Things to do in Shoreditch and Hoxton: our team's top picks

Looking for a unique family activity in the area? Head to Young V&A on the edge of Bethnal Green Road. This Grade II-listed Victorian building is home to an interactive museum designed for young children to flex their imagination and explore art, design, fashion, engineering and more.

Children can build, touch, experiment and express themselves through interactive displays and play areas, such as the Imagine gallery with its costumes, role-play structures and storytelling prompts. From board games and foam building blocks to tunnels to crawl through, every object, material and structure inside this giant playground encourages children to learn about and interact with the creative world on their own terms, through tactile experience rather than observation alone.

Look out for special events and temporary exhibitions throughout the year for deeper insight into creative worlds. And don't forget to check out the gift shop, selling everything from games and stationery to keyrings and cuddly toys!

Best for: Rainy days and families with creative young children.
Good to know: Young V&A is just under a 30-minute stroll from Shoreditch or a 15-minute bus journey, so be sure to take travel time into account when planning your visit. 

Known as the capital's top urban art hotspot, admire the creativity on display across the neighbourhood on a Shoreditch street art walking tour. Visit world-famous murals and wind through lesser-known streets to see walls decorated by local artists. 

Starting on the corner of Old Spitalfields Market, a specialist tour guide leads you through the streets of Brick Lane and Shoreditch, providing a deep dive into the lives of artists, their artistry and the stories behind their work. Expect to see pieces from the likes of Banksy, Eine, Swoon, D'Face and Blak Le Rat on this two-hour-and-45-minute deep dive into local urban culture.

Best for: Fans of street art, photography and urban culture.
Good to know: Wear comfortable shoes and bring water to keep hydrated during the tour.

Museum of the Home is a free museum that invites guests to observe British life and culture through the ages. Situated just round the corner from Hoxton Station, this is a great budget-friendly cultural spot to add to your itinerary if you're in the area.

Reflect on four centuries of home life at the Rooms Through Time galleries, featuring real London homes from 1630, captured in time. See how furniture, decor, fixtures and home objects have changed over time, including a futuristic home imagined for 2049. Read stories of everyday life at Home Galleries and browse a display of everyday objects dating more than 400 years.

Look out for free and paid guided tours, talks, workshops and performances across the year that provide a deeper dive into pockets of culture. 

Best for: An intimate glimpse into past, present and future London culture.
Good to know: Access to the main galleries is free, but exclusive events have limited tickets, with some paid for, so check the official website in advance to secure tickets and avoid disappointment. 

Make your way to Columbia Road Flower Market every Sunday as the popular street is pedestrianised and filled with stalls selling everything from pots and plants to almost every kind of flower. Pick up new houseplants, buy a pre-made seasonal bouquet or build your own using your choice of stems from the wide variety of shapes, textures and colours available. 

Visit on a normal day, and you'll notice the street is lined with boutique and independent shops. Some sell vintage homeware, glassware and collector's items. Others are stocked with vases, candles and clothes, and some feature shelves piled high with handmade and artisan goods. There's even a shop entirely dedicated to dogs' fashion and another filled with imported Mexican products including tiles, pottery and folk art. Make sure to pop into the shops during the market, as they can be hard to spot among the crowded streets!

During the festive season, many of the road's shops are open late for its annual Christmas market. Stalls serve warm mulled wine and pubs fill up with merry crowds ready to sing Christmas carols. 

Best for: Hunting for gifts and homewares at a local neighbourhood market.
Good to know: Popular plants and good deals sell out quickly, so visit the market early if you want first pick. If you're after a good deal, go later, as sellers tend to flog the last of their stock before closing for the day.  

Old Spitalfields Market brings together independent traders, food stalls and restaurants under one Victorian roof. Situated just a short stroll from Liverpool Street Station, it makes a great starting point for any Shoreditch and Hoxton itinerary before venturing on towards the City, Brick Lane or beyond. 

You can expect to find everything from stalls selling vintage fashion and handmade jewellery to artwork, antiques and accessories made with high-quality materials. Fuel up on street food from around the world at the food court, boasting a variety of cuisines. Some of our favourites include Bleecker Burger, Dos Mas Tacos, Le Bab and Dumpling Shack. 

