The Knowhere Guide

Eating and Drinking in Bethnal Green and Hackney, Greater London*

Bethnal Green and Hackney, Greater London Pubs, Cafes, Coffee Shops and Restaurants

Food

• PELLICIS iTALIAN CAFE-Bethnal Green Rd E2. World famous italian noshery, previously visited by the notorious, now very respectable.
• Kebabish on the corner of Well Street, does a very good cheap curry and is open REALLY late.
• Barbizarre under the arches by Hackney Central station. Wonderful Moroccan food, great Moriccan wine (believe it or not!!) and they'll let you sit over a coffee and the papers all afternoon. Hai Ha is the best of many good Vietnamese places on Mare Street / Cambridge Heath Road; Thang Long on Brooksby's Walk is also good - their vegetarian "mock crispy duck" is astonishing
• chinese fish and chips on old bethnal green road. really good. as you come out of bethnal green station, go all the way down, pass tescos, the chemist as well.As you pass valance road, it should be on your right, next to a newsagent.
• Wick Fisheries Wick rd; E9, Then & Now, still can't be beat for quality & customer service. Adam's Kebab Well st; (Hassan's) Well st; can't be touched / equalled Then: The Venus Steak House Bethnal Green Road E2 (Wicked) Now: The Venus on the Park Mile End E1 (What can I say) Now: Frock's Lauriston rd E9; Class act! Then: Kelly's Pie & Mash Kingsland High st;(Fan - F***ING - tastic) Now: Kelly's Pie & Mash Roman rd; (Very very basic but lovely) Then & Now: The Great Wall Chinese Takeaway Wick rd; (Established name) Now: Pizza GOGO Morning Lane E9 (If they only had their own restaurants, Pizza Hut would go out of business)
• Central 1 in Hackney has fantastic food - namely thanks to the owner now cooking it from fresh. Thoroughly recommended.
• Perennial on Columbia road has some amazing food which although not cheap is really good value and they have a great garden to eat outside if the weather is good
• bar Central next to Hackney Central Station - the turquoise monstrosity - food is cheapish, but tastes cheaper - only go there if you like haute cuisine fresh from the microwave, via the freezer. NoodleXpress (amhurst road, near the junction with dalston lane) -cheap, tasty and fast...can't go wrong. LMNT (Queensbridge Road) - Truly excellent food/decor/service & value.
• Royal Inn on the Park does good lunches. That new place next to Gibbons Furniture shop on Amhurst Road isn't bad. Frocks on Lauriston road is very good. Unfortunatel,y my favourite, Cafe Alba on Mare St has closed. Their veggy breakfasts were the business.
• Pelechies on the bethnal Green road is great, and top noodles at the Dokoma in Morning lane is great for Thia noodles. I suspect I've spelt both wrong!
• the shampan is quite ok actually. Its crowded but the food is good.
• The restaurant you were trying to remember the name of on Broadway Market is Armadillo (latin American) would not say it was pricey myself - really really good food. Also the Russian/Georgian Restaurant and cafe during the day is brilliant - also i cannot seem to find the Dove Pub on Broadway market in your website - probabley on eof the best and cosiest pubs in London. Barbaran is also good as are the restaurants on Columbia Road such as the Perrenial and The Globe Cafe
• LMNT - Queensbridge Street. An adventure. Go check out the decor for yourself (make sure you check out the toilets too). Food is the best quality you will find for the extremely reasonable prices. Great value for money and a great night out.
• Best V places are split between a). the Vietnamese town where Well Street meet Mare Street. Green Papaya's food is tasty, fresh and relatively cheap (but then all the Vietnamese places here seem to be). I think Indochine is now closed. b). The 2nd large Vietnamese area on the Kingsland Road stretch starting from the Hoxton end, particularly Viet-Hoa Cafe. c). The Stoke Newington area which has a massive concentration of places to eat, some good and many bad. Best are Istambul Iskembesi (Turkish) and Rasa (South Indian). Both authentic, with stand-out dishes. However much i spend, i don't mind the bill.
• Correct me if I am wrong but are the Traditional Pie 'n' mash shops nearing extinction??? I don't see as many about as before. I went to secondary in Canning Town and there were was one in Rathbone Market and one in Hermit Road. My english mates loved the stuff. Becuase I am muslim but British by birth I would have only the lumpy/smooth licka (have I spelt that right?)and chips. The pies looked great but I felt mega guilty if I tried it. My plate of chips and licka was lovely actually. I would shake the hell out of the salt and pepper to bring out the unsurpassable taste. That pie 'n' mash shop was always buzzing at lunch time..packed to the brim. Cake & custard was always good at school, you really can't beat a better pudding.
