Can you believe we're on guide number 10?! How crazy, and so unlike me to actually stick with something for so long, go Anoushka! This Shoreditch guide is honestly one that should have happened a lot sooner, but like Soho there's just SO MANY things to do in Shoreditch that it's been a somewhat daunting task to embark upon.
Shoreditch is a funny old part of London, somewhat forgotten until, ooh, 11ish years ago when it's sprung up as a hot London destination during the height of hipsterdom (there were a lot of beards). Nowadays it's lost it's hipster tag (they've all moved further North to Hackney Wick and Walthamstow and had kids), but has squarely established itself as one of London's primary dining, nightlife and entertainment regions.
Has it lost it's cool in the process? Though the crowds of Essex hen parties stumbling along the pavements in panty-skimming bodycon on a Saturday night might suggest so, there's still plenty to make the a visit to this East London hub worth your while, from street food pop-ups and vintage shopping to hot new venues and raucous drag shows.
I've sort of squished Spitalfields, Hoxton and parts of the Old Street area into this guide too, because honestly I have no idea where one starts and another finishes, which are Shoreditch and which aren't. If that offends you, soz bout it.
Shoreditch: The Low Down
Go here for: Bar hopping, hip restaurants, London's nightlife hub, street art and street food
The Vibe: Casual and urban - the only people dressed up are the drag queens!
Getting There: Shoreditch is close to several major train stations. Liverpool Street is the biggest served by the Underground, Overground and National Rail. For the Hoxton end, Old Street runs Overground lines as well as the Northern Line on the Underground. Shoreditch High Street is slap bang in the centre of things on an Overground Line that runs through Highbury and Islington.
If you do one thing: Seek out one of the area's many speakeasy bars for a clandestine tipple.
Where to Stay in Shoreditch
Nobu Hotel
Yup, that Nobu, so you know breakfast is gonna be good! Nobu's East London outpost is as hip as the area it calls home, all exposed beams and minimalist (but not austere) bedrooms. The rooms are cosy with all the essentials, and mega plush beds that honestly I could stay in all day. There's a restaurant on-site, which I didn't eat in but can imagine is pretty swish! It's conveniently located in a back street so you don't have to worry about too much noise from the party crowds, but it's still just a stone's throw from loads of great bars and restaurants, and walking distance from Liverpool Street, Shoreditch High Street and Old Street stations.
Nobu Hotel
10-50 Willow St
EC2A 4BH
Montcalm Royal London House
If you want somewhere with buzz, the Montcalm is it. Minutes from Liverpool Street station, the former post office building hosts several bars and restaurants, and can feel like you're in the heart of East London without even bothering to leave the hotel.
On my stay I ate at their snazzy top level restaurant, and popped up to The Aviary (pictured), a bar set on the rooftop in igloos - perfect for that gram snap! Make sure to try a cocktail too, they're good 'uns. The rooms are contemporary and spacious, decked out with all the conveniences you may need. Being perfectly placed between the bustling city and the party district, it's an option that works for both business customers and partygoers.
Montcalm Royal London House
22-25 Finsbury Square
EC2A 1DX
Things to Do in Shoreditch
Bounce Ping Pong
Drinking cocktails? Fun. Drinking cocktails whilst playing ping pong in a graffiti clad neon lit basement with an epic soundtrack and banging pizza menu? More fun! Part bar, part restaurant, part ping pong venue, Bounce is a guaranteed good time. Sure, it's not the coolest, but with a winning combination of table sports and alcohol, does cool really matter? It's not for the aspiring sportsman; no one cares if you're rubbish, and honestly being rubbish is all just part of the fun (or at least, that's what I tell myself). It's a great early date idea, as it keeps you occupied and breaks the ice - plus you'll find out early if they have competitiveness issues! Book ahead via their website for groups of 2-6 for £6pp, though walk-ins are also welcome.
Bounce Shoreditch
241 Old St
EC1V 9EY
All Star Lanes
Ping pong not really your speed? Well never fear, Shoreditch has something for pretty much every taste. Another activity option in the area comes in the form of All Star Lanes on Brick Lane, a burger restaurant, bar and bowling alley rolled (gettit?) into one.
Like ping pong, bowling is good fun even if you're atrocious (yes, I am bad at it). It's a great group or date activity, and you can keep yourself occupied with snacks and drinks between rounds. I'd skip the unimpressive cocktails and stick to spirits, beer or wine. Keep an eye out for offers including two games for £10 Monday-Wednesday!
