Posted by This once working-class neighbourhood in East London is now firmly on the map as one of the city’s edgier destinations for inventive restaurants, cutting-edge bars, vintage shopping and some wonderful street art. Despite its growing popularity, Shoreditch is still far less touristy than other parts of London, it’s where you’ll still get an authentic feel for how the locals live (and party), as well as glimpses into London’s intoxicating multicultural make-up, particularly on Brick Lane which is home to dozens of old-style curry houses.
The Shoreditch district is quite vast and requires time and comfortable shoes to explore, as walking is the best way to immerse yourself – and don’t forget to duck down a laneway or two, as you never know what you may find. Travis’ guide to Shoreditch also takes in Spitalfields, Hackney and Hoxton, as it’s somewhat difficult to work out where Shoreditch ends and these as equally appealing neighbouring precincts begin.
If you are planning on basing yourself in Shoreditch, about a three night stay is ideal to get a real flavour for the area, and if your London visit is longer than that, we recommend combining it with three or four nights in another part of London such as Soho, which Travis also has a handy guide for.
This Guide to Shoreditch was updated in September 2024.
Just Coffee..
Allpress Espresso | 58 Redchurch St
New Zealand’s Allpress Espresso shows Londoners how good coffee should be served! Apart from the awesome coffee (roasted daily in their nearby Dalston branch), they also offer some tasty small bites at this snug and ever popular café. Allpress Espresso
Jolene | 67 Redchurch St
Just across the way from Allpress, this satellite outlet of a Newington Green bakery is cute and colourful – the bright apricot exterior can’t be missed. Step inside the tiny corner store and choose one of their heavenly pastries whilst waiting to place your coffee order, then hang out on the pavement with the local hipsters whilst waiting for your brew to be ready. Jolene
Nude Coffee Roasters | 25 Hanbury St
Nude is super convenient to grab a great coffee if you’re exploring the Old Spitalfields Market or Brick Lane precincts. Ethically sourced beans are core to their ethos, the contemporary warehouse space houses both the cafe and roastery, so you can watch the roasting in progress whilst waiting for your coffee. Nude Coffee Roasters
Attendant | 74 Great Eastern St
Founded in a quirky unused toilet in Fitzrovia, this local chain has now grown to five outlets around the city. The Shoreditch outlet is an easy-going space with rustic tones that invites you to sit and linger over your coffee – and it’s really good coffee at that. There’s also a light breakfast menu available too. Attendant
Paper & Cup | 18 Calvert Ave
Get some ‘good feels’ with your caffeine fix at this social enterprise coffee shop that serves good quality coffee and iced coffee, whilst also training up-and-coming baristas who need a leg up in society. The op-shop style store is well stocked with recycled vintage fashion and jewelry, plus well-read books. It’s a wonderful marriage of hipster Shoreditch and genuinely good community work. Paper & Cup
Breakfast & Brunch…
Lantana Shoreditch | 55 City Rd
Their original Fitzrovia location was one of the early Antipodean cafes to seduce Londoners fifteen years ago, since then they’ve brought their Aussie café-style to Shoreditch in a bigger and fancier re-enactment. Brunch is still their specialty, with an inspired menu of both classics and more fashionable dishes, the food is artfully presented and they even elevate the humble smashed avocado to a whole new level. Many of the menu items can be adapted to be meat free and they also open for dinner from Monday to Friday. Lantana Shoreditch
Ozone Coffee Roasters | 11 Leonard St
This roaster, which hails from New Zealand, takes full advantage of its heritage home, with rustic timber floors, exposed bricks and a double height ceiling. They are serious about their coffee here, you can even watch the roasters at work in the semi-exposed basement, although the diverse brunch menu has just as much attention placed on it. There’s an interesting selection of British classics, as well as modern fare with Asian and Middle Eastern flavour twists, and most pleasingly the menu is designed specifically to reduce waste, with the story of their local and sustainable supply ethos proudly shared on the flip-side of the menu. Ozone Coffee Roasters
