Guidebook for Greater London
Food Scene
Right where the well-known Columbia road flower market begins lays Laxeiro. Now a tapas restaurant, Laxeiro started off as a delicatessen charcuterie, the first of its kind at the time of its opening. This family-run restaurant focuses on fresh ingredients and local produce with recipes and flavours that originate from north-west Spain. The menu offers traditional Paella with saffron rice, fresh fish and seafood for two, as well as sharing plates for affordable prices. Be sure to take your time at Laxerio, enjoying the cosy restaurant and its picturesque surroundings.
40 locals recommend
Laxeiro
93 Columbia RdRight where the well-known Columbia road flower market begins lays Laxeiro. Now a tapas restaurant, Laxeiro started off as a delicatessen charcuterie, the first of its kind at the time of its opening. This family-run restaurant focuses on fresh ingredients and local produce with recipes and flavours that originate from north-west Spain. The menu offers traditional Paella with saffron rice, fresh fish and seafood for two, as well as sharing plates for affordable prices. Be sure to take your time at Laxerio, enjoying the cosy restaurant and its picturesque surroundings.
Resident of Paradise Row — independent bar and restaurant — can be found in the lightly refurbished and repurposed railway arches across from Bethnal Green station. Here, everything is done in-house, from curing and smoking the salmon it serves, to preparing the chicken and pork fresh on-site. Having opened its doors in 2014, the spot is an exciting addition to the restaurant scene and nightlife of Bethnal Green. It is simply decorated but memorable. The menu contains a lot of classics in modern dining but they are made with care and a touch of inspiration. We highly recommend their salmon as a great addition to any brunch selection. For more adventurous dining, go for the bottomless bubble
34 locals recommend
Resident of Paradise Row
252 Paradise RowResident of Paradise Row — independent bar and restaurant — can be found in the lightly refurbished and repurposed railway arches across from Bethnal Green station. Here, everything is done in-house, from curing and smoking the salmon it serves, to preparing the chicken and pork fresh on-site. Having opened its doors in 2014, the spot is an exciting addition to the restaurant scene and nightlife of Bethnal Green. It is simply decorated but memorable. The menu contains a lot of classics in modern dining but they are made with care and a touch of inspiration. We highly recommend their salmon as a great addition to any brunch selection. For more adventurous dining, go for the bottomless bubble
The Gallery Café is a community project run by St. Margaret House. It offers a vegan and vegetarian menu with ingredients sourced from local suppliers with an eco-friendly footprint. Locals come here not only for its great take on vegetarian food, such as vegan pancakes with agave syrup or vegan pulled pork wraps and Ethiopian stew, but also for the events they host. There are film screenings, music nights, and much more free if not reasonably-priced events. Profits go back into the charity. Be sure to try this local favourite if you’re in the mood for flavourful vegetarian food. Check their Facebook account for updates on the great events they host.
90 locals recommend
Gallery Cafe
21 Old Ford RdThe Gallery Café is a community project run by St. Margaret House. It offers a vegan and vegetarian menu with ingredients sourced from local suppliers with an eco-friendly footprint. Locals come here not only for its great take on vegetarian food, such as vegan pancakes with agave syrup or vegan pulled pork wraps and Ethiopian stew, but also for the events they host. There are film screenings, music nights, and much more free if not reasonably-priced events. Profits go back into the charity. Be sure to try this local favourite if you’re in the mood for flavourful vegetarian food. Check their Facebook account for updates on the great events they host.
You will find Brawn on a corner of Columbia Road. The big windows let in lots of natural light, and the interior resembles a studio workspace with simple retro wooden furniture. In the evenings, this space fills with warm soft light which creates a relaxed vibe. At Brawn the menu changes daily to reflect what is in season and to showcase what the local producers have to offer. Come here to enjoy French and Spanish cuisine that respects its ingredients, paired with an extensive wine list. The food is in the moderately expensive price range. It’s close to the flower market, so be sure to book a table for Sunday lunch.
162 locals recommend
Brawn
49 Columbia RdYou will find Brawn on a corner of Columbia Road. The big windows let in lots of natural light, and the interior resembles a studio workspace with simple retro wooden furniture. In the evenings, this space fills with warm soft light which creates a relaxed vibe. At Brawn the menu changes daily to reflect what is in season and to showcase what the local producers have to offer. Come here to enjoy French and Spanish cuisine that respects its ingredients, paired with an extensive wine list. The food is in the moderately expensive price range. It’s close to the flower market, so be sure to book a table for Sunday lunch.
Drinks & Nightlife
Having jumped ship from Shoreditch this New Orleans-inspired spot on Roman Road is easily one of the best bars in Bethnal Green. In fact, it's previously been voted one of the best bars in the world for it's eclectic drinks menu, gorgeous decor and buzzing atmosphere.
31 locals recommend
NOLA | Roman Road
Shoreditch High StreetHaving jumped ship from Shoreditch this New Orleans-inspired spot on Roman Road is easily one of the best bars in Bethnal Green. In fact, it's previously been voted one of the best bars in the world for it's eclectic drinks menu, gorgeous decor and buzzing atmosphere.
Under some arches you'll find this Bethnal Green drinking gem hidden away. Arguably the coolest bar in the area, you can sit up top in their mezzanine area looking down on a buzzing production line below which is working hard to produce and bottle lots of lovely cocktails. Next door you can buy a clinking bag full of the delicious cocktails you've been drinking all night, so you never have to go a night without a negroni again.
17 locals recommend
London Cocktail Club Monument
2B EastcheapUnder some arches you'll find this Bethnal Green drinking gem hidden away. Arguably the coolest bar in the area, you can sit up top in their mezzanine area looking down on a buzzing production line below which is working hard to produce and bottle lots of lovely cocktails. Next door you can buy a clinking bag full of the delicious cocktails you've been drinking all night, so you never have to go a night without a negroni again.
Perhaps no other bar has had a bigger impact on the area than this one – which opened up decades ago, in what was a sort of beyond-the-pale part of Shoreditch. It’s been a working men’s club since 1887, it’s just the weekly events are now a little racier, funnier and wilder than before. The Workers Arms pub is open from Wednesday to Sunday with cask ales, proper pub food (chips and gravy?) and a weekly pub quiz.
58 locals recommend
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
42-46 Pollard RowPerhaps no other bar has had a bigger impact on the area than this one – which opened up decades ago, in what was a sort of beyond-the-pale part of Shoreditch. It’s been a working men’s club since 1887, it’s just the weekly events are now a little racier, funnier and wilder than before. The Workers Arms pub is open from Wednesday to Sunday with cask ales, proper pub food (chips and gravy?) and a weekly pub quiz.