A local’s guide to the best things to do in Shoreditch, London, with secret spots, street art, vintage shops, food and hidden gems in pretty East London!
Living just off Bethnal Green Road, you happen to spend a lot of time in the Shoreditch neighborhood nearby.
Shoreditch’s at the very end of the road and the walk, passing by Bethnal Green’s street art, cafes and shops, is delightful and full of history.
When you arrive at Shoreditch High Street Station from Bethnal Green, you’ll see Boxpark on your left, and on the right, Pizza East and their delicious Neapolitan pizza.
You’ll have passed by various street art streets on your right, namely Whitby Street and Chance Street, and arriving into one of the trendiest, most hipster areas of London.
Shoreditch, London: 14 Best Hidden Gems, Shops & Food Spots
Shoreditch is not all about nightlife, although there are quite a few evening spots to visit in the area, with various indoors golf clubs and street food spots open late.
Shoreditch High Street station is lively from top to bottom, with various cute cafes and bakeries dotting the area, like Kahaila, Dark Sugars or Beigel Shop.
There are plenty of unique shops, galleries inside old warehouses, beautiful churches covered in ivy, and brightly-colored murals that liven up otherwise secret streets.
Want to discover Shoreditch on and off the beaten path? Come on with me, then!
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Street Art Around Redchurch Street and Brick Lane
Shoreditch’s best known for its many streets covered in stickers, frescoes and murals, aside from its shops, street food and markets.
Brick Lane is the epicenter of Shoreditch’s street art.
From the actual Brick Lane to Hanbury Street, Fashion Street and Sclater Street, its walls, alleys and under-railway arches offer plenty of art.
Redchurch Street is a quieter place to visit, just off the ultra-colorful Chance Street, and that’s also where you’ll find Jolene, one of London’s most secret cafes – and gorgeous autumn colors.
Rivington Street is another place to visit for street art pieces, and closer to Bethnal Green Road, you also have Whitby Street, with iconic portraits that make for wonderful photo spots.
Whatever you do, don’t miss out on New Inn Yard and New Inn Broadway.
The former is ultra-colorful and a little hidden corner covered in stickers and small art pieces, and the latter is one of the most iconic Shakespeare locations in London, complete with a statue of the playwright and a full-on Romeo and Juliet mural.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Stop at Mark Street Gardens
Mark Street Gardens is located just a short walk away from Shoreditch High Street Station, and you’ll have to walk through Luke Street, which we’ll see further down this guide, to reach it.
Created in the early 1980s after the demolition of the Langbourne Buildings in 1978, Mark Street Gardens is one of the most secret gardens in London.
It’s perfect to visit in the spring with its fluffy wisteria, and in the fall to admire the former church of St Michael and All Angels.
It’s safe to say we’re in one of the most jaw-dropping places in London when visiting Mark Street Gardens.
Inside the church is now located Westland London, a huge fireplaces and antiques shop that you wouldn’t expect from the outside – if you like discovering hidden gems, you’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier one.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Eat Street Food on Brick Lane
On weekends especially, Brick Lane’s street vendors gather to cook up vegan wraps, Ethiopian injera platters, masala dosa, and other Korean skewers.
I have my own favorite restaurants and cafes on Brick Lane, two of which are Kahaila and Vida Bakery – although the latter is a cute bakery, filled with vegan and gluten-free pastries, rather than an actual coffee shop.
If you’re looking for vegetarian or halal food, Brick Lane’s also the place to be and, closer to Bethnal Green Road, you’ll also find Beigel Shop, one of the oldest bakeries in London, with their multicolor beigels.
Walk around The Truman Bakery, and you’ll find lots of cheap eats to indulge in – by all means, if you still have some space, try the outstanding hot chocolate at Dark Sugars, with their shaved chocolate on top.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Explore Arnold Circus and the Boundary Estate
Just off Shoreditch High Street, Arnold Circus was the UK’s first council housing estates, a circular park surrounded by beautiful buildings – it was built in the 1890s on the site of a former slum, the Old Nichol.
The park at the center is also known as Boundary Gardens at Arnold Circus, and the Boundary Estate offers some wonderful Arts & Crafts architecture; a peaceful place really close to Brick Lane and Shoreditch’s beating heart.
