Guidebook for London
Entertainment & Activities
Great place for kids to explore and interact with toys and, at the same time, for adults to feel nostalgic and take a trip down memory lane
418 locals recommend
V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath RoadGreat place for kids to explore and interact with toys and, at the same time, for adults to feel nostalgic and take a trip down memory lane
Great coffees, great breakfasts and great location (right by the lake). This place is very kid-friendly so it will be busy on weekends but definitely worth the wait.
1666 locals recommend
Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadGreat coffees, great breakfasts and great location (right by the lake). This place is very kid-friendly so it will be busy on weekends but definitely worth the wait.
Food Scene
It's an authentic East-End caff - owned by the same Italian family for generations. You're guaranteed a warm welcome, a proper English breakfast and a cosy environment.
160 locals recommend
E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green RdIt's an authentic East-End caff - owned by the same Italian family for generations. You're guaranteed a warm welcome, a proper English breakfast and a cosy environment.
Fresh contemporary food with odd combinations which work surprisingly well at really affordable prices! A great place to dine if you want to try Modern European food (think Spain meets Britain)
44 locals recommend
Corner Room
8 Patriot SquareFresh contemporary food with odd combinations which work surprisingly well at really affordable prices! A great place to dine if you want to try Modern European food (think Spain meets Britain)
Quirky, eccentric decor (stuffed tiger + handbag chandelier) combined with fine French food - book in advance
26 locals recommend
Les Trois Garçons
40 Church StQuirky, eccentric decor (stuffed tiger + handbag chandelier) combined with fine French food - book in advance
Georgian cuisine is exquisite - like a blend of East and West. This tiny restaurant (hidden away in a residential street) offers lipsmacking delicacies from the Caucasus region. BYOB
50 locals recommend
Little Georgia Hackney
87 Goldsmiths RowGeorgian cuisine is exquisite - like a blend of East and West. This tiny restaurant (hidden away in a residential street) offers lipsmacking delicacies from the Caucasus region. BYOB
Great place to take kids (and those of us who like the rural countryside) to see farm animals up close. The biggest pigs I have ever seen in my life! Cafe serves great breakfasts and fresh food.
269 locals recommend
Hackney City Farm
1a Goldsmiths RowGreat place to take kids (and those of us who like the rural countryside) to see farm animals up close. The biggest pigs I have ever seen in my life! Cafe serves great breakfasts and fresh food.
Vegetarian/Vegan Cafe hosting local music events in the evening. Great place to chill out in
90 locals recommend
Gallery Cafe
21 Old Ford RdVegetarian/Vegan Cafe hosting local music events in the evening. Great place to chill out in
If you love cats and are missing your cat @ home, then look no further: Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is London's first cat cafe! Book well ahead
32 locals recommend
Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium
Bethnal Green RoadIf you love cats and are missing your cat @ home, then look no further: Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is London's first cat cafe! Book well ahead
For a quick, flame-grilled chicken fix, this just can't be beaten. Takeaway or eat in, I love Nando's...
73 locals recommend
Nando's
1A Romford RdFor a quick, flame-grilled chicken fix, this just can't be beaten. Takeaway or eat in, I love Nando's...
Good, old-fashioned Italian cooking. Delicious local pizza and pastas at fair prices, you can't go wrong with Italina. But don't just take my word for it - they're rated on Tripadvisor. Takeaway avail
33 locals recommend
Italina
385 Cambridge Heath RdGood, old-fashioned Italian cooking. Delicious local pizza and pastas at fair prices, you can't go wrong with Italina. But don't just take my word for it - they're rated on Tripadvisor. Takeaway avail
I used to go there for the regular Cabarets but, sadly, these are no longer. Nevertheless, the food at the restaurant is exquisite and deservedly popular Sunday brunches
271 locals recommend
Bistrotheque
23-27 Wadeson StI used to go there for the regular Cabarets but, sadly, these are no longer. Nevertheless, the food at the restaurant is exquisite and deservedly popular Sunday brunches
Lovely little Turkish grill with authentic, fresh kebabs and lively atmosphere. Packed on weekends and late at night.