All Star Lanes
95 Brick Ln
E1 6QL
Junkyard Golf
Not a fan of bowling either? Wow, tough crowd. Okay okay, I have the thing for you. Who doesn't love golf! And this isn't just any golf (and particularly not old man argyle sweater Ryder Cup golf), it's crazy golf! Set in wacky surrounds (there are four themed courses to choose from) with a bar (obvs, all sports come with copious booze in Shoreditch), it's a veritable golfing adventure. Dimly lit, neon coloured, with plenty of props and decorative touches, the courses are completely unique, and a helluva lot of fun. On my visit we went for "Bozo", which is fairground creeps and circus freaks themed, but Pablo (jungle themed) also looked exciting. I'd recommend booking in for a couple of rounds as between two people a course takes about half an hour. Oh, and I'm actually pretty good at this one!
Junkyard Golf
88 Worship St
EC2A 2BE
Discover Shoreditch's Street Art
Whether you're opposed to the gentrification of graffiti or Banksy's biggest fan, it's hard to ignore the deluge of street art pervading the streets of Shoreditch. You'd be hard-pressed to find a blank wall not tagged by at least 50 budding artists... If you're interested in learning more, there are plenty of walking tours available from a variety of operators, including Shoreditch Street Art Tours. Or just get lost in the streets and find some art for yourself!
Restaurants and Dining in Shoreditch
Genesis
Vegan does not have to mean healthy, nor does it mean boring, particularly when it comes to pink-hued junk food Spitalfields hotspot Genesis. I'm not vegan and wouldn't normally expect to wax lyrical about a restaurant that is, but Genesis bucks the trend with a menu of guilty pleasure treats such as burgers, fries and wings so good you don't even miss meat. Expect seitan, jackfruit and aubergine in its place, and not a whiff of cardboard-esque tofu to be seen, to my great relief.
I've not tried everything (I tend to skip the salads, and prioritise the tasty treats on the starters and sharing menu), but my favourite dishes thus far have included the Korean BBQ Wings (Seitan chicken is surprisingly decent!), the Jackfruit Hoisin Tacos, which started my love affair with jackfruit, and the Kimchi Fries, an ample serving of french fries loaded with spicy kimchi and sriracha mayo. I'm usually not too keen on fake meat burgers, but even those are done expertly at Genesis.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, it's totally Instagrammable! Pink walls, fun diner signage, and photogenic food make Genesis as much an aesthetic feast as it is edible. Make sure to order one of their epic milkshakes too, you really would not know that they're missing the milk!
Genesis
144 Commercial St
E1 6NU
Doughnut Time
A bit of a rogue one, for sure, but I couldn't resist popping into the Shoreditch outpost of Aussie doughnut aficionados Doughnut Time. They do the usual selection of their wittily named and heavily stuffed doughnuts, of course (expect a toothache, but it's worth it!). But what makes this venue worth a mention, at least in my opinion, is the graphic exterior that feels oh so apropos in the home of London street art. Just a minute shy of Old Street station, it's a great spot for a stomach liner before a night on the tiles, or equally a post-bev pick me up on the journey home.
Doughnut Time
233a Old St
EC1V 9HE
Boxpark Shoreditch
Boxpark has been knocking around for years now, and has established itself as a reliable street food and drinking destination slap bang in the heart of Shoreditch. Set out over two floors, you'll find independent boutiques and quirky pop ups on the ground, whilst the upper level is made up of street food traders and bars. So many London street food scene stalwarts can be found here, with something to cater to every taste. I usually end up ordering from Salt Shed, who specialise in burgers, buns and steaks, but there's also Mexican, Asian, and countless other tempting options.
Boxpark Shoreditch
2-10 Bethnal Green Rd
E1 6GY
Gloria Trattoria
Ciao Bella! Gloria Trattoria of acclaimed Big Mamma Group came to London amid much fanfare, and with good reason. For a start, it's very Italian. So much so that it is arguably a pastiche of what a traditional Italian trattoria is, then amped up tenfold. There is nothing minimalist about it, with kitschy decor and mismatched plates, plants, prints and drapery all fighting for attention.
The menu is equally chaotic, heaped with options that vary from traditional to "Taco Dirty to Me" (that classic Italian dish...). Cult status has been bestowed upon a selection of signature dishes, such as the Pasta al Tartufo (that's truffle pasta for the uncultured among us), and the "incomparable" (their word, not mine), lemon pie, a veritable tower of spongy meringue cloaking a layer of lemon tart.
