Whether you’re after a romantic date spot, the perfect pizza, a meat feast or some delicious, veggie-friendly grub, then look no further: these stunning Shoreditch restaurants have it all. From Michelin-starred spots to street-food faves, here’s the Secret London rundown of the best for a feast in the east:
1. Manteca
After moving around in London for a little while, Italian restaurant Manteca finally found its place in East and so they definitely deserve the top spot on this list. With an absolutely stunning menu to choose from the must-orders are the spicy ‘nduja steamed mussels, brown crab cacio e pepe, house-made ricotta with courgette and chilli. Their menu is seasonal which means a lot of their delicacies come and go but we’re more than positive than with any ingredient, their food would be outstanding. In terms of lovely hand-made pasta, you must try the lumache with kale and chilli and the wild garlic chitarra, parmesan and egg yolk – a guaranteed explosion of flavours that’s going to want you coming back for more.
📍You’ll find Manteca at 49-51 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3PT.
2. Llama Inn
Born in New York City and relatively new to the East London food scene, Llama Inn is a stunning new Peruvian restaurant located the Hoxton hotel. Aside of having some of the best views, the restaurant has definitely made its way on the top of the list as one of the best dining experiences in the city. Expect punchy flavours and tuck into in dishes the zesty dragon fruit ceviche, scallop ceviche, pork shoulder sliders and cabbage anticucho – they are absolute musts.
While you’re there, don’t forget to explore their extensive cocktail menu – trust us, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
📍You’ll find Llama Inn at the Hoxton Shoreditch, 81 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU.
3. Rochelle Canteen
Established in 2004 by Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson, the Rochelle Canteen sits in the converted bike shed of the old Rochelle School – a leafy, sun-dappled spot that is now a hub for creative types. Open for lunch all week and for dinner on Wednesdays to Saturdays, the canteen’s menu changes daily and you can expect everything from grilled ling with fennel and aioli to baked buckwheat pasta with mushrooms and taleggio. They’ve also got a lovely wine list to wash it all down with.
📍You’ll find Rochelle Canteen at 16 Playground Gardens, London, E2 7FA.
4. Casa Do Frango
Casa do Frango has brought authentic Portuguese flavours to the city. Specialising in regional Algarvian-style piri piri chicken, known as “frango”, their food is – dare we say it? – cheekier than Nando’s. Although Frango is the main focus of the menu, there’s also an extensive list of sharing plates and salads, including Octopus Rice and Salt Cod & Chickpea Salad, as well as vegetarian options such as Grilled Vegetables in Piri Piri. Of course, for dessert, there’s Portugal’s famous Pasteis de Natas, as well as Chocolate Mousse and Bica (Portuguese coffee). Meanwhile, the drinks menu features the classic Port & Tonic, a Casa G&T, and some lovely Portuguese wines.
The restaurant is a beautiful space filled with natural light, greenery and exposed brick walls. It has alfresco vibes without the cool breeze, so it’s perfect for when we’d rather be on holiday.
📍You’ll find Caso Do Frango at 2 King John Court, EC2A 3EZ.
5. Smokestak
This stylishly-rustic barbecue joint is all about – yep, you guessed it – the barbecued meat. There are pulled-pork buns with a green chilli slaw, gochujang wings with crispy shallots and coriander and 30-day dry-aged beef ribs on the menu, as well as a whole host of mouthwatering sides. If you’re wanting to go all out at Smokestak, you can opt for the whole beef brisket for around £175.
📍You’ll find Smokestak at 35 Sclater Street, London, E1 6LB.
6. Boundary Rooftop Bar and Grill
If you’re looking for somewhere special to take a loved one – or if you’re looking to impress a date – make your way to the Boundary Rooftop Bar and Grill, one of the fanciest Shoreditch restaurants. Alongside gorgeous seafood and cocktails, you’ll also get to enjoy panoramic views of the city from their beautiful rooftop.
📍You’ll find Boundary Rooftop Bar and Grill at 2-4 Boundary Street, London, E2 7DD.
7. The Clove Club
Known for its elegant British cuisine and excellent set menus, this cutting-edge spot began its life as a supper club – and it has gone from strength to strength ever since. Featuring as number 32 on last year’s roundup of the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’, The Clove Club is by no means cheap. But it is bloody good.
📍You’ll find The Clove Club at Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT.
