Bethnal Green

This is a charming neighborhood restaurant housed in an old town hall turned hotel. The crowd is local, the decor is simple, and the food is great and well-priced. There are no reservations in the evenings so come early or book for lunch and have the set menu.

The team at McQueens are in charge of the flowers at some of the city's glitziest events and spots, including Claridges and The Berkeley. Unsurprisingly, their delivery service is right up to scratch with elegant and modern bouquets coming out of their hulking Bethnal Green shop and studio. Operating for nearly thirty years, McQueens is also home to an excellent flower school for those who want to get the look at home.

After cutting their teeth on the vineyards in Napa, Charlotte and Michael Sager-Wilde brought their love for great Californian wines back to London, where they’re something of a rarity. A meal at their first large restaurant venture, under converted railway arches in Bethnal Green, is pretty transporting (and a lot less than a ticket to Napa), pairing wonderful wines with an Italian-influenced seasonal menu of small plates. The terrace upstairs tucked into one of the railway arches, makes a great spot for a private meal; meanwhile, winos will love checking out the Sager-Wilde's collection in the room's glass cave.