When you’re done taking a rest, you can then make your way to the unique shops nearby; Boxpark, Brick Lane and Kingsland Road all house spots where you can find lots of great treats.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Vintage Shops in Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Beyond
There’s a plethora of vintage shops in London, and Shoreditch is an iconic neighborhood to find them.
I’m talking lower-key vintage shops, the kind of places that still price mainstream brands reasonably, even if you can find secondhand couture there.
Cheshire Street is one such place, but if you’re looking for something grand and mind-blowing, you’d also do well to visit the Brick Lane Vintage Market, which brings together specialist vintage traders from the UK and Europe.
It’s real vintage, and quite affordable clothes you’ll find there, from the 1920s to the 2000s; in addition, accessories like shawls, hats, rings and even vinyl records can be found in this huge Shoreditch market.
On Brick Lane, Rokit and Beyond Retro are iconic names of vintage London shopping, too, and in and around Old Spitalfields Market, which almost faces Liverpool Street Station, you’ll also come across vintage stalls and artisan, independent brands.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Grab a Fish and Chips at Poppies
Poppies Fish and Chips is one of my ultimate favorite spots for fish and chips in London.
Their Camden Town restaurant is especially beautiful, stuck in a vintage decor and proper British feels.
If you’re exploring Shoreditch and craving a classic British meal, there’s another branch of Poppies in Spitalfields, which also offers a nostalgic 1950s, retro decor.
Both the various fish served at Poppies (cod, haddock, and other plaice and skate in halal-friendly batter) and the almost-buttery fries feel wonderfully fresh in mouth, definitely how Poppies keeps serving their filling plates to regulars since 1952.
So as soon as you get a vivid, true-blue craving for British comfort food, do head on to Hanbury Street, Spitalfields side, and why not get a fresh apple pie or sticky toffee pudding to end the meal on a sweet note?
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Paper and Cup Charity Bookshop Cafe
Located on Calvert Avenue, another great Shoreditch spot for street art, you’ll find Paper and Cup, a unique charity bookshop and cafe with a stunning, almost vintage vibe.
Not only will you be able to shop for second hand books there, but also come across vintage items and even homeware at Paper and Cup, which, on the side, also serves specialty coffee and homemade pastries.
Paper and Cup is managed by the Spitalfields Crypt Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting people in recovery from addiction and homelessness – you’ll find a branch of this charity shop on Bethnal Green Road, close to the Oxfam shop.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Find Unique Gifts in Concept Stores
Coming across new concept stores I wasn’t aware of always makes me super happy, and you’ll find a few amazing ones in Shoreditch.
Aida, on Shoreditch High Street, is for instance a multi-concept store serving rustic and chic, with intentionally-made products and a cute cafe offering gorgeous cups of colorful latte.
Luna and Curious on Calvert Avenue is another great shop in Shoreditch, which offers a mix of indie, British brands, homewares, toys and other collectibles.
Closer to Bethnal Green and Hoxton, Vintage Heaven on Columbia Road focuses on vintage homeware and kitchenware, with a secret cafe hidden in the shop.
Shoreditch’s concept stores feature, more often than not, local or international artisans; fashion, lifestyle, books at times, which means you’ll be able to buy really unique London souvenirs and treats.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Walk to Hoxton to Discover the Museum of the Home and Monster Supplies
Located really close to Shoreditch is the Hoxton neighborhood, which is a cute, village-like area offering shops, bakeries, and even a stunning museum, the Museum of the Home.
Just a short walk from Columbia Road, the place is a completely free museum exploring the history of British home life and interiors from 1600 to the present day; with its period rooms, it’s one of my favorite places to visit in London.
Not only are the period room displays breathtaking, there’s also a succession of secret gardens at the back of the Museum of the Home.
They also have one of the best museum shops in London, with stunning books.
When you’re done discovering the Museum of the Home, or before, pop by Hoxton Street Monster Supplies.
It’s not a creepy place per se, but a fantasy shop offering ‘bespoke and everyday items for the living, dead and undead.
The products, like their Thickest Human Snot and Brain Jam, are all whimsical and/or monster-themed – profits go to the Ministry of Stories, a creative writing charity for the young.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Admire Industrial Architecture on Luke Street and Surrounding Streets
Reaching Mark Street Gardens from Shoreditch High Street Station means you’ll walk through Luke Street – this beautiful street and its surrounding areas offer a breathtaking glimpse into the industrial neighborhood.
