East End of London

The East End is a district of inner London. The boundaries of the East End are not well defined, but for the purposes of this page it covers from the edge of The City to the River Lea in the East, and Shoreditch and Haggerston in the North. Highlights include the large cluster of Sunday markets and the nightclub area of Shoreditch.

Understand

Mile End, considered the end of the traditional East End.

The East End is the home of "Cockney Rhyming Slang", a dialect of English where words are substituted for other words which they rhyme with. For example "apples and pears" is cockney slang for "stairs"; "plates of meat" is slang for "feet". The East End is perhaps now more famous than ever due to the long-running and hugely popular BBC TV series EastEnders, a soap opera about the life of people living in Albert Square, Walford, which is a fictional location.

Exploring the East End can be a great way to get off of the main tourist track, while staying in walking distance of the historic centre of London. A good place to start is to go east from Spitalfields into the nearby Brick Lane neighbourhood.

The East End consists of many small and quite distinct neighbourhoods:

Mile End is an increasingly affluent neighbourhood about one mile (hence the name) from the City of London along the Whitechapel Road. While not as vibrant as its neighbours in Bethnal Green and Brick Lane, it has a charm of its own which makes this district worth a visit. It is rich in history and contains some very interesting relics of London's industrial past. The district was created just at the time when London was expanding at its fastest rate and as such contains areas which are a microcosm of the Victorian city. It also suffered greatly from German bombing in World War II and the slum clearances of the 1960s which saw many fine Victorian houses bulldozed to be replaced by sub-standard communal housing.

Historic building of the Royal London Hospital

Whitechapel runs from the edge of the City of London at Bishopsgate in the West to Cavell Street in the East, and from Commercial Road in the south moving to Brick Lane in the north. It became particularly notorious in 19th century for the gruesome murders of Jack the Ripper (once known as 'The Whitechapel Murderer'), in the days when poverty and prostitution were common in this area. It is still a largely working-class area but has attracted a large Bangaledeshi community which has made Brick Lane what it is today. Many aspiring artists moved here for the cheap rents but still central location. Tracey Emin (one of the not-so-Young British Artists (YBAs) of the 1990s) has a studio in this area, and can be seen wandering around in the day. The Royal London Hospital gazes across at Whitechapel Tube station and is famous for nursing Joseph Carey Merrick (the 'Elephant Man') in his final years.

"Banglatown"

Brick Lane is a small but diverse street, starting in Whitechapel and running north into Bethnal Green. The area has come to be known as "Banglatown" because of many of its inhabitants and proprietors originating from the Indian subcontinent (especially Bangladesh). You can see evidence of this on the bilingual road signs which were placed to help immigrants in the 1980s who were unable to speak English.

Although now largely a Bengali neighbourhood, within living memory, Brick Lane was a Jewish district. As well as some obvious remnants of this history such as a few remaining beigel (bagel) delis, there are some more subtle ones too, such as small synagogues in the back streets. Many of the larger synagogues have now been converted into mosques. Before that, it was a Huguenot area. The Huguenots settled in the area and became well known for silk weaving. The markets here date back to the 16th century, when the area was a stop on the main eastern exit road from London. The neighbourhood, now complete with its own annual festival, is now most famous for its curry restaurants, markets, speciality shops and vibrant but relaxed nightlife.

Shoreditch stretches from the City to Kingsland Road in the London Borough of Hackney. Culturally though this is part of the East End. This was once an area largely populated by skint artists but they were scattered once the wave of design and media studios and commercial art galleries rolled in. Although the area is still underdeveloped in many ways, this is one of the best places to go out drinking in London, simply because there are so many different bars, pubs and clubs dotted all over this area and many of these stay open past 11PM.

City Canal in the Canary Wharf

Docklands

This area stretches from the edge of the City of London along the river to Beckton. The area encompasses the historical docks of the port of London, which declined after the Second World War. The area has been extensively redeveloped since the 1980s resulting in a doubling of the residential population. This is now predominantly an area of giant offices and mid to upmarket housing, although elements of its historic purpose can still be found. For travellers, the major feature of interest is the Canary Wharf development, home to some of London's tallest buildings. However, there are also other areas of Docklands that are of interest to those with more time to explore the area. Areas of modern day Docklands include Wapping, Limehouse, the Isle of Dogs and Royal Dock:

Wapping is immediately east of the City of London on the banks of the Thames with St Katherine Dock next to Tower Bridge. Although largely gentrified in recent decades, there are still many cobbled streets and the warehouse conversions has been done sympathetically in many places, and there are several excellent riverside pubs. The giant News International facility (which publishes The Times and The Sun newspapers) is here.

Limehouse extends from the edge of Wapping to Canary Wharf. By-passed by the Limehouse Link road tunnel, it is a quiet, predominantly residential area and there are a few riverside pubs of note a well as facilities serving the massive business community at Canary Wharf.

