Chris Galvin, along with his brother Jeff, has been one of the most influential figures in London dining for two decades. The brothers behind Galvin Restaurants, whose sites include the Michelin-starred Galvin La Chapelle and Galvin Bistrot & Bar in Spitalfields, have helped define what modern cooking looks like in the capital. Chris is a local to the Stratford area and agreed to share with us the places he just can’t stop going back to.
Mother Kelly's
27-30 Victory Parade, East Village, London E20 1FS
My go-to for a reliably good drink in the area. There's a great all-round beer selection with rotating taps, so there's always something new and interesting to try - and the wine holds its own too, which you don't always get at a craft beer bar.
Darkhorse Restaurant & Bar
16-19 Victory Parade, East Village, London E20 1FS
I like Darkhorse because it does exactly what a good Italian restaurant should do: serve honest, beautifully prepared food without overcomplicating things. The Northern Italian classics are consistently excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and it's a restaurant that never disappoints. That's a rare thing.
Kūbō Garden
13 Copper St, London E20 3AW
A brilliant spot near the Olympic Park if you want something a bit different. The ube, matcha and hojicha drinks are excellent, the cakes are great, and the banh mis are just incredible - unfussy but absolutely full of flavour. It's very down-to-earth but has a real energy to it. Perfect for a quick lunch when you're in the area.
Bread Street Kitchen
9 Endeavour Square, Stratford Cross, London E20 1JN
Bread Street delivers the Gordon Ramsay classics exactly as you'd hope. The Beef Wellington is a signature dish for a reason, the Sunday roast is one of the best in the area, and the cocktail and wine offering is excellent. It's a polished, reliable restaurant that consistently gets the basics right.
And a little further away...
Le Regret
289 High Rd, Leytonstone, London E11 4HH
This is the one I keep coming back to. The food is excellent and the daily-changing menu is consistently on form - that's not easy to pull off. The wine list is broad and thoughtful, with classic Burgundy sitting alongside biodynamic bottles from the Jura. It's everything you want a wine bar to be, and it's right on my doorstep.
See also
For more of these local area guides, visit the My Manor page.
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