East London Area Guide
The Get Living Edit
The Get Living Edit
East London: A corner of the capital where old and new collides, rubs shoulders and exists in a mesmerising and jaunty harmony – that’s truly addictive.
Stretching from Shoreditch along the river to the ‘second City’ on the Isle of Dogs, north up to artsy Hackney and east to Dalston – our guide will help you navigate the surrounding areas around one of the best places to live,
East Village. Get exploring!
Dr Samuel Johnson
Need new bar or restaurant ideas? Fancy a shopping spree? Or craving a new hobby? We’ve got you covered…
East London has some of the best restaurants and dining experiences in the capital. In our top picks, you’ll find something to tickle every tastebud, scratch every itch and please every pocket.
British with a fancy flourish - £££ Crab crumpet, sea bream tartare, and other tastebud tantalising concoctions from Tom Brown – the Great British Menu finalist, a perfect spot for food-fiends and/or a special date night.
Modern British - ££ Not a lot of people know about this gem tucked away in the back of the architectural dream that is the Town Hall hotel, serving a small, perfectly formed menu of inventive, seasonal deliciousness.
Bagels - £ Two legendry East London hotspots open 24-hours for your salt beef/smoked salmon/egg mayo cravings. The Beigel Shop (the yellow one) has been standing since 1855!
British - ££ 118 year old Dutch barge converted into an award-winning restaurant. Fresh, seasonal menus combined with magical floating experience.
Thai - ££ Hipster East London hangout, where the food packs a real punch. Pray the papaya salad is on the menu, order that, the whole sea bream and as many of the curries you can muster.
Italian - ££ Delectable plates inspired by the food of Northern Italy. A perfect restaurant for a romantic dinner or for all the family – great for Sunday lunching – plus they serve a Negroni to write home about.
British - ££ Nestled in a picturesque school playground a stone’s throw from the hustle and grit of Old Street, this critically acclaimed lunch and supper spot never disappoints.
Southern Italian - ££ Handmade pasta of dreams is made on-site bringing the formidable flavours of Southern Italy to this local favourite. Hand-written menus, great wine, utterly charming.
Caffe - £ Opened in 1900 and still run by the same family, the insta-worthy Grade II listed caff serves a banging brekkie. Film buffs will recognise the interiors from movie, Legend.
Pie n’ Mash - £ Tell me you’re from East London, without telling me you’re from East London: Pie, mash n’ liquor is the ultimate comfort food. Head here for a perfect, low-key lunch.
From loveable pub landlords to magical cocktail mixologists, if you’re thirsty, East London is the place to be.
Offering some of London’s best city skyline views and DJ sets, Netil House is popular with a fashionable crowd. Check out their yum vegan plates too.
Perched on the corner of London Fields this bustling local screens sports, serves cheesy chips, and lights up the BBQ come summer, while nights welcome DJs and dancing.
Lounge away with an expertly mixed cocktail. From sunrise to sunset, the spectacular views of London and lounge setting make The Gantry's rooftop bar the ultimate spot for every occasion.
A cool, buzzy subterranean speakeasy in Hoxton Square. Reservations are essential. Get cosy and order the East 8 Fizz... before working your way through the rest of the impressive cocktail menu.
By day: coffee, cake and brunch, by night: delicious cocktails, diva-dancing and Drag Queens – plus perfectly located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
By day: coffee, cake and brunch, by night: delicious cocktails, diva-dancing and Drag Queens – plus perfectly located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The canal-side brewery-come-bar brings all the girls n’ boys to the yard with local brews and their iconic pizzas. A winning combo for all seasons. There’s also seating in the Crate canal boat out front.
This local live music venue is an absolute gem. Arrive early to secure a spot/table and dance the night away to the live jazz band. The DJ that follows plays ‘til the wee hours.
From homewares to high-end style, or handmade – this neck of the woods has it all. Of course there’s the shopping-centre-MECCA that is Westfield Stratford City on the doorstep but East London has some of the best independently-run markets Chin the capital.
A London gem that connects the city with Brick Lane, the traditional market stalls are open daily and surrounded with stylish independent bricks 'n' mortar vendors. There’s also an art market and lots of delicious food to be had.
The street comes alive with gorgeous bloom, plants and phenomenal banter every Sunday from dawn ‘til lunch (when you can pick up some real bargains). Cutesy boutiques and galleries run on both sides of the market.
Organic groceries, perfect if you’re wanting to impress dinner guests. This artisanal street market also delivers on handmade beauty, jewellery and fashion with a little vintage for good measure.
Vintage clothes, makers, creators and records, plus an impressive undercover food market serving up irresistible plates form across the globe.
