Cafes & Delis in East London

With gourmet food halls at some of the world’s most famous department stores, including Harrods and Selfridges, and small delis and food shops offering everything from fresh seasonal produce, hard to find Italian imports and eastern Mediterranean or Polish-inspired fare, London is a must-visit destination for any discerning foodie.

There's no shortage of good pitstops in East London, the most westerly one being Shoreditchs Pitfield Lifestyle Shop and Cafe (Pitfield House, 31-35 Pitfield Street; tel: 0207 490 6852). Here you can linger over coffee and cake while perusing upcycled furniture, vintage finds, designer wallpapers and other curiosities.

Another quirky little place serving great coffee, snacks and wood-fired pizza, is Towpath Cafe (36 De Beauvoir Crescent, Hackney; tel: 020 7254 7606), a long, thin waterside eatery along the Hackney stretch of the Regents Canal. The Welsh rarebit is particularly recommended and makes a perfect brunch option for a sunny Sunday. Towpath also organises occasional events using barges and floating platforms to house DJ decks, fireworks and other seasonal events.

Too cool for school but in a great way is Ombra (1 Vyner Street, Tower Hamlets; tel: 020 8981 5150). Its a Venetian cafe and eatery on the uber-arty Vyner Street, home to architects and art galleries, and its authentic relaxed Italian vibe, staff and menu help turn every visit into an Aperol Spritz-fuelled fiesta.