Guide to Exmouth Market
Exmouth Market is one of those London gems that it seems nobody knows about. Away from the lunchtime markets, this idyllic street is the perfect place to while away an afternoon or a morning with a plethora of independent shops, cafes and restaurants to keep you occupied. With out offices just around the corner, these are the places we frequent the most.
Botanique
Go for: the prettiest plants in all shapes and sizes, birthday presents, instagram worthy bouquets and the sweetest resident pooch.
What to buy: mini cacti make the sweetest presents, this string of hearts is a cute gift for a loved one and there’s lovely geometric styled jewellery too.
B&H Tip: head to the back room and select your own floral bouquet or join them for a floristry course one night.
Santore
Go for: PIZZA! The office team at B&H regularly order a Friday pizza here, sitting out on the terrace of this lovely family run Italian restaurant is a dream. Genuinely the best pizza we’ve had in London which is not surprising as the owners are from Naples.
What to order: If pizza is not your thing, other menu favourites include Fusilli freschi con cozze, vongole, pomodorini and gamberi rossi, which is a typical pasta from Naples with mussells, clams, cherry tomatoes & Sicilian red prawns (I customise this dish by switching to tagliatelle) and Sauté di Cozze, Vongole e Gamberoni con spigola servito con crostoni all’aglio - mussell, clam & king prawn casserole with a fillet of Sea Bass in spicy tomato sauce served with crispy garlic bread.
B&H tip: Book ahead as even on Mondays Santore can get packed full of locals getting their weekly pizza fix.
Brill
Go for: Coffee, bagels, music and people watching.
What to order: A strong coffee and a bagel. Browse the collection of records and sit outside and watch the world go by.
B&H tip: Ask for Jeremy the owner, his music taste is excellent.
The Exmouth Arms
Go for: Cool vibes, loud music and craft beer
What to order: HEAVENLY bar snacks, the crab fries are to die for (not diet friendly!) couple of plates of the sliders, all washed down with your choice from their extensive beer list. Our current favourite is the Beavertown Gamma Ray APA.
B&H Tip: Head upstairs to 5CC, the secret cocktail bar and order an old fashioned.
Cafe Kick
Go for: Foozball, live football matches, great vibes and cheap happy hour wine
What to order: If it’s between 5pm - 7pm, go for 2 for 1 Caipirinhas. The guys make them short and strong. The food is basic but good, we like to order a tapas platter to line our stomachs with a side of nachos and sit outside.
B&H Tip: This cafe is great for lunch as well when the chef cooks up whatever she feels like and the menu changes daily.
Space EC1
Go for: gifts gifts gifts
What to buy: This super sweet shop houses everything from baby’s clothes and shoes, to books, cards, ceramics, jewellery and wrapping paper. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re not quite sure about what to get someone, but be careful, we have spent hours in this small shop and come out later a great deal poorer!
B&H Tip: Don’t go on pay day!
Barber Streisand
Go for: grooming and chat
What to buy: Short sharp cuts and whisker taming. The pricing is really reasonable and you can rock up whenever you want - there’s always someone to help you out. Ellie who runs the place is wicked fun, the music is always on point.
B&H Tip: Pick up a beer from Borough Wines at the top of the market beforehand and ask your barber for the latest market gossip.
