Converted from the bike sheds of an old Victorian school, this unassuming canteen for Shoreditch creatives (and others) was opened by Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson in 2004 and has since become one of the capital’s most reliable restaurants. Why we love it: Whatever the weather, you can depend on the kitchen for a daily menu of colourful yet homely dishes featuring seasonal ingredients. You’ll be inside a heated, see-thru tent which comes in handy during the chillier months, and the ever changing menu offers classy comfort dishes, with lots of British meat and the finest homegrown produce.

Come to Rochelle Canteen’s garden in Shoreditch whenever possible: for lunch, for dinner, for a glass of crémant and a knickerbocker glory. This joyful greenhouse of a restaurant is a stalwart of the British dining scene in London and it’s as stylish as they come. Tabi heels tuck into sensational suet pies and there’s no doubt that Margot Henderson—head chef, powerhouse, and part of the British culinary monarchy alongside her husband Fergus Henderson of St. John—has made this restaurant hidden in the garden of a former school a complete masterclass in modesty.

Set in a converted school on historic circular street Arnold Circus, savvy diners need to find the unmarked door and the discreet buzzer to be let into this cult classic. Once inside, walk through the garden and look out for jars of local honey on a shelf by the wall. The restaurant itself, in the school’s former bike shed, is quite compact with a minimal white interior—just some straw hats perch on the wall—but they’ve expanded the seating into the garden outside with summery-feeling covered tables that are perfect for every weather eventuality.

Tucked inside a former school bike shed, Rochelle Canteen has been serving unfussy, seasonal food since 2004, run by longtime partners Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson. The daily-changing menu is all about perfectly balanced combinations of seasonal ingredients. You might start with saddleback ham and celeriac remoulade followed by lemon sole with monk’s beard and brown butter – served in a peaceful, garden-like setting with a country house vibe.

When Rochelle Canteen was first opened in Shoreditch by Margot Henderson and her chef husband Fergus in 2004, it was credited with redefining the London dining scene thanks to its refreshingly honest approach to produce and its status as a hub for East London’s creative community. They fell in love with the restaurant for its laidback charm, and nowhere is this more apparent than in its outdoor courtyard, which is housed in an enchanting walled garden. One of the best outdoor restaurants in East London, pull up a rickety wooden chair and dive into the menu of seasonal British favourites, from leek and potato soup and clams to poached chicken with spring vegetables.

This intimate Shoreditch restaurant has the uncanny ability to know precisely what you want to eat before you even realise it yourself. Located in the converted bike shed of the Victorian-era Rochelle School, the canteen proffers seasonal British and European plates grounded in Margot Henderson’s no-nonsense ethos, and a pandemic-era weatherproof canopy offers reassurance from the elements. In warm weather, the back of the canteen is opened up, and a glass of low-intervention prosecco with some charcuterie, a roast and one of Henderson’s salads feels like heaven, especially when the dappled afternoon sun peeks through a canopy of foliage.

The grounds of a primary school might not sound like the perfect location for a romantic meal for two, but Rochelle Canteen's unusual setting is very much part of its allure. The sister restaurant to nose-to-tail spot St. John, this is a place for those in the know and the restaurant for sunny afternoons with a vermouth and tonic (if you're fortunate enough to bag a table in the garden during the summer, that is). Known for rich and comforting fare, you can't go wrong with one of their excellent pies, but make sure to leave room for something sweet; dessert is arguably the course that puts this restaurant in a league of its own.

Best for: London’s greatest garden restaurantAddress: 16 Playground Gardens, London, E2 7FA. Occupying a former bike shed and hidden by the old red-brick walls of Rochelle School in Shoreditch, the courtyard at Rochelle Canteen is a plant-lined, sun-drenched oasis that feels a world apart from London’s grit and grime – and the food lives up to the promise. The kitchen is helmed by Margot Henderson, wife of Fergus (chef-proprietor of another of our favourite London restaurants, St John Bread & Wine), and there are shared influences when it comes to whole-animal dining and a focus on beautiful seasonal produce.

It might look like a converted bike shed tucked away in a hidden courtyard, but Rochelle Canteen in Shoreditch offers a delightful culinary experience that revolves around simple, quality, seasonal British dishes. This charming restaurant invites diners to savour fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are celebrated in flavorful dishes at this converted bike-shed eatery. Chef-proprietors Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold have decorated their lovely little restaurant with the rustic elegance of uncomplicated flavours; they carefully cook and present sensational simple dishes.

A haven of rus in urbe in the middle of Shoreditch’s Arnold Circus, former school bicycle shed Rochelle Canteen is still as effortlessly cool as it was when it first opened in 2004. The women behind it, Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson have been business partners for 26 years, teaming up after their husbands launched St John together. There’s a second Rochelle at the ICA now, but Arnold and Henderson’s philosophy is the same as it always was: good things, cooked simply and well, served in a generous and unfussy way that lends itself to sharing.

