A guide to Shoreditch, London's coolest neighborhood

Few areas of London are quite as hip as Shoreditch in the East End, where the corporate world of The City gives way to offbeat style and streetwise creativity.

This Shoreditch guide will introduce you to one of the capital's most vibrant neighborhoods, buzzing with irreverent, cool-kid energy, where the fashion is fantastic, the people are friendly, and the choice of bars, restaurants and coffee shops is endless. Walls adorned with some of the capital's punchiest graffiti and street art only add to the area's urban credentials.

While living in London for 2 years, I quickly made Shoreditch my go-to spot for coffee, dinner and fun nights out. Almost daily, I would walk the 2 miles from my flat in Bethnal Green to explore and find new spots in this fun part of town. If you’re searching for a new neighborhood to explore on your next trip to London, you absolutely cannot miss Shoreditch.

Geographically, Shoreditch spills northeast from the City, incorporating Old St, Shoreditch High St and Brick Lane, with fellow East End hotspots like Spitalfields, Hoxton and Bethnal Green as neighbors. But what are the must-sees, and where are the top hangouts? To help you enjoy a day out full of shopping, food and street art, here's our guide to Shoreditch in East London.

Getting to and around Shoreditch

One of the things that makes Shoreditch such a popular destination for both locals and tourists is its accessibility. All the area's coolest stops are within easy walking distance of London's Liverpool Street station, served by frequent trains from Stansted Airport and East Anglia, and within easy walking distance of each other.

Traveling from inside London? Underground trains roll into Liverpool Street every few minutes on the Central Line, Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line and Elizabeth Line, meaning easy connections to Heathrow Airport. Overground trains on the Weaver Line connect to destinations in East London, while the Windrush Line from Whitechapel Tube provides connections to the north and south.

The center of Shoreditch is just a 9-minute walk from Liverpool Street station, or you can make the trip even quicker by using the buses that stop right in front of the station's exit on Bishopsgate. Old Street station, on the Northern Line of the Underground, is another handy point of arrival.

Where to stay in Shoreditch

Being close to the City, Shoreditch isn't the cheapest area for accommodation, but there are budget options among the posher spots.

Save: If all you're looking for is a place to sleep, St Christopher’s Inn Liverpool Street is a conveniently located hostel. lt’s just 5 minutes from central Shoreditch and offers dorms and single rooms that won't use up too much of your travel cash.

Budget: Budget hotels in Shoreditch tend to be bland chains, but the Z Hotel Shoreditch isn't a bad choice, combining pocket-friendly rates with a handy location minutes from Old St, close to the nightlife.

Spend: Centrally located, One Hundred Shoreditch is an excellent option for a weekend getaway. The hotel has a coffee shop in the lobby – I often used to come here to use the wi-fi while getting my caffeine kick – plus a stunning rooftop bar. If you’re looking for a more intimate vibe, visit the hotel’s cocktail bar, the Seed Library.

Spend more: Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch is one of the newest arrivals, and it’s one of my favorites by far. When a hotel room has a steam shower, a wraparound terrace and a king-size bed, there’s not much more you could ask for. For a cozy cocktail or quick bite – and tunes from the Virgin Music Group through the ages – you need to visit the Hidden Grooves hi-fi bar in the hotel lobby, with curated listening stations throughout. Oh, did I mention there’s also a rooftop pool?

Where to get coffee in Shoreditch

With all the start-ups around Shoreditch, it shouldn't be surprising that this is a great neighborhood to grab a coffee. Located right by Old Street station, Shoreditch Grind is one of my favorite coffee spots in the neighborhood. The brick walls and retro vibes add a certain je ne sais quoi to the atmosphere, and the location is perfect for those arriving or departing.

If you’re looking for a place to work remotely or relax with a book while sipping a delicious iced latte, FWD Coffee is the place. Their Curtain Rd branch has wooden floors and tables, right in the thick of things. If you're in the mood to grab a pastry, bread and a cappuccino, there’s no better spot in the area than Jolene on Redchurch St.

Where to eat in Shoreditch

Once upon a time, Shoreditch was dominated by grungy all-day breakfast cafes and kebab shops, but today, you'll find quality eating from around the world. Reservations are recommended for weekends and peak lunch and dinner hours during the week.

Breakfast

For a healthy start, Ozone Coffee on Leonard St is the perfect blend of coffee shop and breakfast spot. I’d always stop by for a mocha, banana bread and their classic three-egg omelette. If you don’t feel like an entire meal, it's perfectly fine to sit down for just a coffee and a pastry.

The Breakfast Club Hoxton is the ultimate spot for egg dishes, avocado toast and everything in between. It's a small chain with several locations around London, and this branch is friendly and informal, with a vague US-diner vibe.If you're looking for a traditional full English breakfast, Savoy Cafe and Kitchen should be your first stop. It offers breakfasts and lunches with dessert, along with a wide variety of coffee concoctions.

Lunch

Lunches in Shoreditch are often grabbed on the run, but there are some good spots to linger. One of my biggest regrets from my time in the area is not trying BAO Noodle Shop earlier. It serves reasonably priced bao buns, chicken, noodles and more. If you plan on arriving during peak lunch hours or on a weekend, you should probably make a reservation, but it’s not always necessary.

For a salad, small plates, spritzes and a uniquely chic atmosphere, stop by Devonshire Terrace. You can eat indoors or out; even in winter, it's a great place to sit outside, as every table has a blanket and a heater to keep you warm.

On warmer days, Strongroom Bar and Grill has an appealing outdoor area where you can eat a burger and sip a pint while soaking up the (sporadic) London sun. The menu has classic bar dishes like fried chicken, nachos and dirty fries. The good-value burger deal includes a burger, fries and a drink.

