Best restaurants in Bethnal Green

East London has quickly become a very important part of London’s thriving restaurant scene with Shoreditch, Hackney and Dalston all home to some of the city’s most lauded spots. Another East London area which is really starting to come into prominence with regards to food is Bethnal Green. The food offering in Bethnal Green varies from good pub grub to swanky modern European dining and Venezuelan street food, so you won’t be short of cuisines to pick from. However, with so many different options to pick from, we thought we’d make things a little easier by creating this guide to the best Bethnal Green restaurants.

Updated on 11 May 2023

It’s fair to say that Bethnal Green was a bit of a different place 20 years or so ago. Full of what used to be regarded as dodgy pubs and clubs, it wasn’t at all the sort of place you’d think of visiting to spend a nice day off. However, nowadays it’s a completely different story.

Home to museums such as the V&A museum of childhood, plenty of lovely coffee shops, the hugely fun Bethnal Green working men’s club, and of course the Columbia Road flower market amongst other things, there are plenty of reasons why you might find yourself in Bethnal Green. And if you do, you might want to find somewhere nearby to eat whist your there.

What makes Bethnal Green’s food scene particularly stand out is the whole host of contrasting cuisines on offer, as well as the complete mixture of old and new; restaurants vary from old-school boozers which now have a great food offering, to fashionable modern spots which people know about from further afield. The fact is that whatever sort of thing you’re looking for in Bethnal Green and regardless of the price you want to pay, there’s something there for you. That is why we’ve put together this little guide of the best restaurants in Bethnal Green.

Issho-Ni

185 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6AB

This lively restaurant and cocktail bar is here to show that you can find fine-dining quality sushi in East London. Headed up by restauranteur Claire Su, the restaurant sits on the site that was once her parents' restaurant Noodle King.

£30 - £49

Sushi

Japanese

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Palmers

238 Roman Road, London, E2 0RY

Run by a father and son team, Palmers may not look like much from the outside but the modern European food served inside is difficult not to like. Classic dishes including a roasted rack of lamb are served in a beautifully relaxed atmosphere.

£30 - £49

International

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Brawn

49 Columbia Road, Shoreditch, London, E2 7RG

This bright and airy spot right on Columbia Road serves a menu of French-inspired small dishes. Dishes on the menu might include ricotta ravioli with braised greens and pine nuts, followed by a bergamot and lemon posset with meringue.

£50 - £79

Modern European

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The Marksman

254 Hackney Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 7SJ

Whilst the ground floor of The Marksman may just look like your run-of-the-mill boozer, the upstairs is as wacky as you like with an entirely woven ceiling. You can enjoy the exciting menu, which helped this spot win Michelin Pub of the Year, in either room.

£30 - £49

Gastropub

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The Waterhouse Restaurant

10 Orsman Road, London, N1 5QJ

The Water House Project is one of the great London restaurants that started its life as a supperclub - often a sure fire way to know that it’s been built through a love of good food, and unadulterated passion. Don’t be alarmed by the price, it comes with drinks included.

British

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Da Terra

8 Patriot Square, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9NF

Another restaurant in the Town Hall Hotel is the Michelin-starred Da Terra where you can enjoy playful modern European dishes in the form of one of its two impressive tasting menus, all in a relatively relaxed setting.

Over £80

Modern European

Brazilian

Italian

Two Michelin stars

SquareMeal London Top 100

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Bistrotheque

23-27 Wadeson Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9DR

Based in a white-washed warehouse, not far from the canal, Bistrotheque is an incredibly cool and very instagrammable restaurant. Serving an appealing modern European menu at incredibly reasonable prices, it’s one you really must check out.

£30 - £49

Modern European

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Lahpet

58 Bethnal Green Road, London, London, E1 8JW

Having started its life as a street food stall, Lahpet’s now permanent restaurant on Bethnal Green Road serves contemporary Burmese food packed full of flavour. This bright, modern restaurant is the perfect place to get cosy and fill your face.

Under £30

Burmese

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Sager + Wilde Restaurant

250 Paradise Row, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9LE

Based just around the corner from its sister wine bar, Sager and Wilde restaurant is built into a railway arch and serves a beautiful modern European menu of seasonally changing dishes, all of which are prettily presented.

£30 - £49

Modern European

Mediterranean

Cheese

Bars

Italian

Wine Bars

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Arepa & Co Bethnal Green

254 Paradise Row, London, E2 9LE

Named of course after the Venezuelan street food that it has become known for, Arepa & Co in Bethnal Green serves the famous stuffed cornbread alongside a wider menu of other Venezuelan delights.

£30 - £49

South American

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Ombra Bar

1 Vyner Street, London, E2 9DG

Sat right beside the Regent’s canal, Ombra aims to bring the feel of a Venetian bacaro to Bethnal Green. Its daily-changing menu varies from cicchetti to bowls of freshly made pasta and can be enjoyed alongside a bottle of wine from the lengthy list.

Bars

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Want to eat somewhere else in East London? Check out our list of best restaurants in Shoreditch.