East of the City, Bromley‑by‑Bow sits beside canals, creative yards and some very handy dining clusters. Within a short stroll, or one stop on the DLR or Overground, you can bounce between Hackney Wick, Fish Island, Here East and Sugar House Island for breweries, barges, trattorie and pre‑show spots. The area also hosts ABBA Voyage at the purpose‑built ABBA Arena by Pudding Mill Lane, so planning dinner and drinks around a performance is refreshingly easy. abbavoyage.com

Canals, barges and “make‑an‑occasion‑of‑it” dining

Barge East
A late‑19th‑century Dutch barge moored on the Lee Navigation with two personalities, seasonal set‑pieces in the candle‑lit dining room, and relaxed plates in one of East London’s largest waterside gardens. Expect home‑grown herbs and veg from the on‑site plots. Book via the official site and, if you can, arrive early enough to take in the towpath views. bargeeast.com

Forman’s Restaurant
Across on Fish Island, H. Forman & Son have cured salmon in the East End for generations. Their riverside restaurant showcases the London Cure alongside seasonal British dishes, with views across to the Olympic Park. Check opening times and menus via Forman’s. formans.co.uk

Brewery row and canal‑side hangouts in Hackney Wick

CRATE Brewery & Pizzeria
Queen’s Yard’s original canalside combo, hand‑rolled, stone‑baked pizzas plus house lagers, pales and specials brewed a few metres away. Good for groups, first‑timers and sunny afternoons by the water. cratebrewery.com

Howling Hops Tank Bar
Ten serving tanks line a bar that runs about ten metres, so your beer moves from tank to glass with almost no detour. The lineup changes often, from crisp lagers to hop‑forward pales, and the taproom opens from midday daily. howlinghops.co.uk

Number 90 Bar & Kitchen
By day, brunch and frozen cocktails on the terrace, by night, DJs and a friendly party mood, with extra waterside seating when friends are in town. number90bar.co.uk

Two strong locals for weeknights and Sunday roasts

The Morgan Arms, Bow
A corner pub near Mile End and Victoria Park with a kitchen that cares about seasonal British cooking, plus cask ales and a thoughtful wine list. One to claim as “your local” quickly. morganarmsbow.com

The Lord Tredegar, Bow
Independent, wood‑panelled and Grade II listed, with a leafy garden and a menu that moves from pub standards to seasonal mains. Ideal for a mid‑week supper. thelordtredegar.co.uk

Close‑to‑home pints

The Galvanisers Union, Bromley‑by‑Bow
Industrial name, warm welcome. This is the local’s local near Devons Road, with cask and craft on the taps, an easygoing crowd and Patty Central in the kitchen, including Sunday roasts with Caribbean leanings. galvanisersunion.com

The Widow’s Son, Devons Road
Grade II* listed and home to the Good Friday hot‑cross‑bun rite, revived with Royal Navy guests after a recent refurbishment and reopening. Keep an eye on their channels for table bookings. [bargeeast.com], [formans.co.uk]

Waterside walks

Gotto Trattoria
Independent trattoria on the Canalside, known for daily‑changing plates, fresh pasta, and 48‑hour‑proved pizza dough, plus a house negroni. Sunny tables outside, cosy inside. gotto.co.uk

Randy’s Wing Bar
Family‑run wing specialists with weekly deals, loaded fries and cocktails, plus a tongue‑in‑cheek “wing afternoon tea” at weekends. Handy before or after a show. randyswingbar.co.uk

For a quick sweep of who’s trading on the Canalside, Here East’s directory rounds up food, drink and coffee spots. [cratebrewery.com]

The Print House at Jim & Tonic East
Restaurant, bar and on‑site distillery with a big terrace, sports on the screens in season, and a four‑minute walk to the ABBA Arena, which makes it a natural pre‑ or post‑show hub. jimandtoniceast.com/theprinthouse

Distillery tours, strong coffee and a gentle café by the mills

East London Liquor Company
The modern distillery that brought spirit‑making back to Bow Wharf. Pop in for cocktails or book a blending or tasting class to explore London‑made whisky and gins. eastlondonliquorcompany.com

Mae + Harvey, Roman Road
A small independent café with a seasonal menu and weekend brunch. Regulars rate the pancakes, Turkish eggs and coffee. maeandharvey.com

House Mill Café, Three Mills Island
Volunteer‑run, attached to the Grade I listed House Mill. Ideal for coffee after a guided tour or a slow loop of Three Mills Green. Do check seasonal opening, as winter closures apply. housemill.org.uk

Cult favourite worth seeking out

Polentina
A tiny glass‑walled canteen inside sustainable clothing factory Apparel Tasker, serving Italian cooking with Austrian touches. The menu changes all the time, often featuring broths, pastas and polenta‑led dishes that follow the seasons. Harder to find, very rewarding. polentina.com

If you’re heading to ABBA Voyage

The ABBA Arena’s calendar runs deep into 2026, with dance‑floor tickets, seated options and premium packages. Time your reservation nearby and you can stroll to the show or sink a nightcap after. Tickets and dates live on the official site. abbavoyage.com

Final thoughts

Bromley‑by‑Bow sits at a handy crossroads for eating and drinking by the water. A short walk or quick hop connects you to barge dining and brewery bars in Hackney Wick, trattoria and wings on the Canalside at Here East, a distillery stop at Bow Wharf, and Jim & Tonic’s terrace on Sugar House Island. Plan ahead for peak times, keep an eye on seasonal openings, and you will always find a good option within reach.