Guidebook for London
Food Scene
A London classic. Described as ‘one of the most convivial in the city’, booking is essential for the luscious Moorish food.
131 locals recommend
Moro
34-36 Exmouth MarketA London classic. Described as ‘one of the most convivial in the city’, booking is essential for the luscious Moorish food.
Brand new, this is a gem (hidden behind a drive-thru McDonalds!). Southern French cuisine done over a wood fire with flair and oozing with taste. Get there quick before everyone knows about it.
23 locals recommend
Sardine
15 Micawber StBrand new, this is a gem (hidden behind a drive-thru McDonalds!). Southern French cuisine done over a wood fire with flair and oozing with taste. Get there quick before everyone knows about it.
Small and friendly family run Japanese. The sushi is superb and their Bento Box is a healthy treat.
14 locals recommend
Sasa Sushi
422 St John StSmall and friendly family run Japanese. The sushi is superb and their Bento Box is a healthy treat.
A local gem if you fancy imaginative pizza and decent burgers. The daily special is always worth investigating too. Very friendly staff and craft beer on draught.
10 locals recommend
Jane Roe Kitchen
90 Old StA local gem if you fancy imaginative pizza and decent burgers. The daily special is always worth investigating too. Very friendly staff and craft beer on draught.
A classy dining option. Run by Anna Hansen (MBE for services to the restaurant industry), the Modern Pantry has some exquisite fusion dishes that seem strange on the page, but always fresh and zingy. Great for weekend brunch too.
83 locals recommend
The Modern Pantry
47-48 St John's SquareA classy dining option. Run by Anna Hansen (MBE for services to the restaurant industry), the Modern Pantry has some exquisite fusion dishes that seem strange on the page, but always fresh and zingy. Great for weekend brunch too.
I don't know why I'm mentioning this because it's tiny (7 seats) and only a handful of people ever manage to book (the booking system is almost absurdly convoluted!). But it's supposed to be magic...
21 locals recommend
Sushi Tetsu
12 Jerusalem PassageI don't know why I'm mentioning this because it's tiny (7 seats) and only a handful of people ever manage to book (the booking system is almost absurdly convoluted!). But it's supposed to be magic...
Three levels of meat! Beef is the speciality here and the higher you go, the less casual the dining. Pop in to the ground floor bar for burgers and beers or book a table on the top floor for a more formal experience (with great views over Smithfield Market). Bloody Marys and mimosas on Sunday- highly recommended!
64 locals recommend
Smiths of Smithfield
67-77 Charterhouse StThree levels of meat! Beef is the speciality here and the higher you go, the less casual the dining. Pop in to the ground floor bar for burgers and beers or book a table on the top floor for a more formal experience (with great views over Smithfield Market). Bloody Marys and mimosas on Sunday- highly recommended!
Fab Australian-inspired cuisine. "Sunny, easy-going and generous" says the owner. Book your place at the weekend - it seems that half of Clerkenwell brunches here!
49 locals recommend
Granger & Co. Clerkenwell
50 Sekforde StFab Australian-inspired cuisine. "Sunny, easy-going and generous" says the owner. Book your place at the weekend - it seems that half of Clerkenwell brunches here!
Fantastic local Turkish. Family-friendly and reasonably-priced (their lunch menu is particularly good value). Admired by locals and local workers alike.
14 locals recommend
The Iskelé
179-181 Whitecross StFantastic local Turkish. Family-friendly and reasonably-priced (their lunch menu is particularly good value). Admired by locals and local workers alike.
From falafel wraps to gluten-free crepes, modern English pies to bursting Thai curries, Whitecross Street Market brings the hungry employees from all around. Absolutely hopping Mon-Fri at lunch time.
53 locals recommend
Whitecross Street Market
132 Whitecross StFrom falafel wraps to gluten-free crepes, modern English pies to bursting Thai curries, Whitecross Street Market brings the hungry employees from all around. Absolutely hopping Mon-Fri at lunch time.
Everything Else
An easy 10 mins walk from us is Exmouth Market. A trendy, pedestrianised street filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars, it also has a busy street food market on weekdays. A great place to watch the stylish, creative locals. We recommend Caravan for coffee, Moro for fine dining (if you can get a booking) and the Exmouth Arms for a cool interpretation of a traditional English local pub.
219 locals recommend
Exmouth Market
Exmouth MarketAn easy 10 mins walk from us is Exmouth Market. A trendy, pedestrianised street filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars, it also has a busy street food market on weekdays. A great place to watch the stylish, creative locals. We recommend Caravan for coffee, Moro for fine dining (if you can get a booking) and the Exmouth Arms for a cool interpretation of a traditional English local pub.
Drinks & Nightlife
Join the locals after work for a craft beer (it gets busy) or just chill out and write your postcards during the day. There's also a music venue downstairs so check out what's on.
18 locals recommend
The Slaughtered Lamb
34-35 Great Sutton StJoin the locals after work for a craft beer (it gets busy) or just chill out and write your postcards during the day. There's also a music venue downstairs so check out what's on.
Here's a real local secret. Next to the Modern Pantry in what looks like a normal (but lovely) house is a quirky and gorgeous cocktail bar. Most people have no idea this exists...
87 locals recommend
The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell
49-50 St John's SquareHere's a real local secret. Next to the Modern Pantry in what looks like a normal (but lovely) house is a quirky and gorgeous cocktail bar. Most people have no idea this exists...
A popular local bar good for meeting friends as it is for getting some peace and quiet with a book. Great big windows are ideal for people watching. They also have a decent food menu.
23 locals recommend
The Peasant
240 St John StA popular local bar good for meeting friends as it is for getting some peace and quiet with a book. Great big windows are ideal for people watching. They also have a decent food menu.
Arts & Culture
One of the world's oldest and most important theatre of contemporary dance. Check what's on well in advance as it's a popular spot.
253 locals recommend
Sadlers Wells Theatre (Stop UB) station
One of the world's oldest and most important theatre of contemporary dance. Check what's on well in advance as it's a popular spot.
Europe's largest multi-arts centre is on your doorstep. The sprawling, brutalist centre presents a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and creative learning events. It is home to the London Symphony Orchestra. There are tons of peaceful public spaces where you can work, snack or hang out and people watch.
509 locals recommend
Barbican Centre
Silk StreetEurope's largest multi-arts centre is on your doorstep. The sprawling, brutalist centre presents a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and creative learning events. It is home to the London Symphony Orchestra. There are tons of peaceful public spaces where you can work, snack or hang out and people watch.
Essentials
Just two minutes away, this express version of the supermarket giant has the essentials as well as a free ATM.
1336 locals recommend
Tesco Express
179 Shoreditch High StJust two minutes away, this express version of the supermarket giant has the essentials as well as a free ATM.
A large supermarket with a meat/fish counter, fresh produce, newspapers/magazines as well as an ATM, coffee dock and superb customer service.
67 locals recommend
Waitrose & Partners Barbican
Whitecross StreetA large supermarket with a meat/fish counter, fresh produce, newspapers/magazines as well as an ATM, coffee dock and superb customer service.
Getting Around
Barbican Station
Aldersgate StreetYour closest Tube stop is about 10 minutes on foot.