A day of eating and drinking in East London
Absolute go-to spots for feasting and drinking on a day off spent in and around East London.
Breakfast
What first comes to mind after waking up on a day of eating and drinking? Coffee and pastries! My first recommendation is to start your morning at Pophams Bakery (also a pasta restaurant in the evenings from Wednesday to Sunday), situated right near London Fields for their signature bacon and maple scroll. If one pastry just isn't enough to start the day, you can't go wrong with any other option at Pophams like their honey and smoked salt bun. Alternatively, and for a change of scenery, you could walk five minutes down the road to E5 Bakehouse. At E5, you can also pick up a loaf of sourdough to take home for another day.
At this point, you’re not far from Netil Market and may want another quick pick-me-up coffee. Enter Paradox, a takeaway-style cafe that is always showcasing amazing coffees such as Dak, Taith and Campbell & Syme to name a few. Another great coffee option to note in the area is Climpson and Sons, who roast their own and have been a specialty coffee institution in London for years (and are now B Corp certified). While you're there, Broadway Market is a fantastic strip for shopping at the various independent bookstores and clothing outlets. There's also a food market that runs the whole length of Broadway Market every Saturday and Sunday worth checking out.
Lunch
An absolute must lunch spot in East London and more specifically Shoreditch is Rochelle Canteen, a stunning restaurant housed in a renovated bike shed with a lovely courtyard. It's both classic and modern European with influence from Britain, of course. However, for the sake of a full day of eating, you may want to save Rochelle’s for another day when you won’t be going out for dinner (more on that soon). So, an easy grab-as-you-go lunch fits the bill here and Papo’s Bagels would be my choice. The classic Lox on a sesame bagel is of high recommendation, but if you’re not into salmon they have plenty of other great schmear options on offer.
Papo’s Bagels
After you’re hunger has been satiated via way of a Papo’s bagel, it's time to kick on and keep the good times flowing - Hector’s in De Beauvior is the perfect place to do just that. Open from 2pm on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and 5pm the rest of the week), the neighbourhood bottleshop and bar allows you to enjoy a range of wines by the glass or, if you’re feeling up to it, any bottle selected off the shelf or from their deep cellar to be had in or to be taken away.
Dinner
Okay, now for the main event... Dinner! Brawn, located on Columbia Road, it is!
Brawn is a produce-focused restaurant led by Ed Wilson, and his menu reflects that by cooking with the seasons and always changing. The food here is made for sharing with plenty of snacks, smaller plates and those bigger to choose from. Think rabbit and prune terrine or venison pappardelle ragu to name a couple of dishes. The wine offering is also one of the best in London, showcasing a deep list of low-intervention wines from all over. You're going to want to book here because it can be very popular and walk-ins may not get a chance to dine. You've been warned... Book well in advance.
Brawn
Post-dinner
You're on the home stretch here and may already have had a nightcap at Brawn but that doesn't mean you won't want a final drink or two to end what would have been an amazing (and filling) day of eating. You have to finish in British style at a pub, and the Marksman Public House is the perfect place to do so. The Marksman offers fresh Guinness on tap, rooftop seating and happens to be a former Victorian pub with original mahogany panelling. It's worth noting that the Marksman also does an amazing Sunday roast! But that's for another day. Now you're here you can sit back, enjoy your pint and reflect on all the great eating and drinking you've done in East London.