49 locals recommend
Tas Firin Restaurant
160 Bethnal Green RdLovely little Turkish grill with authentic, fresh kebabs and lively atmosphere. Packed on weekends and late at night.
Cute little shop serving yummy vegan food and devine coffee. Not really a place to sit and eat - more of a take-away venue.
15 locals recommend
G&T Organic Shop & Coffee House
Cute little shop serving yummy vegan food and devine coffee. Not really a place to sit and eat - more of a take-away venue.
Possibly the BEST place for an English breakfast (with an Indian twist) in London! Expect to wait for a table, but it will definitely be worth the wait.
475 locals recommend
Dishoom Shoreditch
7 Boundary StPossibly the BEST place for an English breakfast (with an Indian twist) in London! Expect to wait for a table, but it will definitely be worth the wait.
The tastiest veggie meals in the East End and great choice of vegan cakes. Serving breakfasts and lunches in a very relaxed atmosphere with a pretty patio garden out the back
44 locals recommend
The Larder, Bethnal Green
Globe RoadThe tastiest veggie meals in the East End and great choice of vegan cakes. Serving breakfasts and lunches in a very relaxed atmosphere with a pretty patio garden out the back
Charming little pizzeria with cheap and cheerful food in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Although, I would avoid on Sundays during the day as it gets too busy from the nearby market.
47 locals recommend
Stringray Globe Cafe
109 Columbia RdCharming little pizzeria with cheap and cheerful food in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Although, I would avoid on Sundays during the day as it gets too busy from the nearby market.
There's alot of Vietnamese restaurants in this area but this is still one of my favourites - especially the fish dishes!
69 locals recommend
Cay Tre Hoxton Shoreditch
301 Old StThere's alot of Vietnamese restaurants in this area but this is still one of my favourites - especially the fish dishes!
Peruvian food and drinks are very trendy in London at the moment and this place serves great ceviche and pisco sours. Book ahead.
139 locals recommend
Andina Shoreditch
60-62 Commercial StPeruvian food and drinks are very trendy in London at the moment and this place serves great ceviche and pisco sours. Book ahead.
Forget Brick Lane curries - this is much, much better! A veritable meatfest of Punjabi flavours. Try the lambchops, dhal and mango lassi. Don't forget to book a table in advance as it gets really busy
381 locals recommend
Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate StForget Brick Lane curries - this is much, much better! A veritable meatfest of Punjabi flavours. Try the lambchops, dhal and mango lassi. Don't forget to book a table in advance as it gets really busy
The only thing on the menu is chicken but served in so many different ways that you'll be spoilt for choice! Worth a wander if you're @ the Flower Market and feeling peckish (get it?)
28 locals recommend
Clutch Chicken
4 Ravenscroft StThe only thing on the menu is chicken but served in so many different ways that you'll be spoilt for choice! Worth a wander if you're @ the Flower Market and feeling peckish (get it?)
One of my favourite Italian places outside of Italy. Seriously moreish - the food here is simple yet homely. The place is tiny but the portions are huge.
35 locals recommend
Bottega Prelibato
43-45 Rivington StOne of my favourite Italian places outside of Italy. Seriously moreish - the food here is simple yet homely. The place is tiny but the portions are huge.
American-style diner - with a London twist! The food combinations sound strange but they really work. Don't leave without trying their fried chicken and dulce de leche beignets.
34 locals recommend
Rita's - HAS MOVED - FOLLOW @RITASDINING for updates
275-276 Poyser StreetAmerican-style diner - with a London twist! The food combinations sound strange but they really work. Don't leave without trying their fried chicken and dulce de leche beignets.
Family-run restaurant with friendly service and fresh and tasty Vietnamese food. The summer rolls are devine! If you like fish, the salmon baked in banana leaf is delicious.
70 locals recommend
Green Papaya
191 Mare StFamily-run restaurant with friendly service and fresh and tasty Vietnamese food. The summer rolls are devine! If you like fish, the salmon baked in banana leaf is delicious.