Luckily it's not all just show. The truffle is, well, a truffley delight, but then being the truffle fanatic that I am, I'm easily pleased. Liberally sprinkled over their pizza and pasta, the flavour is pervasive, but not overpowering. And being such popular orders, the air ends up perfumed with an aura of truffle, which I'm pretty sure is what heaven probably smells like. The lemon pie is equally worthy of its title, though whether it actuaaally needs that much meringue is up for debate.
Gloria Trattoria
54-56 Great Eastern St
EC2A 3QR
Smoking Goat
Being the cultural melting pot that it is, you really can find any sort of cuisine in London. Laotian fine dining? Absolutely. Icelandic fast food? Probably. Uzbek Creole fusion? I'm sure it exists somewhere...
Whilst Smoking Goat may not be quite so wild, it's still fairly unique by London standards. A bar and Thai grill restaurant, it's a world away from the local takeout pad Thai and green curry. Barbecue is not necessarily the obvious choice for Thai food, at least to the uninitiated, but after a meal at Smoking Goat you'll find yourself wondering why on Earth not.
We started things off with barbecue Tamworth skewers - bitesize morsels of tender pork perfectly crisped up around the edges. They're small, so order a couple! A staple dish of the restaurant, the chilli fish sauce wings, came next. They sound a bit bizarre, no? However these were surprisingly a standout, coated in a sweet caramelised glaze, satisfyingly crispy and not overly fishy. Messy though! Of the mains, the smoked mutton chop was arguably the most interesting, juicy and fatty with a tangy smoked chilli jaew.
It is refreshing to find a restaurant that doesn't try too hard to cater to Western palettes - dishes are not for the unadventurous, or those averse to a bit of heat. Expect to leave thoroughly stuffed, and wear your stretchiest trews!
Smoking Goat
64 Shoreditch High St
E1 6JJ
Smokestak
Vegetarians, look away now. At Smokestak they're into meat, in a big way. Barbecued meat to be precise, gloriously smokey briskets and melt in the mouth pulled pork and all that good stuff. Honestly, on the tin Smokestak sounds a bit naff. BBQ, a former food truck, industrial interiors, Shoreditch - it all reads a bit hipster overkill. Even the crowds of well dressed East London types snaking around the block outside had me eye rolling. Try hard much?
But actually, my doubts were put well to rest after one bite of their brisket. Honestly, I'd try to describe it, but we wolfed everything down so fast that I didn't even have time to make notes. All you need to know really is that it's good meat, done well. Oh, and book a table in advance, or you'll be joining the queue of eager hipsters and I'll be saying I told you so.
Smokestak
35 Sclater St
E1 6LB
Bottega Prelibato
An intimate, rustic Italian trattoria perhaps seems out of place amidst the gimmick heavy menus and over the top concepts that otherwise make up the local restaurant scene, but Bottega Prelibato is proof that there really is a little bit of everything in Shoreditch. There really is no gimmick here, no hip exposed brick, no molecular cocktails, really nothing that would signpost that you're in one of London's "coolest" neighbourhoods. But its charm lays in its simplicity. A chalkboard lists daily specials, revolving around fresh pasta dishes. This is traditional Italian cooking, simple ingredients and homey, filling dishes without frills but packing plenty of flavour.
I ordered a beef tagliata whilst my partner chose the lobster ravioli, both of which were well cooked and enjoyable. The highlight was a surprise, a side of aubergine thinly sliced with a drizzling of balsamic, garlic and parsley. I am, at best, a reluctant aubergine eater, but I could have easily eaten a whole bowl, it was so flavoursome and devoid of the usual sliminess I associate with the vegetable. It's nothing you've not eaten before, not inventive or game-changing, but for a little slice of Italy in Shoreditch it does the trick nicely.
Bottega Prelibato
43-45 Rivington St
EC2A 3QB
JOAN
A relative newcomer on the ever-evolving Shoreditch food scene, JOAN is a hot new spot in the heart of the action opposite Shoreditch High Street Station, serving up modern Mediterranean plates in contemporary Insta-cool surroundings. Whilst many of London's newest restaurants rely on gimmick and often heavy-handed storytelling to sell their concept, JOAN keeps things simple - an accessible menu of crowd-pleasing classics and great cocktails paired with the sort of chic, unpretentious interiors that feel suitable for anything from a lunch work meeting to a first date or group drinks.