Best for: Browsing artisan traders and food stalls every day of the week.
Good to know: The market is covered and open daily, but the traders change depending on the day, so check the official website for more information and visit on a weekday for a quieter experience!

Spend time exploring one of London's most famous streets, Brick Lane, known for its street art, vintage warehouses, record stores, eclectic food scene and Brick Lane Market. While its worth visiting any day of the week, stop by on a weekend when all of the markets are open to make the most of everything it has to offer.

Dig through a selection of vintage clothes, jewellery and antique homewares every day of the week at Brick Lane Vintage Market inside The Old Truman Brewery, and fuel up at the venue's street food stalls. Or, pop into one of the many vintage shops the area is home to, including some of our favourites: Rokit, Y2K Vintage, ATIKA London and Serotonin Vintage Ldn.

The street is pedestrianised on Sundays for the Brick Lane Flea Market, where you can expect stalls selling a selection of clothes, accessories, collector's items and more.  

Venture beyond Brick Lane to Redchurch Street where you'll find a pocket of design-led shops, independent boutiques and trendy eateries. Browse the flagship Goodhood store, which boasts a curated selection of streetwear fashion and designer homeware. And keep an eye out for live in-store events and signings at the world-famous Rough Trade East record store.  

Best for: Vintage markets, design-led stores, public art and street food.
Good to know: Brick Lane is busiest at weekends when the markets are all open and at their liveliest. Make sure to explore beyond the main Brick Lane street; the whole area has something to offer.

Shoreditch and Hoxton are home to some of London's most acclaimed restaurants. From trendy gastropubs and independent eateries to Michelin-starred menus, you'll find exciting dishes for every taste and budget in this neighbourhood. 

Osteria Angelina is one of our favourites in the area, featuring a menu of sharing plates that skilfully blend Italian and Japanese influences. With a focus on seasonal produce, raw plates, fire cooking and daily house-made bread, you can expect dishes such as Hokkaido milk bread with jam and burnt honey butter, courgette flower stuffed with miso ricotta and walnut, and tagliolini with matcha, tuna and caviar – buonissima! 

More top picks include Bistro Freddie, a sophisticated bistro serving up French classics with a twist. Turn up the heat with a selection of mouthwatering Thai plates from Singburi. Order the famous fish sauce chicken wings from Smoking Goat. Flick through the menu of Portuguese delights at The Macbeth. Or, try BRAT's take on Basque-style dishes cooked over an open fire. 

Best for: Date night and special celebrations.
Good to know: Book a table in advance as spots fill up quickly, especially during weekends and evenings. 

Journey to the Mediterranean at Eataly London, a foodie hub made up of a cafe, a market, bars, restaurants, a cooking school and more. 

Be tempted by the smell of sweet delights at The Gran Caffe as soon as you walk in. Inspired by Italy's cafes, it serves sweet and savoury snacks and drinks all day long. You can also grab a quick bite from the salad or fresh pasta bars, followed by a couple of scoops from the gelato counter. 

Spend time exploring the market upstairs, packed with the finest fresh Italian produce, from freshly baked bread and Italian sweets to cured meats, cheeses and fresh fruit and vegetables. You're guaranteed to find something here to gift to a loved one, or take home to enjoy to yourself!

Enjoy simply Italian flavours, expressed through top quality and freshness, at on-site restaurants, Terra by Carlo Cracco and Pasta e Pizza. Try your hand at creating Italian recipes with classes at the cooking school. And end your experience with an Aperol spritz on the outdoor terrace.

Best for: An Italian-themed foodie experience.
Good to know: Book experiences such as cooking classes in advance, as well as tables at the restaurants, bars and terrace.

Walk down Brick Lane, and a doorman will likely ask if you'd like to dine at their Indian restaurant. Visit unprepared, and you might be overwhelmed by all the different choices. But book the Brick Lane Indian Food Tour, and let an expert lead you through the best authentic Indian and Bangladeshi food the city has to offer.

Meet your guide, who helps you navigate the bustling streets, sharing local knowledge of the area and its deep-rooted connection to Indian and Bangladeshi communities. They will lead you to the area's best Indian restaurants to taste a variety of vibrant curries, mouth-watering savoury snacks and succulent Tandoori grilled meats.

