Rochelle’s Canteen is hidden away in an old schoolyard, behind a high brick wall that was once a former bike shed, a hidden gem that prides itself on its nose-to-tail cooking raised up by seasonal fresh produce. Hailing from the lofty heights from a three year stint at the River Café means head chef Anna Tobias knows good food. The former Victorian school is accessible to the Shoreditch footfall (the tiny buzzer above the sign for ‘BOYS’ is the discreet entry) and opens to a bustling breakfast or lunch spot with an East End welcome. The delightful treat of tables that are set up outside on sunny days for al fresco dining, the ever-changing menu to suit what the chefs can get their hands on that morning, means it’s all rather a little slice of paradise in unexpected surroundings. Expect grilled lamb with courgettes and beautifully cooked mackerel with beetroot and horseradish. Simple is the order of the day to show off the exquisite ingredients.
Open Monday – Friday only they also hire out the space for private hire and exclusive events. With the added bonus of not being licensed, this surely has to be one of the finest Bring-Your-Own establishments in London with a reasonable corkage of £5 per bottle. Prepare to be amazed.
