Restaurants in East London

Where do you get the best Italian food in East London? The definitive answer is up for debate, but you can’t go far wrong with Gotta Trattoria. Sitting on the banks of the River Lee, they offer up a daily changing menu of delicious European and Italian treats served with a British twist. They’re also known for their negronis – which they bottle for your convenience.

Catering for your every need and with a distinct devil-may-care approach to things, the Breakfast Club in Canary Wharf is always abuzz with energy and life. Decorated as a retro working man's club, the bar is framed by quaint antiques, colourful furnishings and a huge disco ball that hovers delicately over the entire venue. Full of character and life, and with a diverse menu of traditional British dishes and flavoursome comfort foods, this is a great place to escape the bustle of the city. 

Smollensky's is something of an all-in-one where you can tuck into lovely nosh in their restaurant and then head downstairs to their dedicated bar area for some drinks. Located right next to Canary Wharf station, this East London restaurant is a favourite for alfresco drinking and dining where their menu of Modern American cuisine will do you right. 

Camino are bringing their brand of delicious tapas and cava to East London. Join the Spanish spot for their Shoreditch opening which will feature plenty of Spanish goodies including seafood, jamon and cheese.

Cinnamon Kitchen provides east London's diners with fresh and fragrant Indian dishes, given a modern twist and produced with premium British ingredients. Relax into these sophisticated surroundings and feast on an innovative menu prepared by head chef Vivek Singh, with cocktails in the Anise bar to finish the evening.

Low-key and serene, the Haunt has made a bit of a name for itself in North London, offering locals a great place recharge and unwind. Flexible by nature and drawing in Londoners from across the city, the venue's basement hosts a number of frivolous events, including yoga classes, life drawing lessons and wild DJ sets. 

When it comes to chicken in London, and East London at that, there's no better name than that of Absurd Bird. Heralded for their poultry bites, not only is the fried chicken on point here, their roster of cocktails is as impressive as their modern and fun interiors are. 

Sitting on the first floor of the One New Change, Searcys 1848 is the latest addition to the opulent champagne bar brand. With a collection of the finest champagnes from across the world, the bar's new food menu offers guests a selection of pork or beef meatballs, served with a delicious sauce and either freshly made pasta or crispy ciabatta. Delicious and perfectly complementing the fine drinks on offer, you'll leave with a head full of bubbles and a huge sauce-stained smile on your face. 

Renowned Disappearing Dining Club has found a permanent spot near the Barbican. Join them at an intimate underground wine bar as they bring you their fresh and seasonal produce such as roast lamb rump, warm prawn carpaccio and whole plaice meuniere.

Contemporary Smollensky's Bar boasts a bounty of bar bites to accompany its generous jumble of liquid mixes, so tuck into this tasty nosh next time you find yourself in East London. Eat alfresco on the summer terrace as you chow down on scrummy sandwiches, hammer a horde of hot dishes, share some party platters or sample the marathon of moreish bar snacks.

Looking for somewhere to eat Vietnamese food in Shoreditch? Then why not let this Kingsland Road gem be your ultimate guide. A floral haven of classic dishes and authentic Eastern cuisine, head on down for the plates but stay for cocktails in the basement. 

Refuel and take stock after a trip to Westfields at classy and chic Balans Soho Society. The renowned restaurant brings equal parts of Parisian vibes and British dining to their intimate venue.

At the bottom of the iconic Gherkin building, The Sterling is a sophisticated bar and restaurant where you can expect only the freshest, highest quality ingredients paired with seasonal cocktails and fantastic wines. With a focus on simple, quality food with big flavour. Start with some light nibbles, and move onto the more robust main meals with some classically British choices appearing on the menu like fish and chips, and sausage and mash with red wine and caramelised onion gravy. Book a spot at this venue and start enjoying the food on offer. 

From full-on sit down banquets to sharing platters for those after a drink and a chinwag, The Drift is an inviting restaurant in amongst the skyscrapers. This self-professed “sanctuary in the heart of the city” is a joint of quirky collectibles and hidden alcoves, and it’s a frontrunner when it comes to relaxed dinner and drinks in east London.

Based in the ever-bustling Old Street, Ceviche is a fun South American restaurant that showcases the best flavours that Peru has to offer. From mouthwatering cuts of grilled meat to fresh ceviches dishes, the team of chefs use a range of fresh ingredients to recreate traditional recipes that all pack a punch. To complete the experience, guests can even enjoy hand-crafted cocktails made using a selection of fresh fruit and fiery spirits.

Roma revives the 2000-year old passions of Ancient Rome to bring a completely novel dining concept to the heart of the city. Found just a few moments from Fenchurch Street, whisk yourself back in time to experience a rich menu inspired by the delicacies of Ancient Rome, with traditional cooking techniques used and the drinks cabinet stocked up with carefully sourced wines and bespoke cocktails.

Found by the charming canals of Hackney is a plot primed for meat and cocktails alike. Head on down to Shane's for a roster of meat-based, New Zealand plates and cocktails aplenty. 

Andina is Shoreditch's hottest opening and is serving up a delicious taste of South America in a low-key and fun setting. From the same team as renowned Ceviche, this new bar and restaurant has a delicious menu of grill and street food classics, as well as a games room which can be hired for cooking classes or private parties.

This place is a city favourite for some stylish after hours drinking and dining where you'll find affordable prices and a fun atmosphere every day of the week. The Gable is kind of 2 venues in one with a classic and sophisticated East London restaurant on the ground floor and then a basement bar underneath it all. 

