Curated Collection

Top Rated in East London

Discover handpicked top rated in East London, with what to order first at each place.

Every place here is handpicked. Signal score shows how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

58 restaurants

1
Gloria

Italian · ££ · Shoreditch

95Signal

Start with

Pasta al tartufo

A satisfying, 'dank bowl' of fresh mafalda ribbons littered with black Molise truffle, mascarpone, and button mushrooms that critics call 'downright delicious.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

2
Lucia's

Mexican · ££ · Hackney Wick

92Signal

Start with

Beef Barbacoa Tacos

Universally praised as 'juicy and piping hot,' these tacos feature 'soft, succulent' meat and nixtamalized corn tortillas that are 'vivid in flavour.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

3
Brat

Basque · ££££ · Shoreditch

90Signal

Start with

Whole Turbot

The restaurant's namesake and the "pinnacle of a meal"; it is slow-cooked over indirect heat for half an hour to produce "soft, lightly sticky skin" and "pearly flesh."

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

4
Popolo Shoreditch

Italian · ££ · Shoreditch

90Signal

Start with

Pork Cheek Agnolotti

Consistently praised as 'flawlessly realised,' this pasta is served in a 'buttery porcini sauce ripe with parmesan' and is noted as a dish it would be a 'mistake to ignore.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

5
Berber & Q

Middle Eastern BBQ · £££ · Haggerston

90Signal

Start with

Cauliflower Shawarma

Described as 'vibrating with lusciousness' under a dressing of salt, cumin, pomegranate, and rose, this dish is a signature highlight that even meat-lovers shouldn't miss.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

6
Café Cecilia

Modern British / Irish · £££ · Hackney

90Signal

Start with

Sage and Anchovy Fritti

Described as 'peculiarly delightful' and 'never forget,' these light bites are praised for their 'Italian prowess' and are a staple across critic reviews.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

7
INIS

British / Irish · ££ · Hackney Wick

90Signal

Start with

Potato Scallops

These fried slices are served with 'dainty silver jugs of curry sauce' and are a menu staple that highlights the kitchen's 'fresh, hyper-seasonal and absolutely homemade' approach.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

8
Homies On Donkeys

Mexican · ££ · Leytonstone

89Signal

Start with

Cochinito (Pork) Tacos

Described as confit pork with dripping and 'wobbling amounts of jalapeño relish,' these are a staple of the menu that critics claim are 'astonishingly good' and full of flavor.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

9
Marksman Public House

British Gastropub · £££ · Hackney

89Signal

Start with

Beef and Barley Bun

Regarded as Britain’s answer to the char siu bun, this 'glazed dome of soft bread' is filled with rich braised beef and served with a fiery horseradish cream. It is a 'gloriously simple' must-order.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

10
Towpath

Seasonal British / European · ££ · Haggerston

89Signal

Start with

Fried Eggs with Caramelised Sage

Regarded as their 'most popular breakfast,' these eggs are served on toast with 'lashings of butter' and crispy sage, the scent of which defines the morning air at the cafe.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

11
Angelina

Itameshi (Italian-Japanese Fusion) · £££ · Dalston

88Signal

Start with

Hokkaido milk bread

Consistently hailed as '100% the right way to start any meal,' this bread is celebrated for its cloud-like texture and unique accompaniments like kumquat and burnt honey butter.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

12
The Sichuan

Sichuan · ££ · City (Old Street)

87Signal

Start with

Grilled Fish Special

Jay Rayner calls this 'a masterpiece' and 'a drama full of character.' Served in a deep dish submerged in a 'liquor the colour of a 2p piece,' it triggers a total physiological response with numbing Sichuan peppercorns that make lips 'vibrate and fizz.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

13
Xi Home Dumplings Bay

Northern Chinese · ££ · Spitalfields

87Signal

Start with

Jade Lobster Dumplings

A signature standout resembling a green cabbage leaf, described by critics as an absolute winning dish packed with fresh, meaty lobster that lives up to the social media hype.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

