Five reasons you should eat out in Bethnal Green this weekend

Now that the sun's peeking out occasionally, our precious hours off can be in enjoyed outdoors. If you're feeling peckish, head to E2, just a stone's throw off the beaten Shoreditch track, a short cycle from Victoria Park or a swift paddle down Regents Canal.

You can order a whole rabbit to share

Founded by chef Robin Gill (the fella behind The Manor in Clapham), Paradise Garage is under the railway arches and serves up modern British small plates. For spring, they’ve once again introduced the picnic – a whole rabbit cooked in different ways. 254 Paradise Row, E2 9LE.

It's got one of the oldest pubs in London

Old George has been around in the east end for a while – since the eighteenth century, in fact. You'll find a huge beer garden upstairs, plus a smartly refurbed dining space with snappy wallpaper and comfy retro furniture. Tuck into artfully arranged plates piled high with the likes of pork belly with apple glazed rib or lamb with purple sprouting broccoli. They also do a mean strawberry shortbread cheesecake. 379 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 0AN.

You can get a huge English brekky for a fiver

Cafe 338 is a typical British greasy spoon where you can get huge full English breakfasts for around a fiver. Queues snake out the door on the weekends. 338 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 0AN. 

© Rob Greig

The seafood has moved on from jellied eels

The Well & Bucket has a buzzy vibe, with a speakeasy-style cocktail bar downstairs. It's great for grabbing a table outside for a bucket of fresh shucked oysters and the most indulgent and decadent crab fries, smothered with cheese and aioli. 143 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 7DG.

It's great for brunch and people watching

Albion at the Boundary Project is just off the back of Shoreditch High Street (not strictly Behnal Green, but close enough), and if you grab one of the tables that spill onto the pavement, a great spot to watch people do their thing. It also does great grub: enjoy fresh baked bread and eggs however you want them – we recommend scrambled with thick wedges of black pudding. 2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7DD.

For more E2 recommendations, check out our Bethnal Green area guide.