8. Nobu Restaurant and Bar
The next addition on this list of the best Shoreditch restaurants really needs no introduction. Located within Europe’s first Nobu Hotel, the food at Nobu Restaurant and Bar is all rustled up by renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, whose menu has been influenced by his many years of studying Japanese cuisine in Tokyo. Expect creative small plates, excellent sushi and some fab multi-course tasting menus. * Please note that the hotel and restaurant are currently closed, but they are due to reopen this Spring.
📍You’ll find Nobu Restaurant and Bar at 10-50 Willow Street, London, EC2A 4BH.
9. Hawksmoor
Go for the chateaubriand at Hawksmoor if you’re looking for something a bit more fancy to share, or they do succulent sirloin, rump, fillet and rib-eye cuts too. Add in beef dripping fries and a half lobster for starters (yep, really) and you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in town for a slap-up meal. They also do a killer brekkie too.
📍You’ll find Hawksmoor at 157A Commercial Street, London, E1 6BJ.
10. Smoking Goat
The coolest Thai restaurant with cool cocktails and even cooler cuisine – all inspired by Bangkok’s late-night canteens. There are a whole host of great things found on the menu at the critically-acclaimed Smoking Goat, from pork laab with fresh chilli and citrus and rispy aged pork belly with smoked chilli jaew. They’ve also got a pretty fab wine list to boot too.
📍You’ll find the Smoking Goat at 64 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ.
11. Dishoom
For all things Indian, head to Dishoom on Boundary Street for their famously good food. They’ve got a breakfast that you’ve got to try before you die, as well as some pretty banging side dishes. Highlights include the house black daal, the mattar paneer, the chole puri (a chickpea curry served with puffy bread) and the spicy lamb chops. The gunpowder potatoes are a winning side order too, if you’re looking for something other than rice.
📍You’ll find Dishoom at 7 Boundary Street, London, E2 7JE.
12. Gloria Trattoria
Gloria Trattoria is where old-school charm meets ridiculously indulgent food. Subtlety isn’t exactly a key concern here, but when you’re amongst the glamorous décor and mountains of food, you probably aren’t going to care… Their lemon meringue pie is also the stuff of legend.
📍You’ll find Gloria at 54-56 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3QR.
13. Blacklock
Although the steak at Blacklock by itself is excellent, we recommend going for the ‘All In’. You’ll get a selection of pre-chop bites, followed by a juicy pile (yes, literally) of beef, lamb and pork. On top of that, you’ll also get two sides; choosing from beef dripping chips, ash-roasted sweet potato, or a bunch of other fancy green stuff. No wonder this spot has been voted as one of ‘the best restaurants for brilliant British food‘.
📍You’ll find Blacklock at 28-30 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3DZ.
14. Lyle’s
Another firm favourite here – and the proud owner of a Michelin-star – Lyle’s is all about its daily-changing set menu. Expect a Scandi-chic dining room, and a five-course, no-choice menu for around £79. They also do a veggie and pescatarian option too.
📍You’ll find Lyle’s at the Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ.
15. Angler
Also the proud owner of a Michelin-star, Angler is situated slightly closer towards Moorgate, but given how good it is, we still had to include it on this list of the best Shoreditch restaurants. With seafood at its heart, the ever-changing menu features only seasonal and carefully sourced produce. They’ve also got a special ‘Chef’s View’ table with views of The Gherkin and the Salesforce Tower.
📍You’ll find Angler at South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, London, EC2M 2AF.
16. Absurd Bird
If you’re a big fan of fried chicken, make sure you fly over to Absurd Bird. It’s got some of the most epic wings and tenders in town, and all the hospitality you’d expect from a restaurant inspired by the American deep south. They’ve also got waffles, great cocktails and a pretty banging soundtrack – sounds like the recipe for a great night we say!
📍You’ll find Absurd Bird at 54 Commercial Street London, London, E1 6LT.
17. Bull In A China Shop
Located opposite the Tea Building behind an intricate Dickensian pub frontage, Bull in a China Shop is a specialist whisky bar that also charms with all-day dining. Signature dishes include crispy belly pork and rotisserie chicken with Nikka whisky and a lovely soy glaze. They’ve also got over 100 different kinds of whisky stocked here – another reason we had to add this to our list of the best restaurants in Shoreditch.
📍You’ll find Bull In A China Shop at 196 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6LG.
18. Sagardi
If you’re more into your steak than your poulet, make your way to Sagardi for a traditional Basque meal. Chef Iñaki López de Viñaspre brings the best of the region right to the heart of Shoreditch, with signature dishes including oxtail braised in a Rioja Alavesa red wine sauce, and pan-fried codfish in the style of the famous Zapiain cider house.