Room for more? The tour ends at a traditional Indian sweet shop so you can end on a high! Then stop at a local Indian supermarket to pick up foodie gifts like snacks and spices.

Best for: A culinary journey around one of London's cultural hotspots.
Good to know: The ticket covers the food at each restaurant, but you can also buy more goods from a local Indian supermarket at the end of the tour.

Sip on cocktails from one of the neighbourhood's many rooftop bars, boasting sweeping views of the skyline from east London to the nearby City skyscrapers. 

Impress someone special at Boundary Rooftop, a trendy spot with sofas, heaters and expertly crafted cocktails. Or, although not technically a rooftop, venture 40 floors up to Duck and Waffle, where you'll be greeted with exceptional views of the capital and a 24-hour dining menu! The afternoon tea or the classic dish of the same name – with a duck leg and fried egg on top of a waffle – is our favourite. 

Catch cabaret, drag shows, music events and compete in live quizzes at the Queen of Hoxton, which has plenty of rooftop seating and is often dressed up for seasonal or themed events. Or, admire the view from your seat on a repurposed Tube carriage at Village Underground, with its rooftop bar overlooking Shoreditch and the popular venue downstairs featuring a schedule of live events. 

Best for: Seeing the city from a new perspective.
Good to know: Some London rooftops have seasonal opening hours, so be sure to check the official website before visiting. 

Step inside a scene from a Western film at Moonshine Saloon, a cocktail bar set in the Wild West during 1904. Get fully immersed in this experience that combines live theatre, board games and a cocktail bar.

The saloon requires visitors to smuggle moonshine as part of an initiation into a local "gang". Bring along a sealed spirit of choice before the local tailor fits you into a Western disguise, and your smuggled liquor is reinvented into tasty cocktails.

The neighbourhood is home to several other interactive experiences and activity bars such as Avora, which transports visitors to a mystical woodland set in a parallel universe. Alcotraz is set in a prison cell, while Hexmoor is set in a wizarding prison.

NQ64 is an arcade bar kitted out with retro games and arcade machines. And if you're just looking for something a bit different, A Bar with Shapes for a Name serves up deliciously creative cocktails in a quirky setting.

Best for: An in-person activity and experience for small groups.
Good to know: Each of these experiences have slightly different age limits, durations and restrictions. Check the official website for more information before booking. 

Shoreditch and Hoxton are home to some of London's best pubs, from gastropubs and rooftop boozers to traditional establishments that offer a glimpse of the area's old East End character.

Feeling peckish? Head to Marksman Public House, which combines its warm pub atmosphere with a top-tier food menu. Created by former St. JOHN chefs, find seasonal British dishes – including a delectable Sunday roast – made using the best local ingredients. Admire the tiled feature wall at The Macbeth in Hoxton as you share a selection of Portuguese and northern Spanish-inspired plates you'll want to go back for again and again. 

Get involved in quizzes, live music events and more at Howl at The Moon, an Irish pub that promises a lively crowd any day of the week. Catch some rays on the rooftop at The Red Lion, which feels like something between a pub and a house party, and is conveniently located opposite Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes – one of our favourite bars in the area. Or, pull up a chair among locals at Owl and Pussycat, which has a more relaxed feel and shows live sports events.

Best for: Sharing food and drinks with friends in a proper east London establishment.
Good to know: Pub character and pricing vary massively across the area; we recommend looking beyond the busier streets for a more local atmosphere.

Wander just north of Shoreditch, and you'll come across Hackney City Farm, one of our favourite farms in London and a charity that has provided the local community with animals to visit for more than 35 years.

Get up close to everything from pigs and donkeys to goats, sheep, ducks and chickens. And if you're lucky, you might get to meet some baby animals during feeding time! 

Look out for workshops such as animal handling for young children, pottery classes and woodworking, and stop by the on-site shop during your visit to pick up locally sourced produce.

Best for: A low-cost family-friendly day out among wildlife.
Good to know: The farm relies on donations; we encourage you to donate by tapping your card or giving cash near the entrance gate if you enjoy your experience.

Hoxton and Shoreditch are home to some of London's best food spots. From viral restaurants to Michelin-starred menus, there is no shortage of incredible eats, but some locations hold a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. 

Follow Bethnal Green Road to E Pellicci, a family-run establishment that has served full English breakfasts and Italian classics to workers and residents since the 19th century, and still holds its status as one of London's best brunches. Expect huge handmade plates and a warmth that greets you from the moment you enter. 

Brick Lane is synonymous with bagels, and while you won't be disappointed by any of the bagels the street has to offer, no one is doing it quite like Beigel Bake. Select your choice of filling – our favourites are the smoked salmon and cream cheese, chicken or signature salt beef with sliced pickles and mustard. Open 24 hours a day, come here for breakfast, brunch, before a night out or after a night out... it never fails!

Follow your nose to Crystal Caterers at Hoxton Street Market, who are bringing vibrant Caribbean flavours to the neighbourhood every Wednesday through to Saturday – the jerk chicken is a must! 

Best for: A culinary cultural fix, east London style.
Good to know: Every restaurant and food trader has different opening hours; check the official website for more information.  

Tucked away down an unassuming offshoot in Spitalfields stands Dennis Severs' House, an 18th-century time capsule and museum in the form of a Georgian terraced house. 

Styled by Dennis Severs – the owner and resident of the house from 1979 to 1999 – wander the 10 rooms, described as a "still life" depiction of the fictional Jervis Family, silk weavers from the Victorian era.

Ignite the senses at this unique dwelling, where everything from lit candles and unmade beds to the house's very own bespoke scent makes it really feel like the family have just popped out. You can even buy the scented candle from Angela Flanders perfumery along nearby Columbia Road!

Look out for everything from relaxed day visits and silent night-time visits to behind-the-scenes tours and concerts inside the house. 

Best for: A unique exploration of an 18th-century London dwelling.
Good to know: There are several flights of stairs to climb in the building, and despite being a small space, we recommend giving yourself a good amount of time to properly explore. 

Stay at The Hoxton, Shoreditch, the original hotel from the world-renowned boutique chain. Each room boasts design-led features, including parquet floors, mid-century furniture, Roberts radios and elegant tiled bathrooms.

The hotel is well located among all of the top things to do in Shoreditch, but it's also worth checking out Il Bambini Club, the on-site Italian restaurant and bar, serving up mouthwatering dishes from breakfast through to your evening nightcap. Or, end your day of sightseeing at the rooftop bar, Llama Inn, where you can pair Peruvian plates and cocktails with skyline views. 

Best for: Creative travellers looking for a design-led stay.
Good to know: The on-site restaurant and bar are open to the public and often get booked up during busier times, so be sure to book a table in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Stay in walking distance of the best neighbourhood spots at Hart Shoreditch Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton. This charming hotel reflects the area's style and vibrancy through its design-led interiors and lively events.

Choose from several room options from deluxe, twin and accessible to superior and suite, all of which include complimentary wifi, a 24-hour gym, filtered water, room service, a hair dryer, a mini fridge, Soapsmith toiletries, a Marshall speaker and more.

There is also a Queen Family Room available for groups with little ones in tow – contact the hotel before your stay to organise family-friendly amenities such as baby cots, mini bathrobes and a few extra surprises!

Best for: A fantastic hotel for families and visitors with pets.
Good to know: This hotel is pet friendly, family friendly and has accessible rooms, making it a great pick in a centrally located area for those with extra requirements.

Get ready for a luxurious stay at art'otel London Hoxton, situated on the boundary between Hoxton and Shoreditch. This quirky hotel combines modern touches with comfort, and each room features bold designs from local street artist D*Face.

Pick from a variety of rooms ranging from a two-person Art Room, Art Room Plus or Art Room Deluxe to studios and suites of varying sizes. Each boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, providing natural light and sweeping city views.

Along with several bars and restaurants, the hotel has its own spa, gym and wellness centre, with a range of treatments to elevate your stay – perfect for the busy traveller looking to relax and unwind.  

Best for: Art lovers, work travellers and special occasion stays.
Good to know: Look out for rotating exhibitions taking place at the hotel's on-site art galleries.