London Shoreditch Restaurant Guide

Isaac McHale’s temple to “fine dining Shoreditch-style” sits in London’s culinary Top-5 nowadays, and his “theatrically presented” 5-course and 10-course menus offer “an absolute balance between sophistication, simplicity, and creativity”. The space itself within the fine old town hall is “a bit urban-ascetic” (no table cloths, of course), but is “not too archly hipster” and the “relaxed yet professional service” creates an appropriately “chilled out” yet “truly memorable” experience. Very progressively, there’s a “brilliant non-alcoholic drink match” alongside the more conventional wine pairings.

“My daughter in law (born in Delhi) says it reminds her so much of Bombay food – and that is really high praise!” These “high energy” replicas of Mumbai’s Parsi cantinas are “quite exceptional” for a chain, with Indian reporters feeling “nostalgia for my childhood… the noise, the bustle, the products on display in the loos!” “The evening queues are deeply tedious” (“you can only book for 6 or more”) but the payoff is “exceptionally flavoursome Indian street-food with a difference”, “a fun cocktail list” and “a real buzz”. “Breakfast with a twist” is another option and it’s easier to get a table. Top Menu Tips – black dhal, or, for breakfast, their “reinvented bacon butty” – “a bacon naan with spicy ketchup is a great start to the day!”

“Your eyes water and it feels like steam is fizzing out of your ears, but with tons of amazing, aromatic flavours that make your taste buds literally zing” at this “terrific” Thai yearling in Spitalfields – “possibly London’s best, with many dishes not often seen outside Thailand”. “Friendly service too” in “a hip East End space” with “a great vibrant buzz”.

“Heartily recommended” – this Shoreditch basement beneath a cocktail bar is renowned for “excellent steak (sourced from the Ginger Pig)” and “a diverse wine list served by knowledgeable staff”.

“Excellent, enormous pizzas with a decent variety of toppings” wins a major fanbase for these buzzy and cheery pit stops. “It’s quick and dirty with paper plates and plastic cutlery – lingering is not encouraged”. (Fascinating fact: it’s owned by the late Terry Wogan’s sons!)

“Precious moments” are created by Jonathan Lawson’s superb small plates (“pasta is especially wonderful”) at this artfully worn-looking and laid back newcomer in Shoreditch (where else?), comprising a compact ground floor bar area, and “nice but slightly cramped” upstairs room.

“Unbeatable… except for the queues in the morning”; the habit-forming smell from the big roasting machines in the basement is justification enough for a trip to this superbly hip, Kiwi-owned Shoreditch haunt, which provides exceptional brews and does a “fab” brunch too.