The Counter, Hackney
Around Hackney Wick station, there is a warren of run-down warehouses and light industrial units, many of which have been colonised by London's creatives. Like the nearby Hackney Pearl – listed in a previous budget eating guide to east London, – the Counter ensures that these talented young folk are fed and watered in some style. Located in the Stour Space art gallery, on the Lee Navigation canal, literally in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium, the Counter is a cool, rough 'n' ready space, the soundtrack, on this visit, minimal techno and Berlin electro. The Stone Roses' Ian Brown, the subject of a large portrait photograph on one wall, looks down on proceedings, impassively.
If you're looking for a trendy place to dine near London's Olympic stadium, the Counter is not to be missed. While it may have a modern vibe, it still maintains a sense of comfort and authenticity. The staff and regular customers create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that is perfect for a relaxing meal.
When it comes to the menu, the Counter offers a delightful selection of homemade pies, such as the flavorful pork, apple, and fennel or the tantalizing Moroccan lamb and aubergine. For those who prefer a late start to the day, the brunch dishes, including the mouthwatering Mumbai scrambled eggs, are a must-try. Served with zingy watercress, real artisan bread, and a flavorful tomato relish, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
With its focus on quality ingredients and creative flavors, the Counter is a popular spot for local musicians and artists. So, if you want to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the area while enjoying a delicious meal, make sure to pay a visit to this gem near London's Olympic stadium.
And after dining at the Counter, if you’re looking for convenient accommodations close to London's Olympic stadium, there are numerous options in the Westminster borough at http://www.hotels-of-london.com/en/near-westminster-borough-dr132647/. This location offers easy access to other areas of interests as well, making your London stay altogether convenient and memorable.
Looking for a place with a panoramic view of the Olympic Stadium in London? Forman's, located right next door, is the perfect option. This fresh bar and restaurant establishment comes from H Forman & Son, which has a solid reputation for their locally smoked salmon since 1905. Despite this, their weekend brunch menu was underwhelming, as it features an unimpressive cappuccino and an overpriced platter of eggs, average Hollandaise and hot-smoked salmon priced at £10.25. Despite the salmon's rich taste, it has a peculiar dry texture. To get value for your money while enjoying the spectacular view without burning a hole in your pocket, try their sharing platters. These platters offer a variety of cured meats, fish, and cheeses for £15 and serve two people. You can find them at the bar.For more information on Forman's visit their website at formans.co.uk. Another budget-friendly dining option close to London's Olympic stadium is located at 7 Roach Road E3. Visit thecountercafe.co.uk for more details.
King Edward VII, Stratford
Nestled in the heart of Stratford lies a striking pub embodying Victorian London's spirit; King Edward VII.
The historical influence of the 19th-century beautifully echoes in the Grade II-listed pub's interior, showcasing etched glass panes, dark wood paneling, and an Anaglypta ceiling donning a rich brownish hue. With an eye for novelty, the rich past meets the present in their cuisine. This can be savoured in their well-rounded gastropub menu that features a delightful medley of contemporary dishes presented in various sizes, from bite-sized options to generously portioned plates for sharing. Unexpectedly, there's a broad range of mains and daily specials such as hearty chicken pie, classic sausage and mash, and an appetizing selection of vegetables which you can enjoy without stretching your budget beyond £10.
Thrifty adventurers can experiment with their culinary offering by combining the cured meat platter, succulent chicken liver pate complemented with tangy gherkins and toast, a savoury scotch egg, and a wholesome fig and goat's cheese salad. There's no harm in washing it down with one of their four distinct real ales, priced modestly starting from £1.65 for a half pint, making it an unforgettable experience for less than £10. Although they offer a mini fish pie at £9 that some may consider a tad pricy, its rich flavour bursting with whole grain mustard is a culinary treat that leaves your palate wanting more. The accompanying bread rolls create a satisfying meal, especially convenient for a busy midday meal.
The King Eddie has a pocket-friendly soup-and-sandwich combo available at lunchtime for just £6.50, creating the perfect balance between flavour and affordability. For more information and bookings, visit kingeddie.co.uk.
Londek Cafe, Stratford
This neat, modern Polish cafe prides itself on its honest, home-cooked food. Prices are low, portions huge, tables busy. A sample plate of placek po zbójnicku (an enormous fried potato cake slathered in pork and gravy) needed a side-order of creamed red cabbage to cut through all that rib-sticking stodge, but it was certainly tasty. The menu includes staple Polish dishes such as stuffed pierogi (dumplings), beef goulash and bigos (sauerkraut stew), as well as more challenging options such as flaki (tripe soup). It is highly unlikely, but should you still be hungry after all that, Londek also has a cake-counter crammed with thick, colourful slabs of creamy patisserie (£2).