• Damn, I can't remember the name, but its on Broadway Market, is Latin American and really really good (albeit a bit pricey). New Noodle Bar on Morning Lane. Cheap, big portions, yummy.
• - Indochine on the corner of Mare Street and Westgate Street. Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Thai food like you've never tasted it before... Design is bare but trendy, and prices affordable, if not cheap. - Little Georgia serves great Georgian food and Armadillo Brazilian-influenced food, both on Broadway Market. - Chan's Chinese takeaway on Mare Street is cheap and better than most! YOu can also eat in. - Wild Cherry, vegetarian cafe on Globe Road in Bethnal Green. They've got a lovely back garden to sit in if it's warm.
• Laksmi (Indian) restaurant in Mile End Road beats any found on Brick Lane. Wick Fisheries on Kenworthy Road for the best fish and chips in the east served by the friendliest owners you'll ever meet
• Kebab shop at the Mare Street End of Morning Lane,Chip Shop in Well Street
• If you want A great Curry at a great price with fantastic staff(Say hello to Aklas)then you must try the Sheba on Brick Lane Bethnal Green E1,TOPS.
• MOJO's - a fantastic hip & happenin place has now opened on 132 Lauriston Road, Hackney. The atmosphere is funky and sophisticated and the food is to die for. I highly recommend a visit - you will not be disappointed. Call 020 8985 5864 for further information.
• Macdonalds in bethnal green! because Kaz works there!
• Forget about eating at Fay ..... Victorian Oven in Spitalfields Market. i took 5 friends there last Sunday. About hallfway through the meal we began to realize the our plates were just the scappings left over from other people. The food and service were disgusting. When I complained to Victorian Lady Fay .... she said, "Well yer ate it dindya?" Screw the Victoria Oven, Spitalfields.
• Frocks - a restaurant just off Victoria Park on Laureston Road (I think) serves the best food for miles around. The menu has a British feel with strong influences from French food, reflected in the decor, the music and the service. If your hungry after a walk in the park you can't go wrong (£20 a head before wine). I should know - I ate there last night!!!
• unbeatable greasy spoons everywhere, try bagel shops in brick lane
• Hai-Ha on Mare Street - cheap and cheerful Vietnamese. BYO as well, added bonus. Stunning waitresses. Bagel shop - of course.
• Try out Viet Hoa restaurant on Kingsland road! The catfish is absolutely unbelievable.
• The Tiger and the Frog on Bethnal Green Road - excellent French cooking.
• The Vietnamese Foundations Canteen
• You have to go to Nico's on Cambridge Heath Road right by Bethnal Green tube just for the size of the portions. It actually had a write up in the Guardian about 6 months ago. Sweet Chilli (the Thai restaurant on the corner of Cleveland Way and Cambridge Heath Road), good quality food (if you like Thai - I don't personally). One of the classiest restaurants in the Bethnal Green area.
• The City Cafe in Hackney road is a real treat for Hot Cherry Pie, and Ice Cream
• The two best places to eat are the Cafe Alba, where you get huge portions of divine grub for around a tenner or £12 per person; also the Fang Cheng Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant - excellent Chinese for reasonable prices. Both are on Mare Street.
• The Sweet Chilli Thai Restaurant down on Mile End Road even does take-away orders via the Internet. Haven't checked it out yet, but will soon.
• For real East End Cockney Roots Food go to Cookes' pie and mash shop in Kingsland High Road. Real sawdust on the floor, spoons and forks that were probably new when Queen Victoria was a boy, and real live eels for sale in the window. Check out the guy selling the eels - he probably has some trouble picking his nose.
  [7.97] Cookes Ell & pie shop is closed.
• The Gallery Cafe in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, is terrific and easy to find - just a few yards from the Toy Museum (aka Museum of Childhood) and from Bethnal Green Tube. Prices are modest, the cooking is excellent and the atmosphere is friendly.