The Isle of Dogs lies to the south of the Canary Wharf development, and is a mixture of light industrial, office and residential areas such as Millwall and Cubitt Town, with a large park at Mudchute that contains a City Farm. At Island Gardens there are noteworthy views across the river to Greenwich.

The Royal Docks extend east where redevelopment has proceeded at a slower pace than most of the rest of Docklands. The former docks are now stand alongside London City Airport, although the arrival and departure of aeroplanes still spills over them onto the campus of the University of East London. The Excel Centre is also to be found here.

Surrey Docks and Rotherhithe on the south of the river are sometimes included in descriptions of Docklands.

Get in

By Tube

Mile End (Zone 2) is one of the best-connected stations in London, with access to the Central, Hammersmith and City, and District Lines. There is also a District Line station at Bow Road and Docklands Light Railway stations at Bow Road and Devons Road.

For the west side of Whitechapel get off at Aldgate East (Zone 1) Tube station (Hammersmith & City and District Lines), to take you directly to the Whitechapel Art Gallery and near the bottom of Brick Lane or Whitechapel (Zone 2) (Hammersmith & City and District Lines, as well as the London Overground East London line and Elizabeth line) will take you to the east side of Whitechapel Road. Liverpool Street (Zone 1) Tube station is a 15-minute walk from Whitechapel.

The Jubilee line extension to Canary Wharf links the Docklands with the main Tube network.

By Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

Much of Docklands used to be poorly connected to the rest of London, with the development of the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) and the extension of the Jubilee Underground line, transportation has become much easier and more efficient. If visiting Canary Wharf, you might like to arrive by DLR to experience the views from the train on approach and leave by the Jubilee to see the impressively large station, which has been compared to a cathedral.

Most of the DLR stations are, unsurprisingly, in the Docklands. There are three stations on the Canary Wharf development (Fare Zone 2) and are a short distance apart so you don't need to use the DLR to get around within Canary Wharf:

• West India Quay
• Canary Wharf
• Heron Quays is best for interchange with the Jubilee line.

By train

London Overground's Windrush line  WND  (formerly the East London Line (ELL)) goes from Highbury & Islington  VIC  to West Croydon and connects various stations in the inner East End, running through Haggerston, Hoxton, Shoreditch High Street, Whitechapel, Shadwell and Wapping, before crossing the river to Rotherhithe, Canada Water and beyond.

The Elizabeth line  ELI  goes from Reading and Heathrow Airport to Shenfield and Abbey Wood via London Liverpool St. Whitechapel is on the Abbey Wood branch.

See

• 1 Canary Wharf (Tube: Canary Wharf  JUB  DLR  ELI ). A vast shopping, eating, entertainment and (primarily) business complex, home to Britain's second tallest skyscraper, One Canada Square. Now increasingly lively at weekends as well, but still at its most impressive during the week. Spectacular main exit from the Jubilee line Tube station. There is a substantial amount of information about the history and the architecture of the development on the website of Canary Wharf Group, the company that owns the development.  
• 2 Christ Church, Fournier St (tube: Liverpool St  CEN  CIR  H&C  MET  OGD  ELI ), ☏ +44 20 7859-3035. M-F 10AM-4PM, Su 1PM-4PM. The restoration of the nave was completed in September 2004, and this church is still a striking building designed by Sir Nicholas Hawksmoor with a particularly tall, pointed spire. Hawksmoor's design was significantly altered in the 19th century, and present continuing restoration is intended to restore it to Hawksmoor's original vision. Christ Church was built as part of the 50 Churches for London project. Free, tour £6. (updated Oct 2016)

Dennis Severs House

• 3 Dennis Severs' House, 18 Folgate Street, E1 6BX (In the back streets north of Spitalfields Market. Overground: Shoreditch High Street  OGD . Tube: Liverpool Street  CEN  CIR  H&C  MET  OGD  ELI ), ☏ +44 20 7247-4013, info@dennissevershouse.co.uk. M "lunchtime" noon–2PM, M W "silent nights" 5–9PM, Su "daytime" noon–4PM. Built as a townhouse belonging to a wealthy Huguenot merchant family in the 18th century, the late artist Dennis Severs has returned its interior to how it might have looked in those early days. But this is no mere museum; there are no exhibits or glass cases. Instead, Dennis Severs' House offers a completely immersive journey into the past with each room appearing, feeling and smelling as if its occupant had just left. A must for history lovers. Daytime/lunchtime £10/£5 children, silent nights £15. (updated Mar 2015)

