My favourite dinner restaurants in east London
It's no secret that east London is my favourite part of town; this is partly due to its leafy neighbourhoods, weekend markets, and all of the new restaurant openings spread across Shoreditch and Hackney, which are constantly pushing the culinary boundaries. I find myself continually travelling across town for a worthwhile meal; from unfussy Michelin-star restaurants to casual joints, see below for my favourite places to eat east:
Brawn - Shoreditch, ££
Homely but elegant British-European cooking in a chic and welcoming space off Columbia Road - what’s not to love about this neighbourhood restaurant? From the impressive wine rack to the tasty menu that gives a subtle nod to French and Italian cooking (think daily-changing fresh pastas and meats), there’s something special about Brawn that will keep you coming back time and time again.
Bright - London Fields, ££
A stunning wine bar and restaurant situated just a few minutes from London Fields, Bright offers a seasonal and ever-changing Anglo-Italian menu. Expect fresh pastas and meats on the menu here, alongside dishes that have become cult favourites amongst the gourmet crowd: pork katsu sandwiches and fried cheese pastries to name a few. Book your table well in advance as they’re almost always busy!
The Clove Club - Shoreditch, £££
This one’s for a special occasion - The Clove Club is an elegant space in Shoreditch serving Michelin-starred modern British food. Let the staff make all of the decisions for you and wow you with their tasting menu (the lightest option is their six course menu). For a truly indulgent experience, opt for their wine pairing too.
Two Lights - Shoreditch, ££
From the minds behind Michelin-starred Clove Club, you’ll find casual sister restaurant Two Lights situated just a stone’s throw away. Self-described as a modern American restaurant, you’ll find sleek, unfussy interiors and a relaxed atmosphere here, with a menu that boasts a wide range of meats and seafood. Favourites on the menu have to be the buttermilk fried chicken and Southern-style biscuits, or the Jerusalem artichokes and brown butter. Expect only a subtle nod to American cuisine, with all the finesse of chefs trained in European kitchens.
Wilder - Shoreditch, £££
A relatively new opening, Wilder occupies a stunning and cavernous basement space on Redchurch Street. Expect high ceilings, exposed brick walls and modern furnishings here, as well as attentive, friendly staff. The menu champions British ingredients and produce, and features a lot of game (venison, pheasant and more) presented and cooked in stunning, elegant portions by head chef Richard McLellan. Don’t miss the sublime desserts, such as the Yorkshire rhubarb with buttermilk and white chocolate. The entire meal and experience here is really quite special.
Sager & Wilde, Hackney and Bethnal Green, £
If you fancy some casual Italian food in a rustic and sexy setting, look no further than Sager and Wilde’s Paradise Row restaurant, which features dark walls, racks of wine bottles and a buzzy outdoor terrace that’s splendid in summer. You’ll find sharing plates and pasta dishes for reasonable prices here (get a bowl of pasta and glass of house wine for £10), or head to their wine bar on Hackney Road for casual drinks.
Little Duck The Picklery - Dalston, £/££
This homely and cosy restaurant in Dalston is from the same minds who brought us Ducksoup in Soho, and offers delicious British dishes thrown together with inventive flavours from the middle East and Asia; my favourite time to visit is for weekend brunch, when you’ll find delicious specials scratched onto the blackboard including pumpkin with zhoug, yoghurt, soft egg and flat bread, or masala French toast with spinach and poached eggs.
Perilla - Stoke Newington, ££
A beautiful, light-filled space looking onto Newington Green, this modern neighbourhood restaurant combines European flavours and seasonal produce on its daily-changing menu. For a special occasion, opt for their set menu (which can also cater for veggies and pescatarians).
Lyle's - Shoreditch, ££
This stunning and minimalist space is hidden away inside the Tea Building, opposite Boxpark Shoreditch. Offering a daily changing modern British menu, you’ll find inventive dishes here that will tickle your tastebuds, such as sprouting broccoli with kipper broth and egg yolk, alongside tayberry and custard tart. Lyle’s earned their Michelin star in 2016, and is one of the few British restaurants pioneering a subtle movement in the Michelin world, proving that delicious food doesn’t need to be fussy or formal. Don’t miss the treacle tart with raw milk ice cream for dessert.
Smoking Goat - Shoreditch, £
One of my favourite casual east Asian restaurants (also featured in this article), Smoking Goat offers the atmosphere and flavours of a Thai food market in the slick and industrial comfort of Shoreditch. Expect spicy and heartwarming curries, veggies, and grilled meats here, for inexpensive prices.
Brat - Shoreditch, ££
Situated right above Smoking Goat, you’ll find Brat, a Michelin-starred Basque restaurant with an open wood fire grill, and succulent meat and seafood dishes: from wild rabbit to whole turbot to share, accompanied by smoked potatoes, grilled red peppers, and a mega wine list, you’re in for a real Spanish feast.
