Bastante pastas and pizzas! Too often, we forget that Italian’s food is not only about pizzas and pastas. Symposium is a wine shop, a deli and a restaurant with a great Italian chef. If you are a true food lover and appreciate quality cuisine, that place is for you. Their menu is seasonal and authentic and their selection of wines is amazing.
The Pizza Room is two minutes across Park Villa (literally!). They have a nice menu, including yummy salads, pizzas (freshly baked in front of you) and a really exquisite tiramisu. The place is cosy and comfortable, with a gentle staff. They even have a vegan pizza option, never tried it but people are apparently happy about it.
Lardo is a hip pizzeria with a ‘disco ball’ oven, for brunch, drinks and Italian plates. Between the trendy Hackney Central and the chilled London Fields, the place is a great way to start your Friday evening. Inventive pizzas, fresh pastas, delicious Italian antipasti and a staff who’s passioned about food.
Thai Room serves traditional Thai food in an elegant venue with immaculate tablecloths and smart plates. Their menu offers a great range of traditional Thai dishes ranging from drunken beef to massaman lamb or even salads. Thai Room is a great local venue if you are around, craving for some Thai food.
Coborn is a relaxed ale pub serving traditional and seasonal British plates. They have a big terrace in front, and a cosy space inside. Nothing fancy but food is good and that’s typical. Go there for the cockney experience and the scotch eggs.
Moreover it’s only few minutes away from Park Villa 🙂
East Londoners are the most picky in the world when it comes to Fish and Chips, so when you see a place with a queue outside everyday, you can be sure it’s good! Why not stop by Britannia Fish Bar? Our local Fish Bar is 100% typical, their price are fair, the portion are huge (you can definitely share a big one with an other person, bare in mind that Britannia is only take-away) and to be frank that’s not too bad! Quick, easy and fresh cod and chips! And the best part is that it’s only 2 minutes away from Park Villa’s gate 🙂
Lahore Kebab House is an other London institution serving authentic Pakistani food. A place of pilgrimage for all the curry lovers! This is a very busy place with great atmosphere. You might be scared by the crowd but the service is quick, there’re dozens of waiters, hundred tables, dozens of cooks (which you can see in action through a large window). Famous for their lamb chops, currys and pretty much everything else.
Should I mention its also BYOB 😉
Located in Whitechapel, Tayyabs is one other East-london institution. Much-loved Punjabi restaurant serving aromatic, and spicy dishes. Should be on the bucket list of everyone living in the capital. From its original premises in a small café, it has gradually swallowed up the pub next door. If you come here expecting a relaxing evening, cheery service or an intimate atmosphere, you’ll be disappointed: this is a full-on, massive, hectic, loud, in-and-out sort of place. ( Don’t plan your date there!)
Don’t even think to go there without booking, except if you want to queue during 30 min.
The menu is simple but perfectly executed and BYO keeps the costs down. (Don’t forget to order their buttery nans.)
Buzzy destination for Indian street food in Bombay-style digs with vintage decor & eclectic touches. Book in advance otherwise you might need to wait for a table for hours. But if you are patient enough it’s worth it. Lots of flavours in a really nice atmosphere. The food is modern and served like tapas.
Dishoom is good for breakfast and it’s less crowded. It’s also good to know that they have good vegetarian options. Shoreditch, Soho, Kings Cross, Kensington and even Edinburg have their own Dishoom. (but each of them are quite different)
The Crown is a two-floored pub with beer garden, outdoor terraces and quirky, vintage-inspired styling. You will love the over-view on the park in both winter and summer. Their staff is friendly and will make you feel welcomed.
10 minutes away from Mile End station, the pub faces the entrance of Victoria Park and it’s a good way to take a break from the city. Go there for the view and the atmosphere, grab some ales and/or a glass of wine, a cup of fries and here you go!