Victoria Park

• 4 Museum of London Docklands, No 1 Warehouse, West India Quay (tube: West India Quay  DLR ), ☏ +44 20 7001-9844, info.docklands@museumoflondon.org.uk. 10AM-6PM. Tells the story of the development of the Docklands from Roman and Viking times to the present day. Free.  
• 5 The Brick Lane Gallery, 196 Brick Ln (Tube: Liverpool Street  CEN  CIR  H&C  MET  OGD  ELI  or Aldgate East  CIR  DIS  H&C ), ☏ +44 20 7729-9721, info@thebricklanegallery.com. Noon-6PM. Exhibits an eclectic variety of contemporary art and street art by British and International artists, focusing mainly on exhibiting emerging and mid-career artists. They present an integrated programme of exhibitions, including solo-shows as well as group exhibitions, introducing innovative developments in painting, sculpture, photography, performance, video and works on paper. Free, but you also can buy the paintings. 
• 6 Young V&A (Museum of Childhood), Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA (tube: Bethnal Green  CEN ), ☏ +44 20 8983-5200, moc@vam.ac.uk. Daily 10AM–5:45PM. The Victoria and Albert Museum's East London branch has a focus on childhood and is particularly known for its large collection of toys throughout the ages. Great for children of all ages. Free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 7 Victoria Park (Vicky Park) (tube: Mile End  CEN  DIS  H&C ). 6AM-dusk daily. At 87 hectares this is the largest open green space in the district.  
• 8 Whitechapel Art Gallery, 80-82 Whitechapel High St (Tube: Aldgate East  CIR  DIS  H&C ), ☏ +44 20 7522-7888. Tu W F-Su 11AM-6PM, Th 11AM-9PM. Whitechapel has been a champion of Modern Art since 1901, and has held exhibitions of greats such as Picasso, Pollock and Frida Kahlo and supported British Artists such as Gilbert & George and Lucian Freud. The space continues to hold regular new exhibitions with additional linked events on Thursday evenings. There is a cafe and a small art bookshop. Free entry. There are excellent facilities for disabled people (visual, hearing and physical).  
• 9 Wilton's Music Hall (Wilton's), Graces Alley off Ensign St (10 min-walk from Tower Hill  CIR  DIS  or Aldgate East  CIR  DIS  H&C  Tube stations. Head towards Royal Mint St which becomes Cable St), ☏ +44 20 7702-2789. Wilton's Music Hall is the oldest Grand Music Hall in the world. Built in 1858 it has had a long and colourful history. Wilton's has been the haunt of Victorian sailors (and their ladies), become a Mission, survived two world wars, being a rag warehouse, being forgotten, becoming derelict and has ended up as a theatre once more. It is now a performance space offering entertainment of as wide a variety as puppetry to poetry and has launched a capital appeal to save it from crumbling.  
• 10 Jack The Ripper Museum, 12 Cable St, Tower Hill, Whitechapel, E1 8JG (Tube: Tower Hill  CIR  DIS ), ☏ +44 20 7488-9811. 9:30am–6:30pm. A small museum is set in a Victorian house near the infamous Battle of Cable Street. There are 5 floors including the basement, each dedicated to several aspects of famous murders starting with a recreation of Mitre Square on the first floor, Jack the Ripper's sitting room on the second floor, the police station on the third, a victim's bedroom on the fourth and the mortuary in the basement. There is also a walking tour. Book tickets online to save money, there is also a Halloween special deal. Adult: £10, Child: £8 (online). (updated Aug 2020)

Do

Walks

• 1 Tower Bridge. If you feel adventurous then spend a sunny Sunday afternoon walking the north bank of the River Thames to Tower Bridge in the City of London.  
• 2 Regents Canal. Walk up the Regent's Canal.  
• 3 Green Bridge. Walk over the Green Bridge, a unique structure that joins Bow Common to Mile End Park with its urban nature reserve, taking the park over the busy A11 road, ensuring uninterrupted greenery for several miles, from the bottom of Bow Common to the top of the beautiful Victoria Park. 

Other

• Cineworld Cinema, 11 Hertsmere Rd (tube: West India Quay  DLR ). 
• Cycle. Hire a bike and cycle around the island. There are lots of cycle paths and great riverside views of the City of London and Greenwich. 
• Canary Wharf Ice Rink (Tube: Canary Wharf  JUB  DLR ). Ice skating with a café and bar, in the smart Canada Square park surrounded by glittering office tower blocks. Winter only. 
• Jack the Ripper Tour. For those of you with a morbid fascination with this 19th-century murderer, this will hopefully feed your curiosity. Approx 2 hours. Book through website. £15 per person. (updated May 2023)
• Mayhem Paintball, 62-64 Globe Rd London E1 4DS, ☏ +44 20 7600-5030, info@mayhempaintball.co.uk. Daily 9AM-5PM. Paintballing centre. 
• 4 Mudchute Park and Farm (Mudchute City Farm) (DLR: Mudchute  DLR ). City farm with a shop and a café. (updated Oct 2023)
• 5 Shoreditch Street Art Tour, Spitalfields Market, E1 6EG (Meet at the Goat Statue), info@shoreditchstreetarttours.co.uk. Tours start 11:15AM & 2:45PM. A tour of the constantly changing street art around this part of the East End. Saturday times may vary. Adult £15, child £10. 