Mains from £5.50. 198 The Grove E15, 020-8270 0063. Open until 10pm daily, takeaway available
D'Gaf, Stratford
D'Gaf is a curious concept: a bar, all-day restaurant and performance space that doesn't serve alcohol. Instead, it aims to foster community, friendship and conversation over mocktails, shisha and its competitively-priced global menu. The entrance is dominated by a rather grand, dark wood bar. Beyond that, you'll find the dining section, the tables smartly dressed with white linens. Muted lighting and obliging service adding to its cosy, clubbable feel. On this visit, by way of background noise, several large flat-screen TVs were showing some old YouTube footage of Grover Washington Jnr in full-flight.
The diverse menu, which takes in everything from tagines to lasagne, may sound alarm bells among clued-up diners, but in reality, at these prices it delivered. The presentation needs work but, more importantly, the flavours were there. The kebabs were juicy and packed with fresh herbs and chillies. A bowl of shorba, a north African tomato, chickpea and lamb soup, had decent depth of flavour. Drinks (from £1.60) range from Middle Eastern teas and Fentiman's traditional soft drinks to Carl Jung's alcohol-free wines.
Light bites from £3.50, mains from £7.95. 11 Leytonstone Road E15, 020-7366 3666, d-gaf.co.uk
Mudra, Leytonstone
Mudra, Leytonestone
To get to this south Indian curry house, from Stratford, you either need to walk – it'll take about 30 minutes – or catch the 257 bus up Leytonstone High Road. It is well worth the effort. Where the typical British curry menu is all meat, heat and heavy sauces, south Indian cooking offers something much lighter. The emphasis, at Mudra, as at other south Indian specialists, is on the sensitive application of fresh spices, mustard seeds and curry leaves to draw out rounded, delicate flavours. A dosa was, perhaps, a shade greasier than it should have been, but the mutton and potato filling, like the accompanying okra and courgette curry, was long on warm, complex flavours. A tiny pot of coconut chutney was, likewise, remarkably clean and fresh. £6 for such skilled cooking? It's a bargain.
Starters from £2.75, mains from £4. 715 High Road Leytonstone E11, 020-8539 1700, swadrestaurant.com
Westfield, Stratford City
Pasta Remoli's in Westfield, Stratford City
There isn't space here to reprise the arguments for and against enormous shopping malls. But if you are hunting for cheap eats near the stadium, Westfield does contain several noteworthy venues. The primary draw is the third branch of Franco Manca, the mini-chain bringing authentic wood-burning brick ovens, sourdough bases and seriously good Neapolitan-style pizza to London (from £4.50, first floor, World Food Court, 020-8522 6669, francomanca.co.uk). Other credible, affordable operators onsite include Wahaca (burritos from £6.40, ground floor, Chestnut Plaza, 020-3288 1025, wahaca.com) and Busaba Eathai (mains from £5.50, ground floor, Chestnut Plaza, 020-8221 8989, busaba.com). Down in the Great Eastern Market, Pasta Remoli's fresh, handmade pastas and sauces (eg, oxtail agnolotti) look enticing (mains from £7, 020-8555 9149, pastaremoli.co.uk).
End your escapade with a refreshing beverage at the brewpub, Tap East (positioned on the lower ground floor of the Great Eastern Market, contact 020-8555 4467, visit tapeast.co.uk). Even though one can't ignore the industrial appeal of the evident copper tuns and conspicuous wooden planking, there's an inescapable synthetic ambiance that comes with being situated in a shopping complex. However, Tap East compensates for what it might lack in true rustic charm with its splendid array of beers. Born out of the Rake, a haven for craft beers from Borough Market, Tap East boasts 16 draught beers and an impressive collection of over 100 bottled beverages. Should the exhausting venture through Westfield have drained your spirits, a bottle of the lively Columbus Summit IPA (£4) from local brewery, the Kernel, will surely lift your spirits and renew your optimism.
Visit us at Montfichet Road, Olympic Park E20, or call 020-8221 7300, uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity.
Dalston Farm Shop, Dalston
Dalston Agri-Store, Dalston, London
In close proximity to Hackney Wick or Stratford by train, Dalston Agri-Store successfully challenges the conventional notion of Westfield. Flirting with the concept of urban life, this indoor farm has ingeniously transformed an old retail space into a thriving ecology. The place is a spectacle of light, adorned all over with budding herbs, fresh vegetables, and leafy salads. Accompanying them are substantial tanks housing tilapia fish that perform the double duty of growing and naturally purifying water for the irrigation system of the store.
The mini cafe nestled in the premises curates the produced harvest, and other ingredients brought in from local cultivators with similar interests, to present a modest but heartwarming bouquet of food options. You can expect delectable sandwiches made from exceptional sourdough bread, wholesome soups - the squash and red cabbage being notable mentions, and standout specials such as homemade pork pie and salad. You will also find a selection of praise-worthy cakes baked by local talents. This cafe maintains a charmingly disordered ambiance with a dash of quirkiness. While the staff maintains a friendly demeanor, waiting times can stretch a bit. However, this affords you time to take a stroll, absorb the uniqueness of the concept, or peruse through "The Jellied Eel", a local publication focusing on ethical eats while you wait.
