14 Best Restaurants in East London for Every Budget
East London has become one of the capital’s most exciting areas for food. From the creative restaurants of Shoreditch and Hackney to the neighbourhood favourites of Bethnal Green, Dalston and Walthamstow, the area is packed with places worth travelling across London for.
What makes East London’s restaurant scene particularly interesting is its variety. You can find everything from Turkish and Ethiopian food to Italian, Indian, Thai, modern British and Middle Eastern cooking, often in relaxed neighbourhood settings.
You’re planning a date night, looking for somewhere new for dinner or simply want to explore London’s food scene, here are 14 of the best restaurants in East London to put on your list.
14 Best Restaurants in East London at a Glance
| Restaurant | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Brat | Shoreditch | Basque & live-fire cooking |
| Silo | Hackney Wick | Sustainable dining |
| Rochelle Canteen | Shoreditch | British food |
| Som Saa | Spitalfields | Thai cuisine |
| Mangal 2 | Dalston | Turkish grill |
| Pophams | Hackney | Pastries & brunch |
| Brawn | Bethnal Green | European food |
| The Marksman | Hackney | Pub food |
| Singburi | Leytonstone | Thai food |
| Pique-Nique | East London | French-inspired food |
| Andu Café | Dalston | Ethiopian food |
| P. Franco | Clapton | Natural wine & small plates |
| Singburi | Leytonstone | Regional Thai |
| The Gun | Docklands | Riverside dining |
1. Brat
📍 Address: 4 Redchurch Street, London E1 6JL
Brat is one of Shoreditch’s most celebrated restaurants, built around the cooking of chef Tomos Parry.
The restaurant takes inspiration from the Basque Country, with live-fire cooking, seafood, grilled meats and seasonal ingredients at the heart of the menu.
One of its signature dishes is the whole turbot, cooked over fire and designed for sharing. The menu changes, but the emphasis remains on high-quality ingredients and intense, smoky flavours.
The atmosphere is stylish but not overly formal, making it suitable for both special occasions and memorable dinners with friends.
Best for: Basque cuisine, seafood and special occasions.
2. Silo London
📍 Address: The White Building, Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, London E9 5EN
Silo is a distinctive restaurant in Hackney Wick that has built its reputation around a zero-waste philosophy.
The kitchen works closely with producers and focuses on using ingredients as completely as possible. The menu changes regularly depending on what is available, so diners can expect a constantly evolving experience.
The cooking is creative and contemporary, but the focus remains firmly on the ingredients.
It’s an excellent choice if you want a restaurant that feels different from the usual London dining experience.
Best for: Sustainable dining, tasting menus and adventurous foodies.
3. Rochelle Canteen
📍 Address: Arnold Circus, London E2 7JX
Hidden behind the old school buildings of Arnold Circus, Rochelle Canteen is one of East London’s most charming restaurants.
The restaurant is known for simple, seasonal British cooking rather than elaborate presentation. The menu changes frequently, but expect carefully prepared vegetables, fish, meat and comforting puddings.
Its tucked-away location adds to the appeal. It feels like a neighbourhood secret despite being well known among London’s food crowd.
Best for: Seasonal British food, relaxed lunches and quiet dinners.
4. Som Saa
📍 Address: 43A Commercial Street, London E1 6BD
Som Saa is one of East London’s standout Thai restaurants, located close to Spitalfields Market.
Rather than focusing solely on familiar Thai restaurant classics, Som Saa explores regional Thai cooking, using fresh herbs, chilli, seafood and aromatic spices.
The dishes are designed to be shared, making it particularly enjoyable with a group.
Its location also makes it easy to combine dinner with a walk around Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Shoreditch.
Best for: Thai food, sharing plates and adventurous diners.
5. Mangal 2
📍 Address: 4 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BH
Mangal 2 is a long-standing Dalston favourite that has helped put Turkish barbecue firmly on London’s food map.
The restaurant focuses on charcoal-grilled meats, Turkish flavours and simple ingredients, with the smoky cooking doing much of the work.
It’s a great example of East London’s ability to take a traditional neighbourhood restaurant and turn it into a destination for food lovers from across the city.
Best for: Turkish food, grilled meats and casual dinners.
6. Pophams Bakery
📍 Address: 197 Richmond Road, London E8 3NJ
If your idea of a great meal involves flaky pastries and excellent coffee, Pophams is worth a visit.
The bakery is particularly famous for its creative laminated pastries, which go well beyond the usual croissant.
It makes a great stop for breakfast or brunch while exploring Hackney, and the menu changes regularly enough to keep things interesting.
