Spotahome Neighbourhood Guide: Best things to do in Bethnal Green, London

If you are looking for a hip neighbourhood, Bethnal Green is a great choice. Despite London's famous gentrification, it still remains quite affordable. People who live there are a mix of students and young professionals. In recent years and thanks to its convenient location, it's become more and more popular among people in their twenties and thirties. In fact, Bethnal Green offers great nightlife and a proximity to the city center. If you are flatsharing, rent is definitely cheaper than many other London areas.

To Flatmate or not to Flatmate? The Ultimate Quiz

Exploring my new area of living — Photo by Adam Birkett / Unsplash

To See + Do + Shop in Bethnal Green, London

Weavers Fields park

If you are looking for a breath of fresh air, you can head to the local Weavers Fields park which has a dog walking area as well as a playground and athletic fields.

Columbia Road Flower Market

East London’s best Sunday flower market is one of my local favourites. Here, you can find everything, from houseplants and bouquets to succulents and seeds. Columbia Road is open all week and while Sunday can be a bit crowded, a visit from Monday to Saturday is well worth especially to visit the street’s many independent businesses.

V&A The Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood

The Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood is probably London’s most nostalgic museum. It features dollhouses, teddy bears and all sorts of childhood toys and objects dating from the 1700s to today. Admission is free.

Food + Coffee in Bethnal Green, London

For foodies, Bethnal Green is like heaven on earth. Its hundreds restaurants will keep you happy for as long as you'll live there.

E Pellicci

Run by the same family for over a century, this much-loved café on Bethnal Green Road is a must for breakfast or lunch – even if just for the cool Art Deco interior. The place is small and always busy, but known for its incredibly friendly, hospitable atmosphere. You’ll leave with a smile on your face and, if you’re lucky, some free bread-and-butter pudding.

The Gallery Café

With its relaxing atmosphere, vegetarian food, an open terrace and free wifi, this is the perfect spot to study or get some work done. Oh and if you need a bit more convincing, all the money they make helps fun St. Margaret’s charity.

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium

Calling all Cats Lovers! If you our furry friends, you have to check out London’s first Cat Café. The owners rescue cats and people come here to pet them while having a cup of coffee. What can bet that?

bean the cat — Photo by Jae Park / Unsplash

Dance + Drinks in Bethnal Green, London

Satan's Whiskers

It's a great cocktail bar with unique interior including animals in clothing and a "unicorn" skeleton.

Mother Kelly

This cool bar under the arch of Bethnal Green station, serves some of London’s best beers. As part of one of London’s latest fashions, Mother Kelly is a “growler refill station,” where you can see people with their large bottles to take some ale home.