Drinks & Nightlife
Raucous, fancy-dressed theme nights with a mixture of eccentric locals, students and trendy hipsters. Never a dull moment at this place!
58 locals recommend
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
42-46 Pollard RowRaucous, fancy-dressed theme nights with a mixture of eccentric locals, students and trendy hipsters. Never a dull moment at this place!
This has become my new "local" - local cocktail bar, that is! For less than £8, you'll be able to sip on the finest cocktails in London - guaranteed. Quirky decor and banging Hip Hop tunes
189 locals recommend
Satan's Whiskers
343 Cambridge Heath RdThis has become my new "local" - local cocktail bar, that is! For less than £8, you'll be able to sip on the finest cocktails in London - guaranteed. Quirky decor and banging Hip Hop tunes
Warm, friendly, spacious pub serving hearty meals. Definitely worth checking out if you'd like to try out a local pub.
56 locals recommend
The Star of Bethnal Green
359 Bethnal Green RoadWarm, friendly, spacious pub serving hearty meals. Definitely worth checking out if you'd like to try out a local pub.
Cosy little pub (full of little nooks and crannies) serving a dizzying array of Belgian beers. Great place to have a drink after a hard day of shopping @ Broadway Market
302 locals recommend
The Dove
24-28 Broadway MarketCosy little pub (full of little nooks and crannies) serving a dizzying array of Belgian beers. Great place to have a drink after a hard day of shopping @ Broadway Market
Tucked away just under the railway arches, this trendy new bar serves craft beers from small microbreweries.
109 locals recommend
Mother Kelly's
251 Paradise RowTucked away just under the railway arches, this trendy new bar serves craft beers from small microbreweries.
Good pies 'n mash in a small, cosy local pub - great for when it's cold outside!
58 locals recommend
The Camel
277 Globe RdGood pies 'n mash in a small, cosy local pub - great for when it's cold outside!
Renovated pub serving great food with a lovely quirky atmosphere. They have a legendary pub quiz on Wednesday nights when the place is jam-packed with young hipsters.
56 locals recommend
Old George
379 Bethnal Green RdRenovated pub serving great food with a lovely quirky atmosphere. They have a legendary pub quiz on Wednesday nights when the place is jam-packed with young hipsters.
Stop for a pint (or two) en route to/from Victoria Park at this homely and relaxing pub.
82 locals recommend
The Plough at Swan Wharf
60 Dace RdStop for a pint (or two) en route to/from Victoria Park at this homely and relaxing pub.
Not cheap, by any means - especially when a pizza costs more than £10. However, the ingredients are top quality and a lively, buzzing atmosphere with great decor. Very popular so be sure to book ahead
252 locals recommend
Pizza East Shoreditch
56 Shoreditch High StNot cheap, by any means - especially when a pizza costs more than £10. However, the ingredients are top quality and a lively, buzzing atmosphere with great decor. Very popular so be sure to book ahead
Arts & Culture
Versatile, large space hosting a huge array of club nights as well as chilled out bbqs and even fashion sales! Definitely one of Bethnal Green's many little hidden suprises
71 locals recommend
Oval Space
32 The OvalVersatile, large space hosting a huge array of club nights as well as chilled out bbqs and even fashion sales! Definitely one of Bethnal Green's many little hidden suprises
Local multi-entertainment venue - includes cinemas, cafe, theatre and gigs. Host many multi-ethnic festivals with World and Jazz music - check out their website for listings
260 locals recommend
Rich Mix
35-47 Bethnal Green RdLocal multi-entertainment venue - includes cinemas, cafe, theatre and gigs. Host many multi-ethnic festivals with World and Jazz music - check out their website for listings
Beautiful venue with gorgeous baroque-style balconies, carvings and paintings. From theatre to opera to world music to children's performances - this is a great venue to see something different!
202 locals recommend
Hackney Empire
291 Mare StBeautiful venue with gorgeous baroque-style balconies, carvings and paintings. From theatre to opera to world music to children's performances - this is a great venue to see something different!