Buy

Columbia Road Flower Market

The undoubted highlight of East End trading life was the street market, operating under a grudging acceptance from the authorities and offering bargains with big suggestions that the cheap price may be related to a dodgy road to market. Sunday was the main market day due to the Jewish heritage of the area, and therefore attracted a large influx of shoppers before shops were allowed Sunday trading elsewhere in London. The (more controlled) current markets are a treat of variety, stretching out in short walk from Liverpool St or Shoreditch stations. During a Sunday morning relaxed walk, allowing 2–3 hours, you can visit the four main markets, Petticoat Lane, Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Columbia Road Flower Market, have lunch and a shandy or two, whilst taking in the ever-changing diversity. New markets are opening en route all the time, but real surprises are most likely to be found around the north Brick Lane/Cheshire St area which most resembles the spirit of the original markets, having many stalls operating on the edges of both market and legality.

Petticoat Lane Market

• 1 Petticoat Lane Market, Middlesex St. Traditionally the East End market where nearly anything could be found (legal or not) now mostly cheaper mainstream clothes. Main market Sunday, smaller market M-F in Wentworth St.  
• 2 Spitalfields Market (tube: Liverpool St  CEN  CIR  H&C  MET  OGD  ELI , just off Bishopgate). The traditional fruit and vegetable market for The City moved into the suburbs in 1991. The existing buildings were threatened with complete demolition by developers, but saved partially by local action and the establishment of an organic market on the empty site. It has slowly been shrunk to a third of its size by development in the area. It still features a good variety of clothing, crafts and food stalls and shops, but very little organic anymore. M-F - upmarket stalls operate on the edge of the new buildings. Towards end of week more eclectic stalls can be found in old market area. Sunday hosts the full market in both old and new areas but tends to be increasingly more expensive and exclusive as traders are squeezed for higher rents.  
• 3 Brick Lane. The Whitechapel end of Brick Lane is filled with South Asian (mainly Bangladeshi) shops and restaurants, selling music, spices, tasty sweets and sari material. 
• 4 Beyond Retro, 110-112 Cheshire St. Secondhand clothing (male and female). 
• 5 Rokit, 101&107 Brick Ln. Secondhand clothing (male and female). 
• 6 Brick Lane Market (overground: Shoreditch High St, running from Shoreditch High St Overground Stn to Bethnal Green Rd and spreading out into Sclater and Cheshire Sts). Su 8AM-2PM. Selling second hand clothes, bric-a-brac, books, household goods and electronics.  

Tatty Devine in Brick Lane

• 7 Tatty Devine, 236 Brick Ln (Hidden up at the quiet end away from the hustle and bustle of the market and curry houses), ☏ +44 20 7739-9009. Little shop specialising in accessories for men and women, such as volume level brooches and newspaper print ties. M-F 10AM-6PM; Sa Su 11AM-7PM. 
• 8 Whitechapel Market (Tube: Whitechapel  DIS  H&C  OGD  ELI ). M-Sa 8AM-6PM. A small street market selling food and spices, clothing, jewellery, carpets and the odd dodgy stereo.  
• 9 Canary Wharf Shopping Centre, 1 Canada Sq, E14 5AB (tube: Canary Wharf  DLR ). A shopping centre with the usual High Street shops, plus a John Lewis department store and a Waitrose food store which has the most stunning range of produce. Pleasant upmarket shopping centre, made up of three arcades: Canada, Cabot, and Jubilee Place. The three arcades encircle Jubilee Park and the Tube station, and house over 200 shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes that are open seven days a week. A relaxed shopping environment, especially good for clothes. 
• 10 Roman Road Market, Roman Rd, Old Ford (follow the signs from the Bow Road  DIS  H&C  tube station). A mix of traditional goods, from high street brands to fish, lying just outside the traditional East End, but has the character. Roman has it all. Market runs Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until 5PM. (updated Oct 2023)
• 11 Rough Trade East. Boasts a large vinyl selection, books, merchandise, and hosts live events 7 days a week. (updated Jan 2024)

Eat

Canary Wharf

There are many restaurants in Docklands clustered around the new developments of Canary Wharf. Some of the best are listed below:

