The best restaurants in Shoreditch

Shoreditch restaurant Aba-Ra! specialises in Georgian cuisine, even though its Brick Lane location might lead you to expect curries and other Indian dishes. Instead, the highlights here are the cheesy khachapuris, filling both soul and belly, with other traditional Georgian dishes like dumplings available as well. The vibe is hip and friendly, and there are plenty of fine Georgian wines to accompany the food.

Masala is a large and well-known Indian restaurant in Shoreditch, offering a broad menu of Indian and Bangladeshi dishes including tandoori grills, biryanis, and classic favourites. It has a smart, contemporary dining room spread over two floors, with a total capacity of 150, making it a popular choice for big celebratory gatherings. The entire menu is also available to take away.

Founded by a self-taught Swedish chef, Dauns has evolved from humble market pop-ups into the UK's first fully plant-based Scandinavian café. The light-filled, minimalist Shoreditch venue offers a playful take on Nordic aesthetics, serving up vegan reimaginations of comfort-food classics like hot dogs, open sandwiches on rye, and traditional meatballs with fluffy mash. A selection of Nordic beers, wines, and aquavit provides the ideal accompaniment.

Sanjugo is a Japanese restaurant tucked down a side street in Shoreditch and is still a bit of a hidden gem. It would be easy to walk past this little spot without paying much attention to it, but once you head inside you’ll find counters holding slabs of the finest grade-A sashimi and a bar lined with delicately decorated sake bottles. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped straight into Japan.

Rochelle Canteen, slightly hidden inside a converted bike shed, is a cosy Shoreditch spot serving a daily changing menu of seasonal and regional plates inspired by British and European influences. All of the produce is sourced from some of the best producers in the country. If you prefer to dine al fresco, there are a small number of outdoor seats available under a canopy. Despite its unassuming appearance, this is considered a top London spot, in no small part due to being run by acclaimed chef Margot Henderson.

Sohalia, a Lebanese-inspired Shoreditch restaurant and natural wine bar, serves a fusion of contemporary Middle Eastern sharing plates complemented by a curated selection of low-intervention wines. It's not just a wine bar and restaurant, though; it's also a social enterprise operated by Fat Macy's, dedicated to empowering Londoners to transition from hostels to having their own homes.

Gunpowder offers upscale Indian dining with group feasting menus. The menu features an array of small and sharing plates, showcasing contemporary Indian favourites from various regions, with standouts like Kerala beef pepper fry, house chaat, and Goan-style grilled prawns. With seating for just 20 guests, this Shoreditch restaurant is ideal for an intimate gathering. 

Kêu has been serving Saigon street food and famous bánh mì sandwiches from its Shoreditch branch for years. Their sandwiches have earned them a bit of an unbeatable reputation – think mortadella sausage, spiced pork belly, ham terrine, chicken liver pate, and kewpie mayonnaise, served with salad and fresh chilli in a freshly baked artisan baguette. Chef's kiss.

Smoking Goat has made quite a name for itself on the Shoreditch restaurant scene, and for good reason. They specialise in serving delicious northern Thai dishes in a cosy setting. Everything is worth ordering and the plates are ideal for sharing, but if there's one thing they're known for it's their tangy fish sauce chicken wings. Careful, they're pretty addictive.

This iconic Shoreditch barbecue joint serves an unbeatable menu of smoked meat and ribs right around the corner from bustling Brick Lane. The smell of smoked meat wafts down the street and basically invites you in to eat. Menu highlights have included the likes of rarebit baked potato with mustard and charred pork belly with pickled cucumber.

The Clove Club is a stand-out Shoreditch restaurant, holding an impressive two Michelin stars and consistently ranking high on The World's 50 Best list. The bright and stylish venue offers indulgent tasting menus featuring contemporary British cuisine for lunch and dinner, with vegetarian options available. For a quicker visit, a lower-priced set lunch menu is also offered, ensuring a speedy and satisfying meal.

This family-run Vietnamese restaurant sits towards the lower end of Pho Mile, a street famed for its abundance of Vietnamese eateries, and offers an all-round excellent experience. Aside from the giant bowls of steaming pho, hailed by many as the best in London, Sông Quê Café's menu features various other authentic options. It's a simple, bustling eatery where everyone is treated equally, service is brisk, and the general vibe is one of heart-warming nourishment.

The Shoreditch branch of Bao draws on the flavours and inspirations of the beef noodle shops of Taiwan. All of the noodles are made in-house with flour that's been imported from Taiwan, and there's always a selection of bao buns on the menu, too. As for dessert, expect classics like Taiwanese shaved ice dessert smothered in fruit and cream.

Som Saa, a Thai restaurant in a former fabric warehouse, offers a minimalist vibe to enjoy their authentic regional dishes. You can choose from "tem toh" menus, ideal for sharing, or opt for the à la carte, which features dishes like chicken skewers with crispy fried shallots or five-spice soy-braised pork. The acclaimed Shoreditch restaurant also places a strong emphasis on vegan options.

Arriving in London from France, Il Bambini Club brings a next-level trattoria vibe to the Shoreditch dining scene, with ornate chandeliers, plush fabrics, and gilded finishes. The menu mirrors the setting with indulgent, homemade pasta dishes, such as truffle fettuccine, alongside wood-fired pizzas and decadent desserts, all paired with a comprehensive Italian wine list. There's a lively energy that runs late into the night, helped along by live music and a cocktail bar that keeps the negronis flowing.

