Dinner restaurants in East London: a local's recommendations

I have held firm for years - and still do - that East London has the best food and restaurants in the city! The dishes are inventive, the decor and atmosphere is always on point, and the value for money is quite a bit better compared to west and central London. I've lived in East London for nearly 3 years and I've been to these spots once or many times. I love them and hope you do too 😊 All arranged by cuisine 🍽️

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Barbecue

Berber & Q

@awaywithalbs

An awesome BBQ & Middle Eastern restaurant under a railway arch - particularly great for a date night IMO.

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Smokehouse

@awaywithalbs

So good for barbecue - especially enjoyed outside on the plant-lined, tented roadside terrace. The lamb shoulder for two is awesome. Definitely go hungry! Portions are huge but very reasonably priced. Great cocktails too :)

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Basque-Inspired

Brat x Climpson's Arch

@awaywithalbs

This place is SUCH a vibe. The open wood-fired grill kitchen really makes it. Whatever you do, order the sourdough and charcoal butter. You're welcome :)

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Chophouse

Blacklock Shoreditch

@awaywithalbs

A delicious steakhouse on a cool street with an even cooler vibe and design inside. Try to save room for the white chocolate cheesecake! Not to be confused with other locations around the city - though I'm sure they're also brilliant :)

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Filipino

Rapsa @ 100 Hoxton

@awaywithalbs

A fab spot for some Filipino fusion!

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Gastropub

The Duke of Cambridge

@awaywithalbs

A lovely neighbourhood gastropub in Islington - not far from Regent's Canal. The celeriac and venison mains are delicious :) Particularly lovely to go in the late afternoon / early evening.

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Indian

Dishoom Shoreditch

@awaywithalbs

London is known for having incredible Indian food - and Dishoom is an absolute institution. It's AMAZING! There are other locations all over the city but I love this one in East London. Definitely worth the wait, especially with a cocktail in hand. Try heading up to the rooftop at Boundary Shoreditch across the street if you'd like to pass the time with city views. And if the line is too long of a wait, there are tons of other great options around (just check out my map for some other ideas!)

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Italian

Campania

@awaywithalbs

A charming and beautiful rustic Italian restaurant just off one of my favourite roads in the area - Columbia Road. Everything I've ordered there has been stunning. Try to get a seat at one of the few tables outside. I'd also consider avoiding going on a Sunday because while there's an amazing flower market on, you may struggle to get a table if you don't book in advance. And the area will be very crowded while it's on from 8am-2pm!

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Gloria

@awaywithalbs

A fun and eccentric spot for Italian food. The pizzas and pastas are so good - it's always hard to decide which one to go for. Polish it off with the pistachio gelato :)

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LARDO

@awaywithalbs

Industrial-chic Italian small plates restaurant. Fun fact for the Game of Thrones fans: Maisie Williams loves and recommends it!

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manteca

@awaywithalbs

One of the best for Italian food IMO - especially for fresh pasta. Go hungry and order as much as you can because you won't be able to get enough :)

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Noci

@awaywithalbs

A must-visit for pasta and cocktail lovers! I particularly love the yuzu & rhubarb spritz and the brown butter cacio e pepe :)

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Japanese

Sanjugo Shoreditch

@awaywithalbs

A small, very casual and cosy two-level spot where you can get some delicious sushi!

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Modern British

The Water House Project

@awaywithalbs

One of the most incredible meals I've had in London. A stunning fine dining option with cool East London vibes shining through. It is quite pricey though so might be nice for a special occasion :)

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Mediterranean

Brother Marcus Spitalfields

@awaywithalbs

A great outside-inside designed place serving Middle Eastern-inspired share plates. Also a great spot for brunch!

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Fare

@awaywithalbs

Love this industrial chic spot for pizzas, share plates, wine and cocktails. Great vibes inside and in the rear garden.

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OREN

@awaywithalbs

Exactly the kind of place that gives East London such a good reputation for its food and restaurants. Relaxed and easy going atmosphere with such delicious sharing plates. On a great street in a lovely neighbourhood too!