The menu is divided up into small and large plates, the former working as either appetisers or a selection of tapas, whilst the latter are essentially mains. After much umming and ahhing, my guest and I decided to share a selection of small plates to optimise the number of dishes we could try. We settled on the cauliflower steak, burrata with pumpkin squash puree, crispy fried squid, beef meatballs and braised octopus. Burrata is a dish that has progressed from relative obscurity to a staple on almost every menu, almost always in the same form. The JOAN incarnation was refreshingly different, served on a bed of pumpkin puree with pickled raisins and crispy sage. If I was to nitpick the creaminess of the burrata paired with the equally creaminess of the puree was veering towards the texture of baby food and could have done with a crusty bread, but nonetheless the flavours worked nicely together and offered something a little different.
Crispy squid is another dish that is reproduced by restaurants all over the city. This time JOAN keeps it classic, but done well, avoiding the pitfalls of greasiness or over-battering that befall many others. The octopus was cooked perfectly and the skordalia (a garlic and potato puree) it was served with was a new experience for me.
We really didn't need dessert, but does anyone ever, really? So obviously we ordered it anyway, and they ended up being the stars of the meal. The vegan chocolate brownie had me in awe ("how on earth did they make it so good without dairy?"), and the lemon pie was light and fresh, the perfect end to the meal.
Ultimately JOAN isn't a game-changer, but it doesn't need to be. There are no gimmicks here, just uncomplicated, popular dishes at decent prices in a versatile, sophisticated space.
JOAN
19-23 Bethnal Green Rd
E1 6LA
Drinking and Nightlife in Shoreditch
Discount Suit Company
I love a speakeasy bar, this is no secret if you've followed me or been reading my blog for any length of time. Therefore Discount Suit Company, an unmarked basement bar tucked away in a former suit tailors store room, has been on my Shoreditch bar bucket list for quite some time. Years in fact, when I first spotted it listed in an issue of Time Out, which I ripped out to save for later and still have floating around to this day. But somehow despite regular messy Shoreditch nights I never quite made the trip.
Finally, several years later, I found myself wandering down an unobtrusive set of stairs in a part of Shoreditch I rarely bother to explore, to see if Discount Suit Company was in fact worth the wait. Spoiler alert: it was. The decor is classic Shoreditch: dim lighting, exposed brick and cosy leather sofas. It's unpretentious and laid back, the kind of place that would work equally well with a group of friends or a date you're looking to impress.
Drinks-wise, this is a serious cocktail bar - no Pina Coladas on this menu, thanks very much. Cocktails are inventive, and strong. But there's something for everyone, spirits and flavours are varied and the bartenders are happy to help guide your choices and even suggest off-menu tipples. Some highlights: the Conference Call, a twist on an Old Fashioned that my partner, the Old Fashioned snob that he is, thoroughly enjoyed. The Winchester Goose, an elevated fruit cocktail with a vodka base and highlight notes of melon was a favourite of mine, alongside the High Five, a surprisingly sweet drink given it's billing of gin and absinthe, that reminded me a little of a tangfastic Haribo (by no means a bad thing). And then there was the Tipperary, an off-menu cocktail my partner has not stopped harking on about since.
With a simple but well-executed combination of atmospheric basement bar and complex but eminently drinkable cocktails, you'd be hard pressed to have a bad time at Discount Suit Company. You might find yourself stumbling out come closing, but you'll be happy!
Discount Suit Company
29A Wentworth St
E1 7TB
Lounge Bohemia
Most London bars riff on similar themes. They're dimly lit, speakeasy-esque (mysterious secret doors and basement settings are a bonus), quirky cocktails and a whiff of nostalgia. At least, the ones I go to (I definitely have a type!). Lounge Bohemia ticks all the boxes, yet still manages to be one of the most unique drinking experiences the city has to offer. Head through an unassuming door next to a kebab shop, down an equally unassuming set of stairs to find yourself taken back to Soviet-era Czech Republic, decked out in shades of burnt orange and graphic lampshades last seen in the 60s.
However the trip to yesteryear is not the main draw, not by a long shot. Lounge Bohemia's "thing" is molecular cocktails. If you're immediately thinking "gimmick", think again. These are not drinks drawn up for the sake of scoring novelty points, they are thoroughly thought out and executed to a high level, without any of the pretention you might expect from such a concept-heavy bar. Drinks come in all forms - gummy bears, bathtubs, pearls of alcohol served up in an apple. There's an extensive list of cocktails, as well as tasting menus designed as a boozy journey of sorts. Some are hits, few are misses, and everything is completely unique. Make sure to book in advance, and prepare yourself for a truly special experience.