Pubs

• The Ship on Mare Street is a bit cooky
• Hackney Central and Homerton have a DISMAL selection of pubs. It comes to something when the Wetherspoons is best for atmosphere as well as real ale. The Pub on the Park in London Fields is nice, and the Samuel Pepys re-opens in December. Interesting to see if it will be crusty central again after the Empire revamp
• The Archers (pronounced Archies)Osborne Street off Brick Lane, brilliant Karaoki on Friday nights the singer/compare is bloody excellent, a good time is had by all, well worth it.
• the bars next to viccy park, theres a street of pubs n stuff. trendy.
• Then & Now: The Kenton Arms Kenton rd;(Part of the "real" Hackney Heritage) Then: The Brunswick Arms 1990-98 Well st;(Within this time period everyday/night was partytime). Then: The Albion Well st; common 1975-79 (Within this time period every night was a scream, a laugh, a party what a shame the owners sold up, the pub now caters for geriatrics and knowone else,it's such a shame a "good time" emporium for all adult age groups came to grinding halt in 1979. The Spread Eagle Homerton High st E9 (1976-82);This pub was packed Monday-Sunday for seven years,they had to turn people away on Friday & Saturday nights. Wicked D.J on Tuesday and Sunday nights (ME)
• The PALM TREE on Averfield Rd (formerly known as Haverfield Rd but someone painted over the 'H') is a great place to go at the weekend as they have live music, and even if the music is not your prefered style, it's still a good laugh.
• The Dove on Broadway Market would be good if it weren't for the pretentious tossers who use the place. The Pub on the Park is more down to earth.
• The Globe on Morning lane every night but Friday, when it's the Ship on Mare St, up the little strange alley just north of the Empire by the kebab shop. The front is in another Alley that used to be rigt next door to the Empire stage door Im told. Boycott the Witherspoons!!!! The macDonalds of pubs.
• The Eclipse (corner of Elderfield Rd and Blurton Rd - just off Chatsworth Rd) has only been open for about 8 months and has already become the best local around. They are only serving Sunday lunch at the moment due to the lack of a chef but it is well worth a visit for the great atmosphere and the rare soul jukebox.
• The Dove on Broadway market - best beer ever
• Two friendliest and best are The Lord Cecil (beginning of 'murder mile' in Clapton) and The Pride of Spitalfields (off Brick Lane). The first is large, lots of laughs and music. The second is small but beautiful. Both have truly great beer.
• Pub on the Park on a Friday night cos it's never too busy and you can get completed wrecked and no one gives shit. See you there Mikey boy!
• I mainly go to pubs for the authencity, individual history they boast, every east end pub has a story!!!Blind Beggar not the only one
• The Cat and Mutton pub on Broadway Market is hip and happening. The famous faces of Brian and the boys is enough to attract huge crowds.
• SALMON & BALL, BETHNAL GREEN RD BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE FOOTBALL!
• Bar Baran, as mentioned in this section already has new DJ's playing in the Bar on Saturday Night, playing a wide spectrum of music styles, from soul/rare groove (early evening) to lively funk and dance as the night wear on. Perfect for a local Saturday or as a starter for a big night out.
• Prince George on Parkholme Road is fantastic for watching the rugby: good beer, really nice bunch of people (locals from all over the world).
• - The Dove, absolutely packed all the time! Great selection of Belgian Beers. - Bar Baran, Shoreditch-styled bar and restaurant generally play good music and there are loads of free magazines. Both on Broadway Market.
• The Palm Tree in the strange new post apocalyptic Mile End Millennium Park is well worth a visit. A strange mix of local locals and students and climbers with an outdoor gras patch near the canal. It is in the middle of nowhere ( for lLondon) and feels like it should have featured in ' The League of Gentleman'. Recommended
• The Tiger pub on Wick Road - if you're hard enough
• The Globe at the top of Morning Lane was ok....and I have had many a good pub crawl up Hackney Road
• The Royal Inn On the Park - Since the new management took over a few months ago, things have really taken off at this venue. A good atmosphere with a mixed clientele is what you can expect if you visit this bar. If you enjoy relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, eating good food (they've got a new chef who is awesome) and listening to good music in a child free zone, then head on over and enjoy their Sunday Session! I've been going there for the past year, and in the last six months can honestly say this place is going from strength to strength!! Try it if you don't believe me!! (P.S They haven't paid me to write this!! :>)
• The Earl Amhurst on Amhurst Road, basically next to Hackney Central station is really nice - I think it used to be scuzzy but now has lovely bar staff, nice owner/manager man, good music (bring your own), pool, Belgian beer etc. Only downside is uncomfortable seats.
• Cantalope, a.k.a the pregnant watermelon
• Inn on the park... Nice big pub for summer lounging. Not sure about the food though...
• "Hackney circuit" of Dove, Pub on the Park and Pepys. Sebright off Hackney Road for Dockyard Doris on a Thursday, good Sunday lunch. Approach. Royal Inn on the Park. Golden Heart (correct spelling), Pride of Spitalfields in that area. Nelson's Head & Royal Oak in Columbia Rd. open 8am Sunday (Royal Oak is also the pub in "Goodnight Sweetheart" - the alleyway down the side is Nicholas Lyndhurst's vortex), as is the Carpenters on Cheshire Street.
• The Dove, Broadway Market
• The Prince George, Prince Albert, Dove and Pub on the Park (all within the London Fields area) are superb.
• The approach tavern,on the approch road near Victoria Park. The Carpenters Arms on Cheshire street. Formerly owned by the Kray twins so they would have somewhere safe to take their mum (Rose), without fear of being shot.
• Salmon an Ball, right on Bethnal Green Tube, and the Green Man a few yards along does a blinding pint of Ollie Holsten
• The Greenwood, Royal Oak on Wilton Way, The one on Wilton Way behind Hack. Empire
• The Magpie and Stump on Church street. Pretty easy atmosphere which makes a nice change from the rest.
• Another pub that is great is the Prince George Parkholm Road: reminds me of a pubs in Ireland -- real fire, rugs and bare boards with loads of atmosphere. Great place to watch rugby, though tv is not on much. Best juke box in Hackney.
• Pub on the Park London Field is actually in the Park and is ACE: run by a sweet Irish guy, Bredan, and son. Has petanque cricket swings etc
• I'd like to recommend the Cavalier pub on the corner of Bethnal Green - I think the road is Cheshire Street.
• The 'Royal Oak' on Columbia Road is the site of some of the Pub scenes from the Movie, "The Krays". Also, Rolling Stones did a video for one of their songs from Tattoo You outside the Royal Oak and up Columbia Road. Charlie Kray can occassionally be found having a pint at the 'Birdcage' on Columbia Road.