Aperitivo

Okay, we're not in Milan, but stopping for snacks and a spritz (or cocktail) is still a popular way to start the evening in Shoreditch.In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a rooftop bar, and Boundary Rooftop sets the standard in Shoreditch. It serves a full menu of food, but my default position is to order burrata and focaccia for the table, accompanied by a Hugo Spritz.

Wine-lovers absolutely must stop at Vagabond Wines for a tasting paired with small plates. I loved meeting with friends here for a post-work glass of white wine paired with an excessive amount of hors d’oeuvres. My favorites are the meatballs, burrata and chorizo. If you’re with a bigger group, then a sharing board is definitely the way to go.

For something more boozy, Hidden Grooves inside the Virgin Hotel is a 70s-themed cocktail bar that serves small plates and a variety of drinks inspired by popular tunes from that decade. Top drinks include the Punk Punch, inspired by the Sex Pistols’ "God Save the Queen."

Dinner

When dinnertime calls, it's time to put Shoreditch's world food offerings through their paces. It’s nearly impossible to visit London without someone recommending Dishoom, but let me tell you, it is so worth the high praise. The Indian restaurant serves some of the city's most flavorful dishes, with prices for mains starting around the £15 mark, and an emphasis on Parsi dishes from Mumbai. You’ll likely need a reservation, but if you don’t make one and have to wait in their typically long (but quickly moving) line, waiters hand out complimentary chai and mint tea.

Italian food will always be my weakness, and no place in Shoreditch does Italian food better than Gloria. The plates are smaller than those at some other Italian spots in the city, but they're just enough to satisfy and still leave room for dessert. Reservations are a must here.

Thai food lovers should stop by the Smoking Goat, located right across the street from Dishoom. This Bangkok-inspired restaurant serves a variety of tasty and spicy dishes from stir-fries to fried chicken and Massaman curry. I recommend making reservations in advance, especially on busier days.

Where to see street art in Shoreditch

Shoreditch wears its art on its sleeves, or rather its walls. This is a great place to wander, admiring the graffiti and murals and checking out the stickers plastered on road signs and lampposts. Mornings and afternoons on weekdays are good times, avoiding the lunchtime and after-work crowds.

About 5 minutes from the center of Shoreditch is Brick Lane, an area known for its Bangladeshi curry houses, among other things, and packed with thrift shops, coffee shops and restaurants. But it's also worth coming for the graffiti and murals – street art lines the outside of most buildings, adding color no matter where you walk.

There's more wall art around Old Street Station; on Cowper St is a colorful mural portraying people and mythical creatures – a collaboration between artists Jim Vision, Si Mitchell and ThisOne. Anywhere We Roam has a fun online street art tour of the area.

Take a detour to Rivington St, where you’ll find some politically charged street art. Banksy previously painted his famous mural The Guard Dog on one of the street’s buildings, and many other street artists put up work in the area.

Where to go out for drinks in Shoreditch

Shoreditch has some great places to sip a craft ale or cool cocktail while a band knocks out some tunes. For live music and a more club-like night out, make a beeline for Old Street Records. There are live bands, open mic nights and lots of funky cocktails; on nights when there’s live music, there may be a cover fee.

If you're more old-school, Nightjar has an ever-changing menu of upmarket cocktails accompanied by live jazz music and a 1920s vibe. The entrance is nearly hidden, so keep an eye out for their small sign. If you want to stray from the status quo, Flight Club is a fun place to have a game night – darts, of course! – and some slightly overpriced but delicious drinks with friends.

For a pub pint, Crown and Shuttle is one of my favorite spots, not just in Shoreditch but in London. Duck in and you’ll discover a lively scene with an expansive outdoor garden – a great place to sip a pint in summer or winter, with a limited but tasty food menu.

For a cozy date night spot, don't overlook Swift. When I first visited this cocktail bar, I was hesitant to try its more elaborate drinks, but I quickly fell in love with the sweet Rhubarb and Custard cocktail. Well worth the drink prices, the bar is small, and the tables are close together, making for an intimate experience.

Where to shop in Shoreditch

In contrast to Knightsbridge and Oxford St, shopping in Shoreditch is all about the hip and alternative – think street fashions, mid-century homewares and upcycled knickknacks. A good place to start is BOXPARK Shoreditch, a retail park made from converted shipping containers, home to a cool collection of boutique stores, including an art store, a cookie shop and a jewelry store.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love The Broken Down Palace, nearby on Shoreditch High St, which sells equipment and clothing perfect for any outing. For vintage fashions, Atika on Hanbury St is a Shoreditch institution; the Brick Lane Vintage Market is another essential stop, selling everything from vintage clothes to old vinyl records.

The daily Brick Lane market action spills into the adjacent courtyards of the old Truman Brewery, while music lovers congregate at Rough Trade East, owned by the record label that launched the careers of The Strokes, The Libertines, The Smiths and Arcade Fire.

Get a pocket-friendly street food hit at the stalls in the Upmarket food hall, or the food trucks in Ely's Yard. Alternatively, grab a bagel; Brick Lane used to be a busy Jewish quarter and several long-established bagel shops serve fresh-from-the-oven bagels stuffed with salt beef, salmon or cream cheese.

Closer to Liverpool Street station, Spitalfields Market is outside of the main part of Shoreditch, but this is the ultimate shopping spot. Open daily, but particularly busy at weekends, the market is home to dozens of vendors selling everything from plates of Korean BBQ to vintage fashions and tote bags.