6 Cool Things To Do in Shoreditch London
Whoever visits London for long enough knows there are endless things to do in Shoreditch. I think Shoreditch London has got to be one of my very favorite areas in East London. There are so many things to do in Shoreditch! Plus, it’s a very trendy area where you can meet friends, grab a street food bite, or have a drink at quite any time of the day. I used to live in Bethnal Green, just off Bethnal Green Road, so I was super close to Shoreditch and used to pass there almost every day. Going from Bethnal Green to Liverpool Street and up to London Bridge makes you pass inexorably through Shoreditch.
I love this area – it’s full of amazing London street art, and it is actually one of the most famous places to find street art in the city. So, if you are ever around Brick Lane or Boxpark, just know that you’re already in Shoreditch. So that’s what we’re going to be talking about today, the best things to do in Shoreditch and the best restaurants, including Blues Kitchen and Boxpark restaurants. If you’ve never been to Shoreditch, get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
6 Cool Things To Do in Shoreditch London
From The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch to Dishoom and Gloria, there are more options for the best restaurants in Shoreditch than you could imagine. To be honest, when I talk about Shoreditch, most people think about the famous London street art that you can find in and around Brick Lane. Yet, there are so many more places to go in Shoreditch! Small streets that no one talks about, rooftops that are famous all over the world, and even some of the coolest new and vintage shops in London.
If you’re out and about looking for trendy cool things to do in Shoreditch, you’ve landed on the right page. I’ve tried to keep this guide kind of short so you know exactly what are the best activities without wasting time. Without further ado, let’s get on with the best places to go in Shoreditch, whether you’re alone, with your partner, friends, or family!
If you’re looking for other amazing things to do in London, I’ve already written about the coolest things to do in Camden Town, London Bridge, and lately the best free things to do in London when you’re absolutely broke. Take a look and find new amazing ideas to live London on a budget to the fullest!
Top Things To Do in Shoreditch: Visit Shoreditch Boxpark
Shoreditch Boxpark is one of the most famous attractions in East London. Built entirely from containers, it links Shoreditch High Street and Liverpool Street. It’s basically a medium-sized shopping center in London that features some really cool restaurants, bars, and shops. That’s also where some of the best places to eat in Shoreditch are located, especially if you like finding new London street food spots.
Fatto a Mano Pizza, for instance, is one of the best Italian restaurants in London – in my opinion. If you’ve had the opportunity to eat an authentic pizza in Italy, this London joint will definitely fix your craving. Chinese street food lovers, you’ll also find happiness at the table of Mao Chow. If, on the other hand, you’re craving a fresh açai bowl, some churros, fried chicken, or Argentinian steak in Shoreditch, that’s also the perfect spot for you. There are over 20 restaurants in Shoreditch Boxpark; you’re bound to find something to relish.
The shops in Shoreditch Boxpark are also worth paying a visit if you’re looking for new edgy styles and independent brands in London. From clothes to skincare and even some of the cutest colorful socks, there’s something for everyone. I’d personally suggest paying a visit to The Ordinary shop, one of my favorite skincare and foundation brands – it’s super cheap and really good! While it’s a pop-up mall, I’ve found that most shops in Boxpark have been open for quite a while. It’s a nice sight to go shopping this way, without having to actually be in a mall.
Grab a Bite From Delish Restaurants in Shoreditch
Away from Shoreditch Boxpark, there are plenty of amazing places to eat in Shoreditch. From Indian food to incredible Neapolitan pizza, there’s something for every day of the night. How could it be otherwise? Shoreditch is large, colorful, trendy – no wonder why so many restaurants there are so crowded!
Indian Restaurant in Shoreditch: Dishoom Shoreditch
I’ve written about Dishoom a while back; it’s one of the best halal restaurants in London. If you’re around East London, sitting at a Dishoom Shoreditch table is one of the best favors you can do yourself. There are plenty of amazing places to eat in Shoreditch, and Dishoom offers the ever-satisfying traditional Indian dishes with a surprising twist always.
Dishoom Shoreditch Restaurant Address: 7 Boundary St, London E2 7JE
Pasta Restaurant in London: Padella Shoreditch
If you’re looking for some of the best Italian restaurants in London for some reason, Padella is one amazing address to check out. The restaurant chain has another spot at London Bridge near Borough Market, and it’s equally delicious. The concept? Bring a fresh pasta recipe to London, with hand-rolled and shaped pasta in front of you. With fresh produce combined with the al dente pasta, Padella has set itself as one of the ultimate places to eat in Shoreditch in no time.
Padella Shoreditch Italian Restaurant Address: 1 Phipp St, London EC2A 4PS
Best Italian Restaurants in London: Gloria Shoreditch
I’ve mentioned Gloria Shoreditch once or twice, notably in my article about the best Italian restaurants in London. And one of the best, it definitely is. Illuminated outside, dim inside with a full decoration of empty liquor bottles, Gloria Shoreditch definitely has one of the best atmospheres in all the restaurants in Shoreditch.
Part of the Big Mamma Group and sister of the Circolo Popolare restaurant, Gloria Shoreditch offers the best Italian food in London. Neapolitan pizza, decadent pasta plates, and traditional Italian desserts – that’s what you can expect from Gloria. It’s located right up the street from Boxpark on Great Eastern Street, so a walk to digest between the two is not to be excluded.
