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
Manteca | ££
It’s the happy union of culinary super-weights David Carter (Smokestack) Chris Leach (Kitty Fisher’s) – fresh pasta meets nose-to-tail dining, with a little fire-cooking thrown in. The space is a bright and airy mix of white-washed brick and light wood, right between Old Street and Shoreditch. As for the drinks, expect mostly low intervention wines, alongside some expertly made house cocktails.
Details: 49-51 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PT | Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner | Book here
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.
Details: First Floor, 4 Redchurch Street, E1 6JJ | Open daily 12-3, 5.30-10pm | Book here
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.
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.
Details: 49 Columbia Road, E2 7RG | Open for lunch Tues-Sat 12-2.30pm, and dinner 6-10.30pm Mon-Sat | Book here
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.
Details: 58 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, 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.
Details: 28-30 Rivington Street, EC2A 3DZ | Open weekdays 12-3pm & 5-11pm, Saturdays 12-11pm and Sundays 12-9pm | Book here
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…
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
Details: 7 Boundary Street, Shoreditch 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.
Details: 64 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ | Open Mon-Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-9pm | Book here
The Princess Of Shoreditch | £££
Thanks to the appointment of Head Chef Ruth Hansom, what was always a good pub has now become downright majestic. The space remains the same: two floors of old-meets-new. Dark woods are offset by warm yellow pendant lighting and red leather banquettes sit opposite dusty blue walls. However, Ruth – who at 26 has already worked at The Ritz, become the youngest person to win Young British Chef Of The Year, and been on Great British Menu – has given the food a total overhaul. Downstairs is more of a relaxed affair – modern British pub classics, with a rising star twist. Upstairs however is a little more refined. You can choose from either a five course or eight course tasting menu, full of seasonal British produce, but this time crafted into precious little plates that look almost too good to eat, washed down by cocktails, wine, craft beers and ales.
Details: 76-78 Paul Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 4NE | Open Wed-Sun, lunch and dinner | 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.
Details: 54-56 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3QR | Open daily for lunch and dinner, plus weekend breakfast | Book here
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Santo Remedio Café | £££
Colourful Mexican eatery Santo Remedio has returned to its home turf, where it first opened five years ago before getting turfed out due to building issues. In its short time it built a loyal fanbase, and after opening a huge flagship down in London Bridge, it’s finally come back to its roots. The menu here revolves around tacos, which you can eat in or grab from the takeaway hatch in the wall. Just make sure you order some of their signature guacamole, which comes topped with grasshoppers. Plural.
Details: 55 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HP | Open for dinner Wed-Sat, lunch Fri-Sat | Book here
Last Updated: 21.01. 2022 | Main image: Padella
Like going out in Shoreditch? Then you’ll need our list of the best bars in Shoreditch, too