East London: Micro Gude

Soho aside, London’s East end holds the reputation as the fastest changing area of the city. A constant flux of new restaurants, bars and concept stores keep the hip crowds coming and the rental prices sky-high. But you already knew that right? Well then read on for the new openings that you couldn’t possibly have kept tabs on…

First you’ll need a suitably stylish place to rest your head. Located on Boundary Street in the heart of Shoreditch, The Boundary restaurant and hotel has 12 spacious guest rooms, each pertaining to a different design movement realized by Terence Conran. The Manual recommends the Mies Van Der Rohe suite for a sharp yet homely take on 20^th Century Modernist architecture. The rooftop views are bound to invigorate your morning mood.

Conveniently, the hotel is based on the corner of Redchurch street, a popular hip strip bursting with progressive menswear and sober interior design. Stop by 1980s/90s archivist store Zone 7 Style for one-off menswear and sunglasses and Hostem for a portfoilio of high-end labels including Damir Doma and Adam Kimmel. For beautifully crafted, severest home accessories and hardware, don’t miss Labour and Wait located at the far end of the street. From enamel bowls to balls of twine, this store is notorious for swallowing up customers for hours.

There’s nothing like a little contemporary art to break up a hard day’s shopping. Head to Vyner street off Mare Street in Hackney for a cluster of warehouse galleries including DegreeArt and  Vyner Street Gallery.

One of the current hottest dinner spots is Mr Buckleys on the Hackney Road. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night drinks, this recently opened favourite ticks all the boxes of dining du jour; rough-luxe exposed brick interior, souped-up comfort cuisine such as lobster mac & cheese and blue cheese polenta and a signature take on the bloody mary, in this case a Bloody Madison (watch out for these).

And finally, lets get down to the business of boozing. Though East Londoners favour institutions such as the Cat and Mutton on Broadway Market, The Birdcage on Columbia road for a merry-turned rowdy night, freshly opened faves include the Shoreditch Butchery and Beard to Tail for a meat and whiskey extravaganza. If your night sprawls messily into morning, succumb to the grimey charms of The Dolphin for a party that seems to last all night long…but you didn’t hear that from us.