One of the things tourists (and locals) love about London is its markets - antiques, clothes, food, jewellery, vinyl, vintage…this is a city that doesn’t disappoint the shopper! And whilst the ‘heavy hitters’ like Brick Lane, Portobello and Camden all have an enormous charm, if you head to the east of the capital, to Hackney, you’ll find a gem of a spot to shop, stroll and dine…
Broadway Market sits in Hackney, once a very working-class area but now much gentrified and full of young professionals and hipsters. Close to the lovely London Fields and stretching all the way down the road to the Regent’s Canal, it’s a very fun place to visit especially on Saturdays, when the entire area is full of stalls selling hot food, not to mention traders with delectable offerings such as specialty cheeses, honey, olives, bread, gelato, meringues and even scotch eggs! .
This makes Broadway Market a wonderful place to come and shop and grab a bite, whether it’s takeaway Thai and Indian or some sit-down grub at one of the street’s many eateries. This area in London is also known for its cafes, bakeries and pubs - ten minutes in either direction will have you hitting Vietnamese holes in the wall, artisan bread shops and a few old-fashioned greasy spoons where you can order the fry up (Breakfast of Champions) of your dreams.
Here are a few of the spots we recommend you check out, if you come down Hackney way (and we really think you should)...
1. The Bach
Coffee, lunch or cocktails…the Bach is a great casual eatery where you can catch up with friends, eat a solitary breakfast whilst reading the paper or meet a mate (or a date!) for a drop of the hard stuff! With a casual vibe, there’s plenty on the menu (including gluten-free options) with stand-out dishes including the shakshuka, corn fritters with aioli and chilli jam and the chicken butty. If you have room afterwards, order the banana bread - it’s yummy. As well as the chairs outside the front, they have a back garden which is lovely for warmer weather which makes this place a great place to stop off for a break between shopping.
2. Arabica
This Japanese-franchised cafe has really made its mark on the street, with coffee that really sets the bar incredibly high. The beans are never over-roasted, the flavours smooth and rich and with friendly staff and delicious light bites (the chocolate cookies are fantastic) it’s worth joining the queue. Arabica is getting so popular that you might have to join a line but, trust us, you will be grateful you did. On their menu, there’s a variety of options - our favourites include the Kyoto and the Cortado but it’s all good. And you can buy beans to take away (roasted just the way you like them!)
3. El Ganzo
This tapas bar gets five stars from us, on account of its buzzy atmosphere, amazing food, wonderful live music (and on some nights there is live flamenco) and helpful staff. There are so many dishes at El Ganzo that are worth trying that it’s really worth going in a group, so you can share plates (and drink sangria and sing along to the live music…)
We’d highly recommend the octopus, prawns, squid ink paella and Iberian pork. Vegetarians should try the goat’s cheese courgette flowers, padron peppers and potato croquettes…and everyone should have a glass of wine too (good selection). For dessert don’t miss the churros with chocolate.
4. Shrine to the Vine
For wine lovers, this spot is a must-visit because Shrine to the Vine is in the business of celebrating the best of sustainable wine culture. Established by Dan Keeling (who owns the “Noble Rot’ restaurant in Soho) and his business partner Mark Andrews, they’re always looking to attract new customers, whether they’re looking for an old claret or something fresh and exciting.
As the owners themselves say, they only sell wine they’d be happy to drink, so whether you’re a connoisseur or a ‘wine virgin’ who needs a few pointers, you’re in the right spot. Friendly staff (who know their thing) mean you’re going to have a good bottle on your table after visiting here. And don’t miss their tasting evenings either!
5. The Broadway Bookshop
In a world where fewer of us are taking the time to read properly, and where smaller bookstores are going out of business fast, it’s important to support the indies, and Broadway Bookshop is one of those places you feel straight at home in, as you walk through the door. It’s well-arranged (ergo great for browsing) and the staff aren’t just helpful and friendly but very knowledgeable.
Broadway Bookshop has a good selection of children’s books, philosophy (from Machiavelli to Sartre) and plenty of queer literature. This is a local spot that really should be supported and, rest assured, should they not have your title in stock, they will gladly order it for you. They also have book launches, some of which are well worth attending…
6. L’eau a la Bouche
This cafe/deli with floor to ceiling windows and a few chairs outside is the perfect place to stop for coffee and a quick bite before heading inside to pick up some excellent French fare.
The wines and cheese are (as you would expect) right on point - their Brie and Chevre are unsurpassed and the selection of red wines is tremendous. If you’re looking for food to take home, you could do worse than pick up some of their tasty charcuterie, quiches, homemade soups and organic vegetables. Their carrot cake is particularly good, if you have a sweet tooth and (as you’d expect) the coffee is excellent!
A friendly neighbourhood deli which, whilst a bit pricey, is really worth the occasional splurge…
7. Bennys
Finally we couldn’t pass up a mention of Bennys on Broadway, which hands down serves the most incredible ice cream in east London. Their famous ‘Hackney gelato’ (locally made of course) is astonishing and in the summer the queues stretch down the street for one of those little cones of heaven. The clotted cream and strawberries and chocolate/ hazelnut flavours are particularly good but you can't really go wrong with anything in the freezer (all cones come with toppings and sauces).
However, it’s not just all about the creamy stuff, because Benny has a reputation for some other seriously good desserts, such as their baklava and their famous banana pudding. Super clean, friendly staff and good prices - this is a good-to spot after you’ve had dinner or are just in the mood for a bit of a treat.
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