The Flamingo

There's something so appealing about the simplicity of a restaurant like Primeur. A proper neighbourhood operation, it comes with stripped-back décor, a handwritten blackboard menu and a relaxed, bustling atmosphere. Diners can sit around large communal tables or up at the counters around the edges of the room. The cooking, for its part, avoids overcomplication and puts the ingredients first, as evidenced by grilled pork chop with roquefort butter. Ensure you save room for dessert, too, especially if the textbook custard tart is on the menu.

There is a whole lot to enjoy from the daily blackboard menus at this relaxed, understated operation. Both the décor and the cooking have a rustic edge to them, with the latter British-based, seafood-centric and guided by the seasons. Both individual and communal seating are available to enjoy the flavoursome dishes from, as is the kitchen counter, while the attentive team deal well with the buzz of a permanently busy restaurant. Quality sourdough is provided by their sister operation Jolene and while other dishes may come and go, the rum baba to share remains a constant.

There’s so much going for this former pub which has been transformed into a wine bar and restaurant with a young, on-trend vibe. The place is packed with East London’s coolest diners, many of them at shared tables and all delighting in a concise menu based around high-quality, seasonal British produce. The treacle tart makes for a wonderful end to the meal – and if your sweet tooth is still not satisfied, the same people run The Dreamery ice cream shop across the road. The eclectic wine list specialises in natural options, which the affable and knowledgeable team will happily guide you through

Go for the house martini as you enjoy an array of snacks like crispy buttermilk chicken and crab dumpling that precede the start of The Clove Club's multi-course set menu. The roll-call of prime British ingredients includes Orkney scallops, Wiltshire trout, Torbay prawns, Herdwick lamb and Middle White pork – all starring in seasonally pertinent dishes where their natural flavours are allowed to shine through. The historic surroundings of Shoreditch Town Hall provide the perfect backdrop, with the open-plan kitchen adding a little more theatre to proceedings.

It’s easy to understand why Farang is so popular; it’s an immensely likeable restaurant serving generous and heartwarming recipes from all regions of Thailand – and even with overly eager ordering, you finish up with a bill that isn’t too overwhelming. Each dish, be it the salted turmeric prawns or the whole sea bass with raspberry nahm jim, showcases the hallmarks of Thai cuisine: freshness, vibrancy and a lovely balance of the sweet and the sour. The ‘Feasting’ menus are great for groups, and you’ll find it hard to resist buying some of their homemade produce on the way out too.

There’s no paper menu handed out at this cosy little spot tucked away in a parade of shops off Dalston High Road; just trust the chefs in the open kitchen who’ll produce an intriguing, enjoyable and fairly priced set dinner that’ll leave you feeling sated and contented. The chefs know their butchery and make good use of techniques like pickling and fermenting. Aged Cornish mackerel could be followed by almond anolini; lamb can feature firstly as a broth and then as three different cuts. Consider going for the pairing of natural wines.

There’s an appropriately earthy, natural vibe to this elegant restaurant dedicated to promoting plant-based cuisine. The slate floor, warm hues and rustic plastering help it feel stripped-back yet stylish, with some counter seating providing another on-trend touch. Chef Kirk Haworth – who founded Plates with his sister Keeley – brings his strong classical technique to bear on inventive and inviting vegan dishes that give vegetables the respect they deserve. The maitake mushroom with black bean mole is superb, while the raw cocoa gateau is a real treat to finish.