Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Mark opened up his cafe in January and we go there all the time! Great coffee, beautiful space and delicious toasted sandwiches too. Really couldn't be more convenient for us!
The Common E2
Mark opened up his cafe in January and we go there all the time! Great coffee, beautiful space and delicious toasted sandwiches too. Really couldn't be more convenient for us!
Great destination for a walk, looking out over the boating lake and just a hundred metres away from a massive playground (amazing if you have small kids).
65 locals recommend
Pavilion Cafe Victoria Park
Great destination for a walk, looking out over the boating lake and just a hundred metres away from a massive playground (amazing if you have small kids).
Famous East End caff, run by the Pellicci family for over 100 years. Nevio runs the show and he's amazing – makes you feel part of the gang the first time he meets you! Coffee or filling lunches.
28 locals recommend
E Pellicci
Famous East End caff, run by the Pellicci family for over 100 years. Nevio runs the show and he's amazing – makes you feel part of the gang the first time he meets you! Coffee or filling lunches.
Nice veggie cafe, also has a "healthy food" grocery section at the front, although the best thing they sell are the croissants... not so healthy after all.
The Larder
Nice veggie cafe, also has a "healthy food" grocery section at the front, although the best thing they sell are the croissants... not so healthy after all.
Entertainment & Activities
Amazing museum for kids up to 10. There are baby sensory bits for the small ones, lots of toys to play with and generally loads of cool exhibits of childhood through the ages to explore.
57 locals recommend
Young V&A
Amazing museum for kids up to 10. There are baby sensory bits for the small ones, lots of toys to play with and generally loads of cool exhibits of childhood through the ages to explore.
Sheep, pigs, chickens... and lots more animals to look at – kids love this place. There's a cafe / restau there too, although there are better options nearby.
51 locals recommend
Hackney City Farm
Sheep, pigs, chickens... and lots more animals to look at – kids love this place. There's a cafe / restau there too, although there are better options nearby.
Everything Else
Every Sunday morning the street shuts and is filled with flower sellers. You can go just to look and take photos, but you'll probably be shouted at... buy some beautiful flowers at bargain prices!
369 locals recommend
Columbia Road Flower Market
Every Sunday morning the street shuts and is filled with flower sellers. You can go just to look and take photos, but you'll probably be shouted at... buy some beautiful flowers at bargain prices!
A busy food market on Saturdays. You can just walk around and watch the crowds, but you also have lots of good options for snacky lunch. After, it's good to have a stroll around London Fields.
144 locals recommend
Broadway Market
A busy food market on Saturdays. You can just walk around and watch the crowds, but you also have lots of good options for snacky lunch. After, it's good to have a stroll around London Fields.
Best bread for miles around. You can sit in and have sourdough toast or pastries with good coffee too, which you've earned after a 20 minute walk.
58 locals recommend
E5 Bakehouse
Best bread for miles around. You can sit in and have sourdough toast or pastries with good coffee too, which you've earned after a 20 minute walk.
Drinks & Nightlife
Very close to Bethnal Green tube, but it's somehow retained it's "village pub" atmosphere (most pubs in the area have gone more upmarket / trendy). Good beers and pies.
10 locals recommend
The Camel
Very close to Bethnal Green tube, but it's somehow retained it's "village pub" atmosphere (most pubs in the area have gone more upmarket / trendy). Good beers and pies.
Essentials
This is the local supermarket and it's just around the corner. We now do most of our food shopping online, but this is the reliable big shop, with long opening hours.
Tesco Express
This is the local supermarket and it's just around the corner. We now do most of our food shopping online, but this is the reliable big shop, with long opening hours.