Our Review Of Cocotte Shoreditch: A Homely Chicken And Brunch Restaurant Serving Freshly-Made Eats

Shoreditch is packed full of restaurants offering every kind of cuisine, with all sorts of unique items on the menu. But sometimes, what you really want is the comfort of a home-cooked meal, without having to actually do any cooking. That's where Cocotte comes in. This London-based restaurant group was by Romain Bourrillon in 2016, with the aim of bringing comforting, homemade dishes that focus on quality ingredients, authentic cooking and sustainability. And perched on the edge of Hoxton Square, their East London venue was calling me for a warming Sunday meal.

This welcoming destination can be found next to Hoxton Square.

DesignMyNight's Review Of Cocotte Shoreditch

The small but welcoming venue had a long booth seat running along the back wall, with a bar perched directly in front of us as we sat down. The interior was simple but stylish, featuring a neutral colour scheme, exposed brick walls and warm lighting. This perfectly captured the all-day vibe of the restaurant, as I can see this transitioning from brunch right through to the evening very well.

To begin, I sipped a La Vie En Rose (£12), a refreshing spritz cocktail made with pomegranate liquor, rosé and sparkling wine, topped with fresh mint. This is the kind of drink that makes you feel like it's summer, despite the frosty November weather outside. My partner kept it simple with a Sassy Handcrafted Cider (£6), balancing dry and fruity flavours.

Even though I'm vegetarian, I couldn't come here without trying their speciality, so I chose vegan popcorn ch*cken (£9) for my starter. It was a pretty good imitation of the real deal, with a moist, shreddable texture and a meaty taste, coated in crisp breadcrumbs with a Southern-style seasoning. It also came with a minty, bright green dip that added a moreish, tangy twist.

There's all sorts of chicken on the Cocotte Shoreditch menu.

My boyfriend went down a similar, but more meat-based, route with the chicken and truffle croquettes (£11), which had a smooth, pâté-like consistency inside. These also came with a firm, breaded exterior, with dollops of creamy truffle dip on top. His only criticism of these was that the truffle flavour was not particularly noticeable, though they were otherwise delicious.

I had initially wanted to order the oeuf cocotte, a brunch dish that I had originally tried at their Richmond venue, but sadly they were sold out. Instead, I went for two smaller plates, the first being truffle mac and cheese (£8). This earthy dish was oozing with melted cheese and a mild truffle taste, finished with a perfectly crisp top layer. I devoured this alongside a kale and roasted pepper salad (£7), a zesty choice filled with mixed seeds and a bold tahini dressing - with peppers so well-roasted that they almost melted in the mouth. The freshness of the salad cut through the rich mac and cheese beautifully.

This place is all about comfort eats.

The crispy chicken burger (£16) showcased exactly what Cocotte does best: chicken cooked to perfection. This was a panko, parmesan breaded chicken thigh smothered in Monterey Jack cheese, also featuring pickled red cabbage, gherkins and a smoky Alabama sauce, all in a brioche bun. The meat was juicy and succulent, served alongside fluffy, thin-cut chips.

To end our meal, the vegan chocolate cookie (£8) was served warm in the dish it had been baked in. It had a rich, dark chocolate flavour and chunks of chocolate throughout, and it was served with a scoop of sweet vanilla ice cream on top.

Overall: Cocotte London

For fresh, hearty meals at any time of day, Cocotte's menu has got you covered. Their wide range of chicken, from rotisserie to burgers and small plates, is perfect for meat lovers, while the healthy salads and brunch dishes cater for everyone. For a fairly affordable, home-style feast in the heart of East London, this spot is an excellent choice.

Book a table at Cocotte, or check out these fried chicken restaurants in London.