Guide to the best restaurants in Shoreditch

Leroy, established in 2018, earned a well-deserved Michelin star soon after opening in 2019 and held it until 2024. Chef Simon Shand maintains a menu of minimalistic dishes, prioritising rich flavours. Examples include rabbit ravioli with wild mushrooms, sweetcorn, and figs with mozzarella and prosciutto. The sommelier is readily available to guide you through a diverse wine list featuring both classic bottles and unique selections.

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.

Gunpowder in Spitalfields provides 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 previous menus featuring standouts like Kerala beef pepper fry, Gunpowder chaat, and Goan-style grilled prawns alongside various vegetarian options. With seating for just 20 guests, the restaurant is ideal for an intimate soiree. 

Sohalia, a Lebanese-inspired 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 is also a social enterprise operated by Fat Macy's, dedicated to empowering Londoners to transition from hostels to having their own homes. Enjoy a variety of small plates, perfect for sharing, featuring mouth-watering treats such as chewy flatbread and creamy labneh.

Bánh Mì Keu Deli has been serving Saigon street food and famous bánh mì sandwiches from its Shoreditch branch for years. Their sandwiches have earned themselves 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.

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

This iconic 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. Past highlights have included dishes like rarebit baked potato with mustard and charred pork belly with pickled cucumber.

Chef Dani García brings the taste of Andalusia to the streets of Shoreditch with BiBo, located in the basement of the luxurious Mondrian Hotel. This stylish Spanish restaurant has a cocktail menu just as impressive as its dining menu, where modern tapas dishes take centre stage, as well as the most Instagrammable paella you may ever see.

This family-run Vietnamese restaurant sits towards the lower end of Pho Mile and offers an all-round excellent experience in the heart of East London. Aside from the giant bowls of heartwarming pho (supposedly the best in London), Sông Quê Café’s menu also features authentic plates of delicious Vietnamese fare, like summer rolls with sweet sauce and hot and spicy well-done flank beef.

Bao Noodle Shop on Redchurch Street 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.

Rochelle Canteen, slightly hidden inside a converted bike shed in Shoreditch, is a cosy 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 Britain. If you prefer to dine al fresco, there are a small number of outdoor seats available under a canopy, as well as inside for the chillier days.

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 à la carte dishes, where menus tend to feature dishes like chicken skewers with crispy fried shallots or five-spice soy-braised pork. The restaurant also places a strong emphasis on vegan and vegetarian options.

Step into a world of sophistication at one Michelin star-studded Brat on Redchurch Street. This cool restaurant is inspired by the cooking methods of the Basque Country, and menus have included dishes like grilled turbot, roasted oysters with seaweed and young leeks with fresh cheese. As for the wine, it changes monthly and focuses on a specific area, offering diners an insight into its provenance.

This charming restaurant on the famous Rivington Street 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 in-house. Although the menu changes based on the seasons, past menus have included dishes like Orkney scallops topped with fiery 'nduja, and burnt honey panna cotta with advieh, an aromatic Persian spice.

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, you have to try a traditional bánh mì – a baguette made 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. You can't leave without trying their iconic lemon meringue pie, just head straight to their Instagram page to see what we're talking about.

Every day, Burro e Salvia serves hungry customers with a menu of delicious handmade pasta dishes. But it's best not to get too attached to one particular dish - the menu changes every month, so whilst you might have your favourite, you're almost guaranteed to try something new every time you visit.

For seriously tasty Portuguese small plates served with optimum simplicity, head to Casa Do Frango, located only a stone's throw away from Shoreditch High Street Station. The menu is made up of straightforward Portuguese dishes like smokey Piri-Piri chicken and plantain packed rice.

The minimalist Lyle's has earned a Michelin star for its all round excellent menu and attentive service. Expect to dine on modern British fare with ingredients sourced from around the country, alongside a sophisticated wine list. Veggie or pescetarian? There are options for both available throughout every service.