Serving up traditional pub grub with a contemporary twist as well as an array of great craft beers and wines, The Cow has got it all going on pub-wise. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and gets very buzzy upon a Saturday evening when a DJ arrives to spin some tunes. Placed right next to The Olympic Park, this is a fun little place in an unbeatable location. 

Sitting in Tower Hill is the Trade Union, perfect for anyone wanting an all-day venue experience. Open in the day for those wanting to sip Vagabond Coffee and work, and at night for those that want cocktails and to tuck into delicious sourdough pizzas. Next time you’re in this part of East London, you should pop in to visit.

Porky’s is the number one destination for delicious BBQ food across the capital. Luckily, they’ve moved into Boxpark, bringing with them their delicious cheesy corn hush puppies, meaty ribs, pulled pork and hound dogs. There’s also a tonne of Americana beers, cocktails and plenty of bourbon. There’s even a Man V Rib challenge, if you think you’re strong enough.

Run by Nuno Mendes, Taberna do Mercado is a small and unassuming spot in Spitalfields market. The restaurant is an all-day eatery, serving delicious seafood and small plates.

Bounce will take the headlines as one of the best ping pong bars in London, but there’s also a cracking restaurant to this social hub below Old Street. The restaurant features an innovative bar food menu, premium canapes and some exciting a la carte options, with a stunning open-pizza counter restaurant that serves traditional Italian pizza and antipasti dishes.

For a slice of East London luxury, experience a Middle Eastern paradise of plush cushions, casual lounging and delectable Lebanese cuisine. Translating as the Arabic word for treasure, Kenza is quite literally a haven for trinkets, unique dining and touches that come straight from Morocco, you wouldn't know you're on Liverpool Street. 

Promising “an idyllic urban landscape, whatever the weather”, The Barge House is a beauty of a cafe, restaurant and bar on the edge of Regent’s Canal. Head here and unwind in style, with those super-relaxed views of the water matched by a menu of soul-satisfying, seasonally changing food. You’ll like it so much you’ll be back for brunch come the weekends, where their signature Breakfast in Bread is served from 10am.

Based on the ground floor of a towering Canary Wharf skyscraper, this is one of the places for dinner and drinks in the city of London. One Canada Water’s restaurant is a sleek and sophisticated location with friendly service and creative cooking to match. Enjoy some classic British cuisines on the a la carte menu and finish upstairs with a cocktail on the plush mezzanine floor.

Sitting pretty in Canary Wharf, Brodie's Bar will give you fabulous views over West India quay so you can enjoy some alfresco drinking and dining at this East London restaurant. Fill your boots on classic British nosh and a spread of fine beers, wines and cocktails and you could even find yourself taking advantage of the late licence here. 

Having newly opened on Kingsland Road, Rotorino is a hot little Italian spot in East London. Part of Stevie Parle's restaurant group, the venue is an authentic and intimate look at Italian food, with pasta homemade, wines from Italy and a selection of wood-grilled fish and meat.

This canal side beau is an East London favourite for casual dining and soaking up some picturesque views all at the same time. A bit of a jack of all trades, The Proud Archivist is an event space, gallery, popular brunching spot, restaurant and bar without breaking a sweat. You'll find walls adorned with latest exhibitions and a chilled buzz at this East London restaurant. 

The Piano Works can be found in a Victorian listed warehouse at the heart of Farringdon. This place is part restaurant, part bar and part party, all with a great side of live music. Head this way if you’re looking for something different from your night out; there’s two pianists and accompanying musicians playing an exclusive playlist of songs requested by you, the audience. It makes for a jamming atmosphere that’ll have you coming back time and again.

A wonderful fish restaurant conveniently located next to Liverpool Street station, Gow's offers up some very delicious fare in the form of some of the freshest seafood in the city. A large wine and champagne menu accompanies the food, where you can choose the perfect wine to match your meal. The oyster bar is also a fantastic place to people watch while drinking and enjoying some light snacks. Book your table here now. 

Settle into The Warehouse for a menu packed with delicious Italian food. Hidden away in Brick Lane, the venue offers cool minimalist décor, table football and huge projectors to watch the sport. But head over to the bar and order some of their famous pizza, cooked in wood-fire ovens and delivering everything from metre long pizzas to calzone and spicy Diavolas.

One of our favourite restaurants in Shoreditch, the Jones Family Project serves an assortment of grilled meats and seafood comprising of the best in local produce. The same is true for the drinks list, with beers and gin sourced within a few miles of the restaurant. Enjoy some josper-grilled steak goodness washed down with creative signature cocktails.

Created by a sommelier with Michelin-starred experience and a chef with some serious credentials, The Pearson Room is a formidable restaurant in Canary Wharf. The menu is a perfect pairing of carefully selected wines and British and international plates.

Aviary is located on the top of the new Montcalm hotel in Finsbury Square and as such has some incredible views of the city. Sit back and relax on their modern, spacious and stylish rooftop terrace or head to the restaurant which serves delicious British seasonal food; try the burger and thank us later.

Bringing melt-in-the-mouth Texan BBQ, punchy bourbons and live blues tunes to the heart of Shoreditch, this is the place to kick back and embrace the meat sweats. Tuck into piles of pulled pork and teetering burgers, leave room for some of those signature buffalo wings then head to the dance floor, where live bands and DJs round things off with vintage funk and soul tracks into the night.

Tank and Paddle is a City spot that is great for delicious pizza and a huge range of beers and ales. A few minutes away from Monument, the restaurant has a huge selection of stone-baked pizza including New-York inspired The Yankee, topped with pepperoni. Beer includes pints from local brewery Meantime and there's also a cracking cocktail menu. With a sister venue based in Bishopsgate, there's no excuse to miss out on the great home brewed drinks on offer.