Gloria Shoreditch Italian Restaurant Address: 54-56 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3QR
Amazing London Street Food: The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch
The Blues Kitchen is a restaurant and bar chain scattered all around London. The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch restaurant is one that I really enjoy because of its tame industrial atmosphere. The food there is presented as the ultimate street food in a darkened local. Between huge burgers and delicate, tasty steaks, The Blues Kitchen is one of the best places to go in Shoreditch for an after-movie dinner. It’s located not too far from the Rich Mix cinema, so why not?
Blues Kitchen Shoreditch Restaurant Address: 134-146 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3AR
Best Italian Restaurants in London: Pizza East Shoreditch
Located right across Shoreditch Boxpark, Pizza East is this vibrant Neapolitan pizza joint that will leave you wanting more. The pizza dough is chewy and soft, bubbly, and covered with stringy, melty cheese. There are not many restaurants in Shoreditch that I enjoy as much as Pizza East. They’ve got personality, taste, and atmosphere – really anything one would need while looking for places to eat in Shoreditch and like areas.
Pizza East Pizzeria Shoreditch Address: 56A Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JJ
Discover London Street Art Around Shoreditch High Street Station
It’s really no secret that one of the places to go in Shoreditch for street art is Brick Lane. I have this strange fascination with the Brick Lane street art, and if you’d like to find out all the other cool things to do in Brick Lane, check out the guide I’ve written a few days ago. The Shoreditch street art is impressive; the many streets of the area are filled with huge paintings and smaller art pieces that are all very much Instagrammable.
Around Shoreditch Boxpark and Shoreditch High Street Station, there are already quite a few street art sights. I would suggest losing yourself in the many streets around. If you need some starters, check out Redchurch Street, Chance Street, and Braithwaite Street. Those are filled with amazing street art in Shoreditch, and while you walk around, you will spot ever more amazing art pieces. Whoever doesn’t say that one of the best things to do in Shoreditch is finding new street art is lying.
Shopping in London: Visit Trendy Shoreditch Shops
I already told you that Shoreditch Boxpark is filled with small independent brands in London. If you’d like to buy amazing gold jewelry, Astrid & Miyu is a brand to check out for sure. Absence of Colour Shoreditch is a shop that focuses on all black and white women’s apparel. The designs are crazy good, very wearable with a touch of quirky – really the vibe of Shoreditch Boxpark.
Inspired by Africa is another fashion shop in Shoreditch that emphasizes African culture, including cosmetics and amazing designs. For vintage shopping in London, the Vintage Market Shoreditch will satisfy your old-school cravings. However, if you’d rather get yourself a new book, I’d suggest Brick Lane Bookshop or, of course, the famous Libreria Shoreditch.
Spend Time at Shoreditch Rooftops
Every Londoner will tell you that one of the best places to go in Shoreditch is the Shoreditch House. This members’ club is sometimes accessible to non-members, but if you’d like to be sure to enjoy a true Shoreditch rooftop without hassle, I have a few other addresses.
The Upper 5th, for instance, is one delicate lounge spot in Shoreditch that allows for the coolest view of London. Another one would be the Shoreditch Sky Terrace on Old Street near Hoxton, where you can get amazing barbecue dishes and music to fill your ears and soul. Those are not always the cheapest places to go in Shoreditch, but for occasions and celebrations, those rooftops are life.
Visit Shoreditch Art Galleries and Museums
If you ask me about the best things to do in Shoreditch, I’ll always say: Check out the art! And not only the Shoreditch street art. There are many other ways to see and enjoy art, and one of the most basic ways would be to spend some time roaming the Shoreditch art galleries and museums.
For instance, if you’ve never heard of the Geffrye Museum of the Home in Shoreditch, you could start there. This underdog London museum mimics the house decor of homes from 1600 to the present day, with all the cute artifacts that make you wish you were back in those times. How crazy it is, to have a fascination for past decades and centuries when you’ve never lived through their beauty and hardships.
Other Shoreditch art galleries include the Howard Griffin Gallery, a full-on color art gallery in London that displays endless joyful paintings. The Brick Lane Gallery and the Jealous Gallery and Print Studio are two other art-filled spots worth a visit if you’re looking for art things to do in Shoreditch.
6 Cool Things To Do In Shoreditch London
There you have them, the best things to do in Shoreditch – The London Local-approved. From amazing places to eat like the street food Blues Kitchen to fancy halal Indian restaurants like Dishoom, as I said, there’s something in Shoreditch for everyone. It’s not uncommon to walk past a new shop, a new restaurant, or pop-up, and you should definitely take advantage of the fast-paced turnaround in London restaurants and shops to discover new places. I’ve listed some of the best places to eat in Shoreditch, and I think you’ll find at least one or two new favorites in those amazing eateries. They’re not even that expensive, for the most part!
I’ll grant you that things to do in Shoreditch mostly include stuff you need to pay for; but even when I lived just off Bethnal Green Road, just spending one or two hours mesmerized by the Shoreditch street art was enough when I was broke broke. I’ll soon write about the best things to do in Leicester Square, around Hampstead Heath, and around South Kensington – you don’t want to miss that!
Having previously lived in both Paris and Rome as a fashion makeup artist, she enjoys the freedom that freelancing offers and loves to spend her time seeking out new and exciting spots in London.