Eats, Coffee + Cocktails in Shoreditch
Ok, I admit it. I have come to love the Shoreditch area of London for all the reasons everyone else does. It's hip and up-and-coming with a cool vibe and still a few tinges of edginess. Beautiful hotels like the Ace and the Hoxton serve as neighborhood markers amidst the narrow, graffiti-filled alleys and destination coffee shops.
During the day, it's a destination spot for city strolling, shopping and coffee. Good coffee, at that. At night, the bars and restaurants come to life and spill energy into the streets. I just love it. Here are some of my favorite spots for any time of day in Shoreditch.
COFFEE (those noted with a * are great for breakfast or lunch, too)
- Shoreditch Grind. Imagine an old-fashioned diner that specializes in coffee drinks and cocktails, with a splash of cool and a twist of hip. And late-night eats.
- Ozone*. Located on Leonard Street, this is a roastery, cafe and coffee shop all in one. I really like the food; the menu evolves from mains to snacks as the day progresses. It gets pretty busy but the line moves quickly.
- Fix 126. Like many coffee spots popping up virtually everywhere, Fix has its own blend of coffee and takes its sourcing seriously. Like coffee spots I love in Australia, they advertise their equipment on their Web site. If you're an aficionado, you'll appreciate it.
- Paper & Cup. This was my first coffee shop discovery in Shoreditch and remains a favorite. It's blue doors make it super Instagram worthy and the used books serve as nice reminders to slow our roll every now and again.
- The Attendant*. Located right across from the Hoxton, they serve up delicious avocado toast and toasties along with delicious lattes. It's quiet and small, and thus a great place to read or check emails. Or write a blog post!
At night, there are so many DINNER options for eats in Shoreditch!
- Dishoom. I know, there are so many great Indian restaurants in London. I have and always will be a fan of Dishoom's Indian street food and love their Shoreditch location. Busy upstairs, quieter downstairs.
- Pizza East. Quick, casual. This has good pizza and as you can tell by the noise, is popular. I always go here when I am fighting jet lag so need to stay awake and am craving good food quickly for a decent price. It sounds strange, but the sausage-mozzarella-broccoli-cream pizza is delicious.
- Tramshed. I have mentioned this spot before in another post. Mark Hix does a great job with his restaurants and damn, I love the decor of the space. It's warehouse meets mid-century furniture meets East side art gallery. (The Damien Hirst cow in blue-tinted formaldehyde, anyone?) The food is good; I like the cocktails and starters best. It's a fun spot for a group dinner.
- Cay Tre. Tiny Vietnamese hidden gem. It's super affordable, especially considering the flavors and authenticity of the food. We had the Chicken Royale and Crispy Mango Sea Bass. One of my favorites.
- L'Anima. White tablecloth Italian gem. If that's what you're in the mood for, this fits the bill to a tee. Your casual alternative is Burro e Salvia and its mouthwatering homemade pastas.
- Boxpark. Perfect for when you can't decide what to eat, have walked around forever trying to find a place and then find yourself starved. This complex of shops and cafes offers variety (burgers, ice cream, chicken sandwiches, dim sum, pizza, falafel) and great "food truck"-style food. Notable is CookDaily which offers delicious vegan fare.
COCKTAILS
- The Devil's Darling. One of three bars located in the newly renovated Napoleon Hotel, it is the quintessential hotel bar. What is more interesting is that the hotel has only one suite.
- Happiness Forgets. Located in a sparsely decorated basement, it has both wit and charm. It can be busy, so a booking is suggested. That said, they've gotten smart and now save tables for walk-ins. Don't miss it.
- The Hoxton lobby. You know my fascination with Hoxton hotels. One reason for my love and devotion is the lobby area. Flanked with couches, long library tables and a fireplace, this spot is perfect for a glass of wine and people watching. It gets busy, but that's part of the charm. Service can be spotty...just go with it.
- The Bike Shed Motor Club. Where else can you grab a cocktail, look at some col art, get a haircut and gaze at lost of motorcycles? Here, that's where.
- The Rooftop at the Ace Hotel. Who doesn't love a rooftop? While I like the lobby, I love the rooftop on a lovely summer evening in London.
- Callooh Callay. Dim lighting, creative cocktail menu and all the basics. This is a classic cocktail bar and doesn't disappoint.
