In the spirit to make you feel really at home (and in order to gain more karma points here at Spotahome), we have decided to create a new series of guides to the best neighbourhoods around Europe and in every city where you can spot a home with Spotahome. We start from la creme de la creme (yeah, it’s me saying so!) and now here’s your Spotahome Guide to Shoreditch, London.
Some say that East London and especially Shoreditch has had its best days, but if you hang out in any corner of that edgy part of town, it doesn’t really look that way. As a former east-Londoner (I used to live right here, in the beating heart of the British capital), I know that the triangle made up by Old Street, Great Eastern Street and Shoreditch High Street still attracts hordes of tourists and locals alike. Here you'll find some of the best bars, markets and independent shops and other things to do. But the beauty of Shoreditch is that, despite the crowds, this is one of the few areas that through the years has managed to maintain its edgy, cool and urban vibe without becoming too commercial or mainstream.
TRANSPORT in Shoreditch
Liverpool Street and Old Street Tube stations serve Shoreditch. The first is also a train station on top of being served by the Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Central lines while Old Street is on the Northern line.
You can also hop on the Overground and get off at Shoreditch High Street Overground station which has trains to Highbury & Islington and Canary Wharf via a change at Canada Water.
There are eleven different buses running up and down Shoreditch High Street, including with the No 8 to Oxford Street, the No 26 to Waterloo, the No 135 to Canary Wharf and the No 205 to Paddington.
FOOD in Shoreditch
In Shoreditch, you can find both gourmet restaurants and street food as well as everything in between. Here is a (short) list of some of our favourites:
The breakfast club
Last year the chefs of TBC plated up over 928,000 pancakes which, if we were to stack them up, we’d get the equivalent of 30 London Shard buildings. Yup! True story. Guess what you should get at the famous and often busy The Breakfast Club?
- Address: Spitalfields - 12-16 Artillery Lane, E1 7LS; Hackney Wick - 29 East Bay Lane, Canalside, Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E15 2GW
Beany Green
Una publicación compartida de Timmy Green | Beany Green (@daisygreencollection) el 13 de Oct de 2017 a la(s) 3:00 PDT
This is THE best brunch in London. I can swear by it and for you to trust me I can also tell you that I hosted here my leaving party when I left London and my friends keep going there on a regular basis.
- Address: 2qs, 1 Broadgate Cir, London EC2M 2QS
Pizza Union
Una publicación compartida de Dovilė Li (@doliuke) el 2 de Nov de 2017 a la(s) 3:33 PDT
A great option for on a shoestring students in East London as well as busy expats who want to enjoy a fast and delicious pizza right off Liverpool Street. (They also do take-away if you want to eat your pizza binge-watching Netflix!)
- Address: 29 Leman Street, London, E1 8PT
BARS & CLUBS in Shoreditch
Since forever, Shoreditch has always been known for its entertainment: once for brothels and theatres, and tonight for nightclubs, bars and music events. Get your comfy shoes and hit these dancefloors or just enjoy the tunes.
The Old Truman Brewery
Una publicación compartida de The Old Truman Brewery (@trumanbrewery) el 15 de Oct de 2017 a la(s) 1:44 PDT
This former brewery is filled with bars, restaurants, and clubs. Cafe 1001 is open during the day as a coffee shop but by night it transforms into a cool dancing venue with international DJs and live music.
- Address: 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QR, UK
The Book Club
This is a cute event space, open during the day for brunch and very importantly it’s an affordable option on a Friday night.
- Address: 100-106 Leonard St, London EC2A 4RH, UK
XOYO
Since 2010, XOYO has established itself as one of the best clubbing venues in Shoreditch and beyond thanks to a great selection of DJs and artists who play over the club’s two floors.
- Address: 32-37 Cowper St, London, EC2A 4AP
Discount Suit Company
Una publicación compartida de Ayla (@isla_wight) el 21 de Oct de 2017 a la(s) 7:55 PDT
If you don’t know where is it, it’s quite hard to find since there is only a black door that leads in the former storeroom for the old suit company above, Discount Suit Company. There is an incredible list of unusual and eclectic cocktails so don’t go there ordering a mojito! Visit an ATM beforehand since the bar is cash-only.
- Address: 29A Wentworth Street, London, E1 7TB
Shopping & Markets in Shoreditch
Shoreditch is the best place to scout for unique clothes and accessories, thanks to the huge amount of independent boutiques and vintage shops.
Blitz London
Man, this is the biggest vintage shop in Europe so you can’t really go wrong here. Oh! And this shop is also listed as one of the top 10 things to do in London. Guess what? Vogue.com said so.
- Address: 55 - 59 Hanbury Street London E1 5JP
Brick Lane Sunday Market
This shopping mecca offers all sorts of bargains, a great selection of second-hand goods and it’s a great place for a bite too.
- Address: Brick Lane, E1 6SB
Boxpark
Una publicación compartida de BOXPARK Shoreditch (@boxpark) el 17 de Ago de 2017 a la(s) 9:32 PDT
This modern shopping mall is made of colourful and refitted shipping containers set underneath the Shoreditch High Street Overground station. The project, started by Boxfresh entrepreneur Roger Wade, aims to relaunch certain neglected areas in order to attract more visitors and locals. It’s working, I'm telling ya!
- Address: Bethnal Green Road Shoreditch London E1 6GY
Labour and Wait
Ladies and gentlemen, this is kitchenware haven. A small, super Instagrammable shop that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back to the 50s or the 60s. There is also a small vintage clothing corner and accessories.
- Address: 85 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ
Columbia Flower Market
Every Sunday starting at 8 am until 3 pm, the Flower Market is another Instagram paradise. The streets basically disappear under a river of flowers, colours and plants of all sorts. It a true delight for all senses.
- Address: Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG
To Do in Shoreditch
Geffrye’s museum
Step into the history of English interior design at this charming and FREE museum, housed in a set of 18th-century almshouses. The museum focuses on the living rooms of British urban middle classes, displaying original furniture, textiles and paintings. It’s really cool!
- Address: 136 Kingsland Rd, London, E2 8EA
Hackney City Farm
Una publicación compartida de Wilson (@willyy4u) el 28 de Oct de 2017 a la(s) 1:09 PDT
You can escape the bustling and noisy city life for a day and immerse yourself in nature at the Hackney City Farm. A true oasis of calm and peace where you can explore the farm, pet the animals and admire the gardens. And if you are hungry they also offer a delicious Mediterranean menu.
- Address: 1a Goldsmith’s Row, London, E2 8QA
Netil House
Netil House is the newest home of East London’s creative community. It’s made of bars, cafés, markets, clubs and artists studios and there is something for everyone. On the rooftop, they have some amazing parties at night as well as live music, yoga classes and a hot tub area. Yup, you read that right, hello London skyline, bring me the champagne!
- Address: 1 Westgate Street, Hackney, London, E8 3RL
This is our first Spotahome neighbourhood guide - did we miss anything?
Montmartre, Trastevere, Bairro Alto, Barceloneta… Where do you live and which should be our next guide? Have your say in the comment section below!
Check out Spotahome's accommodation options for Shoreditch.
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