The hipster child of central London: there is a rebellious and creative edge to Shoreditch, but a clear sophistication and maturity too. Discover where to stay, eat, drink, shop and visit in our Guide to Shoreditch.
Once deemed the outskirts of London, or truly “east”, Shoreditch has now fallen onto the Central London (and must-do) maps of visitors and Londoners alike. There’s a special restless energy here, with a restaurant scene hot on the heals of Soho, mingled in with street art and a myriad of vintage shops.
Here’s how to spend a weekend in Shoreditch.
The CF Guide To Shoreditch
What is Shoreditch like?
Shoreditch was once an industrial suburb before it became the bustling borough in Central London that it is today. The brick-walled wharfs and warehouses with their sweeping steel and iron-barred windows still dominate the area, amongst a peppering of modern high-rise office spaces.
What’s the vibe?
You can definitely feel the quick-paced energy of working London in Shoreditch, especially around the built-up parts of the borough near Liverpool Street station and over to Aldgate. However, from the many vintage clothing shops to the incredible array of restaurants here (arguably unrivalled), it’s clear that a spirited creative crowd lives on.
Don’t miss
Shoreditch’s brick-clad walls are famously decorated in varying colours of street art. The artists range from local graffiti-enthusiasts to Banksy, the biggest name of them all. Stop by Rivington Street to see artworks claimed by the street art legend themself.
What’s nearby?
To the east of Shoreditch, find Dalston and Hackney, where the creatives have migrated to over the years as Shoreditch has become more and more popular with (still creative) offices and visitors.
How do you get to Shoreditch?
Liverpool Street station is the main train and tube station for Shoreditch, with underground connections as well as trains arriving from the north and east of the country. All in all, while on the east side of London, Shoreditch is still very central (and feels this way too) and so is easy to get to.
STAY
Sir Devonshire Square
Whizz past the large brick arches and across the green Devonshire Square, to a quieter respite in this busy East London borough. Sir Devonshire Square is the first London outpost from Sir Hotels, freshly opened in Shoreditch this September. The hotel’s facade paints its neighbourhood’s history via brickwork and large iron-wrought windows, and is just as spirited inside. Although boutique in size, the spot is already a hang-out for busy nearby creatives. A small but brightly coloured foyer (and complimentary drink) welcomes you, before you are whisked away upstairs to one of the 81 rooms (including 14 suites).
Each room is slightly different from the next, but all retain a similar welcoming-but-retro vibe. Curated by Design Studio Maison191, who name Bauhaus geometry and Anni Albers’ textiles as references, the tone is modern with clever nods to mid-century modernism via oak-panelled and mirror-lined wardrobes, warm teak flooring, tactile boucle seating, ceramic vases, and fun coffee table books. A mirrored bar reflects a generous selection of spirits, while citrusy Zenology products line the white and grey marbled bathroom – everything you need for a vibrant Shoreditch stay.
EAT
Breakfast and Brunch
Sir Devonshire Square
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On the ground floor of Sir Devonshire Square hotel, find the all-day dining venue that by day, takes on the buzzy vibe of a neighbourhood cafe, serving up AllPress coffee and freshly baked pastries and porridge bowls. Meetings and creative brainstorming sessions from nearby teams take place over lunch sharing-plates of grilled chicken Milanese and cauliflower steak served with haricot vert and charred rainbow carrots as side dishes. By night, the mood turns sultrier as the Bordeaux-hued tiles glow under the lower lighting. An almost listening bar atmosphere takes over; pick a spot amongst the mid-century furniture and order a signature spritz.
Jolene
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After the popularity of their Stoke Newington bakery and restaurant, Jolene opened up shop on Shoreditch’s stylish Redchurch Street. This sweet corner spot, painted in its characteristic dusty-red hue, serves up home-baked pastries – both sweet and savoury – including many seasonal favourites, from spiced pumpkin tarts in the autumn to apricot Danishes in the spring. The excellent selection of sandwiches here are best washed down with one of the house Kombuchas, and, on a sunny day, nab a spot on the benches outside and watch the sartorial crowds flit by.
Lunch and Dinner
One Club Row
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Tucked above a low-lit pub staircase, One Club Row feels like the after-party you never meant to crash – but are so glad you did. Taking over an intimate space that feels like it was once an ornate living room – complete with book shelves, ornate ceilings, gold mirrors, and now, white-clothed tables, –this is one of the places that gives London’s restaurant scene a real edge. It’s clear that this is a spot by two expert restauranteurs – Patrick Powell and James Dye – from the Champagne towers and crisp martinis to the whole lobster tagliatelle and cod with polenta.
Rochelle Canteen
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A storied favourite amongst the stylish East London crowds, this is the brainchild of Margot and Fergus Henderson (also behind St John restaurant) and this talented duo have crafted a contemporary space where classic European dishes mingle with the tastes of the modern diner. That’s to say, the daily-changing, seasonal menu is always packed with surprises: from snails, kale and bacon on toast to mallard with braised red cabbage. There is also a very exciting specials board (John’s tarte tatin was a recent favourite), that changes often too, so you’ll leave wanting to return quickly. This isn’t the kind of restaurant you dine in once and then forget about.
BRAT
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Ask any East Londoner (or Londoner for that matter) about Brat and they will likely wax lyrical about the spot. Tomos Parry is both chef and founder of the Michelin-starred eatery, which has won the accolade for its clever plates that still feel quintessentially “London” without the stuffiness. Wood-fired grill is the centrepoint, with a fusion of Basque and Welsh influence. Start with the smoked mussel toast and fresh oysters before moving onto the rest of the menu. The team also opened another restaurant in 2023, Mountain, on Beak Street, to bookmark when you’re next in Soho.