• 1 The Limehouse, Fishermans Walk, 10 Cabot Square, ☏ +44 20 7513-0255, limehouse.canarywharf@fullers.co.uk. Lunchtime menus include a mixture of continental and international meals. A snack menu is available in the evening. Two mezzanine areas at the bar for private party bookings. 
• 2 Gaucho Grill, Westferry Circus, Canary Riverside, ☏ +44 20 7987-9494. The Argentinian cowboy, the gaucho, made famous the tradition of cooking fresh meat over charcoal grills. The large horseshoe bar offers traditional South American cocktails and beer. 
• 3 Plateau Restaurant Bar and Grill, 4F, Canada Place, E14 5ER, ☏ +44 20 7715-7100, plateaureservations@danddlondon.com. M–F noon–3PM & 5–11PM, Sa 11:30AM–3:30PM & 5–11PM, Su noon–4PM. Modern French restaurant, part of the Conran restaurants group. More informal Bar and Grill includes steak grills and hearty regional French dishes. Two bars. (updated Apr 2021)
• 4 Quadrato, 46 Westferry Circus, E14 8RS (Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel), ☏ +44 20 7510-1857. M–F 6:30AM–10:30PM, Sa Su 8AM–10:30PM. International classics for breakfast and northern Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. The Tuscan Sunday Brunch and cocktails at bar Quadrato should not be missed. Watching chef Sebastiano Spriveri at work is a main attraction. (updated Apr 2021)
• 5 Royal China, Westferry Circus, Canary Riverside, ☏ +44 20 7719-0888. Popular restaurant with a great view of the Thames River. Decorated with Royal China gives a contemporary feel. Enjoy dim-sum and an extensive menu. 
• 6 Zizzi, Westferry Circus, Canary Riverside, ☏ +44 20 7512-9257. Serves authentic pastas and pizzas. During the summer a large riverside terrace affords sweeping views over the River Thames. A chain restaurant. 

Mile End

There is a cluster of good eateries at Bow Wharf, just a few minutes north of Mile End station.

• 7 The Greedy Cow, 2 Grove Road, London, E3 5AX (Cross the street coming out of Mile End station, turn left, and then turn right at the road junction. The restaurant will be on your right.), ☏ +44 20 8983-3304. Midday-10:30PM. A cosy restaurant serving burgers with unusual and exotic ingredients, along with more traditional fare such as chicken or beef. Salads and steaks also available. £10-20 per person (plus drinks). 
• 8 The Crown, 223 Grove Road. Remarkable gastropub. 
• 9 Ariana, 2 Midlothian Rd. 
• 10 Orange Room, 63 Burdett Rd, ☏ +44 20 8980-7336. A good place for chilled-out lunches. 
• 11 Saucy Kipper fish & chip shop, 626 Roman Rd. 

Brick Lane

Brick Lane was once home to a thriving Jewish community, and while much of that community has since left, one of the reminders of that community are the surviving shops selling the beigel (US/Canada: bagel), a quintessentially Ashkenazi Jewish type of bread.

Wander up Brick Lane, and you will be pounced on by countless touts trying to persuade you to enter their client's restaurant. Try to go on a recommendation if you can, otherwise take pot luck.

Unfortunately, many of Brick Lane's curry restaurants have become victims of the success of the area. Most restaurants now employ pushy touts, who will hassle you to eat in their client's restaurants. The discounts may sound tempting, but they frequently inflate the prices simply so they can offer you a 'deal'.

The largest concentration is between Woodseer Street and Fournier Street. The old-style, flock wallpaper curry houses have now largely given way to shiny, light wood and aluminium restaurant for tourists and City workers. Whichever style you go for, though, it's always worth checking that they've got a licence to sell alcohol before taking up a table. A lot of the restaurants will allow you to bring your own alcohol along.

• 12 Bengal Village, 75 Brick Ln, ☏ +44 20 7366-4868. Good food, good value, pleasant atmosphere and good service. 
• 13 Brick Lane Beigel Bake, 159 Brick Ln (Closer to Bethnal Green Rd and with a white sign), ☏ +44 20 7729-0616. 24 hours. A local institution, Beigel Bake is more celebrated of the two and rated by some as the freshest most delicious beigel you will ever have. Their salt beef is more highly rated than Beigel Shop and a salt beef beigel with mustard and pickle is highly recommended for a post-clubbing snack. 
• 14 Britain's First & Best Beigel Shop, 155 Brick Ln (Further from Bethnal Green Rd and with a yellow sign), ☏ +44 20 7729-0826. 24 hours. While less celebrated than its near neighbour, Beigel Shop is still well worth a visit. While Beigel Bake is a local institution, it is reflected in its limited range. As a result, Beigel Shop works harder for your cash, providing a wider range of fillings and an excellent sausage roll, making it the preferred destination for those who aren't enamoured with salt beef. 
• 15 New Tayyabs, 83-89, Fieldgate St (Between the East London Mosque and The Royal London Hospital), info@tayyabs.co.uk. Long established and arguably the best South Asian restaurant in the Whitechapel area. Serves traditional food in a pleasant if slightly frenetic atmosphere. Good value and fast efficient service. Particularly recommended are the mixed grills to share and the delicious mango or banana lassi drinks which are similar to milkshakes. Book or arrive early on Friday or Saturday as the restaurant is so popular you may have to queue. 
• 16 Lahore Kebabhouse, 2-10, Umberston St, E1 1PY. Good value, extremely friendly staff and is able to cater to big groups (up to 20 people). Plus, it has a BYOB licence, keeping costs down. (updated Apr 2018)
• 17 Upmarket, 91 Brick Ln. Saturday 11AM–5:30PM, Sunday 10AM–6PM. Indoor weekend market with lots of stalls serving cuisine from all over the world, from Tibetan dumplings to Venezuelan arepas. Has a lively street food atmosphere and an excellent array of vegan options. (updated Oct 2020)