Best for: Breakfast, pastries and coffee.
7. Rochelle Canteen at The ICA? No
📍 Address: 49 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG
Brawn is a neighbourhood restaurant on Columbia Road with a menu inspired by European cooking.
The restaurant is particularly good for charcuterie, seafood, seasonal vegetables and carefully sourced meat, accompanied by an impressive wine selection.
Its location is especially appealing on a Sunday when Columbia Road Flower Market brings the area to life.
Best for: European food, wine and Sunday lunch.
8. The Marksman
📍 Address: 254 Hackney Road, London E2 7SJ
The Marksman is a historic East London pub that has developed a strong reputation for its food.
The menu combines British pub classics with modern cooking, with dishes changing according to the season.
It’s particularly famous for its house-made sandwiches and comforting Sunday roast, while the pub setting makes it an easy choice for a relaxed evening.
Best for: British food, Sunday roast and pub dining.
9. Singburi
📍 Address: 593 High Road Leytonstone, London E11 4PA
Singburi has long been considered one of East London’s destinations for authentic Thai food.
The restaurant is particularly known for its seafood, curries, stir-fries and regional dishes, with a menu that rewards adventurous ordering.
The atmosphere is simple and unfussy, putting the focus firmly on the food.
It’s farther east than many restaurants on this list, but serious Thai-food fans often consider the journey worthwhile.
Best for: Authentic Thai cuisine and seafood.
10. Pique-Nique
📍 Address: East London
Pique-Nique is the kind of restaurant that appeals to diners who enjoy relaxed European cooking without unnecessary formality.
The menu takes inspiration from French cuisine and focuses on seasonal produce, well-executed classics and natural wines.
It is a good option when you want a slower dinner with interesting food and a neighbourhood atmosphere.
Best for: French-inspired dishes, wine and relaxed evenings.
11. Andu Café
📍 Address: 528 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AH
Andu Café is a popular East London destination for Ethiopian vegan and vegetarian food.
Dishes are traditionally served with injera, allowing diners to enjoy a selection of richly spiced stews, vegetables and pulses together.
The restaurant is casual and affordable, making it a particularly good choice for a relaxed lunch.
Best for: Ethiopian food, vegan dining and budget-friendly meals.
12. P. Franco
📍 Address: 107 Lower Clapton Road, London E5 0NP
P. Franco combines a natural wine shop and bar with a constantly changing food offering.
Rather than following a conventional restaurant format, it collaborates with chefs who create short-term menus based around seasonal ingredients.
The result is an ever-changing experience that works particularly well for people who enjoy discovering new wines and experimental food.
Best for: Natural wine, small plates and adventurous diners.
13. Singburi
📍 Address: 593 High Road Leytonstone, London E11 4PA
Singburi deserves another mention for diners specifically interested in Thai cuisine outside central London.
The restaurant has a loyal following thanks to its deeply flavoured dishes and extensive menu. Seafood is particularly popular, while specials can offer an opportunity to try dishes that aren’t commonly found on standard Thai menus.
Best for: Thai food enthusiasts and seafood lovers.
14. The Gun
📍 Address: 27 Coldharbour, London E14 9NS
The Gun is a historic riverside pub in Docklands with views towards the Thames and Canary Wharf.
It offers a more traditional pub experience, with a menu of British favourites, Sunday roasts and seasonal dishes.
The riverside location is the main attraction, particularly if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy dinner or drinks away from the busiest parts of central London.
Best for: Riverside dining, Sunday lunch and traditional British food.
Where Should You Eat in East London?
The best restaurant for you depends on what you’re after.
For a special dinner, Brat and Silo are excellent choices. If you’re looking for regional Asian food, Som Saa and Singburi are worth the trip, while Mangal 2 is a strong choice for Turkish barbecue.
For a relaxed Sunday meal, Brawn and The Marksman are particularly appealing. Vegetarians and vegans should put Andu Café on their list, while Pophams is ideal when you’re searching for an excellent breakfast or pastry.
And if you’re more interested in wine and small plates, P. Franco offers something completely different from a conventional restaurant.
Final Thoughts
East London has developed into one of London’s most exciting dining destinations, and its biggest strength is its diversity.
You can move from Basque live-fire cooking in Shoreditch to Ethiopian food in Dalston, Thai cuisine in Spitalfields, Turkish barbecue in Dalston or a riverside pub in Docklands — all within the same broad part of London.
For first-time visitors, Brat, Som Saa and Mangal 2 are excellent places to begin. But the neighbourhood restaurants are equally worth exploring, particularly if you want to discover the less touristy side of London’s food scene.
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