My Levi’s, My London With Sapna Rao

There’s always something going on in east London – from cool new coffee shops to little hole-in-the-wall spots for dinner or the opportunity to catch some of the world’s biggest music acts at the O2. I live in Canary Wharf – a bit of a concrete metropolitan area that’s seen an influx of life post-lockdown with events, restaurant openings and buzzy concept spaces. Nearby Hackney already has it all – from food to shopping, there’s so much going on there.

My go-to local spot for coffee is Caravan. It’s within walking distance of my flat and I love popping in there, but if I want to venture a bit further afield, Jolene on Redchurch Street ticks a lot of boxes. It’s more of a takeaway-style space, but the coffee and the aesthetic are so good.

I’m loving Violet Cakes at the moment. It’s both aesthetically pleasing and (for now) relatively under the radar. The vibe is so chilled on a Saturday afternoon – perfect if you want to pick up a few cupcakes to enjoy over the weekend.

There are lots of great pubs in east London. The Prospect of Whitby is apparently the oldest pub in the city. A bit further down the road is the Captain Kidd which is lovely for lazy afternoons with friends. The Gun, Docklands is perfect for something cosier, and has a great view of the Thames and the O2, while the Trafalgar Tavern is one for warmer weather.

Most of my Sundays are spent at Columbia Road Flower Market. In my opinion, it’s the most wholesome way to spend the day. Most people probably know of it, but for those who don’t, every Sunday the road is transformed into a market with stalls selling flowers, house plants, outdoor plants, herbs and much more. The surrounding area is just as impressive, with one of my favourite pubs – The Birdcage – plus lots of coffee shops and restaurants. You’ll find the best pasta at Campagnia & Jones, and Brawn is just down the road for a special date night.