At the centre of the Vyner Street avant garde, Lime Wharf provides a creative space for cutting edge music, talks and exhibitions
lime wharf
Vyner StreetAt the centre of the Vyner Street avant garde, Lime Wharf provides a creative space for cutting edge music, talks and exhibitions
The world's oldest Music Hall has been partially restored and is an atmospheric venue to an eclectic mix of artists and performers. Worth a visit - take the D3 bus from Bethnal Green Rd.
162 locals recommend
Wilton's Music Hall
1 Graces AlyThe world's oldest Music Hall has been partially restored and is an atmospheric venue to an eclectic mix of artists and performers. Worth a visit - take the D3 bus from Bethnal Green Rd.
One of my favourite arts venues in London. Theatre, stage, gallery and restaurants all set in 'futuristic' 60's brutalist architecture. Check out their website. Walk from Moorgate for 5min to Silk St
509 locals recommend
Barbican Centre
Silk StreetOne of my favourite arts venues in London. Theatre, stage, gallery and restaurants all set in 'futuristic' 60's brutalist architecture. Check out their website. Walk from Moorgate for 5min to Silk St
Shopping
This little, unpretentious place has the most amazing Mexican tiles, ceramics, textiles and even groceries (smoked chipotles and real corn tacos). This is as close to Mexico as I can get in London.
Casa Mexico
3 Winkley StThis little, unpretentious place has the most amazing Mexican tiles, ceramics, textiles and even groceries (smoked chipotles and real corn tacos). This is as close to Mexico as I can get in London.
Everything Else
Lovely wide open spaces where you can safely jog, walk, rollerblade, cycle and even rent a boat. Plenty of activities, facilities and play areas for children. Lovely to watch the seasons change
1666 locals recommend
Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadLovely wide open spaces where you can safely jog, walk, rollerblade, cycle and even rent a boat. Plenty of activities, facilities and play areas for children. Lovely to watch the seasons change
Delicious food from all over the world every Saturday: spicy sausages, french-style chicken, mediterranean salads, artisan breads and cakes. Take plenty of cash with you as ATM machines are few
1735 locals recommend
Broadway Market
Broadway MarketDelicious food from all over the world every Saturday: spicy sausages, french-style chicken, mediterranean salads, artisan breads and cakes. Take plenty of cash with you as ATM machines are few
Spiritual retreat tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Roman Road. They have drop-in meditation classes in a beautiful hall
28 locals recommend
London Buddhist Centre
51 Roman RdSpiritual retreat tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Roman Road. They have drop-in meditation classes in a beautiful hall
Colourful Sunday market with great bargains to be had before closing time (from 3pm). Very crowded but worth it if you have space for an exotic houseplant or 2. Plenty of interesting shops to browse
1660 locals recommend
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadColourful Sunday market with great bargains to be had before closing time (from 3pm). Very crowded but worth it if you have space for an exotic houseplant or 2. Plenty of interesting shops to browse
Cutting-edge contemporary art gallery hosting large exhibitions of international artists. If you're lucky enough to plan ahead and you may be able to win a ticket to their free First Thursday bus tour
589 locals recommend
Whitechapel Gallery
77-82 Whitechapel High StCutting-edge contemporary art gallery hosting large exhibitions of international artists. If you're lucky enough to plan ahead and you may be able to win a ticket to their free First Thursday bus tour
Spend your Sunday day getting lost amongst the steaming hot food vendors and sorting through unique items in the vintage stores. Take a camera as there will be plenty of cool graffiti and murals
878 locals recommend
Brick Lane
Brick LaneSpend your Sunday day getting lost amongst the steaming hot food vendors and sorting through unique items in the vintage stores. Take a camera as there will be plenty of cool graffiti and murals
Started as a temporary construction for the London Olympics but now a great place to hang out - plenty of interesting start-up shops and bars/coffee shops.
377 locals recommend
BOXPARK Shoreditch
2-10 Bethnal Green RdStarted as a temporary construction for the London Olympics but now a great place to hang out - plenty of interesting start-up shops and bars/coffee shops.