📍You’ll find Sagardi at Cordy House, 95 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BS.
19. Flat Iron
Flat Iron is the perfect answer to ‘where can I get a decent steak in London without spending my life’s wages? After all, at this London steakhouse you’ll pay just 12 quid for your steak – a real bargain! Add in free popcorn, a banging wine and cocktails list, and sides including creamed spinach and beef dripping chips and you’ve got yourself a real winner.
📍You’ll find Flat Iron at 77 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BS.
20. Dirty Bones
Embodying the Dirty Bones spirit, the Shoreditch branch of this beloved branch offers classic comfort food with a twist such as the ‘MacDaddy’ – a double brisket and dry-aged steak burger with pulled-beef short ribs, mac and cheese and espresso-spike barbecue sauce – with a side of fries of course. You’ll also find melt-in-your-mouth cheeseburger dumplings and the ‘Reverse Truffle Cheeseburger’.
📍You’ll find Dirty Bones at 1 Club Row, London, E1 6JX.
21. MEATliquor
US-style burgers, chicken wings and cocktails are the order of the day at the next addition on our roundup of Shoreditch restaurants, MEATliquor. Don’t be put off by the name if you’re a veggie or vegan however – they’ve got a whole host of plant-based patties, as well as gluten-free options. If you’ve got room for dessert, go for an ice-cream float. Why not treat yourself, we say?!
📍You’ll find MEATliquor at 15 Hoxton Market, London, N1 6HG.
22. Red Dog Saloon
This American barbecue diner serves some pretty succulent ribs and juicy burgers, plus it has cocktails and plenty of lagers on tap. They’ve also got some finger-lickin’ good fried chicken, buffalo wings and ked brisket chilli nachos on the menu, so maybe you’d better loosen your waistband if you’re planning on eating at Red Dog Saloon!
📍You’ll find Red Dog Saloon at 37 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6NN.
23. Gunpowder
Speaking of ‘gunpowder’… the intimate 20-seater restaurant of the same name is just a stone’s throw from Spitalfields Market. A lovely spot, Gunpowder also offers deliveries if you’d rather stay in rather than fighting to get a table. The emphasis here is on celebrating traditional family recipes and giving them an innovative and unique twist. Mouth-watering options include Goan-style black tiger prawns marinated in lashings of garlic, black pepper and herbs, and lamb cutlets soaked in ghee made in the Kashmiri region of North India.
📍You’ll find Gunpowder at 11 White’s Row, London, E1 7NF.
24. Som Saa
For some proper good Thai grub, head to Som Saa for old-style cuisine and ice-cold cocktails. The red curry fish cakes served with an ajaad relish and the braised beef shin massaman curry covered in roasted shallots are both real highlights, and a reason we added them to this ‘best restaurants in Shoreditch’ guide.
📍You’ll find Som Saa at 43A Commercial Street, London, E1 6BD.
25. On The Bab
This popular addition to this roundup of Shoreditch restaurants mixes cocktails with Korean street food. On The Bab specialises in KFC (Korean Fried Chicken), and it’s a perfect spot to take your grub out on the go or sit in with rounds of cocktails. Crispy yangyum chicken, with a choice of sauce, is a fan-favourite, along with drool-worthy prawn packed buns.
📍You’ll find On The Bab at 305 Old Street, Hackney, EC1V 9LA
26. BúnBúnBún
For excellent Vietnamese cuisine, make your way to BúnBúnBún on Kingsland Road, where you’ll be able to tuck into noodle salads, soups and steaming bowls of phở. The bún chả hà nội is also some of the best you can find anywhere in town – we have it on good authority.
📍You’ll find BúnBúnBún at 134B Kingsland Road, London, E2 8DY.
27. Hanoi Café
Another brilliant Vietnamese restaurant, Hanoi Café – which has been open since 2000 – whips up some delicious Vietnamese street food classics. The bun vermicelli noodle salads here are great here, and the spicy lemongrass fish, the coconut prawn curry and the tofu braised with aubergine and betal leaf cooked in a claypot ain’t to be sniffed at either.
📍You’ll find the Hanoi Café at 98 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8DP.
28. Pizza East
There’s certainly no shortage of good pizza in east London. Pizza East is the place to go if you want some authentic Italian fare and great cocktails to wash it down with. They serve seasonal dishes, wood-oven dishes, pizzas and ‘some of the best cured meats and cheese in London’. High praise indeed.
