I’ve spent last weekend in London, meeting my friends Lakshmi and Bethan, for our mini Cuba reunion, sharing memories and discovering new places. Most of the people that go to London will limit themselves to see the City of London and Westminster, and maybe, if they have time, explore a little bit of Camden and Kensington.
So today I’m going to tell you about our experience in the East End – Shoreditch!
Shoreditch is a very hip and multicultural area of East London, with a lot of markets, cute cafes, independent shops, and trendy clubs. Many of the walls here are plastered with graffiti and many shops are selling quirky products.
We started out day walking towards Colombia flower market, a street that every Sunday between 11 and 3PM transforms in a colored oasis, with hundreds of different types of plants sold very cheap. We made our way through the crowds and enjoyed the smell of dried lavender, that was sweeping gently into the air. On both sides of the street, small art galleries and antique shops are inviting visitors to come in and take a look: vintage glasses, vinyl records, Victorian postcards, there’s even a rocking horse if you fancy!
Our next stop was the Brick Lane market. But first, we couldn’t miss the famous salt beef beigel for lunch, from the Beigel Shop. The queue was stretching until outside the shop, but it was going pretty fast. In the window we could see a lady carving big chunks of beef from a slab kept warm. The cost of the salt beef beigel is £3.70 and an extra 20p if you want gherkins. Three of those big chunks of beef ended up in my beigel, and it was so big that I couldn’t bite it whole in one go. It was absolutely delicious and very filling.
The Brick Lane market is great if you like shopping. You can find everything you’re thinking of here, including a shop that sells high street brands like Burberry or Valentino at discounted prices. Of course, you can’t miss the street food vendors, who try to allure you towards their stand by offering you a taste of what they are selling. You can find all kinds of different foods here, from Chinese to Italian, from Indian to Brazilian, from South Korean to the old curry wurst.
For out afternoon tea we stopped at Kahaila Cafe, a chilled out coffee shop with a wonderful all glass roof that lets lots of light coming in. This coffee shop runs as a charity, and donates all its profit towards the supporting the local community projects.
In the evening we crossed the line between Shoreditch and the City, and headed over to the Sky Garden. As the name suggest, Sky Garden is a “garden” on top of the “Walkie-Talkie” skyscraper, with fantastic views over London. Unfortunately the access is permitted only with a previous online reservation. The tickets are free but you still need to have one before you go because they only allow a limited number of people each hour. In the Sky Garden you can also find two restaurants and a bar, if you’re hungry or thirsty, but they are pretty pricey.
We left a bit disappointed and entered the nearby Folly Bar for a quick cheering up Cuban drink: Cuban Queen, made out of Rom, mint, angostura, lime, agave & prosecco. Yum!
On the way back to Shoreditch we stopped to admire the Victorian Leadenhall Market, where the exterior Diagon Alley scenes from Harry Potter were filmed. If you are interested in the movie you can go on a tour of the Harry Potter studios next to London.
We had dinner at Honest Burgers, a simple classic but delicious burger, accompanied with a lot of homemade rosemary chips, all priced very decently at £9.
And then, the highlight of the evening came. We reached the Heron Tower, passed through security and jumped into the all glass elevator that took us to the 38th floor, the home of Sushisamba. This Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian restaurant/bar left me speechless. The design of the place is amazing and it’s surrounded by ceiling to floor windows, from where you can see the panorama of London and iconic buildings like St Paul’s or Tower Bridge. We ordered a fancy cocktail and got out on the terrace. Even if the wind was blowing very powerful, the terrace is surrounded by shrubs that don’t let it pass through. In the middle of the terrace there is an outside bar, on top of which a big tree with orange leaves completes the design. We sat near the fire pit and enjoyed our drinks. It was such a great feeling being there, on top of the city!
Pictures taken with Samsung Galaxy S4
Sounds like a great day! Amazing photos as always. Shoreditch reminds me a little of Savamala in Belgrade (except there are no markets there) 🙂
I have only passed by through Belgrade, but I did have a nice coffee at the cafe from the train station, twice 🙂
This little excursion sounds so great! You get to see some Harry Potter filming history as well as try a new drink (Cuban Queen)?! Score! I jotted down the ingredients to that drink- definitely want to try it out. Thanks for sharing and the pictures looked great.
Cuban Queen was a very refreshing drink, you couldn’t really feel the alcohol – dangerous! Haha!
Oh I love your pictures, these scenes make me want to go there and see for myself. Love the picture with the light especially. So cosy
Sushisamba was so special. Just sitting outside, around the fire, listening to the wind and enjoying the cocktails. 🙂
I haven’t been back to Shoreditch for ages – i used to live in London (for 6 years) and I was obsessed with this area of the city! I’m planning a trip back in a few weeks and will definitely go visit again….mmmmh…the food looks delicious as always 🙂
It was my first time in Shoreditch, even if I’ve been to London many times, I never went outside the City. But now I will do more often 🙂
It looks interesting. That view is amazing! Can’t believe you passed through security hahah. I like the graffiti’s too. Thanks for sharing something a bit different other than London 🙂
Yes, you can’t go to the restaurant if you don’t pass through security, get scanned and show the contents of your bag. 🙂
Your pictures are forever stunning! When I head across the pond I will be sure to have my friend Charlotte take me here. This actually reminds me a lot of my city here, Philadelphia. With the colors, buildings, and culture!