Other places

• 18 Tas Firin, 160 Bethnal Green Rd E2 6BG (Just off Brick Lane. Overground: Shoreditch High St), ☏ +44 20 7729-6446. Great Turkish grilled food. 
• 19 Keu Deli, 332 Old Street, EC1V 9DR, ☏ +44 20 7739-1164, info@keudeli.co.uk. 9AM-9PM. The banh mi sandwich is a crusty baguette filled with terrines, meats, lightly pickled vegetables, fragrant herbs and almost always mayonnaise. £2-6. 
• 20 Pellici's, 332 Bethnal Green Rd E2 0AG (tube: Bethnal Green  CEN ), ☏ +44 20 7739-4873, epelliccicafe@gmail.com. M–Sa 7AM–4PM, closed Su. Possibly the best greasy spoon caff in the country (and one of very few left), this old pad, frequented by celebrities from X-Factor winners to the Krays, is well worth the effort. Cheap as chips by the London standard and well worth the value for money. (updated Apr 2021)
• 21 Mala, 2 Marble Quay, St. Katherine's Dock (Tube: Tower Hill), ☏ +44 20 7480-6356. Expensive Indian cuisine. Tandooris, Biryanis, and other specialties. View of the docks, full bar. 
• 22 Laxeiro, 93 Columbia Rd, E2 7RG (Overground: Hoxton), ☏ +44 20 7729-1147. Family-run Spanish restaurant established in 1982. Amazing Spanish food. Great for lunch when at the flower market. 

Street art in Shoreditch

• 23 Boxpark, 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd. 11AM–10PM daily. A trendy mall built out of shipping containers, full of hipsters and groups of twentysomethings at the weekend. (updated Oct 2020)
• 24 The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club, 384 Old St, EC1V 9LT. Restaurant where motorcycles ride past you at your table. You can ride in and park your motorbike near the tables, or come without a bike just for the atmosphere. (updated Oct 2020)
• 25 Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles, 62 Wentworth St, E1 7TF, ☏ +44 20 8617-1470, info@xianbiangbiangnoodles.com. Authentic northern Chinese cuisine. The specialty is a classic Shaanxi dish, the thick biang biang noodles in the restaurant's name. (updated Jul 2021)

Drink

• 1 The Mahogany Bar, Wilton's Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley off Ensign St, E1 8JB (tube: Aldgate East  CIR  DIS  H&C  or Tower Hill, 5 min-walk from St Katharine's Dock), ☏ +44 20 7702-2789. M-F 5PM-11PM. The Mahogany Bar was built around 1725 and has always been a public house, trading under many names over the years including the Albion Saloon and the Prince of Denmark. In 1828 it was luxuriously and elaborately refurbished with a magnificent mahogany bar and fittings which was unprecedented for a pub interior at that time and arguably set the look for the iconic Victorian pub. The fixtures and fittings of this bar have been stripped away over the years but the atmosphere lingers on. This is the charming bar inside the dilapidated Wilton's music Hall. Visit on a Monday for free live music from 8PM. 

Canary Wharf

Many of the bars on the Canary Wharf development are indistinguishable chain bars, although they are very popular with office workers on weekday evenings, particularly Thursday and Friday. Most are closed at weekends, but there are usually one or two open if you want to visit then; the area is generally very quiet at this time, which you may or may not consider a good thing. Nearly all have outside areas adjacent to the water which can be pleasant in summer.

• 2 The Cat & Canary, 25-27 Fishermans Walk, E14 4DH. 
• 3 The Ledger Building (J D Wetherspoon), 4 Hertsmere Rd, West India Quay, Docklands, E14 4AL (at the west end), ☏ +44 20 7536-7770. M–Sa 9AM–midnight, Su 9AM–11PM. Although the view is not so good, is probably the cheapest pub in Canary Wharf. (updated May 2021)
• 4 The George, 114 Glengall Grove, E14 3ND (station:Crossharbour  DLR ), ☏ +44 20 3637-5993. 11AM-1PM. (updated Apr 2023)
• 5 The Gun, 27 Coldharbour, Docklands, E14 9NS (On the far eastern edge of Canary Wharf), ☏ +44 20 7519-0075, gun.events@fullers.co.uk. Daily 11:30AM–11PM. 18th-century pub with real fires, a terrace where you can sit and stare at the Millennium Dome over the river, and pistachio nuts behind the bar. A haven of warmth after a trek through JG Ballard-style Docklands wasteland (empty streets, vast satellite dishes and rusting industrial machinery). (updated May 2021)
• 6 The Grapes, 76 Narrow St, E14 8BP (station:Westferry  DLR ), ☏ +44 20 7987-4396. A riverside local since 1583. (updated Apr 2023)
• 7 The Old Ship, 17 Barnes St, E14 7NW (station:Limehouse  DLR ), ☏ +44 20 7791-1301. noon-midnight. An East End Boozer with weekend drag acts. (updated Apr 2023)