Ottolenghi Spitalfields | 50 Artillery Lane
Part of celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s considerable empire, this casual and understated restaurant is located in a laneway not far from Old Spitalfields Market. Offering all day dining, the menu is inspired by Middle Eastern and Northern African cuisine, the food is not overly complex, letting the flavour and quality of the produce shine through. Ottolenghi Spitalfields
Dishoom Shoreditch | 7 Boundary Street
Dishroom now has outlets across London, offering an upscale take on Indian street food, inspired by the old Irani cafes of Bombay. The Shoreditch outpost has multiple dining areas including a moody basement and a sunny conservatorium, all beautifully decorated in chic vintage style. Whilst lunch and dinner is always popular here, don’t overlook their brunch offering, the food is delicious, with perfect spiciness, and it’s surprisingly light for Indian fare. The menu includes lighter starters like spiced granola, bigger plates such as fried eggs on chilli cheese toast, and their specialty hand-rolled naan bread with a choice of tempting fillings. There’s also ‘tipples’ on offer for those who need a strong drink with their brunch. Dishoom Shoreditch
Delamina East | 151 Commercial St
Brunch here is a weekend only affair, but it’s worth the wait for the delightful Eastern Mediterranean inspired fare you’ll be treated to in a calm, warm and welcoming dining space, with natural light pouring in through the windows from the street and the back garden. The brunch menu is just the right size and offers options like shakshuka and pita florentina, but the absolute standout is their Jaffa-Tel Aviv Style, which looks as good as it tastes – eggs, pita bread and a scrumptious range of dips, condiments and surprising treats. Sip on a mint tea or a zesty cocktail and let the weekend decompression begin. Delamina East
Trade | 47 Commercial St
A small, rustic café with a cute courtyard at the rear, the open kitchen and counter are up front, so it’s difficult not to be enticed by the aroma of the lovely fare being prepared. Apart from really good coffee, their delectable pastries and inventive sandwiches are worth dropping by for. Trade
Lunch & Dinner…
Rochelle Canteen | 16 Playground Gardens
Tucked away behind a discreet gate in Shoreditch, Rochelle offers a tranquil escape with its walled garden and rustic charm. Opened in 2004, it’s known for simple, seasonal British fare, focusing on fresh vegetables and seafood. The compact, ever-changing menu features daily specials, and delights like their house-made grape sorbet stand out (using their own grapes grown on site). The clear marquee surrounded by greenery that serves as the dining room adds to the peaceful and elegant experience. Rochelle Canteen
Manteca | 49-51 Curtain Rd
They deliver on every promise at this mod-Italian eatery that prides itself on its nose-to-tail / no waste ethos, and exquisite hand-rolled pasta. Start your grazing with remarkable wood-fired breads and some small snacks (the stuffed olives are out of this world), then move onto the delicate pasta and more complex main options – the portions are just the right size to allow you to taste your way through the menu. The wine list leans heavily Italian, there’s also Orange wines plus a dash of European, Californian and even Antipodean options too, and it’s cleverly divided into ‘Classic’ and ‘Down The Rabbit Hole’ sections. The understated decor, plus the warm and genuine service all add to the feeling of earthiness and authenticity. Manteca
BRAT | First Floor, 4 Redchurch St
The timber paneled dining room at BRAT is compact and cosy, with tables so close to each other it feels a little like communal dining, which is great for eyeing off your neighbours choices, as every Basque inspired dish here looks and tastes fabulous. Start with snacky delights like oysters and fresh chorizo, and don’t go past the incredibly juicy lamb chop. When its time for bigger things, the whole turbot or beef rib are the show stoppers, but you’ll need an appetite to get through them. The wine list is just the right size, offering an interesting choice of European drops. The kitchen is part of the dining room, so watching the chefs effortlessly toss your dinner onto the open grill or saw away at the biggest slab of bread you’ll ever see, is all part of the experience, and they’ll even deliver some of your dishes to the table. Oh, and the service is as good as it gets in London. BRAT