Thank you! You should definitely visit, but it has to be on a Sunday, to see all the markets 🙂
Beautiful places, I would love to check them all out one day. The view is super amazing! Thanks for sharing! x
Great stuff! Shoreditch is like hipster central, looks like you had a good time though!
I missed this whole area of LDN when I was there. Funnily enough I’ve only been to London once despite being a 40 minute plane ride away my whole life!
I have never taken that 40 minute flight yet either, but I would love to see Dublin! 🙂
I love your photos! Sigh. I wish to visit London — no, the entire UK! — one day. I’d like to explore it and capture it as you do!
The UK is a very diverse country, with a lot of beautiful places. London is just one of them 🙂
Beautiful!!! I am planning a trip to Europe for this summer (i am from the states) and I cannot waaaaiit! You travel bloggers keep me head over heals excited
I’m glad my blog helps you planning! 🙂
some great photos here and an interesting read 🙂
In case you couldn’t tell by my pictures Shoreditch is like a second home to me. I love it and as a huge fan of street art it ticks the right boxes. I am there nearly every weekend!
I did, and I wanted to ask you if your pictures were taken in Shoreditch, haha. Maybe I’ll see you there next time I’m in London. 🙂
I guess almost everybody will put London on top of their travel list.. This place has been on my bucket list ever since I was a kid and the Harry Potter films made me even more eager to visit this place someday! Too bad I still do not have that courage to travel abroad but I’m sure I can have that courage soon! Of course I need to save a lot of money too because I know London can be a very expensive trip haha
Thanks for sharing your adventure to us and I’m sure you had a blast here
You should get the courage and book that flight to London! Indeed it can be very expensive but you can also manage on the cheap: you can only take the buses to save half on the daily travelcard, you can eat from the supermarket and stay in a hostel. 🙂
Wow! Pretty awesome mate! I’m going to make a travel to London soon and I’m thinking about doing something like this, a blog about that with all my journey. London will be the first place, the goal is to visit different countries as well 🙂
Good luck! i would like to read your opinion about London 🙂
I miss London so much. Great post!
Lovely blog and great pictures. Been to London once but now I will make sure I explore this.
Thanks
It is always nice to see photos of places I have never been to. I sure would love to buy that beef and stand by the wall with the beautiful graffiti and slowly eat and … just watch the scene.
That salt beef bagel was divine! The beef was cooked medium and had spicy English mustard on it. It’s something I am still working on tolerating as it burns, haha 🙂
Great post… fun and vibrant images. Enjoyed reading it too! 🙂
Really cool place. I loved seeing and hearing all about it because it felt like I had joined up with you and your friends for the weekend. Thanks for sharing not only the fun things about it but also the things you would see on an average day!
Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Beautiful place…goes in my diary for our London trip planned for next year!
Thanks, this will be my guide when I visit London. And I cant wait!
http://www.cyrenedipity.com
Wow I feel like we almost live the same life!! We’ve been to so many of the same places! I was in shore ditch last year with my cousin. It was so cool!
Really enjoyed reading all of your posts 🙂
Indeed, I was so surprised to see that we actually almost wrote the same place, the guide for India, but from two different approaches. Haha! And Varanasi also! 🙂
Wow, amazing photos. I really like the picture of the tree. It looks so awesome at night!
You made for us such a great tour of London. I’d like to visit those places when I’ll come back in Europe
The flowers are so beautiful. I haven’t seen a real one as beautiful as those. And the food! The sausages and the pastry made my stomach grumble because I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.
Many tourists haven’t been to this place because it’s never included in the travel package.
No, travel guides don’t really include this kind of places, maybe only Lonely Planet.
The Sunday market is something I always look up to when I visit places because you can see almost all the local stuff and food that the place offers. I have read from another post that beef beigel is really a must try in the Brink Lane market.
Yes, it’s a tradition to try the salt beef beigel from Brick Lane. The queues are huge but it goes pretty fast. 🙂
Great post! Loved your pictures too! I’ve always wanted to visit London.
Very detailed guide. Gonna be a big help when I go to London. Thanks!
It’s not really a guide, there are just a few suggestions for Shoreditch 🙂
Love the photos!
We have the same mannequin (the woman with the Julia Roberts mouth) on a street here in Slovenia and it freaks me out every time I pass it :’D
Haha, this one was an advertisement for glasses, if you can imagine that.
I have always wanted to travel here! nice pics
Those tulips are insanely gorgeous. I have never been to London, but would love to someday and see many of these smaller sites:)
Love the way you took us through your day. Seems like experiencing it first hand as you did. Would love to visit such places “someday”
I love Shoreditch – Such a great part of London!