14
Al Kahf

Somali · £ · Whitechapel

86Signal

Start with

Lamb Shank with Bariis

Critics describe the lamb as having an 'ethereal, collapsing tenderness' that allows you to pull the bone free, served alongside 'utterly magnetic' and 'fragrant' turmeric-tinted basmati rice.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

15
The Clove Club

Modern British · ££££ · Shoreditch

86Signal

Start with

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Pine Salt

Universally acclaimed as the restaurant's 'infamous' signature snack, these are described as 'nuggets fit for a deity' and are served in a nest of pine branches with a 'fleeting fragrance' of woodiness.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

16
Behind

Seafood / Modern European · ££££ · London Fields

85Signal

Start with

Sicilian Red Prawns

A consistent menu highlight often served with a consommé made from the heads; praised for zero-waste preparation and pure flavor.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

17
Counter 71

Modern British Tasting Menu · ££££ · Shoreditch

85Signal

Start with

Langoustine & Crab Custard

Consistently praised as a delicate and inventive opening act, this dish is a highlight among the initial procession of snacks.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

18
Big Night

British-Japanese Skewers / Izakaya · ££ · Hackney

85Signal

Start with

Chicken and Spring Onion Skewer

Universally praised as a 'jubilation' of charred, juicy thighs that 'practically burst in the mouth' and offer the savoury goodness one craves when 'teetering on tipsy.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

19
Papo’s Bagels

New York Bagels · ££ · Dalston

85Signal

Start with

The Classic

A benchmark lox bagel with cream cheese, capers, red onion, and tomato that recently topped Deliveroo's global trending charts.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

20
Lucky & Joy

Regional Chinese · ££ · Clapton

85Signal

Start with

Cold Sesame Noodles

Described as 'the proverbial steel fist in the velvet glove,' these are slippery, nutty, and buttery with a building chilli heat that critics insist you 'have to order.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

21
Da Terra Restaurant at Town Hall Hotel

Brazilian-inspired Fine Dining · ££££ · Bethnal Green

85Signal

Start with

Moqueca

Rafael Cagali's 'fiendishly reinvented' traditional fish stew is an elegant highlight, featuring aged brill, manteiguinha beans, and farofa in a 'frothy coconut sauce' with 'fiery and fruity' biquinho chillies on the side.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

22
Three Uncles

Cantonese Roast Meats · £ · Spitalfields

84Signal

Start with

Char Siu Pork Rice

Regarded as part of the 'holy trinity' of Cantonese roasting, this plate is 'profoundly flavoured' with a 'judiciously weighted sweetness' that justifies its popularity.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

23
Manteca

Nose-to-Tail Italian · ££ · Shoreditch

84Signal

Start with

Tonnarelli, brown crab cacio e pepe

This is the "dish you'll see most on Instagram" and for good reason. Critics describe the rust-coloured sauce as having a "deep, savoury kick" that is "VERY good."

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

24
Rochelle Canteen

Modern British · £££ · Shoreditch

84Signal

Start with

Whipped Cod's Roe

A signature starter mentioned across nearly every review; served with radishes and bread, it is creamy, smoky, and iconic.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

25
The Laughing Heart

Modern European · ££££ · Hackney

84Signal

Start with

Deep-fried Stuffed Olives

Stuffed with Thai-fragranced pork, these 'salty little explosives' were a signature snack that defined the menu across various chef tenures.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

26
Osteria Angelina

Itameshi (Italian-Japanese) · £££ · Shoreditch

84Signal

Start with

Tortellini with Truffle & Kombu

This dish perfectly illustrates the restaurant's 'dual culinary inspiration,' blending Italian technique with Japanese depth.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

27
Som Saa

Regional Thai · £££ · Spitalfields

84Signal

Start with

Deep-Fried Whole Sea Bass (Nahm Dtok Pla Thort)

The restaurant's signature dish, expertly fried so 'the bones are crisp enough to be nibbled as a snack' and 'buried under drifts of foliage and smokey chillies, the crunch of toasted rice and the intensity of more fish sauce.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

28
Duchy

French-Italian (Savoyard) · £££ · Shoreditch

83Signal

Start with

Brown Crab Arancini

Universally praised as an 'easy recommendation' and a 'great, filling start' to the meal.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

