalls and larger than life stall holders it full of east end charm and character. Also lots of independent shops, cafes, pubs and musicians playing at both ends. A great experience, regardless of wether you're there for the flowers.
Iconic market, eye-popping street art, street food markets, vintage finds and cutting edge designers.
825 locals recommend
Brick Lane Sunday Market
Brick LaneIconic market, eye-popping street art, street food markets, vintage finds and cutting edge designers.
Huge shopping mall, dozens of large chain shops and restaurants.
1214 locals recommend
Westfield Stratford City
157 Montfichet RdHuge shopping mall, dozens of large chain shops and restaurants.
Shipping container, pop-up mall for independent and global, fashion and lifestyle stores and cafes.
377 locals recommend
BOXPARK Shoreditch
2-10 Bethnal Green RdShipping container, pop-up mall for independent and global, fashion and lifestyle stores and cafes.
Arts & Culture
Bethnal Green houses the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection of childhood objects, ranging in date from the 1600s to the present day. Runs events and is great for kids.
15 locals recommend
Museum of Childhood - Benugo
Cambridge Heath RoadBethnal Green houses the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection of childhood objects, ranging in date from the 1600s to the present day. Runs events and is great for kids.
Sightseeing
The most visited landmark in London, a UNESCO world heritage sight and famous castle. Used throughout history as a royal palace, an armoury, a prison, an execution chamber, a zoo, a barracks and a jewel house, this working royal castle offers a stunning insight into 1,000 years of history. Make sure you get on a Beefeater tour.
1372 locals recommend
Tower of London
The most visited landmark in London, a UNESCO world heritage sight and famous castle. Used throughout history as a royal palace, an armoury, a prison, an execution chamber, a zoo, a barracks and a jewel house, this working royal castle offers a stunning insight into 1,000 years of history. Make sure you get on a Beefeater tour.
Catch the cable car across The Thames, get amazing views over the city and east london. Use your oyster card, don't buy a tourist ticket. On the other side, catch The Thames clipper rivertaxi down the river, past the Anthony Gormley sculptures, warehouses, docks, the Tower of London and get off at the London Eye and Tate Modern.
222 locals recommend
Emirates Royal Docks station
27 Western GatewayCatch the cable car across The Thames, get amazing views over the city and east london. Use your oyster card, don't buy a tourist ticket. On the other side, catch The Thames clipper rivertaxi down the river, past the Anthony Gormley sculptures, warehouses, docks, the Tower of London and get off at the London Eye and Tate Modern.
Essentials
SimplyFresh Bethnal Green
201-203 Roman RdOrganic and fresh food. Also the key pick up point.
Sainsbury's
2 Tulse HillLocal, small supermarket / grocery store.