Sara’s East London Guidebook
Food scene
Gwada Ethiopian restaurant is an all time favourite. Almost everything on the menu is vegan and gluten free. I love the decor and atmosphere. Amazing music and the owners are super friendly. Highly recommended.
85 Balls Pond Rd
Gwada Ethiopian restaurant is an all time favourite. Almost everything on the menu is vegan and gluten free. I love the decor and atmosphere. Amazing music and the owners are super friendly. Highly recommended.
I love this Indian vegetarian restaurant. Great atmosphere and great food!
171 residents recomanen
Rasa South Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
55 Stoke Newington Church StI love this Indian vegetarian restaurant. Great atmosphere and great food!
Eat dinner outside listening to live Jazz. This spot is a real treasure. It is a seafood menu - oysters, mussels, fish. There’s one vegetarian special. So if you’re vegan, ask for options before deciding to eat here. It’s a pay what you want menu. Only drinks have a set price.
35 residents recomanen
The Dalston Jazz Bar
4 Bradbury StEat dinner outside listening to live Jazz. This spot is a real treasure. It is a seafood menu - oysters, mussels, fish. There’s one vegetarian special. So if you’re vegan, ask for options before deciding to eat here. It’s a pay what you want menu. Only drinks have a set price.
Love this little vegan restaurant serving a mix of American and Chinese food. Highly recommend the burger and Dan Dan noodles. 80s disco vibes makes a great atmosphere. Good to book as there’s not much space.
Facing Heaven
Love this little vegan restaurant serving a mix of American and Chinese food. Highly recommend the burger and Dan Dan noodles. 80s disco vibes makes a great atmosphere. Good to book as there’s not much space.
Babsang
Tasteful, simple and delicious. Great spot for lunch or dinner
My favourite pizza place! Incredible vegan options and also good wine. Available to eat in or for take-away.
Yard Sale Pizza
My favourite pizza place! Incredible vegan options and also good wine. Available to eat in or for take-away.
Supa Ya Ramen
A very trendy little ramen place. Small but good menu.
This is the closest restaurant to the flat - just about a 30 second walk and happens to be one of my favourite spots in the city. Serving amazing vegan food - they do breakfast, lunch and dinner.
32 residents recomanen
Mildreds Dalston
This is the closest restaurant to the flat - just about a 30 second walk and happens to be one of my favourite spots in the city. Serving amazing vegan food - they do breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Koya Ko Hackney
A simple but wonderful udon place!
House of MoMo
52 Boleyn RdServing Nepalese dumplings!
Zer Middle East Kitchen
13 Stoke Newington RoadHighly recommend the Peas Tahini!
Vegan and gluten free Italian with no sacrifice on taste
Plant Club - Gluten free, Vegan & Vegetarian Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Vegan and gluten free Italian with no sacrifice on taste
Tofu vegan Spitalfields
Szechuan food but all vegan! I love this place.
One of my favourite vegan restaurants! Specialising in meat substitutes and done so well that vegans and non-vegans alike will enjoy this. Proceeds go towards supporting activists and an animal sanctuary.
Unity Diner
60 Wentworth StreetOne of my favourite vegan restaurants! Specialising in meat substitutes and done so well that vegans and non-vegans alike will enjoy this. Proceeds go towards supporting activists and an animal sanctuary.
Good reliable burger place with vegetarian and vegan options.
7 residents recomanen
Honest Burgers - Dalston
14-16 Bradbury StGood reliable burger place with vegetarian and vegan options.
My favourite pizza place with great vegan options. Also serves frozen margaritas.
118 residents recomanen
Voodoo Ray's
95 Kingsland High StMy favourite pizza place with great vegan options. Also serves frozen margaritas.
Mangal 1
10 Arcola StNo frills great Turkish food
From father to son, this is the evolution of Turkish quisine in Dalston. A modern and more upmarket menu; a special place to go if you class yourself as a 'foody'.
96 residents recomanen
Mangal 2 Restaurant
4 Stoke Newington RdFrom father to son, this is the evolution of Turkish quisine in Dalston. A modern and more upmarket menu; a special place to go if you class yourself as a 'foody'.
Fast-food done vegan style. Don't be fooled though, this is not necessarily an healthy option; lots of delicious sauces and an excess of everything mark this place out as a place to visit.
Oowee Vegan
Fast-food done vegan style. Don't be fooled though, this is not necessarily an healthy option; lots of delicious sauces and an excess of everything mark this place out as a place to visit.
Exceptional fish and chips. This joint has a fish mongers attached and takes this British quisine to a another level. Visit in person or get a takeaway.
88 residents recomanen
Sutton and Sons Fish & Chips
90 Stoke Newington High StreetExceptional fish and chips. This joint has a fish mongers attached and takes this British quisine to a another level. Visit in person or get a takeaway.
A fermenting kitchen and wine bar. I haven't been here but many of my guests have and very much enjoyed it.