29
Sohaila

Lebanese · ££ · Shoreditch

83Signal

Start with

Whipped Labneh with Chilli Butter

Time Out describes this starter as 'airy' and topped with a 'rich and smoky chilli butter,' noting it as a perfect introduction to their 'impeccable seasoning.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

30
Buen Ayre

Argentinian Steakhouse · ££ · London Fields

83Signal

Start with

Rib-eye Steak

Individual steaks like the 10oz rib-eye are noted as being 'very good value' and 'very good' compared to the overwhelming meat platters.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

31
HOKO

Hong Kong / Cantonese · £ · Shoreditch

83Signal

Start with

Hong Kong Pork Chop Rice with Egg

Described as one of the most "diabolically effective" plates of food in London, this "ugly delicious mound" is highlighted by a "ginger-forward marvel of a black bean sauce."

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

32
Brat x Climpson's Arch

Basque / British Seafood · ££££ · Hackney

82Signal

Start with

Whole Grilled Turbot

The restaurant's namesake ('Brat' is Old English for turbot); it is slow-grilled over smouldering embers until the vinegar-spritzed skin 'both crisps and softens.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

33
Toconoco

Japanese · £ · Haggerston

82Signal

Start with

Udon Noodles

Critics praise the broth for its "chicken-y depth of flavour" and note that it "oozed character," while the noodles themselves retain a perfect "slight bite."

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

34
BAO Noodle Shop

Taiwanese · ££ · Shoreditch

82Signal

Start with

Rare Beef Rump Noodle

Referenced as the Tainan-style broth, this light beef soup is a signature interactive experience served with a 400-day-aged soy-cured egg specifically for noodle-dipping.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

35
DALLA

Italian · £££ · Hackney

82Signal

Start with

Tiramisu

Described as 'superlative' and quintessential Italian comfort food, this dish is a staple of the restaurant's nostalgic charm and was even selected for Charli xcx's wedding menu.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

36
Pockets

Israeli · £ · Hackney

82Signal

Start with

Falafel in Pitta

The 'legendary' and 'Insta-famous' main event featuring a stone-baked pita that is 'incredibly fluffy' and 'stuffed full to bursting' with freshly fried falafel and house-made sauces.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

37
E Pellicci

British / Italian · £ · Bethnal Green

82Signal

Start with

Full English Breakfast

Described as a "monumental" and "humongous" plate, it is considered one of the "best fry ups in town," featuring sausages, eggs, bacon, hash browns, black pudding, and fried bread.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

38
Mangal 2

Modern Turkish · £££ · Dalston

82Signal

Start with

Sourdough Pide with Hummus

Jay Rayner describes the hummus as an 'uncommonly rugged affair with a hint of cheesy funk' served with 'lightly blackened, chewy and springy flatbread' that demands to be torn at.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

39
P. Franco

Modern European / Natural Wine Bar · £££ · Clapton

82Signal

Start with

Fresh Pasta

A consistent highlight across residencies, critics praise the 'good firm pasta' found in dishes like 'guinea fowl agnolotti in brodo' and 'mussel, squid and crab tagliolini' with citrus-buttery sauces.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

40
Ararat Bread

Pakistani Bakery · £ · Dalston

82Signal

Start with

Cheese Naan

A 'delicious' order featuring a 'gooey centre' and 'high-quality cheddar’s tang' that perfectly complements the 'deep, smoky flavour' of the wood-fired bread.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

41
Somine

Turkish · ££ · Dalston

82Signal

Start with

Manti

These 'house-special' Turkish dumplings are highlighted by critics as a time-honoured staple that is excellent at any time of day or night.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

42
Etles

Uyghur · ££ · Walthamstow

82Signal

Start with

Lamb Cumin Skewers

Tender, fatty, and heavily dusted with a smoky, tingly crust of cumin and chili powder.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