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Modern European

Bistrotheque

@awaywithalbs

Dinner here is delicious and a friend of mine really enjoyed it for brunch. And the converted warehouse feel makes for a great setting.

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Elliot’s - Hackney

@awaywithalbs

Lovely spot for a date night - especially if you're in the mood for farm-to-table small plates. Pairs well with a night cap from Mare Street Market across the street :)

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Leroy

@awaywithalbs

I love this restaurant so much. It might even just be my favourite in this part of the city! Very deservedly it got a Michelin star last year. Very relaxed, intimate and unpretentious with such delicious food.

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Perilla

@awaywithalbs

Stunning, simple and beautiful casual restaurant with delicious food in Newington Green. Just the kind of place that makes East London the best area for food. I also recommend going to Crossroads for a night cap :)

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Pidgin

@awaywithalbs

I can't say enough good things about this place. Quintessential East London. A small spot with a weekly changing set menu - and the food is AMAZING! I recommend getting there by bike (at least part of the way and depending where you're coming from) because the surrounding side streets are so lovely. Bonus: head around the corner to Binch for a night cap :)

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Primeur

@awaywithalbs

I absolutely LOVE this restaurant - a stylish restaurant in a former garage with small plates. The vermouth spritz is a must (all made in-house) and the food is SO good!

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Sager + Wilde Restaurant

@awaywithalbs

This place is the epitome of rustic chic! A lovely spot for some beautiful British fare. Not to be confused withe Sager + Wilde wine bar not far away (which I also love!)

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St John Bread and Wine

@awaywithalbs

Lovely simplistic design with fab modern British fare!

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North African & Spanish Fusion

Moro

@awaywithalbs

An awesome restaurant on one of my favourite streets in the city - Exmouth Market. North African-Spanish small plate vibes in a relaxed, dim-lit vibe.

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Peruvian

Pachamama East

@awaywithalbs

A must for Peruvian food. Sitting in the front room or at the bar - especially in the summer - is a great idea. And if you're in the mood for some fun vibes than head around the corner to Home Bar for a night cap! Not to be confused with the Pachamama in Marylebone (which I'd also recommend!)

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Spanish

El Ganso Cafe

@awaywithalbs

Look no further if you want amazing tapas! I've been here 8+ times and this place has yet to do any wrong. Even when it's been really busy. I particularly recommend going when the weather is nice for more of a local buzz on Broadway Market.

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La Farola Restaurant

@awaywithalbs

Rustic-style corner spot on bustling Upper Street that's great for tapas. Try to knab a table by the window!

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Thai

Smoking Goat Shoreditch

@awaywithalbs

A cool spot for unique and delicious Bangkok-inspired street food

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Hi and welcome to my page! 👋🏼 I’m a London-based travel creator, originally from Toronto, and have been living in this fabulous city since 2015 🇬🇧 After 8+ years of curating and sharing travel recommendations for friends and family, I want to do the same for others (hopefully that includes you!). And that's what brought me to Thatch 🤍 🗺️ MY TRAVEL STYLE: I love... • High quality but affordable places and experiences • Having a plan but also flexibility to go with the flow • Exploring a mix of classic and off-the-beaten-track gems • Lively settings but also relaxing ones • Being outside If this sounds like you too, you’re in the right place ✔️ 🗺️ WHY ME: • I'm a program manager - planning and organising is what I do! • I’ve been to nearly 50 countries and lived in four 🌍 • I’ve been using a tip in the last 3+ years that have made my trips SO much better - and will do the same for you • I prioritise being helpful and providing value 🗺️ WHAT YOU CAN FIND HERE: • Guides, DIY walking tours, interactive maps of London, UK, Europe and beyond - most are free and some are priced very competitively • Custom itineraries and curated recommendations for London - to ensure you have an amazing personalised experience through my local lens 🇬🇧 THANK YOU for being here and I can't wait to connect 🙏 📸 Follow me on IG (@awaywithalbs) for more travel tips and recommendations, trip planning motivation, and travel stories with lessons learned.

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