The minute I said I’m going to Shoreditch, you knew a blog post was coming right?! Is there a place that suits my kind a vibe any better than this East London locale?!! Easily accessible from London St Pancreas International (two stops on the Northern Line!) and you’re at Old Street Station and ready to hit the uber cool hipster scene that is Shoreditch. Read on for some of my faves and what I got up to during my visit.
THE HOXTON SHOREDITCH
This place to me just speaks Shoreditch in a nutshell. The super cool and trendy warehouse feel, The Hoxton Shoreditch is my choice of abode. Fantastic rugged architecture, think brick walls, squishy brown leather sofas, large feature fireplaces and DJ’s after dark. Lets not forget The Hoxton Grill serving up a storm with its diner style décor and on point food all day! To get more of a feel of this ideal city break lodging be sure to read my review of The Hoxton Shoreditch
The Hoxton Shoreditch
81 Great Eastern St
London
EC2A 3HU
Tel. 020 7550 1000
THE BRICK LANE BEIGEL SHOP
If you’re a bagel fan, you will totally appreciate this joint. I believe the best Salt beef bagel in London is served here, however as I don’t eat beef, this is not for me! However, the rainbow bagels are pretty good as are the array of other bagels on offer! Check it out!
The Beigel Shop
155 Brick Lane.
London E1 6SB
Tel. 020 7729 0826
HOXTON SQUARE
You could just base a whole food and drink session around Hoxton Square, however I can recommend picking it as a beautiful brunch spot. The Breakfast Club is always a real hit with me but also they have the firm favourites of Red Dog Saloon and many more eateries and drinking holes. Modelled around a small square, it’s basically just framed with great food hangouts. Give it a bash for casual dining!
Hoxton Square
London
N1 6BP
THIS SHOP ROCKS
My penchant for vintage and antiques meant I had to go in and peruse this gorgeous fun, maybe mess filled shop. If you’re a vintage lover of any kind, you will not be able to just walk past this place; we’re talking old books, tea cups, photo frames, stamps, hats, light shades, postcards, anything and everything goes here!
This Shop Rocks
31 Brick Lane
London
E1 6SE
Tel. 020 7739 7667
COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET
Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit this time as I wasn’t there on a Sunday but this place is such a great experience. It’s early doors so get there around 8 am but if you don’t make it, worry not there are some fantastic shops and boutiques in the area, great photos to be taken and the flowers are just a bonus.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road
London
E1 7RG
STREET ART IN ABUNDANCE
Shoreditch is known for it’s world famous knockout street art scene. Every corner you turn, there will be an amazing wall of art that will make you just stop and stare in awe of the sheer talent. The street art is ever changing too, so you’re unlikely to see the same on any two visits. Take a look at some of my jaw-dropping favourites below.
OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET
You all know this girl likes a market and well Old Spitalfields is one of my favourites and not just because my beloved first All Saints store is around the corner!! There are many stalls selling delicious fresh food, antiques, classic cameras, clothing, etc. If you’re a burger fan, the best joint in town is situated here, Bleecker Street! Try brunch at Blixen if you headed out without brekkie!
Spitalfields Market
16 Horner Square
London
E1 6EW
BOX PARK
I absolutely adored this miss match of shops and eateries known as Box Park, right next to Shoreditch High Street overground station. Some of my favourite petit and bijoux unit retailers include, The Ordinary, The gap, Kiehls, Decorum. As expected its super cool and could not be placed any where other than Shoreditch!
Box Park
2-10 Bethnall Green Road
London
E1 6GY
THE SHOREDITCH GRIND
Wherever I go, first thing first, scoping out a coffee place. In 2011, The Shoreditch Grind was the very first branch to be located on the Old Street tube roundabout. They have great coffee, which is brewed around the corner, have an array of cocktails and the grub looks pretty good too, including brunch with eggs any way you like! The all-important coffee is roasted by them just down the road! This funky circular building also houses a recording studio upstairs!
Photo Courtesy: The Shoreditch Grind
The Shoreditch Grind
213 Old Street
London
EC1V 9NR
Tel. 020 7490 7490
THE GIBSON BAR
Pre-dinner innovative cocktail creations! I got you! The Gibson Bar is your place! Situated a bit of a walk up Old Street, more towards Clerkenwell, lies the Art Deco inspired Gibson Bar. Make sure you book to avoid disappointment as its quite small but I can assure you the cocktail the theatrics coupled with the explosion of flavours will leave you speechless. There’s also a pianist there every night! To gain an insight into what I’m talking about have a read of my post Cocktail creations at The Gibson Bar.
The Gibson Bar
44 Old Street
London
EC1v 9AQ
020 7608 2774
LYLES
Unstuffy, non-pretentious, casual, Michelin starred dining at Lyles is one of my highlights of Shoreditch. Located on Bethnall Green Road in the Tea Building stands a fine quality restaurant where Chef James Lowe has the same belief as myself when it comes to dining – use of fresh produce and focus on food. They’re open for lunch but have a set evening menu daily with a separate impressive seasonal vegetarian menu.
Lyles
Tea Building
56 Shoreditch High Street
London E1 6JJ
Tel. 020 3011 5911
BOUNDARY ROOFTOP TERRACE
There’s always got to be a roof top bar for pretty views of The Big Smoke with cocktail in hand and The Boundary is a winner on both counts. You can also have brunch, lunch, dinner or anything in between at this bar and grill but guess it’s a pretty cool spot for sun downers! The summer months take on a Mediterranean vibe, whereas think alpine resort in the colder months!
Photo Courtesy: The Boundary Project
Photo Courtesy: The Boundary Project
Boundary Roof Terrace
2-4 Boundary Street
London E2 7DD
Tel. 020 7729 1051
That’s your lot for now folks. I’m pretty sure I’ve missed some off so feel free to drop me comments about some of your Shoreditch haunts and I’ll be sure to check them out soon.
À Bientôt…
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