Best Restaurants in Shoreditch

Why Shoreditch is a Food Lover’s Paradise

Shoreditch is one of the best areas in London for dining out. A former industrial district, it has been transformed into a hip, trendy neighborhood that Londoners are crazy about. Between its crafty street art, amazing nightlife, and innovative culinary scene offering some incredible London foods that many enjoy, it’s easy to see why people love coming here.

Across Shoreditch, you’ll find a massive collection of restaurants and foodie hangouts that we visit on my London food tours, serving cuisines from around the world, crafted by experimental chefs who truly know their stuff.

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Shoreditch, these are some of my must-visit picks.

Where to Eat in Shoreditch: The Best Restaurants

Padella

Photo credit: Padella

Padella is an Italian restaurant on Phipps Street, famed for its hand-rolled pasta dishes, such as the delicate tagliarini with dried chili, garlic, and crispy pangrattato, which I often order.

An intimate, yet casual eatery, their al fresco dining area is a hit with locals. Plus, the aesthetic dishes live up to Shoreditch’s creative reputation.

Padella Shoreditch – (£20-£40) – London EC2A 4PS – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:45 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm

The Blues Kitchen

Photo credit: The Blues Kitchen

Get your fix of Cajun BBQ dining at Blues Kitchen on Curtain Road. From an industrial vibe shaped by warehouse-style design to the live soul music performances, if you’re wondering where to eat in Shoreditch, this is the place to go.

My go-to order here is the cheeseburger, the way the juices of the beef melt into the oozing cheese will leave your mouth watering.

The Blues Kitchen – (£10-£30) – London EC2A 3AR – Open every Monday to Wednesday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, Thursday from 12:00 am to 1:00 pm, Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 am, Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 am, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm

Sanjugo

It wouldn’t be fair to make a Shoreditch food guide and not include Sanjugo, an inviting Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant on Great Eastern Street. Their sushi combinations are incredibly tasty, especially the nigiri set, which comes with a silky, slightly sweet salmon piece that hits the spot.

Try swinging by on any day between Tuesday and Thursday, as they often have great happy hour deals, such as 2 for 1 beers.

Sanjugo – (£10-£30) – London EC2A 3EJ – Open every Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Dishoom

Photo credit: Dishoom

There are numerous excellent East London restaurants that serve Indian food, but Dishoom on Boundary Street is up there with the best. Specializing in Bombay comfort grub, this Irani-style cafe delivers specialties from all over the region.

You’ll be spoiled for choice with the menu, but I recommend the earthy, rich house black daal, which pairs nicely with some garlic-flavored naan bread soaked in coriander, adding fresh, herby notes.

Dishoom – (£10-£20) – London E2 7JE – Open every Monday to Wednesday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 am, Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 am, and every Sunday from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm

Via Emilia by Food Roots

Photo credit: Via Emilia by Food Roots

Via Emilia by Food Roots is another one of the best restaurants in Shoreditch. Their take on northern Italian food is phenomenal, as they offer a range of pasta dishes hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region with typical grandma recipes.

A laid-back eatery at heart, this spot dishes out comforting plates, especially the vèird a l’arşâna, with its chewy ravioli, lightly bitter spinach, and delicate ricotta.

Via Emilia by Food Roots – (£20-£40) – London N1 6NN – Open every Monday to Thursday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm, Saturday from 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Lahpet

Photo credit: Lahpet

Nicely placed on Bethnal Green Road, Lahpet is a contemporary Burmese restaurant that combines top-tier cuisine with a sleek modern atmosphere. Between the refined interiors and visually striking presentation of the dishes, every food enthusiast will appreciate this establishment.

Give the pork and mustard green curry a try when you visit. The slow-cooked pork shoulder is so tender it just melts in your mouth, and the sauce is bursting with flavor.

Lahpet – (£20-£40) – London E1 6JW – Open every Monday to Thursday from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Shoreditch Street Food & Markets

Shoreditch’s foodie hot spots go beyond just restaurants, there’s also a wealth of street foods and markets too. Urban Food Fest is a bustling outdoor market showcasing an array of international bites at a cheap price, from Caribbean fare to Thai classics.

Be sure to also stop by Boxpark, a pop-up shopping mall constructed from shipping containers, offering a variety of great food options. Whether you want a juicy burger or a sugary snack like churros, you’ll find it here.

Trends That Define Shoreditch Dining

Unlike other parts of London, where there’s a mix of everything without a real focus, Shoreditch’s dining scene follows distinct trends that set it apart from the rest. Here, experimental cooking and fusion dishes blend with vegan and plant-based creativity, using hyper-local ingredients that play a significant role, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Another key characteristic of Shoreditch’s food culture is the presentation of the food. You’ll notice that many of the dishes have an artistic side to them, where they’re styled with social media in mind to give them that Insta-worthy wow factor without sacrificing quality.

When to Eat in Shoreditch

Although Shoreditch’s foodie spots are open around the clock, they become particularly busy when the weekend arrives. This applies to both restaurants and markets. While this is a great time to visit them to experience the lively atmosphere, it’s better to go midweek when it’s less crowded.

Both lunch and dinner time bring a fair share of crowds, but outside of lunch hours and late at night is when things die down, providing favorable opportunities to eat.

Dining is only part of visiting Shoreditch, this neighborhood also has some spectacular street art you’ll notice as you wander the streets. Additionally, the city boasts a vibrant nightlife scene with numerous bars for visitors to enjoy.

Final Thoughts: Shoreditch on a Plate

That’s my wrap-up of the best restaurants in Shoreditch. As you can see, this little pocket of London has one of the most exciting food scenes with a mix of trendy, traditional, and global flavors.

There’s no question about it, a visit to Shoreditch is a must for any foodie visiting East London, and the best way to experience it is by joining one of my London food tours, where you can eat your way around this place like a local.