Step into a world of sophistication at the Michelin starred Brat on Redchurch Street. This trendy Shoreditch restaurant is inspired by the cooking methods of the Basque Country, and the menu includes dishes like grilled turbot, roasted oysters with seaweed, or young leeks with fresh cheese. The accompanying wine list changes monthly and focuses on specific areas, offering diners an insight into its provenance.

True to its name – which translates from Italian as “bottomless” – Senza Fondo is a Shoreditch dining destination dedicated to an indulgent all-you-can-eat lasagna experience. Guests can choose between hearty meat or vegetarian versions of the star dish, while the broader menu features a variety of comforting Italian staples like pizzette and pasta. The restaurant is anchored by a dedicated negroni bar at the rear.

This charming Shoreditch restaurant is known for its Italian-style seasonal dishes with a Middle Eastern and Moorish twist. The ingredients are as fresh as it gets, and the pasta is handmade every day. Although the menu changes based on the seasons, expect dishes like Orkney scallops topped with fiery 'nduja, or burnt honey panna cotta with advieh, an aromatic Persian spice. Low-intervention wines provide the ideal accompaniment.

This classic Vietnamese restaurant specialises in bun cha, an authentic Vietnamese dish made with grilled pork served and rice noodles. For those with a zestier preference, the tofu dishes are a popular choice, or for something a little more substantial, try a traditional bánh mì – a crispy baguette filled with Vietnamese-style sauce, meat, and sliced vegetables.

The oldest of Big Mamma Group's London restaurants, Gloria well and truly paved the way with its foliage-draped interior, impressive menu with ingredients from local producers in Italy, as well as a creative and innovative cocktail menu. It's all designed to overwhelm the senses with a showstopping display of decor and indulgent food. PS – you can't leave without trying their iconic lemon meringue pie.

Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles is a hand-pulled noodle restaurant that brings the fiery flavours of the Shaanxi Province in China to Shoreditch, from jellyfish in chilli oil and sweet potato noodles in hot and sour soup, to slippery black fungus served with handfuls of coriander (an absolute must, trust us). From belt noodles and hand-pulled thin noodles to rice flour noodles – there's something to suit every palate. 

The esteemed Galvin La Chapelle has maintained a Michelin star for more than a decade, underscoring its unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier French gastronomy by combining traditional methods with seasonal ingredients. The refined menu at this Shoreditch institution is supported by an extensive wine collection. For a more laidback experience (and house-brewed Czech beer), head to the neighbouring Galvin Bistrot & Bar.

Since opening in 2014, Dishoom has been a staple on the London restaurant scene and beyond. Its Bombay-inspired setting and menu of Indian favourites keep locals and out-of-towners coming back time and time again. The signature 24-hour slow-cooked black daal is the most popular dish, especially when mopped up with a side of cheesy naan. If you have to queue (which is likely), you might be offered a warm mug of chai on the house while you wait.

Padella in Borough Market is quite possibly the OG of London's pasta scene, and this is its Shoreditch spin-off. It's all about simplicity here and the menu features only a handful of dishes made to the highest standard. Feast on burrata served with Le Ferre olive oil and crunchy sourdough before chowing down on delectable pasta dishes for your main. Make sure you order a negroni to wash it all down with.

This meaty spot is set in an old converted furniture factory in the heart of Shoreditch and features a modern British menu of high-quality meat at budget-friendly prices. They're particularly famous for their Sunday roast, which comes with special free-flowing Blacklock gravy and giant Yorkshire puddings. The drinks are also decent and there's a variety of wine available on tap.

The family-operated Singburi established its reputation as a top destination for Thai cuisine in London, originally known for its compact setting and an infamously elusive booking process. As leadership transitioned to a new generation, the celebrated Leytonstone institution relocated to larger premises in Shoreditch while maintaining its commitment to exceptional, authentic flavours.

Although Troy Bar is predominantly a bar, they do have one of the best lunchtime deals in London: jerk chicken or curry goat with rice and peas, plantain, and coleslaw for less than a tenner. Don't miss their open mic nights, jazz, blues, and reggae performances, among other incredible events. It's a must-visit spot for foodies and music lovers alike.

Zapote, led by Yahir Gonzalez, a former chef at Aqua Nueva, is the place to go for mouth-watering meat and refined seafood dishes in Shoreditch. The menu is centred around zingy Mexican flavours and cuisine, with specialities like duck quesadillas with smoked chipotle jelly, scallop ceviche, beef tartare taco with roasted bone marrow, and charred octopus. Leave room for dessert here, or round things off with a mezcal-based cocktail.

Cycene is a culinary venture boasting two cosy dining spaces and a chic cocktail bar downstairs. The restaurant offers a seasonal tasting menu with Asian influences. Guests get to dine on bespoke porcelain tableware during limited seating for dinner. Within six months of opening, Cycene earned its first Michelin star, a testament to its culinary prowess.

The team behind Crispin has reimagined the former Oklava site as a bistro-style destination with a steadfast commitment to British provenance. The menu highlights high-quality ingredients from local producers, featuring refined comfort dishes such as a rabbit, bacon, and apple cider pie or a steamed marmalade pudding served with vanilla custard. The blend of nostalgic and modern British cookery makes it a definite reason to pay a visit to Shoreditch.