Let’s entertain you… Culture vultures, music lovers, dance-til-dawners, film-buffs, party-lovers, super-chillers, supersonic, super-sassy…
Opened in 1953 this institution showcases thought-provoking plays, alongside dance and film. They also run action-packed community programme; join the Stratford East singers or learn to write, direct or act from as little as £10.
An art gallery in its own right, Chris Bracey has created impressive neon signs for artists, movies and advertisers across the globe – go early evening for best time to experience his eccentric neon universe.
A new concept space offering experiential retail and a creative workspace, with a focus on positive fashion and sustainable living. Designed by Christopher Raeburn of RÆBURN, it’s a stunning backdrop for community events.
Whet your contemporary-art appetite. The gallery premiered legends Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso - before they became world famous. Check out the film screenings and, public debates. Also home to a fancy restaurant, Townsend – if you’re feeling flush.
An entertainment space since 1858 this privately owned Arthouse cinema showcases the latest blockbusters, alongside oldies-but-goodies and cult movies. Plus, check out works by budding local artists in the small gallery space.
For dancing on a slightly smaller scale, check Moth Club. Located at the back of an East End boozer, complete with tasselled glitter curtains (sold) and camp working-men’s-club vibes.
Are you a Londoner if you haven’t spent a night at Oslo? Get your friends together for ‘Shameless’ pop nights every Friday and dance the weekend away on Saturday's, 11pm ‘til late, with Disco sessions featuring house, funk, boogie and beyond.
120-years young, this ex music hall is a hotbed of entertainment bringing the best stand-up acts to town, plus the infamous Xmas panto. Become a friend for £5 a month for priority tickets, there’s also a community youth programme.
This loud and proud music venue housed in revamped tube carriages, shipping containers, and a warehouse, hosts some of the world’s best DJs, that’ll have you dancing ‘til dawn.
There’s a reason why there are so many families living in this part of town. Miles of parkland and outdoor space, plus plenty to keep their brains ticking.
For water-based fun that’s pretty chilled and all-age friendly, hop aboard a pedalo at the stunning Victoria or QEOP – spring time is best for some duckling spotting – good for the soul.
Culturally on point plays, music and arts events, The Yard also runs two community centres: Hub67 over in Hackney Wick, and The Hall here in E20, giving 4-19-year-olds the chance to learn, socialise and keep fit.
Give you and the kids the chance to get up close and personal with farm animals, rare breed and rescues. Check out petting sessions and feeding times and do go welcome the new-borns in springtime.
Get your sweat on, feel that addictive endorphin high, feel well, understand your body, stretch – in East London there’s something for every fitness fanatic and Zen master.
With two 50-metre indoor swimming pools and a 25-metre diving pool, there’s also a mix of fitness and learning classes for all abilities, ages and goals. Dive in and enjoy this East London gem.
Movement, pilates, massage and counselling experts are on hand for friendly advice, assistance and classes that are competitively priced. Look after your body and your mind.
Always threatened to run away to the circus? Well now you really can. Learn how to fly, walk rope and perform like a real pro at London’s impressive circus school.
Sweat like you never knew you could with a weekly timetable of HIIT, Spin, boxcercise, dancing and yoga classes. Plus kids karate. And all from as little as £6 per drop in. ‘Go Hard, or GO HOME.’
Swimming al fresco in the city, in all seasons. The 50m outdoor pool is heated and open all year round, offering swimming lessons and fitness classes plus a large sunbathing deck for lounging.
Run with a group, get matey with like-minds. Explore the splendid Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on foot. Flex on the London Marathon Community track. Hit those PBs with pride. Sold.
A short DLR ride away is London’s only cable wakeboard park offering water-based fitness/fun, including Stand Up Paddleboarding. Also check out Docklands Sailing and Watersport Centre for training in sailing, windsurfing and paddle sports.
The Refinery promises to help get your mojo back through yoga flow and an impressive offering of expert therapies that include: acupuncture, sound bath and Shemanic healing. There are on-site skin specialists, masseuses, reflexologists nutritionists and even a happiness coach.
Explore meditation, mindfulness and Buddhism, through daily classes and longer term courses. You can just turn up for daily classes from Monday - Saturday. And do keep your eyes peeled for regular open days where you can pop in and test out classes.
There’s so much more to explore outside of East London, although why would you ever? Stratford connects you to it all – with the Underground, Overground, DLR and TfL just a hop, skip and a jump away.
East Village is the perfect corner of East London to tick off all our suggestions. Living in East Village puts everything on your doorstep – an abundance of restaurants, bars & cafes, shops for your everyday needs and beauty & grooming destinations. Take a tour of our neighbourhood and see our apartments to rent in East London.
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