📍You’ll find Pizza East at 56A Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ.
29. Homeslice
Meanwhile, the ever-popular Homeslice will serve you pizzas by the slice, or giant, 20-inch pizzas to share. Flavours include salami, rocket and parmesan and mushroom, ricotta, pumpkin seeds and a soy truffle glaze, and there are some great beers, cocktails and soft drinks on tap too.
📍You’ll find Homeslice at 374-378 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT.
30. Pizza Pilgrims
Pop to Pizza Pilgrims for their proper Neapolitan pizza, which is slow-proofed, fast-cooked and is now even protected by UNESCO! Other flavours here include the puttanesca, the spicy nduja and the eight-cheese pizza – a cheese lover’s absolute dream.
📍You’ll find Pizza Pilgrims at 136 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JE.
31. Camino
Camino is a fantastic choice for tapas, particularly the fried octopus and the melt-in-your-mouth huevos rotos. They also have an amazing selection of G&Ts and an extensive wine list. Head chef Nacho del Campo uses top quality, seasonal ingredients to create bold, fresh and exciting tapas unlike anywhere else in town.
📍You’ll find Camino at 2 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BL.
32. Lahpet
Specialising in cuisine from Myanmar, Lahpet has been named one of London’s most authentic international restaurants according to non-UK born Londoners. All the food here is bang on – the catfish and lemongrass chowder and silky tofu soup with rice noodles and pickled mustard greens are both excellent – and they also do some great cocktails and G&Ts too.
📍You’ll find Lahpet at 58 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6JW.
33. Andina
Andina is a lovely little Peruvian joint serving up spectacular ceviches and Pisco cocktails, and they’re often labelled as being in the upper echelon of Shoreditch restaurants. The crispy squid jalea and cassava fries are an excellent choice if you’re wanting a starter too.
📍You’ll find Andina at 60-62 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LT.
34. Bao
BAO, the legendary bunslingers who’ve built a fearsome reputation for casually brilliant dining, have taken their menu to Shoreditch with a twist, introducing the BAO Noodle Shop on Redchurch Street. The newest opening is inspired by the beef noodle shops of Taiwan, and they serve steaming bowls of beef noodle soup in addition to some of their popular BAO buns and BAO BING desserts.
📍You’ll find BAO at 1 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ.
35. Yanji Barbecue 延吉小串
Another fantastic addition to this roundup of the best Shoreditch restaurants, Yanji Barbecue 延吉小串 – as the name would suggests – specialises in tasty Korean barbecue fare. The mixed lamb and beef skewers, the braised, marinated ribs and the quail eggs are worth the price of admission alone – add in the spicy noodle soup and kimchi fried rice and you’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to foodie heaven.
📍You’ll find Yanji Barbecue 延吉小串 at 153 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG.
36. BIBo
Offering a taste of García’s Spain and perfect for lively weekend grazing, BIBo’s new menu is available exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays, with new dishes including the fried chicken brioche with ras el hanout mayo and tomato and the fish and chips burger with tartar sauce, pickles & coleslaw. This being a Spanish restaurant, they’ve also got a paella with fried eggs and cecina and indulgent takes on all the classics, such as eggs benedict with jamón ibérico and a silky bearnaise sauce.
📍You’ll find BIBO at 45 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3PT.
37. Cecconi’s
Cecconi’s is a long-established Venetian restaurant serving up elegant decor and excellent food in equal measure. They specialise in Northern Italian cicchetti, pizza and pasta, and have some delectable desserts on the menu including panna cotta, profiteroles and tiramisu.
📍You’ll find Cecconi’s at 58-60 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP.
38. Popolo
Italian cooking takes a rather mouthwatering diversion to the Middle East over in Shoreditch, where Popolo (literally ‘people’) – the penultimate entry on this list of the best restaurants in Shoreditch – add the likes of za’atar and tahini to their mains. Pasta dishes hew more traditionally, with the restaurant correctly gambling that a dish of agnolotti, pork cheek, and porcini butter can stand on its own two feet – or should that be four trotters?
📍You’ll find Popolo at 26 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3DU.
39. Tapas Brindisa
Rounding off this list of the best Shoreditch restaurants is Tapas Brindisa, a beloved spot that’s popular with many Londoners. Alongside great tapas and small dishes to share, their menu features the authentic paellas and rice plates from both Valencia and Alicante. They’ve also got a heated terrace – perfect for catching some rays with a beer in hand.
📍You’ll find Tapas Brindisa at 152 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3AT.