Manteca
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Like many Shoreditch spots, Manteca does things a bit differently. Headed up by chef and co-founder Chris Leach, Manteca is an Italian restaurant at its core, and also focuses on nose-to-tail dining, meaning pig skin ragu rubs shoulders with wild duck on the menu. Don’t skip the excellent fish plates, from line-caught seabass crudo to the brown crab cacio e pepe. Plus, Manteca now has a new weekday lunch menu offering a selection of two or three of the daily rotating plates for £25 and £28 respectively. Top it all off with a fig leaf negroni (mid-week lunch or not).
Bistro Freddie
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This bistro-style dining spot is from the same team behind Soho’s buzzy Bar Crispin – and conjures up a similar kind of hype with its white-clothed tables, clever menu, and candlelit aura. Now headed up by Alexandre Laforce whose early childhood in France plays an important influence on the menu, as the likes of beef tartare with beef-fat fried bread and French ile Flottante are now regulars. Though it’s the seasonal pies to share across the table that usually steal all the attention.
Smoking Goat
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This Shoreditch-based Thai grill restaurant draws in the crowds, no matter the day of the week. Characteristically East London in style, the steel open kitchen where chefs throw roti remains the focal point, surrounded by a smattering of long wooden tables and countertop spots where friends catch up over steaming plates of mama noodles and BBQ ribs. Inspired by Bangkok’s late-night-canteens, the overall vibe is bustling, with all the attention on serving up very good food.
Drinks
Oranj
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On an unsuspecting side street lies this trendy natural wine bar. Once an industrial space, the spot still nods to its working past via exposed beams and steel panels along the walls. Orange-topped tables are lined up through the room, where low-intervention wines sourced from Portugal to Sicily are served by the bottle or glass. Accompanying the drinks, Oranj has garnered a reputation for its chef residencies over the past few years and now has its first permanent culinary director, Yuto Fujimoto, and menu, to the tune of homemade gnocchi with sage. Plus, the venue also hosts independent art exhibitions – stop by while one is on to discover new talent.
Chiave
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This very cool cocktail and listening bar was founded by Turkish couple Selin Duren and Cem Ozden as a nod to European nightlife. Meaning ‘key’ in Italian, the aim was to create something that felt worth “discovering” – the perfect mix of seductive bar yet relaxed hangout. Alongside a playful menu of cocktails from the herbal Ruby Lee Negroni to the Lady Science made with Planteray dark rum, the team have also launched shot-sized cocktails, for quick tasters of the menu. The result is a vibrant, cool, and very Instagram-able hangout.
Top Cuvée
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Another lively spot that started its legacy in Stoke Newington before opening on Bethnal Green Road is Top Cuvée. Small plates and natural wine is the brief here, and as one of the very first to lead the fad, they do it very well. Cheers over a fruity beaujolais or a fresh Spanish orange wine, or stay longer to continue the friendly catch up over a wild mushroom pasta. Top Cuvee has a daily happy hour (until 6pm), so it would be rude not to. You’ll find plenty of low- and no-alcohol options on the menu too.
Where To Shop
Earl of East
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Niko Dafkos and Paul Firmin founded Earl of East in 2014, in this part of town. They began with a focus on sustainable home fragrances and bath products in stylish packaging, and have since ventured into all things lifestyle, and now clothes too. Since then, their products are stocked internationally, and the brand has become a popular London go-to. However, a trip to the flagship store – where it all began – is a must, to browse ceramics, blankets, diffusers, and of course, the signature candle range.
House of Hackney
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This is one for the maximalists and print lovers. House of Hackney was thought up by husband-and-wife duo Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royale, spurred by their love for all things design and the natural world. Subtlety is thrown out here, and instead, all kinds of patterns and prints take the reign, from floral lampshades to leafy wallpaper. The showroom is in Shoreditch, where you’ll find fabulous cushions, and Christmas ornaments to shop.
Aida
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Aida is a one-stop destination. At heart, it’s an independent concept store focussing on a creative curation of clothing (both women’s and men’s) and homewares as well as a cafe. Set in a warehouse-style building (see, definitely a Shoreditch quirk!) the multi-floored spot has a clear Scandinavian minimalist approach, from the space right down to the clothes.
What To Do
Spitalfields Market
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Spitalfields covered market is a hub for Shoreditch’s independent vendors, spanning the creative and culinary, and has been for over 300 years. The variety of items on sale here is immense, from world cuisine to vintage jewellery, handmade art, second-hand clothing, and more. As well as the stalls in the centre of the market, permanent spots have popped up around the outskirts of the market hall, alongside many sky-rise buildings, as well as public art installations in the form of various sculptures by global artists.
Brick Lane
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Brick Lane is the famous street art filled street in Shoreditch. Not to miss is the famous bagel shop (Beigel Bake) open 24/7 and the Brick Lane Vintage Market where it’s always worth a rummage through the racks in the search for quirky pieces you’ll wear again and again. There is also a street market here every Sunday, selling vintage goods and tasty street food.
Victoria Miro Gallery
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The Victoria Miro Gallery is a leading contemporary art gallery with an outpost in Venice too, each showcasing works by the buzziest painters and sculptures of our time. British artist Chantal Joffe’s exhibition I Remember is opening today, exploring our memories and sense of self via her extraordinary (and large scale) oil portraits. Definitely one to see.
Lead image credit: Sir Devonshire Square
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