Lounge Bohemia
1e Great Eastern St
EC2A 3EJ
Callooh Callay
Okay, the name is a bit naff. But Shoreditch stalwart Callooh Callay can be forgiven the pretentious moniker, for since its establishment in 2008 it has become a mainstay of the Shoreditch bar scene, a reliable spot for drinks with a whiff of whimsy and luckily very little pretension. The bar's concept is inspired in part by Lewis Carroll so you can expect a few secrets and surprises, from the quirky cocktail menu to the hidden toilets. There are two bar areas: the main street-facing bar is nice enough but head through the wardrobe to their not-so-secret second space liberally decorated in 70s-esque jewel tones and assorted curios.
In terms of drinks, on my visit they were serving a revised menu due to Covid. The menu is inspired by their reopening, with the cocktails named after different ways of saying hello around the world. Of those we tried, The Fonz was one of the most interesting. Described as a delicious pink cloud (need I say more?), the drink takes it's cues from American diner culture, looking more like a milkshake than a cocktail. Never fear though, it still packs a punch with Jack Daniel's and Vermouth paired with a hint of mandarin. The Continental Kiss is an easy drink, light, fresh and fruity, whilst the Back Slap offers a more complex experience combining ginger and lime with whisky for an unusual fieriness and spice.
Callooh Callay
65 Rivington St
EC2A 3AY
The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town
Back in the day when The Breakfast Club first opened, it was THE talk of the town. Queues round the block instantly formed for their all day breakfast and brunch menu (this was at peak brunch, when it was the only meal worth eating). The hype has died down somewhat, but they're still a reliable spot for a hearty breakfast, with several London sites.
The one most worth knowing about though, is their Liverpool Street branch, home to speakeasy bar "The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town". Bizarre name, yes, and to really compound the quirkiness you have to enter the bar through a Smeg fridge door - ask to see the Mayor to be granted access. Down a flight of stairs you'll find their cocktail bar, a bustling, intimate spot that for somewhere "secret" seems to be pretty permanently packed out. It's well attended for a reason - the drinks are great, the vibe is buzzing, and the soundtrack is banging.
Callooh Callay
12-16 Artillery Ln
E1 7LS
Happiness Forgets
Happiness Forgets is probably the smallest venue on this list, a tiny, easy to miss basement bar tucked away on Hoxton Square that you'd probably never stumble upon if you weren't heading there specifically. As such, it's a bit of an East London gem - snug, intimate, and doesn't attract crowds of raucous stag and hen parties. If anything, it's a date spot, perfect for cosying up in a corner with a hottie you're trying to impress. And impress you will - the bartenders know their stuff. The menu is varied and comprehensive, offering up masterful combinations of spirits and ingredients to form intricate but not over-complicated cocktails. I've yet to have a bad drink here, or a bad experience - service is friendly and unstuffy, and they're happy to help navigate the menu. There's only a handful of spaces so book ahead, particularly on weekends.
Happiness Forgets
8-9 Hoxton Square
N1 6NU
Queen of Hoxton
There a very few bars "from my youth" (we're talking pre-25 here) that I don't now find totally cringe/give me scarring flashbacks, but Queen of Hoxton is one of the select few that make the cut. I've been going here for years, for messy nights dancing up a storm in their ground floor bar, to gigs in the basement and cocktails and street food on their roof. And you know what? I still love it. There's a lot less of the messiness, but I still faithfully make the epic trek up the many flights of stairs to visit the seasonal rooftop.
The theme changes twice a year for Summer and Winter - the latter is markedly better, with a teepee, fairly lights and hot cocktails and mulled wine a regular feature. Some of my favourite past concepts have been the Moroccan Medina, and a Grimm's Fairytale-esque enchanted forest. This year they're keeping it simple, presumably due to Covid-related lack of footfall, but nonetheless it's always a top choice for a tipple - particularly if you're looking for an alfresco option with friends.
Queen of Hoxton
1 Curtain Rd
EC2A 3JX
I've not included nightlife venues such as clubs and gig venues at this time, as due to the current situation I was unable to visit and review. However Shoreditch is full of first-class nightlife spots, such as Village Underground and XOYO, and they'll definitely need plenty of support when they reopen!
There are so many amazing spaces worthy of a mention in Shoreditch - honestly this guide could go on forever - but I hope this offers a good overview of the area and what it has to offer. I'll keep updating it with new venues and things to do, so please check back, and add any suggestions in the comments!
Great roundup – I need to try some of these bars! I’d also recommend The Curtain for a hotel in Shoreditch. Rooftop pool, relaxed rooftop restaurant and surprisingly quiet! Steph x
http://www.stephstyle.com
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Yes I love The Curtain, never stayed there but I’ve been for events and it’s so nice!