Eat
Mae + Harvey. This is a neighbourhood café, serving delicious breakfast and brunch dishes all day. Favourites include Natasha's famous avocado toast, her sweet or savoury waffles, and the ultimate roast chicken sandwich. On Tuesday evenings, she also hosts ‘Taco Tuesdays.’ Make sure to always check the specials menu for seasonal dishes on offer.
Brunch at Mae + Harvey
‘The Pho Mile’. Similar to Brick Lane, Kingsland Road is home to numerous Vietnamese restaurants. You can try the Bun cha at BunBunBun or go for check out Viet Hoa, known for it's Phos. Viet Hoa also has an interesting history as it was originally established to provide cheap meals for Vietnamese refugees that had fled the communist regime.
Petticoat Lane Market. Open Monday to Friday and until 2pm on Sundays, you can find delicious, and budget friendly street food here. It is also located near the LSE hall of residence Lillian Penson Hall, so it makes a good place to grab a bite to eat before or after your lectures and classes.
Old Spitalfields Market. Student blogger, Aarushi says "the market is a delight to visit in the afternoon and bear in mind, it is busiest during the weekends. There is ample seating and shopping to keep you comfortable and entertained. There’s something about this market that makes me prefer it over any other food market in London."
GENESIS. Located by Spitalfields, GENESIS is a popular plant-based fast food restaurant serving a range of comfort-food dishes, including burgers, tacos and brownies.
GENESIS Restaurant
Do
Street art in Shoreditch and Brick Lane. Wander around Shoreditch and Brick Lane to find graffiti and murals plastered over the walls of East London. The murals change often, so making a few trips throughout your time in London is a good idea. Head on over to Great Eastern Street (to take a shot of the infamous ‘Let’s Adore and Endure Each Other’ graffiti), to Princelet Street (to see artist Stik’s work), and Shoreditch High Street.
Genesis Cinema. Near Stepney Green station, this cinema offers cheap tickets with prices starting at £5.50. You can also opt for a luxury cinema experience in their Studios 4 and 5, with tickets at £9 (a further upgrade can get you a bottle of prosecco!).
Rich Mix. An art centre near Brick Lane, showcasing and supporting local talent. It offers an excellent programme of events that vary from music, cinema screenings, dance, theatre, spoken word and comedy – so you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy.
EartH. A multi-arts space in Dalston with a diverse programme of music, theatre and comedy performances. There is also a flea market that opens once a month here.
Brick Lane. Tourists and locals flock to Brick Lane every weekend, especially on Sundays for the market, where you can sample food from all over the world and browse through the stalls of vintage clothing. Be sure to also visit one of Brick Lane's famous and authentic curry houses.
Old Truman Brewery. Formerly London's biggest brewery, this space now houses a variety of bars, restaurants, independent shops and galleries. At the weekend, you can expect to see a variety of markets open, like Backyard Market (selling clothes, prints, and unusual accessories), Sunday Upmarket (over 200 traders, from established designers and artists, to food from all over the globe), and House of Vegan which showcases the UK’s best vegan street food.
Emirates Air Line. Crossing the River Thames between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, the Emirates Air Line offers an exciting view of London. During the day, it takes approximately 10 minutes each way. Alternatively, in the evenings (after 7pm) the duration is extended to approximately 25 minutes, in order for you to enjoy an evening sunset and London’s night skyline.
London Fields Lido. Open all year round, London Fields Lido is a heated outdoor swimming pool located in Hackney. It is especially busy and popular on sunny days and during school breaks. There are large sundeck and sunbathing areas and an on-site café where you can refuel after your swim, or alternatively you can pack and bring your own picnic.
Visit
BoxPark Shoreditch. Made from old shipping containers, you can find independent shops selling homeware, clothing and accessories on the ground floor, and upstairs is filled with a variety of different food stalls, with communal seating benches, a bar, and a dance floor.
Whitechapel Gallery. The gallery has premiered the works of Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollack, and Mark Wallinger – the artist of the ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ globe sculpture on campus. Whilst you are there, browse their bookshop for some inspiration, or grab a coffee and a bite to eat in their café and bar.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Flower Market. 8am to 3pm every Sunday, rain or shine, the flower market on Columbia Road is there for you to buy plants and flowers at cheap prices! The flowers and plants vary depending on the season. Alongside the market, you can find cafes and vintage shops.
Victoria Park. Every Sunday from 10am to 4pm, the park hosts a farmers market, where you can purchase local, seasonal produce.
Tobacco Dock. A grade I listed warehouse that is now used to host unique events, from day raves to food festivals, rooftop film screenings and concerts.