The Foodie’s Guide To Shoreditch

22 Apr , 2015 Food & Drink,London's Best...

Shoreditch is a haven of restaurants, coffee shops, bistros, tasting menus, brunches, lunches, street food markets and 4am end-of-the-night pit-stops. So, where do you start?

Check out our top 10 chart of tried and tested Shoreditch favourites.

10. Poppies Fish & Chips

Kicking things off we have a British classic: a chippy. Poppies’ Billingsgate-sourced fresh fish (so fresh, in-fact, that you can opt to have it grilled, rather than fried) includes everything from cod to lemon sole to seafood platters to pearly king-esque jellied eels.

Poppies hands-down wins the top-spot for the best chippy in town. Don’t just take our word for it, Poppies has won awards for its faux-newspaper-wrapped chips – winner of the 2014 National Fish and Chips Award, no less.

This is a popular place so expect a bit of a queue – although the service is great so you won’t be waiting long! Its worth remembering that you get what you pay for, and you truly get top notch stuff here. Expect to pay around £10 per person for your meal. We think it will be worth every penny!

6-8 Hanbury Street, London, E1 6QR

 

9. The Book Club

At no. 9 is the Shoreditch branch of The Book Club. A popular all-rounder, it has everything: an all-day menu, trendy cocktails, a ping-pong table, creative events and a great location on Great Eastern Street.

The food is simple but wonderfully done. For breakfast you have everything from a classic full brunch (no greasy spoons here, thank-you), to porridge and granola. Lunch consists of hearty sharing platters, and dinner offers a wide range from The Book Club burger to vegetarian chilli.

A former Victorian warehouse, it is spread across two wooden floors with exposed brickwork, giving the place an air of 19th century decadence combined with Shoreditch cool. The chilled-out feel offers a cozy refuge from the busy streets outside. You might just find yourself staying from this morning’s hangover breakfast to the start of tonight’s party.

100 – 106, Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4RH

 

8. Dishoom

Styled on the classic Irani cafes of Bombay, Dishoom brings an all round eating experience. The menu is packed with Indian and Persian flavours, and the décor gives a sense of faded grandeur and hints of old India.

This is a perfect Friday or Saturday night venue; enjoy curries and roomali rolls, and then head through to their bar, the Permit Room, to enjoy classic cocktails such as Juelps or sours.

If you fancy breakfast, a chai tea and a bacon naan is a combo always worth giving a try.

7 Boundary Street, London E2 7JE

 

7. Beigel Bake

If you’re on the way back to the hostel after a night out and get that 4am carb craving, make sure you satisfy it in style at Brick Lane’s famous Beigel Bake. An East End institution, it has been serving up freshly baked bagels 24/7 since 1977.

This place is always busy, with a steady stream of taxi drivers and city workers by day and hungry clubbers by night.

Try the moist salt beef, carved as you wait, or the classic smoked salmon and cream cheese. Give the New York style cheesecake a try if you have room left.

(PS If you don’t have time to make it to Beigel Bake, we serve their bagels fresh every morning at breakfast from 8-10am for free!)

159 Brick Lane London E1 6SB

 

6. Rosa’s Thai Café

Rosa’s Thai Cafe on Hanbury Street is a lovely lunch spot if you are out for a day’s shopping or sightseeing and offers well executed Thai classics. Our advice is to get a few dishes to share, as food envy is rife.

Try the prawn tempura to start – some of the largest, juiciest prawns you’ll find, and at a great price.

For mains, the pad thai is traditional and perfectly executed, but our standout dish is the soft and smoky grilled duck breast, served with tamarind sauce and cool steamed vegetables. Wash it all down with a traditional Thai beer.

A fine place to stop off between weekend wanderings on Brick Lane and through Spitalfields market.

12 Hanbury Street, London, E1 6QR

 

5. Bukowski

Bukowski , named after the American poet Charles Bukowski, boasts the best burgers in Shoreditch. You’ll find Bukowski poems on the bathroom doors and authentic American coffee in your cup. However, the burgers are the real draw. The beef patties are charcoal-grilled and accompanied by oven-baked beans and sweet dried tomatoes. Match that win their beef-dripping chips and homemade ketchup and you really can’t go wrong.

Located in the Shoreditch Boxpark pop-up mall, there is a cool buzz about the place. It is pretty small, but cosy – the perfect lunchtime pit-stop.

Unit 61, 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd, London, E1 6GY

 

4. Andina

Andina is a breath of fresh air from the abundance of steak-houses and burger-joints and is the cool younger brother of Ceviche in Soho.

The restaurant serves up a mix of classic Peruvian dishes such as ceviche (raw fish marinated in citric juices) and cancha (crunchy corn), as well as easy-eating dishes such as quinoa burgers. Peruvian cuisine is diverse and daring and you will find fresh, flavoursome, healthy food on the menu here (look out for the superfoods!)

The owner is a former DJ, so head here at night, grab a picso sour and enjoy the atmosphere.

1 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London, E2 7DJ

 

3. Hawksmoor

Hawksmoor in Spitalfields is the go-to steakhouse in the East End. There are various branches across London, but this was the original (and in our opinion, the best). We love its underground bar where you can sit with a gourmet burger in one hand and a creative cocktail (such as the wonderfully named ‘Shakey Pete’s Ginger Brew’) in the other.

However, what you’re really here for is the meat. The owners have travelled the world looking for the perfect steak, so we think they must know their stuff. They certainly do not disappoint, but if you can’t manage a steak, opt for alternatives such as lobster, ribs or crab.

157a Commercial Street, London, E1 6BJ

 

2. Tramshed

Currently at the centre of London’s restaurant scene, Tramshed definitely deserves its spot on this list.

Chef, Mark Hix, has made his name by doing simple food extremely well. Despite the simplicity of the menu – they only serve chicken and steak – the dining experience is something to write home about.

Not for the faint hearted, a Damien Hirst art installation of a cow and chicken preserved in formaldehyde sits suspended over the main dining room. This makes for a striking first impression, especially when set against the backdrop of a Grade 2 listed building that once generated the power for east London’s trams.

For starters try the tapas-style croquettes and ham hock terrine. For mains – yep, you guessed it – chicken and steak (noticing a theme, here?). The juicy chickens come in a variety of marinades and succulent steaks are seared to perfection. Desserts are tantalizingly indulgent – if you still have room that is!

You can expect an unforgettable dining experience, but perhaps an unusual one!

32 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3LX

 

1. Pizza East

Run by the team behind Soho House, this Shoreditch classic simply had to take the top spot!

Located in a Shoreditch landmark, the Tea Building, Pizza East never disappoints. Just a 3 minute walk from the hostel and right next to Shoreditch High Street overground station, it is a great meeting place. In true Dictionary Hostel style, the Pizza East dining hall features sharing benches and industrial décor – perfect to continue the communal vibe from the dorm to the dinner table.

It is dimly lit but the atmosphere is buzzy and full of energy. The toppings on offer change frequently, but the real specialty is their special-recipe dough. Await your home-made pizza with with eager anticipation – you are in for a treat!

56 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ

 

Don’t forget, if you can’t make a decision on where to eat, our friendly and knowledgeable staff know all the best places. We’re big eaters here at The Dictionary Hostel, so we know what’s up! What are you favourite spots to eat around Shoreditch? Tweet us @thedictionary

Food, Foodies, Hostels, London, Shoreditch, The Dictionary Hostel