There are few places in London that have the reputation that St. John does. Opened in 1944 in a disused smokehouse, the establishment has been making waves on London’s restaurant scene ever since. Their one Michelin-star menu specialises in the love of offal dishes, as well as British classics like Welsh rarebit, faggots and mash, and bread pudding.

Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles is a hand-pulled noodle restaurant that brings the fiery flavours of the Shaanxi Province in northwestern China to the bustling streets of London, from jellyfish in chilli oil and sweet potato noodles in hot and sour soup to slippery black fungus served with handfuls of coriander (these are a must). As for the noodles, they're hand-pulled every day - from belt noodles and hand-pulled thin noodles to rice flour noodles - there's something to suit every palette. 

If Jolene's dimly lit, rustic interior isn't enough to lure you in, then the menu certainly will. This wholesome N16 spot is a firm neighbourhood favourite, and it's not hard to see why. The chalky blackboard lists seasonal daily dishes like succulent pork loin, bread smothered in lashings of creamy butter, and stringy pappardelle.

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 it's 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 is quite possibly the OG of London's epic pasta scene. 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 Soho and features a modern British menu of high-quality meat at cost-friendly prices. They're particularly famous for their iconic 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 Clove Club is a stand-out restaurant in the London dining scene, holding an impressive two Michelin stars and consistently ranking high on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Situated in Shoreditch, the bright and stylish venue offers indulgent tasting menus featuring contemporary British cuisine for lunch and dinner, with vegetarian options available. For a quicker option, a lower-priced set lunch menu is also offered, ensuring a speedy and satisfying meal.

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.

Officina 00 is an absolute must-visit for pasta lovers. This authentic restaurant and pasta workshop cherishes traditional recipes and even offers pasta-making masterclasses. The elegant and straightforward menu features fresh pasta with fresh ingredients like pistachio pesto or short rib ragu. They also serve snacks, starters, desserts, and a range of Italian wines.

Zapote, led by Yahir Gonzalez, a former chef at Aqua Nueva, is the place to go for mouth-watering meat and refined seafood dishes. The menu is centred around zingy Mexican flavours and cuisine, with previous menus having featured 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; past menus have seen dishes like pistachio doughnut with morello cherry jam.

Occupying the space of the former Duke of Wellington pub, chef Joe Laker and sous-chef Michael Miles teamed up to create Counter 71, a chef's table restaurant in Shoreditch. Their menu celebrates the changing seasons with a focus on the best of the British Isles. Guests, limited to 16 each night, gather around the central marble counter to enjoy dishes like eel tart with fried seaweed and caviar, though the menu does tend to change. The upscale dining experience is complemented by Lowcountry, a Southern-inspired cocktail bar situated in the cellar.

Cycene is a culinary venture by chef Theo Clench (formerly from Trinity and Akoko). It boasts two cosy dining spaces and a chic cocktail bar downstairs, and the restaurant offers a seasonal tasting menu with Asian influences. Guests get to dine on bespoke porcelain tableware during limited seating for dinner. In less than six months since its opening in 2023, Cycene earned its first Michelin star, a testament to its culinary prowess.

This Tokyo-inspired tavern highlights a menu of small Japanese plates, including dishes like grilled skewers, sushi rolls, steamed buns, and tempura. They're ideal for feasting while sipping on one of their drinks menus, including handcrafted cocktails, whiskeys, and tequilas. The venue's vibe is modern and vibrant, enhanced by live DJ sessions on weekends and a carefully curated playlist during other times.

Eline is a family-run restaurant with a warm, Scandi-inspired setting, where you can enjoy a seasonally changing menu with dishes from all over the world that share a few key characteristics: they're well-loved, made from fresh, locally sourced produce, and pair well with wine. Wine that you can, incidentally, buy to take home from the Eline wine shop corner as well.

Popular Hackney restaurant Nest relocated to bigger digs in Shoreditch in 2023. The changing set menu combines sustainably farmed British produce with only one meat in the kitchen at a time (except during veg and seafood season) in an effort to reduce waste and manage meat consumption. Considering the eatery's popularity, you'd expect that kind of exclusivity to come with inflated prices, but the team is committed to providing a personal dining experience at good value for money.