Cafes and Coffee Shops

• THE GALLERY Old Ford Rd open daytimes only- very pleasant place for veggie snacks. THE CHERRY ORCHARD Globe Rd E2. Veggie Food
• e9 Cafe on Well Street - quality graesy spoon with goof veggie range too Mess Cafe on Amhurst Road, interesting spin on traditonal brekkie and Mediterranean style lunches. Decent portions and affordable.
• The coffee shop in the Ocean is not bad for a cappucino. Unfortunately the staff let the place down
• i would recommend starbucks actually, because they are clean, and for an american company very generous sofa-wise. It just needs wi-fi now ah and 10 time bigger space.. :)
• Ikubo on Broadway market is excellent for just chilling
• Pelluci's on Bethnal Green Rd is always heaving, the food always great value for money and the staff friendly and genuine.
• Does Mile End count?? As the Orange Room is a necessary detour. On Burdett Road not far from Mile End station, it's dark inside, comfortable, friendly, painted funky orange, with recliners. They used to play Otis hits and serve hot chocolate. The homemade lamb burger is a proper munch while you play chess.
• Cafe Alba on Mare St. Homecooked marvels. Had the best Lamb Rendang in there ever! Even took all my mates there for my 26th birthday.
• Pellucci's on Bethnal Green Road is a quant and down to earth cafe that has huge amounts of originality. It has survived all these years with the ever increasing new 'places to dine'. These kind of Cafe's are special... dying breed which is a sad loss to those who appreciate the old days and how things were. The amount of jack the lads that have had a cuppa at Pellucci's would put hairs on any ones chest!!!
• Ikubo on Broadway Market. Tiny but nice. Gallery Cafe on Old Ford Road. Sandwiches, coffee, pasta etc, all vegetarian and affordable.
• Percy Ingles....those Madelines yummy!!!
• VIP bagel shop just off the park is good with cheap mugs of slosh.
• "Cafe @" on Brick Lane for coffee. I don't think there's anywhere else unless a cup of weak instant is your thing. Pellicci's on Bethnal Green Road has been there since 1910 and looks it too. Full of character and busy as hell on a Saturday morning. Someone might like to show them how to fry an egg, though. Apparently the Krays used to chuck folk through the window a lot. The Market Cafe on Fournier Street is a godsend. It's open from 1am until 1pm (yes, you did read that correctly) Mon - Fri, perfect if you've been on the lash midweek and want to eat before bed.

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Last updated: 2007-11-06