Love, May x
looks like an amazing are of London to spend the day. The flowers were beautiful. That sandwich stuffed with ham looks amazing I am a huge sandwich fan whether it be a baguette or a Ruben. We love a good trash and treasure area and this are looks like fun
I’ve never been to this part of London – I guess I should explore it one day I visit London again 🙂
You just described what I would see a perfect day out in London. God, I miss this city so much! I lived there for nearly six years and Shoreditch so happens to be one of my favourite parts in London! I think I’ve never been there on a Sunday though – i really want to see all these flowers – for some reason I can’t recall ever seeing this. I guess I must have been there on a Saturday instead? I agree on the Honest Burgers……..YUM! Plus, Sky Garden has been on my wishlist for a long while! 🙂
Love Soreditch so much! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. If you loved your time at the markets you should also check out Old Spitalfields Market(great for menswear and handmade goods.) Portobello Road Market is where you can find antiques and bric-a-brac. Camden Markets are full of eclectic open air stalls selling second-hand clothes, art, furniture and jewelry by young designers.
Have an awesome time in London! My favorite city!
Amazing and breathtaking photos as always. Hopefully I can visit Soreditch anytime soon.
The places you visited look intriguing!! They are not the usual London sites, like the Eye or Tower Bridge or Big Ben, but it’s nice to travel to places that are not that known, but find interesting stuff there. I shall add Shoreditch and Brick Lane to my places to check out when I’m in London.
Great day! Next time we are in London, we need to make it to Shoreditch. Sounds like Sunday is the day to go 😉
I really wish that on my visit to London I got to experience cooler, genuine places like this. We did all the tourist stuff naturally and had limited time but I would love to do another trip an live “like a local”! Brick lane market is something I have always wanted to visit!
I absolutely love Shoreditch its one of my favourite places in London! Sounds like you had a great day and did some really key things when you were there like the bagle place!! If you go again you must go to the drunken monkey for cocktails and food!!!! Ahhh
I’ve never been to London but when I do, Shoreditch is definitely going to be on my list. I love to explore places like these.
Super cool! Can’t wait to go there as well mate, thanks for sharing.
I live in London so I go to Shoreditch regularly. I love Sushi Samba – although the lift scares me a little! And Brick Lane market is just amazing, you’ll always find something unique there.
Rosie
I have recently just been to London and your post made me nostalgic and want to go back.
I don’t think I have been anywhere that quite compares to Shoreditch before! It looks like an amazing place to explore! I would definitely love to visit there!
Never been to Shoreditch but I see it all thru your eyes. You captured the vibe beautifully from Flower shop to meats and to that coffee shop that donates to charity. Love the details and lovely pics.
I’m not a big fan of London as a city to live even though it’s nice to visit some times. I haven’t visited Shoreditch before but it sounds like a must visit on a Sunday and I’m going to keep in mind for the next time! Those are nice pictures and make us willingly more to visit the place. Sky Garden sounds romantically perfect 🙂
What a nice London adventure. I know I’d have a blast checking out the markets and small shops.
After my exams it is definitely London time and this looks like a good place to visit! Thank you so much for sharing it is always great to get new information rather than search older posts for what to do in London.
I’ve never been there, but it seems like a cool place to go! Perfect for designers and artists! I’d love to explore this area when I’m in London! Pinned your post for the future!
I love visiting markets like those. You can feel the vibrant and the special ambience. I will be lost if I visit the flower market as I’m a huge fan of flowers – they are beautiful and perfect to picture. I’ve been in London once but spend all the time in touristic places.
Lovely post, makes me wonder what it would be like to live in London for a year.
Wow. It looks like you had a wonderful day. I think the lights on the tree is gorgeous. Very romantic feelong. 🙂
That’s one of the things I love about big cities. There are so many separate areas that are like little cities all on their own. East end seems like a really chill part of London to check out 🙂
Gorgeous view! Big cities have still their genuine beauty, especially at night.
Lovely photos. I need to go around more than I do next time I visit London at least I have more than one post to revisit once I plan my trip back.
This sounds wonderful! The tulips are stunning and I would love the market. I would also want to eat one of those meaty beigels! And thanks for the tip about the Sky Garden! I really can’t wait to go back to London!
Looks like an amazing day for you and your friends. I want to see more graffiti. The flowers are very beautiful and that coffee shop for a cause is amazing.
This is a cool post – Shoreditch is brilliant. Did you go to Box Park? Maybe you’d like our suggestions of places to head to in London, too.
Hi, this guide comes in so handy! I have a free day in London at the beginning of November and I thought of exploring Shoreditch and the flower market as well. Plenty of useful ideas. Thank you! (I’m bookmarking this one!)
Exploring Shoreditch on Sunday would be great due to lovely and beautiful flower markets. Stunning night views are also worth watching. Thanks for sharing!