Mile End and Bow

• 8 The Palm Tree, 127 Grove Rd, Bow, E3 5BH, ☏ +44 20 8980-2918. Daily noon–11:30PM. A traditional East End boozer. Now set in the middle of Mile End Park, originally it was surrounded by houses and a factory. Its incongruous surroundings only add to the charm, however. You may recognise the interior from the number of film and TV appearances the pub has made as an "authentic" location. On Saturday nights the locals crowd into the front bar for a sing-song and the back bar is jammed with trendy students from Queen Mary's college. The presence of a student population mean this pub has less a threatening air than other East End locals. (updated Jan 2024)
• 9 The Morgan Arms, Coborn Rd. Locally well-known boozer. The attached restaurant also serves some tasty, albeit pricey fare. 

Brick Lane

• 10 93 Feet East, 150 Brick Ln, ☏ +44 20 7247-6095. M–Th 5–11PM; F 5PM–1AM; Sa noon–1AM; Su noon–10:30PM. This club/bar is made up of three areas: downstairs a loungey bar with low-lit sofa seating everywhere and chilled out music, the main room with a full on sweaty dancefloor (where the headline DJs/bands perform) and an upstairs bar which is mix of the two, plus a large cobbled area outside for the summer. Mon-Thur is mainly live music, and the weekend has the line up of eclectic DJs playing a variety of hip-hop, house and rock music. Charge on the door for gigs, on F Sa usually free before 9PM, £5 after. No dress code. 
• 11 Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL, ☏ +44 20 7770-6000, info@trumanbrewery.com. A large, lively place, which features a large courtyard and several floors for drinking and dancing. Hosts salsa classes too. 
• 12 Cafe 1001. Contrary to the name, this is another club/bar with a courtyard, which has a gourmet BBQ, next to the entrance. Can get very crowded on the weekend, with several other bars in the enclousre and the famous Rough Trade record store, which supports gigs (sometimes, surprise performances from a big band like Radiohead). 

Shoreditch

Pubs

• 13 Bar Kick, 126-127 Shoreditch High St, ☏ +44 871 332 2959. Normal pub hours. A two-floor bar with plenty of table football machines to thrash away at. If you can not get a table the bar has a few sofas to wait for your turn in the quirky surroundings. It is a friendly place, where there is a mix of trendy boys and girls and suits from the city. 
• 14 Catch, 22 Kingsland Rd, ☏ +44 20 7729-6097. M-Th normal pub hours, F Sa until 2AM. A slightly shabby but friendly bar on the small strip of bars on Kingsland Road. Downstairs they have limited seating and draught beer, but upstairs is where it is happening. In the week you can catch live bands and on the weekends there are DJs playing xfm music mixed with a bit of cheese. It is also free to get in. Bargain. 
• 15 The Masque Haunt, 168–172 Old St, ☏ +44 20 7251-4195. Daily Su 9AM–11PM. If you are into pubs and pub food, and especially the J.D. Wetherspoon concept, this is a very good spot. It is priced a notch under its more central sister pubs. The extensive menu consists of a good selection of general healthier pub food (pastas, salads, vegetarian burger, etc.), but also traditional food like potato & mash, fish & chips. For a good deal, go for the 2-for-1 at £6.99. 
• 16 The Princess of Shoreditch, 76-78 Paul St, EC2A 4NE (tube: Old Street  NOR ), ☏ +44 20 7729-9270, info@theprincessofshoreditch.com. M–Sa noon–11PM; Su noon–10:30PM. Gastropub. 
• 17 The Red Lion, 41 Hoxton Street, N1 6NH. (updated Oct 2020)

Clubs

• 18 XOYO, 32-37 Cowper St, ☏ +44 20 7608-2878.  

