Set in the beating heart of the East End, Spitalfields Market has seen traders selling their wares since around 1666. Since then, the iconic market has gone from strength to strength, now home to 90 independent traders delighting visitors with contemporary and vintage fashion, music, jewellery and accessories.

With a plethora of boutique shops, street food vendors, entertainment and top-notch restaurants, it’s the perfect location to spend a day with your loved one or bestie for Valentine’s Day / Galantine’s Day. Here are a few of our top picks in Spitalfields.

To kick the day off with a boost, start your morning at Arabica Coffee for your caffeine fix. Skip your usual much-loved flat white and instead try out their popular Spanish latte or Kyoto latte, made hot or iced. The minimal and sleek design of the store provides a little bit of luxe while you sip on your coffee. Arabica Coffee originates from Japan, serving and roasting the best coffee from around the world. Arabica Coffee can be found on 2 Market Street.

Get Pampered

Whether you’re gifting yourself some well-deserved self-love, or making yourself look fabulous for a romantic evening, head on over to Townhouse for a manicure. Townhouse is currently offering customers the chance to choose a limited edition design from their Valentine’s Day collection, with bold reds, a sprinkling of hearts and some extra sparkle, it’s the perfect opportunity to give your nails the love they deserve. Townhouse is chic and stylish and the service is top-notch, it’s definitely worth a visit. Townhouse can be found on 12 Market Street.

Nails done, time to give the eyebrows some love by visiting Benefit Cosmetics & BrowBar Lounge Inside you will receive a brow consultation on how best to get the eyebrows you desire, followed by a wax, tint and some little extras to get you walking out the salon with a skip in your step and a glint in your beautifully framed eyes.

Benefit Cosmetics & BrowBar Lounge can be found on 49 Brushfield Street.

Hit the Market

Eyebrows and nails looking lush, it’s time to shop! Visit the Traders market, where you will find 90 traders, selling all sorts of unique products. Some brands to look out for include Bacanara Fashion, Ladiebirdy, Leather Republic, Elements by Nature, Artisanal Edition Poli & Jo and 33Bis.

Time for a lunch date

Take your date or bestie over to the relatively new Lamb Street food hub, where you will find eight vendors serving a range of different cuisines. We have to highlight Pizza Guys for their mouth-watering authentic Italian pizza, unique flavours and some of the best vegan options around. Get there just before lunch, to miss out on the long queues! Pizza Guys can be found on Lamb Street.

Boutique shopping

Tummies full of butterflies and pizza, it’s time for a little V-Day treat. With a range of unique high-end shops, you are guaranteed to find something special on your visit. Here are some of our favourites.

Astrid & Miyu – where you can choose from their stunning range of dainty and stylish jewellery, or create a bespoke bracelet in one of the shop’s two welding stations to create a unique piece of jewellery to celebrate love. Alternatively, you may opt for one of their stackable pieces, which has quickly built up cult status in the fashion world. Astrid and Miyu can be found on 6 Market Street

Coachtophia – You can find unique handbags and accessories, crafted from recycled, repurposed, or renewable materials. Look out for the Checkerboard Ergo bags, which have been woven from Coach leather scraps at one of their warehouses. The staff in the store are so passionate about building towards a better future and you will be wowed by the designs in the store. Coachtophia can be found on 41 Brushfield Street

Malin + Goetz – Treat your skin to some well-deserved skin care products that are cruelty-free and both gentle and effective at Malin + Goetz. They also sell candles, perfect for a cozy evening indoors with your loved one. Malin + Goetz can be found on 45 Brushfield Street.

RAINS – Inside you will find minimalistic and stylish outerwear, you will see a conceptual-meets-functional design approach with their collections. RAINS can be found on 39 Brushfield Street. RAINS can be found on 39 Brushfield St.

Time for some fun

Shopping complete, but you’ve got some spare time to kill before dinner? Challenge each other to a game of shuffleboard at Players Social, over a glass or two of your favourite cocktail whilst working up an appetite. You can enjoy a 60-minute game of shuffleboard, where you can unleash your competitive side.
Players Social can be found on 1 Crispin Place.

Cozy up with some sharing plates

Finish your day by ordering a few small and sharing plates at Alfi, the newest opening at Spitalfields. Whether it’s at their market-side tables surrounded by festoon lights or in a cozy corner indoors with candle lights. Alfi’s delicious anti-pasti-inspired dishes will have you wishing the day wouldn’t end. Toast to love and a splendid day in Spitalfields. Alfi can be found on 3 Crispin Place.

For more information visit www.spitalfields.co.uk

Instagram: @SpitalfieldsE1

Words and photos by Nyla Sammons