78 Lower Clapton Road, Lower Clapton, London E5 0RN

After building up a devoted following at Peckham's Market, Abby Lee moved her Malaysian restaurant to a permanent space in East London, which cemented her as one of the city's best chefs. Here, it's all about modern Malaysian food and the place to be is up at the counter. If it's on, the Lor Bak (five-spice pork and prawn bean curd roll) is a must but you'll want to roam through as much of the menu as you can.

322-324 Acton Mews, London E8 4EA

Taking two railway arches in Haggerston, Planque is a wine bar, restaurant, members' club and store, with a key focus on natural and low-intervention wines. And most importantly it has Seb Myers (ex P Franco and Chiltern Firehouse) running the kitchen and serving up a modern take on French food. Small-medium plates are the order of the day, although there's a great set lunch deal here on Saturdays.

17 Bohemia Pl, London E8 1DU

Inside Hackney Church Brewery, you'll find Elliot Cunningham's Lagom. Part inspired by his Swedish heritage, it's a live-fire cooking affair over wood. Most of the globally-inspired dishes on offer here are worth trying, the smoked beef bun in particular, if it's on. However, the Lagom smashburger is lauded as one of London's very best - so get the burger first, but make sure to roam the rest of the menu too.

Arch 255 Paradise Row, London E2 9LQ

Tasca is from chef Josh Dallaway and sommelier Sinead Murdoch. They're in charge of the kitchen at East London bar Cav, with Tasca. It takes inspiration from their travels through Spain and France, from which they've brought back elements of classic dishes and given them a modern London twist. Expect a parade of excellent small plates and a particularly good European wine list that celebrates female-founded vineyards and female winemakers.