Bethnal Green

If you are visiting us in Bethnal Green, here are some of our favourite locations:

Museum of Childhood – Cambridge Heath Road: recently refurbished part of the Victoria and Albert Museum housing a collection of toys and other childhood momentos.

York Hall leisure centre – Old Ford Road: local gym and leisure centre, famous for boxing with newly refurbished swimming pool and spa.

Oxford House – Derbyshire Street (off Bethnal Green Road): community organisation first established in 1884 which has a full programme of community and arts events. Offers venue hire, programme of various activities and a cheap café.

Rich Mix – 35-47 Bethnal Green Road: cross-cultural arts and media centre with three screen cinema, exhibition spaces, café, recording and media training studio and venue hire.

London Buddhist Centre – 51 Roman Road: Local mandala with library, book shop and shrine rooms which is the focal point of the surrounding Buddhist community with shops, canteen (the Wild Cherry), and a holistic health centre. Lunchtime meditation training for £1.

Eateries

The Gallery – 21 Old Ford Road: pleasant veggie snacks and coffee.

Wild Cherry – 241-245 Globe Road: veggie canteen run by women from the London Buddhist Centre (just next door). Healthy portions and queues at lunchtimes.

Café Isha – 115a Roman Road: a mix of Bengali, Indian and Lebanese food, comfortable pillowy seating with sheisha for dessert.

Bon Appetit – opposite Café Isha: café and places to sit with sandwiches, coffee, cream cakes galore.

Siam – 107 Roman Road: good for a Thai takeaway.

Thai Garden – 249 Globe Road: Thai restaurant.

Melba’s – 470 Bethnal Green Road: sandwiches, ciabattas, paninis, bagels, pasta to-go.

La Forchetta – 464 Bethnal Green Road: Pasta & pizza, generous portions, eat in & takeaway.

Weaver’s café – middle of Weavers Fields (accessible off Derbyshire Street): cheap training café with nice décor and good variety of meals.

Pellici’s – 332 Bethnal Green Road: world famous Italian greasy spoon (since 1900).

Noodle King – 185 Bethnal Green Road: cheap noodles and ‘Chinese’ rice dishes.

And if you feel like venturing further, continue up Bethnal Green Road until you find Brick Lane on your left for curries and bagel shops galore.

Pubs

The Approach Tavern – 47 Approach Road: lots of places to sit (including outside with awnings and heaters in winter) and food available, contemporary art gallery upstairs.

The Camel – 277 Globe Road: lots of pies.

The Florist – 255 Globe Road: busy pub with DJ nights.

Parks & Gardens

Victoria Park – end of Approach Road: home of the annual Hub rounders match.

Museum Gardens - directly opposite the office.

Markets

Bethnal Green Road – daily

Roman Road – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Whitechapel Road – Daily

Supermarkets – Major stores within ten minutes walk