The modern British dishes created by Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson (wife of St John’s Fergus Henderson) embrace the trend for minimalism. Short descriptions and few ingredients, expertly prepared, reflect thoughtful sourcing and seasonality. Arnold & Henderson’s two restaurants, Rochelle Canteen and Rochelle ICA, housed in a converted Victorian school in east London and an art gallery on the Mall respectively, attract an art and fashion crowd who feast on straightforward dishes such as radishes and cod’s roe or quail with harissa.

#FLODown: Tucked away in the old bike shed of Rochelle School in Shoreditch, Rochelle Canteen has solidified its reputation as a beloved dining destination in East London. Renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, this esteemed eatery invites guests to bask in the charm of its courtyard, offering a delightful alfresco dining experience during the summer months. With a keen focus on seasonal ingredients, Rochelle Canteen's menu embodies a celebration of flavours, showcasing carefully curated British dishes available for both lunch and dinner.

In the hustle and bustle of Shoreditch—a hub for independent shops, creative studios, and many attention-seeking bars and restaurants—the Rochelle Canteen offers an alternative experience. Accessed via a hard-to-find door in the wall, the semi-secret restaurant was set up in 2006 in the old bike shed of a former Victorian school. Although originally intended to serve the artists and designers working in the studio’s covered school, it wasn’t long before the canteen’s short seasonal menus attracted discerning diners from far and wide.

Rochelle Canteen, run by Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold, has long been one of London’s favourite spots. Housed in a former school bike shed on Arnold Circus in Shoreditch, accessible only through an unmarked door that, when buzzed in, leads you through a pretty garden and to a small dining room, it’s always been a hidden spot for Londoners to enjoy. Aside from being an excellent setting to enjoy a leisurely meal, the cooking is really quite good too, with simplicity and seasonality being the order of the day.

While taking a break from your shopping spree through Shoreditch, an inner city district in the historic East End of London, stop by Rochelle Canteen for a lunch (or maybe dinner during the weekends). Rochelle Canteen is a real gem hidden away from the street noise in an old house which used to be a school canteen back in the day, hence the name. Unlike other school canteens, Rochelle Canteen serves a wide range of quality wines which will leave no one indifferent.

Located in the converted bike shed of an old school in Shoreditch, Margot Henderson’s understated restaurant seems to be having a moment, despite having existed for 17 years (a second location at the Institute of Contemporary Arts was sadly forced to close recently). Perhaps it’s the secluded outdoor space. More likely the need for assured, grown-up British comfort food – fresh fish, meats with the vegetables and legumes of the season, and sticky puddings.

Ask a Vogue editor about the best restaurants in London, and chances are Rochelle Canteen will be mentioned—usually followed by a rhapsody about a perfect Roman artichoke/herb-filled potato salad/wild garlic dish. There is no nicer way to pass a summer evening than nursing a bottle of Crémant on its vine-covered terrace. Mark your calendars for the opening of Margot Henderson’s pub-with-rooms, The Three Horseshoes, in Somerset this autumn, too.

Discreetly tucked away in a converted bike shed, Shoreditch’s Rochelle Canteen is a cosy sanctuary for diners looking to indulge in seasonal British- and European-inspired dishes. The menu changes on a daily basis and the team behind the restaurant takes great pride in the quality produce they source. There’s an outside area with a canopy for al fresco lunches and dinners regardless of the weather conditions.

Rochelle Canteen" is a modern British restaurant run by Margot Henderson, featuring a charming garden seating area. The menu is a blend of classic and modern European influences, with a focus on quality ingredients and simple, delicious dishes. Known for its warm and welcoming service, Rochelle Canteen is also admired for its brilliant dessert menu and is considered an ideal spot for a relaxed, long lunch.

Housed in a converted bike shed of a Shoreditch Victorian school, Rochelle Canteen is a must-visit for lunch in a lush garden under the dappled shade of vines and trees. Pop in for breakfast to enjoy bowls of granola with yogurt and poached fruits, and stay until lunch when the menu serves British classics. Expect chicken and leek pie, fish stew and steamed treacle sponge with custard.

It was founded in 2004 by chefs Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson and is housed in the bike shed of the former Rochelle School. It has a number of outdoor tables in the lush garden and some more in a small shed with white brick walls, wooden chairs, and a large number of straw hats. Every element of this restaurant is simple and without frills, but simultaneously revelatory.

Rochelle Canteen turns twenty this year, that’s long enough for it to become part of the Shoreditch landscape. The café and restaurant in the old bike shed and garden of the Rochelle School has been beloved for its modern British and European fare consisting of a seasonal, daily changing menu that showcases local produce and ingredients from further afield.

Step inside Rochelle Canteen, and you swiftly forget you’re in the round-the-clock bustle of east London, such is the peaceful air this walled-garden restaurant conjures. Adding to the fresh feel is Canteen’s simple, daily-changing offering of Britain and European dishes. The result is a mouthwatering menu of taste-packed food made with quality produce.