Wapping

• 19 Captain Kidd, 108 Wapping High St, E1W 2NE (overground: Wapping  OGD ). Named after a pirate with a noose through the non-descript entrance. (updated Apr 2023)
• 20 The Dickens Inn, Marble Quay, St Katharine's Way, E1W 1UH, ☏ +44 20 7488-2208. noon-11PM. (updated Apr 2023)
• 21 Prospect of Whitby (The Pelican, Devil’s Tavern), 57 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SH (overground: Wapping  OGD ), ☏ +44 20 7481-1095. 11AM-11PM. Oldest riverside tavern in London, with a pewter bar and views across the river. (updated Apr 2023)
• 22 Town of Ramsgate, 62 Wapping High St, E1W 2PN, ☏ +44 20 7481-8000. noon-11PM. A cosy pub (updated Apr 2023)

Limehouse Reach, Docklands in the East End of London

Sleep

Budget

• 1 ibis London Docklands, 1 Baffin Way off Preston Rd, E14 9PE, ☏ +44 20 7517-1100. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. An economy London hotel in the Docklands area. The 87 guestrooms have a satellite TV and internet access. On site cafe. City Airport is 5 km from the hotel, and there is secure onsite parking for up to 30 cars. From £64. 
• 2 City Hotel, 12 Osborn Street (Osborn St leads directly to Brick Ln from Whitechapel High St, tube: Aldgate  CIR  100 m), ☏ +44 20 7247-3313. A fairly average two-star hotel at typical London prices, however the rooms are clean and provide the basic facilities you need. The area isn't pretty but you are close to where all the action is. WiFi £5/day. Roughly £60/night for a double/twin; normal rate is £140 but you can deals around £60. 
• 3 Travelodge London Docklands, Coriander Avenue, Off East India Dock Road, E14 2AA. Affordbable for London. It is a modern branch of the ubiquitous budget hotel chain, but is well located almost next to East India DLR station, which has links directly to central London, and is just a few stops from Canary Wharf. Ask for a room on the front to avoid the busy road at the back. The website can have offers as low as £9. 

• 4 Hart Shoreditch Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton, 61-67 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU, ☏ +44 20 3995-3655, hartshoreditch.reservations@hilton.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 126 guest rooms, and event spaces for gatherings. (updated Sep 2020)

Mid-range

• 5 Britannia International, 163 Marsh Wall (DLR: South Quay). Extremely modern three star hotel. 
• 6 Limehouse Serviced Apartments, ☏ +44 20 3743-7336, info@apartmentnetwork.co.uk. (updated Jun 2018)
• 7 The Hoxton, 81 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU (Train: Old Street  NOR  ), ☏ +44 20 7550 100. Chic buzzing hotel in Shoreditch. Assistance dogs only. B&B double £110. (updated Sep 2020)

Splurge

• 8 Canary Riverside Plaza (Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf), 46 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf (Tube: Canary Wharf/Westferry), ☏ +44 20 7510-1999. Five-star hotel and the most upmarket hotel in the area with views across the Thames or Canary Wharf, offering the kind of 5 star luxury to be expected from this chain.  
• 9 Hilton Docklands, 265A Rotherhithe St (20 minutes to London City Airport), ☏ +44 20 7231-1001. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. On the South bank of the River Thames, the hotel has a great view of Canary Wharf. 
• 10 Marriott Executive Apartments London, Canary Wharf, 22 Hertsmere Rd (Tube: West India Quay  DLR ), ☏ +44 20 7093-1000. Looking out over Canary Wharf's beautiful district, the Marriott combines elegance and comfort to create a welcoming environment. 
• 11 Batty Langley's, 12 Folgate St E1 6BX (tube: Liverpool St  CEN  CIR  H&C  MET  OGD  ELI ), ☏ +44 20 7377-4390. Gorgeous small hotel in two Georgian buildings. Assistance dogs only. B&B double £270. (updated Sep 2020)

Stay safe

The East End in the past had a deserved bad reputation due to its high rates of crime and poverty. Today though, The East End is generally much safer and just the normal precautions after dark are advisable. People of the East End have pride in their home, so it would be wise to tread carefully around regulars in pubs and bars in places as they can be confrontational. In the same vein, avoiding mention of football is helpful in keeping things smooth.

Go next

Routes through East End

Bloomsbury-Soho ← The City ←	W  E	→ East London → Epping, Essex
Westminster ← The City ←	W  E	→ East London → END
Bloomsbury-Soho ← The City ←	W  E	→ East London → Shenfield, Essex
Bloomsbury-Soho ← The City ←	W  E	→ East London → Abbey Wood
Bloomsbury-Camden ← The City ←	W  E	→ East London → END
Westminster ← Southwark-Lewisham ←	W  E	→ Greenwich → East London
END ← The City ← Bank-Lewisham ←	W  S	→ Bank-Lewisham → Greenwich → Southwark-Lewisham
END ← The City ← Bank-Woolwich Arsenal ←	W  E	→ Bank-Woolwich Arsenal → East London → Greenwich
END ← The City ← Tower Gateway-Beckton ←	W  E	→ Tower Gateway-Beckton → East London → END
END ← East London ← Stratford-Canary Wharf ←	N  S	→ Stratford-Canary Wharf → END

Routes through East End

Romford ← Stratford ←	NE  S	→ Blackwall Tunnel → and
END ←	W  E	→ City Airport → Barking