Mae + Harvey

Art Cafe

A bit of colour on Roman Road! From the inside decoration of Mae + Harvey, to its colourful waffles everything is joyously stylish. The genuine warmth and friendliness of its small team will make you pass by for breakfast, and stay for a late lunch. They do take away bread, pastries and turn the cafe into a charming brasserie at night (evening would be more accurate) If you’re around, you’re doing the right choice by stopping there. Definitely go for the waffles!

Magus and the Fool

Art Cafe

Magus and the Fool is an independent Art Cafe that displays temporary art exhibitions featuring local artists as well as comic books for sale. The place is nice and cosy, with a fantastic staff. You can go there for a quality coffee or a glass of good wine. Not trying their food would be a major mistake. Everything is home made, even the bread they are using to make the sandwiches! To be honest I won’t be able to advise you something in particular as all their food is quite exquisite. Why not trusting the Chef’s special and let it surprise you?

Pavilion Cafe

Brunch at Vicky Park

Spring is here! We are finally able to stay on a bench outside without being wrapped in a massive scarf. Pavillon Cafe is re-opening every spring, offering the perfect place to brunch or to have breakfast on a sunny day in East-London. Everything is home made or locally sourced. Their coffee is awesome and their Sri Lanka’s breakfast is pretty good. The other breakfasts are mostly pricey, it’s still good, but you might consider going somewhere else to have an avocado on toast. The place is for sure a great spot to enjoy the heart of the park, just keep in mind that sunny weekends you will struggle to find a table to sit.

The Coffee Room

Mile End Coffee Shop

The Coffee Room is a nice venue in the bustling Mile End. They offer nice cakes, coffee, breakfasts, sandwiches and salads (maybe even more since I don’t know their menu by heart) The cafe is small but they have also a cosy outside at the back. That is not the best location ever, but the spot is great if you are looking for quality food or coffee. Sitting right in front of Mile End Park, you can always order a take-away and enjoy it in the park.

Muxima

Local Laid Back Cafe

Muxima is a really nice and welcoming cafe/ restaurant on Roman road. Their food is exceptional, their staff is caring and will make you want to stay for an other quality coffee. Artisan coffee, homemade cakes and bread…breakfast, lunch, dinner, wines, craft beers, cocktails, art exhibitions, pop up dinners, gigs, DJ’s, documentary nights, that’s what they do in Muxima (and I probably have missed some other things) That’s chilled, sociable, and has been rewarded several times by Time Out. This is a homely oasis in East London.

 

L’eau à la bouche

French Delicatessen on Broadway Market

L’eau à la bouche is a delicatessen with fine french basics where you can stop by to have a coffee, a soup, a salad or whatever the daily menu will offers you. The atmosphere is warm and cosy on winters, and fresh and sunny on summer days. Go there for their cheese selection and for the smell of fresh coffee. Thing is, the place gets quite crowded on weekend (don’t even think to have lunch there on market’s days) but if you are looking for quality products and are a food lover that a place to stop by. Oh and their cakes as well are to die for!

Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

Monster Supplies

Whether you’re a Vampire, Werewolf, Sasquatch or something else entirely, you will find anything you need at the amazing and wondrous Hoxton Street Monster Supplies – yes you read that correctly.

Besides, the Monster Supplies store is the only place in London (maybe in England??) where you can buy some Organ Marmalade, tubs of Mortal Terror or even jars of Thickest Human Snot! Everything about this gift shop is clever, cute and wonderfully themed!

Recently voted ‘No. 1 Kids’ Shop in London’ by Time Out Magazine, all proceeds from this kingdom of sweets and knick-knacks, go towards funding The Ministry of Stories, a charity that runs creative writing workshops for kids in East London, accessible via a secret door in the shop.

Buy their Cubed Earwax for a great cause!

 

Beigel Bake Brick Lane

Brick Lane Beigel

 

A London institution. Beigel Bake is 24-hour bakery known for traditional Jewish-style filled bagels such as salt beef and smoked salmon. Are you going out in Shoreditch? Beigel Bake is the perfect take away before and after hangover. Nothing glamorous or trendy (that is the best part!) about the place but definitely the best bagels I’ve ever tried in London. If you are in East London with less than £5 in your pocket and pass by Brick Lane this is the place for you!

Camille

The Gallery Café

A calm Vegan and Vegetarian Spot in the Hustle and Bustle

The Gallery Cafe is a lovely charity-driven vegetarian and vegan spot hosting art exhibitions and events. Conveniently located in a great location; near a Boris Bike pick-up point, Victoria Park, Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green tube station, Brick Lane and more, it’s perfect if you’re spending few hours in East London!

During summer weekends, you can bask in the sunshine on the sun- trap terrace and back garden, whilst spending the rest of the year getting cosy inside the cafe with nice music, access to speedy wifi, and friendly faces.

The cafe have won Best Cafe in Bethnal Green at the Time Out Love London Awards for the last three consecutive years. All profits generated by Gallery Cafe go straight back to charity. By hanging around, you’d not only enjoy award-winning food, drinks and good vibes, you’d also be helping to support the local community.

The backyard is great on summer but the fresh vegan burger and home made fries are the reason why you should stop by! The place is charming and I warmly recommend it to you, vegan or food lover.