The age of cryptocurrency is here. Sit up and take notice.
An increasing number of London’s eateries are including crypto among their payment methods. Here are some of London’s popular food joints where you can enjoy a meal or drink and pay in cryptocurrency.
BrewDog Canary Wharf
Located in London’s Eastern Financial District, overlooking the Bellmouth Passage, this place is known for its craft beer.
Apart from some of the best craft beers from across the world, the bar sells beer from its own Scottish brewery. BrewDog caters to both casual drinkers and connoisseurs, serving Ipas, Pales, Stouts, Sours and Lagers. Cocktails, wines, and other spirits are also available.
The food menu offers hearty options like stacked burgers, cheeseburgers, pizzas, tacos, Korean BBQ wings, and loaded fries, making it an ideal spot for a laid-back meal. You can also choose from a range of salads and other sides. They have plant-based food options as well. Brunch menu is served Monday to Friday till 12 pm and till 4 pm on weekends.
BrewDog, which opens at 9 am, has recently added a co-working space with high-speed Wi-Fi and private zoom-pods, perfect for those who don’t want to work from the office.
BrewDog Canary Wharf started accepting crypto payments through bitcoin in October 2018.
Chai Ada
Opened and run by entrepreneur Tayyab Shafiq, Chai Ada is the UK’s first café to accept payments in crypto.
Located at the White City Bus Station in West London, it is famous for its wide variety of signature teas (chai). Elaichi chai, cinnamon chai, kadak chai, and the all-time-favourite masala chai feature on their menu.
You can also try their herbal infused teas such as the Kashmiri pink tea. Chai Ada also offers authentic Pakistani and South Asian delicacies such as Punjabi samosas and the aromatic gajar halwa. Chicken bhuna, seekh kebabs, wraps and rolls, chholay & lacchha paratha, and mutton biryani are some of their most popular dishes.
The restaurant’s interiors are inspired by colourful tea stalls of Pakistan and the walls and ceiling of the café display rustic Pakistani truck art. The tables here are designed like ludo boards.
Chai Ada accepts multiple cryptocurrencies as forms of payment, including bitcoin, ether, dogecoin, and shiba inu.
Sawmill Café
Famous for its all-day breakfast, this cute café-cum-bakery is a family-run establishment situated in West Ham Lane in Stratford.
Its diverse brunch and breakfast menu includes shakshuka, eggs Florentine, toasted brown sourdough BLT, sandwiches, pancakes and more. The bakery section features a selection of sweet and savoury treats. The menu also features several authentic Ukrainian dishes such as Varenyky, Salo, Deruny and Palianytsia.
Sawmill Café caters to all dietary preferences with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, meat and fish items. Known for its signature gourmet coffee blend, it also offers a selection of teas, fresh juices, smoothies, craft beers and wines.
It accepts bitcoin payments.
The Pembury Tavern
This East London pub, run by The Five Points Brewing Company, has been in operation since 1856. It was relaunched in 2018 following a refurbishment. The Pembury Tavern became the first pub in the UK to accept bitcoin payments back in 2013, according to The Guardian.
Nestled between Hackney Downs Station and Hackney Central Station, this place is ideal for a classic British drinking experience. From several lines of beer across keg and cask to a selection of wines, spirits, ales, ciders, and soft drinks.
The main highlight of their food menu is the ACE Pizza, inspired by the fusion of New York City slices and inventive ingredients. They have recently launched pizza sandwiches as well. Other traditional pub food is also available and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too.
The Pembury Tavern hosts special events like Pizza Nights, and Tap Takeovers featuring some of the best brewers in the UK and beyond.
The Birds Nest
Tucked away in the heart of Deptford, South London, The Birds Nest is a popular pub and restaurant serving delicious traditional British cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
The most popular item on their menu is the Sunday Roasts with lamb, pork, beef, chicken, and veg options. American breakfast, burritos, burgers, and nachos are some of other guest favourites. They also have vegan options like vegan Sunday roasts, vegan mock sausage roll, and vegan chocolate cake. Don’t miss the lip-smacking desserts ranging from toffee pudding, apple crumble custard to a selection of signature cheesecakes.
One of the last standing live music venues in South East London, The Birds Nest is known for its eclectic atmosphere and hosts famous artists for live performances. They allow free entry to all for most of their night events.
The Birds Nest, which features an art gallery and a hostel for travelers, accepts bitcoin payments.
Rotate
Rotate is a stylish and lively bar serving up creative cocktails and delicious small plates.
Located in the vibrant area of Shoreditch, East London, this place operates as a coffee shop and cycling clothing store during the day and turns into a bar at night.
This trendy venue is known for its rotating (hence the name) menu of seasonal drinks, crafted by expert mixologists using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Beyond its creative cocktails, the drinks menu features specialty coffee and craft beers. Guests can also enjoy tasty bites, including truffle fries, grilled octopus, and vegan-friendly items.
In April 2019, Rotate became London’s first bar to accept bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network.
Crypto Burgers
Crypto Burgers in West Kensington, London, is a popular food joint known for its cryptocurrency-themed menu!
Its signature dishes are smash patty burgers with names such as Bitcoin, Metaverse, Satoshi, and Hodl. Bitcoin burger is made of double beef or chicken patty with lettuce, onion, cheese, pickles, and a special “crypto sauce”.
If you are looking for a hearty meal, try the Diamond Hands Burger which stacks three beef patties with grilled onions, pickles, and cheese. Chicken fans will love the To the Moon Burger stuffed with grilled chicken, halloumi fries, jalapeños, and a spicy sauce.
As their name suggests, you can pay with cryptocurrency here.
Caffe Nero
Caffe Nero, which has multiple outlets across the English capital, specializes in Italian-style coffee.
Those that are not a coffee fans have options such as hot chocolates, chai latte, milkshakes and mocktails. They also offer a selection of snacks including sandwiches, focaccia, pizzas and wraps. Desserts on offer include cakes, pastries and Tiramisu.
Even though Caffè Nero does not accept cryptocurrency directly, you can buy Caffè Nero gift cards with bitcoin from Bitrefill and then redeem them at the cafe chain’s outlets.
Craft Beer Social Club
Craft Beer Social Club is a pop-up pub and it has made appearances at different locations, including Leonard Street in Tech City. It supports, promotes, and educates guests about British craft beers and real ales.
Craft Beer Social is the second pub in London, after Pembury Tavern, to accept bitcoin payment, according to Coindesk.com. The pop-up is run by Justina Cruickshank, who is an advocate of crypto payments.
London’s dining scene is constantly evolving and the number of restaurants, pubs and cafes adopting crypto payments are on the rise. If you intend to pay with crypto, it’s always a good idea to check directly with a particular venue before landing up there.
[AI Image by Gemini]