43
Oklava

Modern Turkish-Cypriot · £££ · Shoreditch

82Signal

Start with

Chilli Roast Cauliflower

Regarded as one of the 'bright, sunlit spots' of the menu, these hunks of cauliflower are roasted with a mild chilli paste and 'slathered' with red onions, parsley, and crunchy pistachios.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

44
The Spread Eagle

Vegan Pub Classics · ££ · Homerton

81Signal

Start with

Lentil Pie and Mash

An East End classic translated beautifully into a hearty, satisfying plant-based dish with traditional liquor.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

45
Oren

Israeli Mediterranean · £££ · Dalston

80Signal

Start with

Jerusalem Mixed Grill

Described as 'deservedly lauded' and a signature street-food style pita stuffed with chicken thigh, livers, and duck hearts that provides a sensory overload.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

46
Tayyabs

Punjabi · ££ · Whitechapel

80Signal

Start with

Lamb Chops

Served 'dark and sizzling on a furiously hot iron skillet,' these are 'the sort of chops you eat twice' according to Jay Rayner—first to eat the meat, and then to 'chew away at the crusty bits' on the bone.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

47
Planque

Modern French · ££££ · Haggerston

80Signal

Start with

Cured Bream with Habanero Oil

Regarded as a standout dish for its thick, sashimi-like texture and a pool of fruity habanero chilli oil that provides a restrained yet surprising heat.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

48
Oyster Shack & Seafood Bar

Seafood · ££ · Epping Forest

80Signal

Start with

Oysters on Ice

A staple of the shack that 'goes down a storm' according to The Good Food Guide; they are typically served simply to highlight the quality of the fresh seafood.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

49
Monohon Ramen

Japanese Ramen · ££ · Shoreditch

80Signal

Start with

Abura Soba

Reviewers praise this 'soupless ramen' for its 'thick, bouncy ramen noodles' served on a 'sesame-oil based tare.' Time Out notes it is a 'unique variation' worth 'ticking off your list at least once.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

50
Uzbegim

Uzbek & Uyghur · ££ · Leytonstone

80Signal

Start with

Uyghur Laghman

The restaurant's 'signature priority' featuring 'addictively chewy' hand-pulled noodles with the 'bounce of someone on their fourth espresso.' Critics suggest the beef version to 'soak up the aromatic peppery sauce.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

51
The Water House Project

Modern British / Nordic · ££££ · Bethnal Green

80Signal

Start with

St Austell Mussels

A recurring standout across reviews, praised for its creamy, comforting subtlety with fermented artichoke and preserved lemon.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

52
The Knave of Clubs

British Pub · £££ · Shoreditch

80Signal

Start with

Prawn Scotch Egg

Described as a 'genius choice' and a 'contender for Scotch egg of the year,' this seafood twist on the pub classic features a sweet chilli jam that perfectly complements the prawn.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

53
Beigel Bake

Bakery · £ · Shoreditch

80Signal

Start with

Salt Beef Bagel

The legendary staple featuring a colossal salt beef filling, an obscene amount of pickles, and strong mustard.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

54
Yanji

Korean BBQ · ££ · Shoreditch

80Signal

Start with

Cumin Lamb Skewers

A signature speciality of the restaurant where 'cubes of cumin lamb' rotate on charcoal grills, 'dripping and popping with chilli-infused flavour' as they cook.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

55
Deeney's

Scottish Cafe · £ · Leyton

80Signal

Start with

Hamish Macbeth Toastie

The legendary signature toastie packed with bacon, haggis, cheddar, caramelised onions, and a kick of mustard.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

56
Butchies

Fried Chicken · £ · Shoreditch

80Signal

Start with

The Original

The ultimate benchmark buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, kept simple with garlic aioli and house pickles.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

57
Nest

Modern British · ££££ · Shoreditch

80Signal

Start with

Soda Bread with Cultured Butter

This signature bread receives 'full marks' from critics, with some describing it as 'most delicious' and 'almost closer to a slice of cake than bread.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

58
Lahori Nihaari

Pakistani · ££ · Upton Park

80Signal

Start with

Haleem

A glossy, rich, and deeply earthy slow-cooked barley and lamb dish best mopped up with fluffy kulcha naan.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

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