Curator’s statement
I never tire of exploring London, but after living in the UK for a decade and hitting the highlights on repeat, I’m ready to turn eastbound. East London is much more than Cockney Rhyming Slang. A center of commerce since Roman times, the neighborhoods of Stepney, Hackney, and Spitalfields have been home to immigrants from Huguenots to Bengali. Today, Canary Wharf has enjoyed a renaissance as financial giants move operations from the “City” to the Isle of Dogs. And south of the river Thames, Greenwich harkens back to the days of British Naval greatness.
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Where to stay in East London
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Things to do in East London
V&A East Storehouse
Shop at Old Spitalfields Market: For 350 years, a market has been in operation at this site. Check website for specialty days such as Thursday antiques and Friday vinyl. Crafts, food, flowers, special events—come hungry!
Speaking of hungry, take a walking or eating tour—or better still combine one! We spent three fantastic hours with Eating Europe's East London tour. Our fantastic guide, Kaffe, led us to six distinct food experiences: cheese, fish and chips, curry, and Pastel de Nata (at a Chinese bakery, but it works!).
Take in a show. If the West End is the Broadway of London, then Soho Walthamstow is the Off Broadway. Edgier, funnier, this renovated Victorian theatre hosts comedians and burlesque. We were lucky enough to catch John C Reilley's "Mr. Romantic". It was a full house on a chilly November night.
Head south of the river to Greenwich. Home to the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory, we spent the day straddling the Prime Meridian, learning about clocks and longitude, and enjoying some fantastic views. Enjoy afternoon tea on board the Cutty Sark or at one of the many waterfront cafes and pubs.
Spend a day at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The 2012 Olympics hosts, East London has put the infrastructure built for the event to good use. I love the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, so a trip to the V&A East Storehouse was the perfect contrast. Modern architecture houses often uncurated design delights. Sadler Wells East has opened for dance theatre.
Canary Wharf lures Londoners in the warmer months with riverfront pubs and cafes. Walking, biking, and boating along Regents Canal and Jubilee Park attract families for weekend exercise. Our visit this time was in November, so boating was out, but Londoners know how to dress for the weather and walking is year-round.
Places to eat & drink in East London
Poppie's Fish and Chips
Poppie's Fish & Chips, Spitalfields: Diner decor meets the original East End Chippie.
Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery: A bagel by any other name, this landmark is open 24 hours to fuel your carbohydrate needs.
Ottilenghi Spitalfields: My favorite London restaurant, the Mediterranean menu inspires and delights.
Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea: It’s fitting that the only surviving tea clipper ship hosts high tea beneath its hull.
Humble Crumble: Located within Spitalfields Market, these sweet treats are almost too pretty to eat.
Need to know
The East End is well served by the Tube. The Elizabeth Line runs from Heathrow, and the Jubilee line and DLR (Dockland Light Rail) offer convenient service.
Contactless payment is everywhere. I haven’t used cash in London in years.
Skip the tourist hop on/hop off buses and jump aboard one of the iconic red buses. And take at least one London cab ride for the cabbie conversation alone. Ubers are also readily available.
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Margo Kay
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