Disclaimer: my list is biased towards East London.
- Cafe 338
- E Pellicci (A++ brunches in East London)
- Beigel Bake (legendary 24/7 beigel shop on Brick Lane, salt beef beigel a must-try)
- Whitecross Street Market (open weekdays, noon - 2pm)
- Franca manca (a chain across all of the UK with decent sourdough pizza)
- Rochelle Canteen (restaurant in a school yard!)
- Beagle
- A Portuguese Love Affair (there are two of them, one on Hackney Road is the restaurant)
- Hill & Szrok (butcher shop, opens as a meat restaurant in the evening)
- Campania
- Laxeiro Tapas Bar
- Lahore Kebab House
- Tayyabs
Go to Dalston, one of the Turkish neighbourhoods. Mangal 1 has the best kebab.
All places are laptop friendly!
- Paper and Cup (non-profit and my favourite)
- Fix Coffee
- The Common E2
- Look Mum No Hands!
- Tina We Salute You (a bit too far, but lovely)
- Ace Hotel lounge, they have sockets and a coffee shop
- Google Campus cafe (sign up in advance)
- Fabrique Bakery
- The Bread Station
- Pavilion Bakery
- Keu Ban Mih Cafe
- Whitecross Street Market (open weekdays, noon - 2pm)
- L’eau à La Bouche
- Borough market (open all days except Sunday, but try to visit it on weekday to avoid crowds)
- Broadway market (Saturday)
- Columbia Road Market (Sunday)
- Whitecross Street Market (open weekdays, noon - 2pm)
- Hackney, Hackney, Hackney! It's hip and effordable.
- Dalston Jazz Club (open 3 days a week, only pay for drinks)
- Mikkeller brewpub for craft beer