Smoking Goat | 64 Shoreditch High St
Inspired by Bangkok’s late night canteens, they nail the fine balance between bar and restaurant here with hard-hitting cocktails, an eclectic wine list and delectable Thai fare. The menu is not overly long and it’s not very descriptive either, but throw caution to the wind and order up as you’re going to enjoy the spiciness, the explosions on your palate and the fun of digging into the alluring snacks on offer, like their crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside fried chicken, which is one of the house specialties. The rustic decor features timber and exposed bricks, with a prominent bar that you can dine at, and the atmosphere is loud and buzzy. Smoking Goat
Padella | 1 Phipp St
There’s a wonderful simplicity to this big and always busy Italian favourite. It’s all about simple and traditional Italian fare with just a little twist or two, the menu offers just six antipasti, eight pastas and five puddings. Using the freshest and best produce, and keeping each dish to just three or four elements, means they always provide a consistently high quality meal, and they can also deliver them quickly (which is important in a place this popular). The ethos extends to the drinks program, just a handful of aperitivi and six wines, all of them on tap, means the beverages flow freely. Simple, bellissimo. Padella
Morito | 195 Hackney Rd
A spacious room with a big horseshoe bar and a wide open kitchen is the setting for delicious tapas style fare from Southern Spain to Northern Africa. This is rustic food at its best, cooked from the heart, and servings comes in manageable portions so you can enjoy at the very least a handful of dishes. The wine list features mostly Spanish wines, though other European wines also get a look in, and there’s a good choice of Vermouth and Sherry as well. Even when it gets busy, the service is calm and friendly. Morito
The Buxton | 42 Osborn St
With a pared-back 15 room boutique hotel upstairs, the ground floor gastropub exudes art deco style and a very easygoing vibe. It’s small, friendly and offers a short menu of modern Brit and Euro pub fare using sustainably sourced produce (including herbs that are grown on their own rooftop), plus there’s a sensational Sunday roast with all the trimmings. They have a small cocktail menu and a lengthy choice of European wines, with an emphasis on organic and biodynamic varietals. The Buxton
The Hawksmoor | 157a Commercial St
A very British-like steakhouse and cocktail bar that’s spread its wings across the globe now, the Shoreditch edition was the original with its dark, clubby atmosphere where you can slink into the leather banquette’s and live it up a little. They serve grass-fed, dry-aged beef (the portions are big) and sustainably sourced seafood, plus decadent sides like triple cooked chips and macaroni cheese. There’s also a bunch of lunch specials on offer if your budget is tight. The Hawksmoor
Pizza East | 56 Shoreditch High St
When you just need some comfort food, drop into this cavernous former tea warehouse that has been converted into a stylishly rustic pizzeria. Despite its size there’s still a cosy vibe due to a series of different dining zones, including plenty of bar seating. The large open kitchen dishes up very good thin crust pizza, antipasti and decadent Italian desserts. Pizza East
Drinks…
Oranj | 14 Bacon St
Just off Brick Lane, stepping into Oranj feels a little like you’ve been invited to an underground warehouse party where the wine is the star of the party. The space is simply adorned, with painted brick walls, well worn furniture and a single candle in a wine bottle on each table. It’s all about natural wines here, the full page bottle menu (in a rather small font) packs a lot of punch, though for wine by the glass drinkers, there’s only two in each section available. There’s plenty of lesser known varietals on the list and whilst it’s heavily weighted to Euro wines, a few Antipodean vinos creep into the mix. The food menu is concise and always interesting, with the menus designed by a rotating series of different chefs they choose to collaborate with. Oranj
Sager + Wilde | 192 Hackney Rd
Next door to Morito restaurant, this candlelit wine bar has exposed brick walls, a pressed ceiling and timber floors. There is a serious, well curated wine list that runs to over ten pages and is neatly organised by region, plus an entire page of orange wines. Sustenance comes in the form of perfect wine accompaniments like cheese, charcuterie or cheese toasties. Warm, convivial and more than a touch romantic, it’s ideal for a glass or two of great vino with good conversation. Sager + Wilde
