Set amongst one of my favourite housing estates in London – the Brunswick, Renoir cinema shows art-house films in it's two small but comfortable screens. I come here at least twice a month, and always on my own.
The closest you can get to Little Italy in the east.
The owners are amazing, the atmosphere is relaxed, the lunches are abundant and homemade.
The cakes are amazing, try Torta Clara (pear and chocolate) for the ultimate bliss.
They describe themseleves as a 'village shop in the City' and sell everything 'typically english' you could dream of, from homemade scotch eggs to english meade, this tiny shop is the reason I cross the road early every morning, just to see what treats they've got in for the day.
It might sound rather odd to suggest going to a cemetery, but this has to be one of my new favourite places to visit. Getting lost down one of the narrow paths certainly doesn’t make you feel like you’re in London anymore which can be refreshing. Another interesting fact about this place is that the late Amy Winehouse shot her music video for ‘Back to Black’ here.
Sager & Wilde is a small wine bar on Hackney Road, close to many other amazing places on Hackney and Columbia Road.
The perfect place for an aperitif or a nightcap.