6-8 Luke Street, for instance, was originally constructed in the 1980s as a postmodern office building, and shows why the street is nestled within the South Shoreditch Conservation area.
The streets nearby are also narrow, also characterized by Georgian architecture, and empty from cars most of the time, making for wonderful, although secret photo spots.
Rivington Street and Curtain Road, a short walk from Luke Street, are also instagrammable places, although street art-focused whereas Luke Street features dark-brick London architecture.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Charity Shopping
Aside from Paper and Cup, the superb bookshop cafe I’ve mentioned above for vintage and secondhand homeware, you’ll find a few other good charity shops in Shoreditch and nearby Bethnal Green.
Mostly located on Kingsland Road, closer to the Dalston neighborhood, you’ll find Oxfam, the Red Cross Charity Shop and the British Heart Foundation.
If you’re going to be making your way to Dalston later, do go to Traid – you don’t want to miss out on it.
It’s a huge charity shop with lots of amazingly cheap clothes for men, women and kids (you could then go to nearby Stoke Newington for even more charity shops).
Back in Bethnal Green, there’s a little under a dozen charity shops to visit, too; a great Oxfam shop, the Spitalfields Crypt Trust, Lama’s Pyjamas and the Jambala Bookshop are only a few of them you have to visit for great clothes and accessories.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: See a Show at Rich Mix
Rich Mix is located in the heart of Shoreditch; the venue acts like a cinema, and also hosts live music performances, festivals, and regular exhibitions that feel rather low-key, especially compared to the West End’s shows.
What’s interesting about Rich Mix is that aside from being easily accessible, it’s also open every day and offers quite affordable tickets, mainly on weekdays.
We’re really close to Brick Lane here, at the end of Bethnal Green Road.
There’s a gorgeous plant shop nearby, London Terrariums, as well as various vintage, clothes and jewelry shops from artisan brands, too.
Things to Do in Shoreditch: Boxpark’s Street Food and Shops
Established in 2011, Boxpark Shoreditch is a container-style mall at the end of Bethnal Green Road, and houses over 50 indie food vendors at first level, and shops at street level.
On the upper deck, which feels like an upscale street food market, spots like Acai Berry, Satay Street (halal-friendly!), and Island Poke with their Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls serve fresh food on the daily – gets crowded at the end of the day.
At street level, you’ll find some of the most amazing Shoreditch shops:
- Stooki Jewellery, with their stunning handcrafted pieces (also offers some unique workshops to create your own rings!)
- Ciao Bella!, with their Italian-themed fashion and accessories
- Sniff London, with their unique fragrances and scents
Boxpark Shoreditch (there’s notably another branch in Wembley Park where you’ll find the rustic bakery Bread Ahead) houses many more indie shops you might want to visit; you’re bound to come across something you want to buy!
Things to Do in Shoreditch: See the Sun Set on Columbia Road (But Not on Sunday)
I mentioned the wonderful Columbia Road close to Bethnal Green/Hoxton higher up in this guide, and I’d recommend you pop by the flower market on Sundays.
However, everyone goes to Columbia Road for the flower market – go on a weekday and its a gorgeous Victorian street lined with vintage shopfronts, secret cafes and homeware stores.
You could, for instance, visit the curiosity shop Monster Supplies in nearby Hoxton to get a glimpse of London’s creepiness, and then visit the Museum of the Home.
Afterwards, catch the sunset on the Victorian buildings; the street’s orientation make it a great London spot to see the sun winding down close to the heart of Shoreditch.
Shoreditch, London: 14 Best Hidden Gems, Shops & Food Spots
Shoreditch is one of the rawest, most authentic neighborhoods to walk around in London; it mixes old industrial vibes with vintage, and contemporary feels with street art-clad walls.
I lived in Mile End and Bethnal Green for over a year, and would often stroll down Bethnal Green Road to go charity shopping, and quickly reached Brick Lane by photographing every detail I saw.
If you’re up for walking London, watching, and paying attention, you’ll see Shoreditch from historical sites like Mark Street Gardens to quirky concept stores like Aida, and street art that doesn’t rush you.
Then, if you’d like to discover other amazing London neighborhoods, these are a few guides to historic areas and secret spots I’ve written for you: