London Neighbourhoods: Our Guide to Shoreditch

See the highlights of one of London's trendiest neighbourhoods with our guide to Shoreditch

Shoreditch is the beating cultural heart of East London and never fails to capture the hearts of locals and travellers alike. This vibrant neighbourhood overflows with creativity, colour and some of the most interesting people you'll see in London. With so much to see and do, here's a quick guide to Shoreditch for travellers.

Image via Queen of Hoxton facebook

Queen of Hoxton

What's a London neighbourhood without a local watering hole? The Queen of Hoxton is one of Shoreditch's stalwarts, spanning over several floors and a beautiful rooftop that fills up quickly on a crisp summer's day. With ping pong tables, crazy rooftop installations (which have at one point included a gigantic tipi, rainbow tower and a graffitied car for photo ops) as well as alcoholic slushies, it buzzes with creative energy and the music is always on point. You'll even here the occasional Cockney rhyming slang, which will be an experience unto itself.

Beigel Bake

Don't mistake this Jewish bakery for the yellow one next door - this famous 24 hour bakery can be recognised by its white luminous sign and blue lettering. Best known for their hearty salt beef bagels, their recipe consists of a thick slice of succulent beef, a crunchy pickle and a generous helping of mustard slathered across a bagel. Always a favourite with the late night party crowd, they also serve sweet treats like apple strudels and cheesecake.

Graffiti

Shoreditch is littered with graffiti by some of the best street artists in the world and you'll regularly see tour groups stopping and staring at some of its more notable works. With the likes of Stik, Otto Schade and others transforming the neighbourhood's walls, one of the most iconic pieces of the neighbourhood is Belgian artist ROA's gigantic crane which symbolises the strong Bengali community in the area. Find out more about Shoreditch's street art here.

Electric Cinema

Make your movie night a spectacular one at Electric Cinema, an indie theatre where moviegoers can relax in couches, blankets and a cheeky glass of wine while watching blockbusters or little known arthouse films. If you're looking to save a couple of quid, pick the seats around the edges that have a slightly angled view as they're available for a reduced price.

Indulge in Shoreditch's fantastic street food selections

Shoreditch teems with talented street chefs and street food markets, which makes choosing a midday snack something of a challenge. Try one of Bleecker Street's incredible cheeseburgers which includes a layer of black pudding for a bit of a twist at Old Spitalfields Market, Japanese hot dogs at Pump Street Market or grab a pint of cider at BOXPARK while relaxing on its picnic benches on a sunny day. See our full guide to London street food markets here.

Image via Rokit Vintage facebook

Dress like a Londoner at Shoreditch's many vintage and boutique stores

Shoreditch is well-known for its fashion forward residents and its eclectic clothing stores are always a sartorial adventure. Whether you're combing through the racks for a bargain find at Rok It Vintage, Blitz or Absolute Vintage or discovering the pop up boutiques at BOXPARK, you're sure to find a unique piece that will be the envy of all your friends.