Satan’s Whiskers | 343 Cambridge Heath Rd
Well worth the walk or short taxi ride from central Shoreditch, this is a surprise package hiding behind graffitied walls and windows with blinds almost drawn shut so there’s little sign of the fun happening inside. The space is compact but they fit plenty of happy imbibers in, who all seem happy to make space for new arrivals squeezing in next to them. The cocktail menu is helpfully divided into four sections; fizzy / cocktails / shorts / long. There is no trickery to the cocktail recipes, just perfectly chilled glasses and three or four great quality ingredients in each drink. The bartenders are clearly happy and content as they shake and stir, and the menu helpfully lists the names of the team working each night. Satan’s Whiskers
Callooh Callay | 65 Rivington St
It’s clear there’s been a lot of heart and soul put into Callooh Callay, an enduring Shoreditch favourite since 2008. The decor is a little rustic, a little retro, in parts colorful and plenty comfortable, and there’s a semi-secret back bar if you want to hide away from the world. The cocktail list runs to 20+ options, all are shown with pictures in the cheeky menu that helpfully also categorises each drink as spicy, savoury or intense. The vibe is relaxed, noisy, young-ish and a little kooky. Callooh Callay
Happiness Forgets | 8-9 Hoxton Square
This pint-sized cocktail bar is discreetly located in a basement on Hoxton Square. Speakeasy in style, without too many frills, it’s dimly lit with a light-touch retro fit-out and a fun 70’s and 80’s soundtrack playing in the background. Their ‘Mixed Drinks and Mischief’ menu has a well-chosen selection of twelve cocktails, shaken with pride by professional mixologists, whilst the wine selection is kept to just a few choices. The most likely thing you’ll forget here is the time, as it’s easy to while the night away in this friendly and relaxed bolthole. Happiness Forgets
Seed Library | Basement, 100 Shoreditch High St
This plush basement bar has a distinct 70’s vibe in the decor (yes there’s even splashes of orange in the decor) and the unrepentant desire to provide a good time for all that enter. There’s only ten cocktails on the menu, but they are really good and offer enough variety to cover all tastes and preferences, and there’s extra points for the fact they use spirits from small artisan makers. Wine drinkers are limited to just one red and one white, and snacks come in the form of dumplings and such. But the cocktails are the real heroes here! Seed Library
The Rooftop at One Hundred Shoreditch | 100 Shoreditch High St
This seventh floor bar and terrace offers pleasant views over the changing Shoreditch skyline. The inside bar has just a touch of opulence, though it’s very welcoming and comfortable, whilst the smaller outdoor terrace has a garden-in-the-sky feel to it. There’s a short and sharp international wine list, just seven classic cocktails with pizzazz, and an extensive library of whisky’s. To snack on there’s a perfectly pleasant selection of Mexican influenced plates. The Rooftop
The Culpeper | 40 Commercial St
A heritage pub that’s had a gorgeous makeover, the décor is a lovely blend of vintage and industrial-chic. The ground floor bar has windows that open up in summer, the first floor is home to a more intimate dining space, whilst the crowning glory is a small rooftop garden terrace that’s very popular in summer. They have a short but sharp cocktail list, plus upscale pub fare – lunch is a full menu, in the evenings it’s just a snack menu unless you are dining on the first floor. The Culpeper
Ten Bells | 84 Commercial St
On a corner opposite the Old Spitalfields Market, this traditional English public house has quite the historic past, and whilst it’s been given a little polish in recent years, it’s still comfortably worn in/worn out, cosy and super unpretentious. Ideal for when you just want to hang out in a classic old London pub. Ten Bells
Where to Stay…
Shoreditch is home to more than its fair share of design and boutique hotels, though there are also a couple of budget hotel options sprinkled around the district too. If you really want to immerse yourself in this very happening part of London, it’s worth checking into one of these lovely establishments and pretending you are living like a local!
