To Eat and Drink
There are too many great places to eat in Farringdon to list them all, so we’ve hand picked a few of our favourites to give you a flavour of the food scene on your doorstep.
St. John Smithfield is a Michelin Starred meat eaters Mecca. A daily changing menu of nose to tail genius. Chic and delicious in equal measure. One to impress your clients or celebrate something special with your team.
Sliding down the scale of formality, but parallel in flavour, Cowcross Yard is street food pop-up paradise. Tongue dazzlers from Korean bao buns, Columbian braised beef tacos and Greek Gyros to cinnamon bun skewers, brownie milkshakes and everything in between. Every Thursday, the ever-changing vendors will bowl you over, every time.
A 4min walk down the cobbled streets will take you to Compton, an elevated all-day bistro. Stop by for a breakfast of sourdough pancakes or shakshuka. An elegant lunch of seared tuna loin with sesame and pear or a plate of hand-rolled pappardelle with asparagus, broad beans & ricotta. You get the picture.
Smiths of Smithfield is a place that needs little introduction. The cool polished urban décor over four floors is crowned with a rooftop garden. Local craft ales and spirits mixed with British seasonal classic dishes make this place a fail-safe option whatever the occasion.
Oriole is tropical subterranean hideaway. Sip your way around the world with their adventurous cocktail and wine selection as live jazz takes to the stage every night from 9pm. Their food menu is a flavour treasure trove, particularly the truffle mash croquettes. Best to book to avoid disappointment as they have limited space for walk-ins, but well-worth the effort.
The Chocolate Cocktail Club combines two of our favourite things and is so close to the office you could throw a kit-kat at it. Something novel to entertain your clients, or just a sweet fix, this place is a winner. When your ‘After 8’ espresso martini is served with the aforementioned sweet treat, you know you’re in a very special establishment.
TO SEE AND DO
Smith Field Market
This 800-year-old market is number one on the hit list of London’s finest chefs and the more refined home cook alike. Once a livestock market, the now wholesale meat market is a visual spectacle. That’s if you can get up early enough. Starting at 2am the traders will start packing their wares away around 7am. So, if you fancy bagging some brisket or finding some finest fillet, or anything between the nose and the tail of a wide variety of animals, get down to Smith Field.
Hatton Garden
London’s famous jewellery quarter is just an 8min walk from Canvas Farringdon. Whether you’re shopping for something precious or just in the mood to look at something sparkly, the centre of the UK’s diamond trade is the place to go. Enjoy the bustling bizarre or sample the high security ‘one in one out’ policy of the more serious boutiques.
Leather Lane Market
Once known for selling cheap clothes and shoes, this market is now a destination for street food stalls and trucks. Perfect to pick up a box of something delicious to munch as you stroll back to the office.
The Cloister Garden At The Museum Of St John
Just a 1min walk away, a peaceful haven from the hustle of the city awaits. On a warm day, the heady scents of lavender and medicinal herbs will calm the most stressed-out mind, and when the weather turns cool, you’ll find a tranquil green space to still your thoughts.