20 residents recomanen
Little Duck - The Picklery
68 Dalston LnA fermenting kitchen and wine bar. I haven't been here but many of my guests have and very much enjoyed it.
I love the decor here! Worth going just for that but the food is also good. Serving Turkish classics.
26 residents recomanen
Stone Cave Dalston
111 Kingsland High StI love the decor here! Worth going just for that but the food is also good. Serving Turkish classics.
It is what is says - meat and veg burgers and beers. If that's what you're looking for, I recommend coming here.
8 residents recomanen
BEER + BURGER STORE DALSTON
464 Kingsland RdIt is what is says - meat and veg burgers and beers. If that's what you're looking for, I recommend coming here.
Our local Vietnamese - its just across our main road.
49 residents recomanen
BunBunBun Vietnamese Food
134B Kingsland RdOur local Vietnamese - its just across our main road.
The Ginger Pig Cafe
British food with a twist.
If you want to experience traditional east London food, this family owned pie and mash place could not be better!
7 residents recomanen
F Cooke Hoxton
150 Hoxton StIf you want to experience traditional east London food, this family owned pie and mash place could not be better!
Can’t go wrong with a bowl of ramen from here. Good vegan options
139 residents recomanen
Tonkotsu East
1a Dunston StCan’t go wrong with a bowl of ramen from here. Good vegan options
The bottom part of Kingsland road is famous for its Vietnamese food. There’s many good restaurants to choose from but personally this is a favourite for the food, atmosphere and value for money
59 residents recomanen
Viet Grill
58 Kingsland RdThe bottom part of Kingsland road is famous for its Vietnamese food. There’s many good restaurants to choose from but personally this is a favourite for the food, atmosphere and value for money
Sightseeing
Stroll down broadway market to visit local independent shops, cafe and restaurants. From here, you can walk along the canal. Market day is Saturday but its worth visiting any day of the week.
1735 residents recomanen
Broadway Market
Broadway MarketStroll down broadway market to visit local independent shops, cafe and restaurants. From here, you can walk along the canal. Market day is Saturday but its worth visiting any day of the week.
A must on a Sunday. The market starts early and ends around 4pm. On other days of the week, there’s still shops and restaurants open but best to go towards the end of the week. Combine with a walk to brick lane and then Spitalfields
1660 residents recomanen
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia RoadA must on a Sunday. The market starts early and ends around 4pm. On other days of the week, there’s still shops and restaurants open but best to go towards the end of the week. Combine with a walk to brick lane and then Spitalfields
A main attraction of east london. Go to brick lane to eat and shop. Sunday is the busiest market day. Combine with going to Spitalfields and if it’s Sunday, Columbia road flower market too
Brick Ln, London, Regne Unit
A main attraction of east london. Go to brick lane to eat and shop. Sunday is the busiest market day. Combine with going to Spitalfields and if it’s Sunday, Columbia road flower market too
Great for food and shopping. Combine with going to Brick lane
117 residents recomanen
Mercat de Spitalfields
65 Brushfield StGreat for food and shopping. Combine with going to Brick lane
Do check out what's on at this local theatre. They have some amazing plays and performances.
199 residents recomanen
Arcola Bar
24 Ashwin StDo check out what's on at this local theatre. They have some amazing plays and performances.
The iconic brutalist development and cultural centre. I highly recommend booking the tour.
509 residents recomanen
Centre Barbican
Silk StreetThe iconic brutalist development and cultural centre. I highly recommend booking the tour.
The best food market in London. Most active on Friday and Saturday. From here, walk to the Tate Modern
Borough Market (Gourmet Food Hall)
The best food market in London. Most active on Friday and Saturday. From here, walk to the Tate Modern
If you’re heading to borough market, I recommend stopping off at this gallery if you’re interested in contemporary art
234 residents recomanen
White Cube Bermondsey
Bermondsey StreetIf you’re heading to borough market, I recommend stopping off at this gallery if you’re interested in contemporary art
Not sure this needs a description… always worth a visit. Walk from London Bridge or St Paul’s.
2008 residents recomanen
Tate Modern
BanksideNot sure this needs a description… always worth a visit. Walk from London Bridge or St Paul’s.
Coffee, breakfast, light lunches, Places to hangout
hōm
Almost next door to us! Great coffee, vegan croissants and sandwiches.
Our local cafe situated on Dalston Square. Great food - particularly good selection of salads for lunch. Go here if you want to grab a coffee.
71 residents recomanen
Cafe Route
Our local cafe situated on Dalston Square. Great food - particularly good selection of salads for lunch. Go here if you want to grab a coffee.
A hidden gem! Community garden serving drinks. Great spot in the summer.
178 residents recomanen
Jardí de la corba de l'est de Dalston
13 Dalston LnA hidden gem! Community garden serving drinks. Great spot in the summer.
The Dusty Knuckle Bakery
Abbot StreetAmazing sandwiches and coffee
If you're into your coffee, this is the place to go. They also do great lunch food.
