Markets, makers & midnight eats
This is London’s wild side — creative, colourful and always hungry.
As we wandered from street art alleys to vintage markets, I realised the city’s heartbeat was in its neighbourhoods and its plates.
🍛 Flavour Institutions & Market Legends
Brick Lane Curry Houses — Aladin / City Spice (Brick Lane)
Pulse-raising curries, fragrant biryanis and freshly baked naan greet you as you stroll this iconic street. At Aladin, generations-old recipes bubble away just as they did decades ago; at City Spice, you’ll find the same spices and the same heat. It’s messy, loud and completely necessary.
Old Spitalfields Market (Spitalfields)
A restored 19th-century market hall filled with culinary rebels. Greek souvlaki, Korean BBQ, Italian pasta, sweet crumbles from The Humble Crumble — this is street food raised to an art form. Queue for the crème brûlée crumble and feel jet lag melt.
⭐ Cult Restaurants for Supper
Dishoom (Shoreditch)
Stepping into Dishoom feels like a vintage Bombay café reimagined in East London. Order the legendary House Black Daal (overnight cooked to perfect depth) and return for the Bacon Naan Roll the next morning. This place isn’t just dinner — it’s ritual.
St John Bread & Wine (Spitalfields)
Celebrate British produce at its boldest. Roasted bone marrow on toast, Eccles cake with Lancashire cheese — simple plates become heaven. Run by Kiwi-born Margot Henderson, it’s minimalist dining with major soul.
Gloria (Shoreditch)
A performance in plate form: lemon-mousse towers, a ten-layer lasagne that leaves you blinking, carbonara served in a pecorino wheel. Vibrant, theatrical and unapologetically fun.
Smoking Goat (Shoreditch)
Bangkok street-food grit meets London creativity. Smoke rises, plates slide, and the fish-sauce wings hit harder than your memories. Revel in the chaos.
Boxpark Shoreditch (Shoreditch)
A shipping-container mall turned food playground. Black Bear Burger hits hard, Soft Serve Society’s affogato (Oreo + butter cookie) hits your sweet tooth — one big food playground.
Towpath Café (Regent’s Canal)
A quiet refuge by the canal. Slow-cooked lamb, coffee by the water, leafy views — the green space under this city is underrated. Sit back and let the boats and brunch crowds drift by.
🍸 After Hours: Bars, Beats & Streetside Stories
The Ten Bells (Spitalfields)
Historic pub in a former Victorian haunt. Stone floors, deep wood, a history that includes Jack the Ripper whispers and good beer. You’ll feel like someone else’s story for a moment — in the best way.
Seed Library (One Hundred Shoreditch)
Mixology sculpture in a basement bar. Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr Lyan) ruins you for all other cocktails. The Black Elderflower French Martini and Galangal Penicillin will make you believe cocktails can have a conscience.
Broadway Market (Hackney, Saturdays)
Saturday mornings are sacred. Vendors, street food, fresh flowers, cheese, charcuterie — and that 20-hour pork roast roll that sings. A vibrant food stroll with East London’s soul.
Columbia Road Flower Market (Hackney, Sundays)
Sundays = blooms + bargains + brunch. Pavilion coffee, vintage finds and locals who’ve made this their ritual. A walking tune in the soundtrack of this neighbourhood.
🎨 Street Art & Creative Grit
East London’s walls show off. Murals from Banksy, ROA and Ben Eine thrive in alleys you wouldn’t expect.
Nelly Duff (Columbia Rd) and Jealous Gallery (Curtain Rd) pull you into the print world — take something home. Wander, look up, keep your camera ready.
🛏 Stay in Style
One Hundred Shoreditch — rooftop views, bold design, ultimate neighbourhood access
Mama Shelter — playful interiors and live music in your lobby
And yes — Ozone Coffee across the road keeps the Kiwi heart beating.
🧺 What to Wear
Sneakers for walking miles, a tote bag for treasures, and an edge for the art-filled nights.
✦ Written by Rebecca Caughey ✦
Co-founder of Cook & Nelson and endlessly curious flavour-hunter, always planning her next bite.
