7 best things to do in Shoreditch, London

This vibrant East London area hasn’t lost its edge.

Shoreditch has long been a poster child for what is edgy and effortlessly cool about London. The East End adult playground is unpretentious, its brick walls decorated with murals and graffiti. In between are independent shopfronts and eateries, pubs, bars and nightclubs, street markets, and a shipping container shopping complex underpinning the neighbourhood’s hipster status.

Gritty popular strips Shoreditch High Street and Brick Lane have matured in the past few years, but haven’t lost their cool. Gentrification doesn’t have to be a dirty word when it creates an entertainment hub that’s home to a new wave of diamonds in the rough – luxe bars, restaurants and hotels.

Best sleep

Sleep above sashimi at Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch. The 164-room hotel just off the main road offers a warm-toned sanctuary from the bustle below. Guests can feel like they have switched continents to Asia with bento box-like media cabinets and simple yet sophisticated furnishings such as Japanese lanterns, bamboo plants and plenty of space to undo (especially after a meal at the sunken Nobu Restaurant). For extra indulgence, visit the on-site spa for the signature Nobu massage. 

Best Sunday roast

Grab a fork and join in on the long-time supper tradition at The Culpeper. It’s English comfort food at its finest. Select roast chicken or top rump roast beef, or if more than two people are feasting, go large and order the gargantuan 800g côte de bœuf. Not a meat-eater? Vegie options are available. All roasts are served with the staple Yorkshire pudding, celeriac purée, courgette, glazed carrots and gravy.

Mama Shelter London Shoreditch is home to a couple of karaoke rooms, perfect for an impromptu singalong with mates. Picture: Supplied.

Best karaoke

There’s no better place to experience live music, a restaurant, a bar, and accommodation under one roof than at the kitsch-rich Mama Shelter London Shoreditch. Yet the playful hotel is also home to a couple of karaoke rooms, perfect for an impromptu singalong with mates. Kick off the morning with a 9am musical or sing until closing time at 11pm. The private karaoke rooms are affordable, priced at £20 per person for two hours. Now for the hard part of choosing the first song. 

Best late-night tipple

Get cultured at Seed Library. This moody basement bar under One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel is like entering a time warp, with its Bauhaus stylings, records and vinyl turntable on display. Although beers and wines are sold, this is a place for swanky cocktails – a late-night lifeblood of Shoreditch. Curated by globally renowned mixologist and 2015’s International Bartender of the Year Ryan ,“Mr Lyan” Chetiyawardana, expect to see brazen and refined concoctions on the seasonal menu. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a compact menu featuring rotating kitchen eats.

For a more refined take on peri-peri chicken go to Casa do Frango. Picture: Rebecca Dickson (Supplied).

Best peri-peri chicken

The Brits have a lot of love for a certain charcoal chicken, but for a more refined take on peri-peri chicken, go to Casa do Frango. The brightly lit eatery is big on shared plates, serving southern Portuguese fare and wine.

The Columbia Road Flower Market is a long-time Sunday tradition. Picture: iStock.

DON’T FORGET

London needs to be heard

Just off Old Street is Troy Bar, a neighbourhood institution known for its no-thrills decor, homestyle Caribbean eats, and, most importantly, upbeat live music in an intimate atmosphere. Think jazz, reggae, old soul, funk jam sessions, and open mic nights for a feel-good time.

Brighten up your day

The Columbia Road Flower Market is a long-time Sunday tradition, with the narrow street morphing into an open greenhouse. Around the corner is just as colourful, with artisan and bric-a-brac stores, hole-in-the-wall shuckers, cafés and more. A true sensory overload.

The writer was a guest of Visit Britain.

What is the best market in Shoreditch?

On weekends, expect to see people swarming the streets. Broadway Market is a favourite, with street food best devoured in nearby London Fields or canalside. There’s a labyrinth of temptation in and around Brick Lane with vintage wears, records, and handheld eats. For a week-round bazaar fix, visit Spitalfields Market. Enjoy the commotion in comfort, with restaurants such as Brother Marcus ideal for feasting and people-watching.

How do you get to Shoreditch?

Get to Shoreditch from St Pancras International in less than 30 minutes. Take the tube and overground to arrive in London’s cultural melting pot. Easy.

Originally published as 7 best things to do in Shoreditch, London