Shoreditch is an area spoilt for restaurants.
And yet they actually make it better.
You see, it’s the only part of London where you can find a Thai restaurant inspired by late-night roadside BBQs neighbouring a Michelin-starred dining room dedicated to turbot. Or an extravagant, kitschy pizzeria plucked from 1970s Capri round the corner from one of the city’s best chop houses. Or, for that matter, a glorious Modern British spot hidden away in an old school bike shed.
And so we’ve gathered only the most delicious and unusual restaurants in the area for you, right here.
Bon appetit.
Find more Shoreditch inspiration in Your Ultimate Shoreditch Guide
Lyle’s | £££
Lyle’s was met with near mass-hysteria when it opened back in 2014; partly because it was headed up by Young Turks founder James Lowe, and partly because a small part of the population were expecting a restaurant devoted to Golden Syrup. While the latter turned out to be misinformed, the wünderchef and his team are still plating up some of the most delicate and elegant modern European dishes in the city… READ MORE
Details: The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ | Open Wed-Sat, 6-11pm | Book here
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The Clove Club | ££££
The Clove Club hasn’t got much going for it. If you discount the fact that it consistently ranks as one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, has held its Michelin star for years, and reached no. 2 in the list of the UK’s best restaurants, that is. Oh, and the fact that it also boasts a former Young Turks founder as its head chef. But apart from that, it’s just your run-of-the-mill, regularly evolving tasting menu restaurant. READ MORE
Details: Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT | Open Mon-Sat evenings from 6pm, lunch Tues-Sat from 12pm | Book here
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Padella | £
Thanks to Padella, London Bridge was home to the reigning champion of the city’s fresh pasta restaurants. Until they opened a second branch in Shoreditch, that is. And while they still don’t take bookings, this sophomore branch is a whole lot bigger – thanks in part to their breezy streetside dining terrace round the back. READ MORE
Details: 1 Phipp Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4PS | Open daily for lunch & dinner | Download the WalkUp app to queue virtually (within 2km)
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BAO Noodle Shop | ££
For BAO’s sixth venue, they’ve decided to let their fluffy, steamed buns step out of the spotlight, making way for this – a Taiwanese noodle shop with a karaoke bar underneath it. It’s exactly as good as it sounds. The space looks just as pretty as BAO’s other venues, and the main dish – beef noodle soup – is rich, hearty and nourishing. Just leave room for cocktails. You’ll be glad you did.
Details: 1 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DJ | Open Tues-Thurs 5-11pm, Fri-Sun 12-11pm | Book here
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Lahpet | ££
Lahpet is easily the best Burmese restaurant in London. And sure, there may not be a lot of competition. But Lahpet is ready to make up for our heretofore lack by presenting gorgeous dishes like split pea tofu fritters; dried shrimp dumplings; and pork and mustard green curry. And yes, while you should be prepared for pangs of momentary angst at not having discovered it sooner, this will be replaced immediately by feelings of deep, deep joy. READ MORE
Details: 58 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6JW | Open Tues-Thurs 5.30-10pm, Fri 5.30-11pm, Sat 12-11pm | Book here
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Blacklock | £
Home of the city’s best (and, coincidentally, most affordable) chops – Blacklock serves up quality cuts by the 100g, or you can build your own adventure with starters (pig’s head on toast), sides (10-hour ash roasted sweet potato) and mini cuts (£4 pork belly or lamb T-bone). All alongside cocktails, served tableside from a drinks trolley, for a fiver. READ MORE
Details: 28-30 Rivington Street, EC2A 3DZ | Open weekdays 12-3pm & 5-11pm, Saturdays 12-11pm and Sundays 12-9pm | Book here
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Leroy | ££
First, there was Ellory. Now, there’s Leroy; its remixed, Michelin-starred, second incarnation after upping sticks from London Fields to down sticks in Shoreditch instead. The menu’s been given a distinctly stronger Parisian slant here, like cheese and wine-drenched scallops and confit chicken skewers; all designed to share alongside a bottle of good wine.
Which ultimately means that you’ll Roley out of there. READ MORE
Details: 18 Phipp Street, EC2A 4NU | Dinner Tues-Sat 6pm-12am, lunch Friday 12-2.30pm | Book here
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Dishoom Shoreditch | ££
You’ll no doubt be familiar with Dishoom’s signature mouthwatering array of traditional Parsi dishes, Indian-inspired cocktails and retro Bombay Café-style surroundings. But their Shoreditch branch wins bonus points for the leafy verandah out the back, providing a cosy weeknight date spot when covered and a bacon-naan filled suntrap on lazy weekend mornings. READ MORE
Details: 7 Boundary Street, E2 7JE | M-W 8am-11pm, Th & Fri 8am-midnight, Sat 9am-midnight and Sun 9am-11pm | Book here
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Smoking Goat | ££
Smoking Goat’s Shoreditch replacement has a decidedly grittier feel than the Soho original, styled after late-night Thai canteens. As such, the grub here is all in the vein of aharn glam lao (‘drinking food’), and features dishes like smoked brisket with drunken noodles; barbecued pork and pork-fat skewers; and of course, a little smoked goat. READ MORE
Details: 64 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ | Open Mon-Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-9pm | Book here
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Brat | £££
This is the kind of brat you do want to visit. Michelin starred just six months after opening, it’s the first solo spot from former Kitty Fisher’s chef Tomos Parry, named in honour of what he deems to be “the best fish in the world”, turbot. That’s not all that’s on the menu, though – expect Welsh-meets-Basque cuisine (if it’s even possible to expect what that comprises), alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list. READ MORE
Details: First Floor, 4 Redchurch Street, E1 6JJ | Open daily 12-3, 5.30-10pm | Book here
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Gloria | £££
A temple to decadence. Gloria is the first UK restaurant from the Parisian Big Mamma team, and they’ve spared nothing for their grand debut. Packed to the rafters with old-school, kitschy decor, the restaurant is known for its ten-layer lasagne, outrageous cocktails and giant lemon meringue pie. And a year after opening, it still has the queues to match. READ MORE
Details: 54-56 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR | Open daily for lunch and dinner, plus weekend breakfast | Book here
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Rochelle Canteen | £££
Getting a table at Rochelle Canteen first requires you to find a gate with a doorbell in an old primary school playground – but it’s more than worth the mission to track it down. It’s a joint venture (that’s since branched out) from laurelled chefs Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold, serving produce-led dishes like steamed mussels with chips; chard, chickpea and tomato stew; and rhubarb panna cotta – all of which can be enjoyed al fresco… or, as it’s also known, behind the school bike shed. READ MORE
Details: School House, Arnold Circus, E2 7ES | Open daily for lunch, plus dinner Thurs-Sat | Book here
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Brawn | £££
A thoroughly laid-back, neighbourhood corner spot housed in a former workshop space on Columbia Road. Brawn is the perfect retreat from the business of the flower market on Sundays (go for the roast), or any time for that matter – the food is unfussy, unpretentious and showstoppingly executed. Changing regularly, the menu is produce and season-led, with a smattering of small plates to pick at as you choose, and a rather lovely wine list to accompany. READ MORE
Details: 49 Columbia Road, E2 7RG | Open for lunch Tues-Sat 12-2.30pm, and dinner 6-10.30pm Mon-Sat | Book here
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Last Updated: 29th July 2021 | Main image: Padella
Like going out in Shoreditch? Then you’ll need our list of the best bars in Shoreditch, too