Food and hair? Not a normal setup but this Korean place does both. I've not eaten here, but can recommend the haircuts - cheap and cheerful. No appointments, dry cut, pay by the minute, great result!
59 locals recommend
Hurwundeki
242 Cambridge Heath RdFood and hair? Not a normal setup but this Korean place does both. I've not eaten here, but can recommend the haircuts - cheap and cheerful. No appointments, dry cut, pay by the minute, great result!
Didn't think you could afford a spa trip in London? Think again! For only £25 you get access to a hammam, sauna, steamroom, solarium, icy pool and refreshments. Treatments also available. Book online
25 locals recommend
Spa Experience
5 Old Ford RdDidn't think you could afford a spa trip in London? Think again! For only £25 you get access to a hammam, sauna, steamroom, solarium, icy pool and refreshments. Treatments also available. Book online
Lovely museum showcasing British interiors throughout the decades. Has a gorgeous garden and a lovely little cafe. Free entry and Friday lunchtime talks - fascinating window on the past
326 locals recommend
Museum of the Home
136 Kingsland RoadLovely museum showcasing British interiors throughout the decades. Has a gorgeous garden and a lovely little cafe. Free entry and Friday lunchtime talks - fascinating window on the past
Recently opened and ranked No. 23 out of 1113 Attractions in London (Tripadvisor) this is great fun for groups and families - try and solve the puzzles within the allocated time! Go on, I dare you.
Escape Room London
37-39 Oxford StRecently opened and ranked No. 23 out of 1113 Attractions in London (Tripadvisor) this is great fun for groups and families - try and solve the puzzles within the allocated time! Go on, I dare you.
Voted one of the best rooftop bars/restaurants in London, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the views (and the food). Book ahead or turn up and try your luck at getting a table.
125 locals recommend
Boundary London
2-4 Boundary StVoted one of the best rooftop bars/restaurants in London, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the views (and the food). Book ahead or turn up and try your luck at getting a table.
I love the Italian-style salads and yummy cakes (mixture of super healthy and sinfully calorific) at this trendy little coffee shop.
67 locals recommend
Franze & Evans Cafe Shoreditch
101 Redchurch StI love the Italian-style salads and yummy cakes (mixture of super healthy and sinfully calorific) at this trendy little coffee shop.
One of my favourite markets in London because of the tremendous variety of foodstalls (Ethiopian, Brazilian, Korean, Japanese, Turkish etc), vintage clothing and up-and-coming designers.
30 locals recommend
Sunday Up Market
83 Brick LaneOne of my favourite markets in London because of the tremendous variety of foodstalls (Ethiopian, Brazilian, Korean, Japanese, Turkish etc), vintage clothing and up-and-coming designers.
London's only heated outdoor swimming pool open all year (check opening times on their website). Best to head there for an early morning swim and then go to Broadway Market for breakfast.
591 locals recommend
London Fields
London Fields West SideLondon's only heated outdoor swimming pool open all year (check opening times on their website). Best to head there for an early morning swim and then go to Broadway Market for breakfast.
Essentials
Ginger Pig supplies products to many of London's top restaurants so you're guaranteed quality. Nestled firmly in the heart of trendy Victoria Park Village, this little butcher shop is a real treat.
63 locals recommend
Ginger Pig
99 Lauriston RdGinger Pig supplies products to many of London's top restaurants so you're guaranteed quality. Nestled firmly in the heart of trendy Victoria Park Village, this little butcher shop is a real treat.
Tesco Metro
361 Bethnal Green RdOpen 24hours
If you'd like to stock up on some groceries this Lidl is only a 5min bus ride from the apartment. Take the 106 or 254 bus from Cambridge Heath Rd, get off at the Well Street stop and cross the road.
215 locals recommend
Lidl
27 Well StIf you'd like to stock up on some groceries this Lidl is only a 5min bus ride from the apartment. Take the 106 or 254 bus from Cambridge Heath Rd, get off at the Well Street stop and cross the road.