Rochelle Canteen is located in the converted bike shed of the old Rochelle School, looking out to the trees of Arnold Circus in Shoreditch. Rochelle Canteen was opened by Melanie Arnold & Margot Henderson in 2004. The menu includes dishes like skate & dulse butter sauce, roast brill with artichokes & aioli and pork Chop with braised turnip & anchovies.

Location: 16 Playground Gardens, London E2 7FA, United Kingdom. Located just outside the city centre, Rochelle Canteen, one of the best restaurants in London, is this small restaurant that feels more like a country house than a place in the East End. This restaurant has been around for almost 20 years and is run by Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson.

Set in a walled private garden on the grounds of a former school, Rochelle Canteen feels a world away from central London. The pristine garden gives you the impression you’re eating at an idyllic country house, perfecting mirroring the seasonal, sustainably sourced menu. Dishes change all the time, but you can always expect simple, unfussy cooking.

Positioned snugly within the premises of a transformed primary school in Shoreditch, the Rochelle Canteen has ingeniously erected a warm and inviting gazebo. This allowed the continuance of serving up the much-loved comfort food classics by Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson. Its staying power is commendable, adding to the value of its longevity.

The icon that is this discreet old bike shed in an old school, but serving up simple and yet modern European food on a daily‑changing menu. It’s owned by the legendary duo that is Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson. As they say, “We let our produce speak for itself, a gentle approach.” It’s an oasis of a classic in ever‑changing Shoreditch.

What: Margot Henderson’s iconic Shoreditch institution used to have to shift everyone’s bookings when it started raining - now they have covers and heaters, so you can feast on rustic British and Mediterranean cooking all year round. One of London’s essential restaurants.Where: 16 Playground Gardens, E2 7FABook now: Rochelle Canteen

Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson are founders of Rochelle Canteen and up there with some of London’s restaurant royalty. When the restaurant opened its doors in 2004 it was just one large table and a box to keep the cash in. All these years later it’s hard to imagine two women who’ve had such an impact on the London food scene.

The Canteen is set inside an East London art gallery and a restored Colonial school. The modest white decor and wooden tables and chairs make the atmosphere casual and the cost reasonable. Lunch is available the entire week from 12:45 to 3:00 pm, but dinner is only available from Wednesday to Saturday from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.

Ask a Vogue editor about the best restaurants in London, and chances are Rochelle Canteen will be mentioned – usually followed by a rhapsody about a perfect Roman artichoke/herb-filled potato salad/wild garlic dish. There is no nicer way to pass a summer evening than nursing a bottle of Crémant on its vine-covered terrace.

This unique cafe is located in the bike shed of the old Rochelle School. Abnd the best time to eat at Rochelle Canteen is during the summer when you can sit on their gorgeous open-air terrace that overlooks vibrant local greenery. It has a fun, laid-back, family-friendly vibe that makes it a dreamy spot for lunch.

Rochelle Canteen's courtyard has got to be one of London's worst-kept secrets. And here's another not-secret-secret for you: it's now covered, which means you can keep eating their pecorino, girolle and onion tart, and rabbit liver, lardo and and radish salad no matter the weather. arnoldandhenderson.com

Once you’ve actually found this hidden-away restaurant (hint, look for the buzzer by the door in the wall) you’ve found lunch nirvana on a Monday. Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson’s ‘canteen’ is more of a gastronomy Mecca for foodies looking for superb seasonal produce cooked sympathetically.

Sorry, you need to accept cookies from Instagram to view this content. A humble restaurant where the food is always the star of the show but the ambience puts in a performance worthy of a supporting actor nom, at the very least. It’s impossible not to have a good meal at Rochelle Canteen.

Rochelle Canteen in Hackney has been a staple on London’s restaurant scene since 2004. Located in a former schoolyard, the restaurant is charmingly rustic and serves simple British dishes with a daily menu focused on seasonality. Enter Rochelle Canteen by buzzing into an enclosed garden.

A sublime secret is hidden away, discovered only if you ring a doorbell beside a green door in a brick wall. You’ll pass through the grassy yard of an 1880s school, and in the old bike shed, join a daytime garden party. The changing menu is rigorously British and fresh, yet without…

Having re-opened with new safety measures, the original Rochelle Canteen is currently operating a reservation-only policy, sitting guests outside. Here, Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson’s hyper seasonal cooking will be available in the walled garden. An urban oasis, if you like.

Rochelle Canteen, run by Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold has been a Shoreditch favourite forever. So their new ICA location has caused great excitement. The interior is low key, minimalist mid century style, and a welcome retreat from the bustle outside.

Rochelle Canteen: Something of a national treasure, this famous Shoreditch restaurant sits in a former school motorcycle shed and was founded by two of London’s most influential food.