105 residents recomanen
Allpress Espresso Roastery & Cafe
55 Dalston LnIf you're into your coffee, this is the place to go. They also do great lunch food.
Allpress Espresso Roastery & Cafe
55 Dalston LnBakery and cafe. A nice place to hang out and have a coffee or lunch but also to just pick up a loaf of delicious bread.
272 residents recomanen
E5 Bakehouse
396 Mentmore TerraceBakery and cafe. A nice place to hang out and have a coffee or lunch but also to just pick up a loaf of delicious bread.
Convenient and reasonably priced sandwiches. This is no where special but a lunch time establishment for Londoners. If you want something quick and easy, it does often hit the spot.
Pret A Manger
Convenient and reasonably priced sandwiches. This is no where special but a lunch time establishment for Londoners. If you want something quick and easy, it does often hit the spot.
Market Cafe
2 Broadway MarketA great place to go for a drink, snack or coffee.
Towpath Café
42 De Beauvoir CresA good place to stop for a coffee as you walk along the canal
Supermarkets / Shopping for basics / Specialist food shops
This is my favourite supermarket in the area. They have a great selection of organic food and vegetables. They also have a cafe with vegan cakes, salads and pastries. Ask for a loyalty card.
64 residents recomanen
Harvest E8
130-132 Kingsland High StThis is my favourite supermarket in the area. They have a great selection of organic food and vegetables. They also have a cafe with vegan cakes, salads and pastries. Ask for a loyalty card.
This is the largest supermarket in the area. Go here for affordable everyday shopping.
181 residents recomanen
Sainsbury's
112 High StThis is the largest supermarket in the area. Go here for affordable everyday shopping.
A medium size, well stocked supermarket with good quality food. But almost everything is wrapped in plastic. Go here if you want a ready meal, snacks, bread, drinks.
10 residents recomanen
M&S Dalston Foodhall
51-57 Kingsland High StA medium size, well stocked supermarket with good quality food. But almost everything is wrapped in plastic. Go here if you want a ready meal, snacks, bread, drinks.
This is the nearest supermarket but it is small and everything is wrapped in plastic. Go here if you want snacks or drinks.
19 residents recomanen
Co-op Food - Dalston Square - London
Dalston LaneThis is the nearest supermarket but it is small and everything is wrapped in plastic. Go here if you want snacks or drinks.
Local market and local community hub with foods from different ethnicities.
134 residents recomanen
Ridley Road Market (Stop P) station
Local market and local community hub with foods from different ethnicities.
Pubs & bars
Places to eat, drink and hangout
Go here for live experimental music. Many events here get sold out or require queuing so I advise looking up what's on before you head there. Serving drinks, coffee and lunch.
203 residents recomanen
Cafe OTO
18-22 Ashwin StreetGo here for live experimental music. Many events here get sold out or require queuing so I advise looking up what's on before you head there. Serving drinks, coffee and lunch.
Not your usual wine bar. Choose wine by a one word description. This place gets busy so you may need to
Wait for seat
dan's
Not your usual wine bar. Choose wine by a one word description. This place gets busy so you may need to
Wait for seat
servingJapanese food. Great music (sometimes live). Good place to go for some drinks and perhaps a dance on the weekend.
109 residents recomanen
Brilliant Corners
470 Kingsland RdservingJapanese food. Great music (sometimes live). Good place to go for some drinks and perhaps a dance on the weekend.
Bar Lotus
Incredibly stylish decor and cocktails with a Chinese twist
Newcomer Wines Dalston
5 Dalston LnI love this wine bar. Great atmosphere. Amazing wines.
Furanxo
85 Dalston LnSpecialist Spanish food and wine store and snack bar.
Prince George
40 Parkholme RdGreat pub, great roast and great beer.
Ridley Road Market Bar
Fun drinks & cocktail bar, good for a boogie if that's your kinda thang
The Spurstowe Arms
68 Greenwood RdIf you want a trendy pub, here it is.
A little more upmarket than your usual pub but still cosy. Great place for to eat a comforting meal
The Prince Arthur
A little more upmarket than your usual pub but still cosy. Great place for to eat a comforting meal
Dalston is renowned across the city for its nightlife, and the LBGTQI+ scene offers the best of it (in my humble opinion). Superstore is probably the most visited of these bars & clubs - go with an open heart & mind and you're guaranteed a wild night out.
187 residents recomanen
Dalston Superstore
117 Kingsland High StDalston is renowned across the city for its nightlife, and the LBGTQI+ scene offers the best of it (in my humble opinion). Superstore is probably the most visited of these bars & clubs - go with an open heart & mind and you're guaranteed a wild night out.
Great wine bar with food menu. Always a good vibe here. If you’re getting wine to take away, you can get a bottle refilled.
7 residents recomanen
Weino BIB
39 Balls Pond RdGreat wine bar with food menu. Always a good vibe here. If you’re getting wine to take away, you can get a bottle refilled.