Snack meals are priced between £3.50-£4.50. The address is: 20 Dalston Lane E8, contact number: 07736 002006. Visit their website for more information: farmlondon.weebly.com
Railroad, Hackney
Railroad may seem like it's tailored for the hipster crowd with its trendy Square Mile coffee, craft beers from Kernel Brewery, and underground arts space, but don't let that deceive you. This place is genuinely impressive. It embraces authenticity and traditional craft skills, which will always be in vogue. Whether you're looking for a breakfast spot or a lunchtime retreat, Railroad is the perfect destination for budget-conscious travelers. While main dishes might start at £11 in the evening, the quality of the food shines throughout the day.
For those seeking a unique dining experience, Railroad offers more than just good food. It's a hub of creativity, with a radical bookshop and a basement arts space waiting to be explored. Indulge in the tastefully crafted dishes while immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant's commitment to quality and its ability to merge coolness with tradition make it a standout among London's budget-friendly options near the Olympic stadium.
From a short lunch menu – which included a cauliflower, coriander and yoghurt soup, and grilled chicken salad with tahini and dill potatoes – a spiced pork Vietnamese sandwich positively shuddered with flavour. The ground pork was moist and comfortingly savoury, the pickled vegetables a nerve-jangling alarum of sweet, sharp attitude. The bread was more baguette than light Vietnamese banh mi, but that hardly mattered. A flat white (£2.20) was the best coffee I've had in a long time. In theory, applying correctly textured milk to a properly dosed espresso is a simple task. But it is rarely done well and, boy, do you notice when it is. This was coffee as a smooth, serious mouthful. It was served, but of course, in hand-thrown 1970s pottery.
Breakfast dishes from £3.90-£5.90, lunch dishes from £4.80-£9.60. 120-122 Morning Lane E9, 020-8985 2858, railroadhackney.co.uk
Namo, Hackney
For those travelling on a budget, there's a hidden gem near Victoria Park; a quaint Vietnamese eatery that's just within reach. During lunch hours and early evenings, you can savour one to two dishes including beverages such as tea or homemade lemonade, all for the sweet price of £5.50 or £6.95. When the sun goes down, a myriad of main course options are there to choose from, most of which are priced comfortably under £10. Although the food may not be the star of a Michelin-starred restaurant, the value it provides at such a cost is undoubtedly commendable.
The bun hue, a traditional dish that infuses a base broth rich with seasoning, meat, noodles, pak choi, and a mix of aromatic herbs may lack the deepest of flavours, however, the freshness of the ingredients and aromatic herbs are evident, and topped with a layer of chilli oil, it brings a surprising, yet pleasant, spicy kick. The staff are charismatic and engaging, and the venue itself is elegantly simple— a visually calming space subtly decorated with clean design elements that bring forth a distinct sense of style.
Starting prices for mains are at £6.90. Visit them at 178 Victoria Park Road E9 or call 020-8533 0639 for more information. You can also browse through their website at namo.co.uk or visit the Shoreditch branch
Victoria Park
The Deli Downstairs, Victoria Park
If Vietnamese doesn't take your fancy, why not picnic in Victoria Park? Around the Victoria Park/Lauriston Road junction, you can pick up sensational, forearm-sized hot sausage rolls (£3), enormous scotch eggs and proper pies at upmarket butcher, The Ginger Pig (99 Lauriston Road E9, 020-8986 6911, thegingerpig.co.uk). Across the junction, in The Deli Downstairs (211 Victoria Park Road, Victoria Park Village, 020-8533 5006, thedelidownstairs.co.uk), you can choose between interesting rice and lentil salads, gorgeous cakes and seriously good homemade savoury tarts. A sample piece of ham, endive and red onion tart (£2.25) was a very sophisticated bit of baking, the sweetness of the ham and the vegetal bitterness of the endive working very well.
One tasty bargain to try is the ham and chicken pie at the delicacy shop Eat My Pies. It's a renowned dish, having won the British Street Food Awards, and a sizable portion is yours for a mere £2.95. The decadent, buttery crust complements the jelly's perfect balance, and the ham pulls apart into savory, hearty strings.
For a different flavor experience, there are other options. The Fish House at 126-128 Lauriston Road E9 (phone number: 020-8533 3327, fishouse.co.uk) offers takeaway fish and chips for £5.25. There's also Su Sazzagoni, a noted Sardinian deli, café, and restaurant serving up a 12-inch pizza for £7.50 (address: 136 Lauriston Road E9, phone number: 020-8985 8448, susazzagoni.com). This versatile venue not only dishes out delectable food but also offers a selection of wines and beers from premier London craft breweries like Kernel, Meantime, and Red Church. Similarly stocked is Bottle Apostle (address: 95 Lauriston Road, phone number: 020-8985 1549, bottleapostle.com), situated across this food-centric avenue.
Boasting a range of flavorful and affordable options, these establishments definitely contribute to making Lauriston Road a haven for food and drink lovers. So, if you're exploring London around the Olympic stadium and seeking budget-friendly culinary experiences, do keep this foodie road in mind.