One Hundred Shoreditch | 100 Shoreditch High St
Situated right on Shoreditch High St, the spacious rooms are exceedingly cocooning and calming, with mostly white decor, luxe beds and smartly appointed bathrooms. Bonus points also for thoughtful touches like old school room service breakfast menus and a water refilling station on each floor. If you are in Shoreditch to get amongst it, the lobby is quite lively and Seed Library is a fabulous cocktail bar in the basement, through you are also just steps away from a multitude of great neighbouring venues to socialise in. One Hundred Shoreditch
The Hoxton, Shoreditch | 81 Great Eastern St
The Hoxton story was born in Shoreditch in 2006 and the original hotel in the brand still looks and feels as good as it ever has, no doubt due to some nips and tucks over the years. The expansive lobby, bar and restaurant has an ‘always on’ vibe, with an interesting collection of guests and non-guests alike enjoying the plush lounging and creative spaces. The vintage chic looks extends to the rooms, which are compact but well laid out, with quirky touches like old-school radios and deep leather armchairs. Service is upbeat but unobtrusive, the young team are there when you need them but they also understand you’re here to create your own experience. The Hoxton, Shoreditch
citizenM London Shoreditch Hotel | 6 Holywell Lane
The Shoreditch branch of the popular citizenM chain is a good alternative if you are a little budget conscious yet still need some pizzazz in your life. This chain is renowned for squeezing a lot of comfort, style and five-star-feels into their compact guest rooms, but the spacious first floor lobby and lounge is quite funky and feels like your best friend’s living room (it’s also got a small sunny outdoor terrace), so you don’t need to spend too much time in your room. citizenM London Shoreditch Hotel
Ibis London City – Shoreditch Hotel | 5 Commercial St
There are no surprises in this relatively modern Ibis, the rooms are very compact, but functional and more than comfortable for the cost. Location is the key selling point here, on the southern edge of Shoreditch and just above Aldgate East tube station, it’s an easy walk to most of Shoreditch’s attractions, but also easily accessible to the City and the Thames River. Ibis London City – Shoreditch Hotel
Must Do…
Beigel Bake | 159 Brick Lane
Brick Lane’s iconic 24-hour bakery is eternally popular for its traditional Jewish-style bagels. There’s a broad variety of fillings on the menu, but to be honest most customers are here solely for the salted beef bagel with mustard and pickles – it’s the ultimate comfort snack. There’s likely to be a line, sometimes quite a long one, and it’s more than a little chaotic, but your patience will certainly be rewarded. Beigel Bake
Brick Lane | Brick Lane
This was once a down at heel area known mainly for it’s curry restaurants, but as East London regenerates, it’s now an eclectic and edgy hipster precinct. Whilst the many Indian and Bangladeshi curry restaurants still exist, there are also some quite cool bars and cafes that have joined the fray. There’s plenty of interesting street art in the area, and make sure you stroll down some of the side streets, including Princelet St, which is home to a row of gorgeous historic terrace houses.
Old Spitalfields Market | 56 Brushfield St
The Old Spitalfields market has undergone an artful restoration and apart from the market hall, is now home to a collection of pleasant eateries and upmarket brand stores around the perimeter. The market hall changes daily, with Thursdays hosting antique stalls, Saturday being vintage day, whilst Sunday is the biggest day with 100 stalls of mixed merchandise. There are also plenty of street food stalls and food trucks to sate any appetite. Old Spitalfields Market
Featured Photo: ‘So Shoreditch’ – Chance St, Shoreditch
Travis. 
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