One of a small number of London’s ethnic restaurants to have a branch in its native country, Au Lac is a large Vietnamese eatery a few minutes walk off the main strip of Old Street’s nightlife. The menu is suitably exotic, with plenty of richly-flavoured Vietnamese seafood, alongside the Oriental restaurant standards.
Bahn Quon steamed rolls were irresistibly light and tasty and arrived in a pile large enough to make a meal on their own. Char-grilled monkfish was a great seafood variation on the duck pancakes so familiar from Chinatown, with crisp, thin Bahn Quon pancakes. Our waiter failed to warn us when we accidentally ordered a traditional Vietnamese crab dish and was unable to explain to us how to get into it using only chopsticks, but the bits we could get at were rich with spicy aromas that perfectly complemented the salty, succulent crab.
Prices are as low as the portions are huge, yet the restaurant was completely empty on a Thursday evening, with only two others dining in a space that could comfortably have seated 40. The reason is glaringly obvious, in an unappealing décor and a set of too-bright lights that create an atmosphere as intimate as McDonalds, but rather less cheery.
This is a more than decent restaurant, which is excellent value, but it will have to seriously redecorate if it is to attract the limited passing trade on the Kingsland Road.
Taking inspiration from Japanese ramman-noodle bars, Wagamama is the ultimate in high-quality, fast food. Huge bowls of steaming, soupy noodles, chicken dumplings with a chilli-soy ... More
This Shoreditch cafe on Kingsland Road is a great spot for the full English. You can breakfast on poached eggs, cooked tomatoes and succulent sausages ...More
Opening a 'Turkish brasserie' on Old Street among the scores of established take-aways is a bold move by Shish, the original branch of which is ... More
Learn how to make your own glass baubles this Christmas at The Making Space where they're running a special Tree Decorations Workshop. Simon, a prop ...More
This cutting edge contemporary art gallery is run by director Rebecca May Marston, a graduate of the RCA's curating course who first took on the ... More
Leila's on Arnold Circus is a legendary coffee spot where they serve Monmouth coffee in an eccentric cafe setting that feels like you're in your ...More
Learn some crafty manouveurs at Making Space where classes on mask making, glass engraving, pyrography (burning patterns into wood or leather), chainmail knitting, and book ... More
There's a real art to making cocktails. Don't be fooled into thinking it's all about shaking vigorously and pouring because, to be a proper cocktail ...More
Fantastic education in the complete selection of circus arts, including a degree in circus performance and an affordable six-week clowning course. They also present regular ... More
The third of these increasingly popular 1950s retro-America style bowling alleys opened in late 2008 to much critical acclaim. Located in the Old Truman Brewery ...More
Fashionable Shoreditch drinkers are attracted to this cellar bar by its rickety old furniture, interesting imported beers, and a pricy, but very tasty selection of ... More
Cargo were pioneers of the multi-tasking MDF concept (that's Music-Dance-Food, not cheap fibreboard) and boast one of the most imaginative live music line-ups in the ... More
Plastic People boasts the best sound system in Shoreditch. This friendly, unpretentious space serves up seriously fresh music to a loyal crowd. Their no-frills ...More
Get the FREE monthly guide to London entertainment, arts, concerts, sport, book signings, and essential event information delivered directly to your inbox.
LondonTown.com has special discounts every week. The amount of discount will vary depending on the dates you are coming and how far in advance you book. All discounts are subject to availability.
Show favourites only
Report a bug, make a suggestion or just tell us your thoughts.
One of a small number of London’s ethnic restaurants to have a branch in its native country, Au Lac is a large Vietnamese eatery a few minutes walk off the main strip of Old Street’s nightlife. The menu is suitably exotic, with plenty of richly-flavoured Vietnamese seafood, alongside the Oriental restaurant standards.
