Now we can not only dine out-out, but out-in, and Canalside at Here East lends itself to all weathers thanks to its plethora of independent restaurants and drinking holes…

All photography courtesy of Here East

1 Gotto Trattoria Sister site to Soho restaurant Mele e Pere, Gotto Trattoria bangs out exceptional pasta dishes, Italian cocktails and a vermouth menu to boot. The authentic neighbourhood Trattoria, reminiscent of the fabulous family-run places of Northern Italy, serves a daily-changing menu as well as pillowy soft pizzas. With the dough made fresh every morning using only water, salt, yeast and flour, these are some of the best carb creations in the business.

2 Mother Plant-based goodness is the order of the day at Mother. Bringing accessible, organic, and vegan food to Canalside, the menu is a treasure trove of early morning eats to hearty BBQ dishes, as well as gorgeous plant-powered burgers. Load up on the tastiest açai bowl in East London or tuck into one of their “cheeze” toasties – molten, oozy and downright delicious. Being kind to mother nature, the team make as much as possible from scratch, and work to minimise waste and increase sustainability across the menu.

3 The Breakfast Club A London institution for good reason, The Breakfast Club have been knocking out all-day breakfasts for years. Easily spotted thanks to their eye-catching egg-yolk yellow exterior, inside, it’s a ‘caf’ that’s more than just about the food and drink. Get more batter for your breakfast buck by ordering their pancake stacks: an edible masterpiece topped with everything from fresh blueberries and berry compote to bacon and maple syrup. Dig into fry-ups, burritos, eggs Benedict, and of course, the humble bacon butty.

4 Randy’s Wing Bar The pioneers of London’s chicken wing renaissance, Randy’s Wing Bar are legends in the poultry game. Taking inspiration from across the pond for their menu, expect American-style wings served in a range of flavours (Kansas BBQ, anyone?), as well as stomach-busting loaded fries, saucy sides, and burgers. Regularly lauded as the ‘king of wings’, their flagship Canalside outpost was voted Europe’s No1 Wing Bar. Even on the greyest of days, the team still bring the sunshine.

5 Saint Espresso Start your day right with one of Saint Espresso’s caffeinated cups of joy. Their newest and biggest café takes centre stage at Canalside, and features all the bells and whistles – a roastery including a quality grading station for the beans, and a large space, perfect for working remotely or a long, leisurely lunch. Come for the locally roasted coffee, but stay for their epic homemade sandwiches.

6 The Lock Inn Now this is what you call a Hackney local. Bringing a slice of Italy to Canalside, The Lock Inn is basically the perfect British pub but with added cocktails, Spritz and craft beer. They also serve up pizzas, beers and bar snacks and have lots of outdoor space. This place gets our vote.

7 Four Quarters A no-frills bar with retro arcade video games, Four Quarters is the place to visit if you want to show off your Pac Man skills, or if you’re hankering for a heavy hit of good ol’ nostalgia. The team work closely with a number of local breweries, such as Mondo, Jubel, Partizan, Brick, Kernel, Brixton and many more, and offer a cracking craft beer selection along with a unfussy pizza menu.

Here East is a great spot to make a day of it – after breakfast or lunch, why not get a manicure, pop to the hairdressers or even squeeze in a workout at one of these cool spots?

Aura Organics Spa Relax, unwind and switch off at Aura Organics Spa – a welcoming bolthole that champions natural beauty treatments, holistic wellbeing and organic skincare. The friendly all-female team use a blend of exotic ingredients and ancient healing remedies to create individually tailored treatments and globally inspired wellness rituals. The chakra balancing aromatherapy massage is not to be missed.

F45 If you’d rather squat it like it’s hot (sorry, terrible pun), a class at F45 will do the trick. The global fitness community specialise in innovative, high-intensity group workouts that are fast, fun, and results-driven. Prepare to sweat: these 45-minute classes take no prisoners.

Bucks Barbers Haven’t had a chance to sort out that lockdown barnet yet? Don’t worry, as Bucks Barbers are here to get you looking hot to trot in time for a summer of freedom. Whether you’re after a quick trim, a full haircut or just a little beard trim for the weekend, these guys have got you covered.

Evolve Skateboards Wondering where to purchase the best elite skateboards on the market? Look no further than Evolve Skateboard. Smart, Strong, and stylish, these top-shelf products are built to perform (and last). Ditch the tube this summer, and get skating around the capital.

Find out more at hereeast.com