Set just metres from Shoreditch High Street Station, Clara’s is a 52-seat wine bar and bistro, open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner and weekend lunches. Head chef Elie Fourcroy (formerly of Artusi) leads a Mediterranean-inspired menu driven by seasonal ingredients. Plates are designed for sharing - think Cantabrian anchovies in olive oil, radicchio with Cara Cara orange and mustard, and purple sprouting broccoli with anchovy aioli.
Inside, the atmosphere is gentle and intimate with a classic feel, thanks to bentwood chairs, a soft yellow colour palette and rich wood panelling. Shelves are stacked with low-intervention bottles curated by Les Caves de Pyrene, Flint Wines, and others. On the list, you’ll find a dedicated ‘wines with purpose’ section, spotlighting bottles that drive social or ecological change.
The menu at Clara’s, meanwhile, is dictated by the day’s best ingredients. It changes regularly, but has been known to feature signature dishes such as conejo en salmorejo, rabbit braised with pimentón and Tenerife vinegar, and Manchego fritti - a golden fusion of Spanish manchego and French panisse batter.
We’d recommend you start with Clara’s signature aperitif, Clara’s Blue Cheese Olive Martini, a bold twist on the classic dirty, followed by Dusty Knuckle sourdough served with an ever-changing line-up of whipped butters such as anchovy, nduja, and garlic and herb. Salty small plates feature duck croquettes, whipped cod's roe and chicken heart skewers with lardo and a sherry reduction.
Heartier dishes offer chorizo sausage and lentil stew, Iberian featherblade steak, and octopus served with Iberico tomatoes, cavolo nero and anchovies. For weekend lunches, Clara’s offers a great value set menu as well, featuring a choice of two or three courses to be chosen from a concise menu with the restaurant’s best dishes. With its mix of produce-led dining and thoughtful wine programme, Clara’s is a vibrant new addition to Shoreditch’s culinary scene.