Shoreditch knows how to embrace winter. The streets glow with warm lights, creative energy rises indoors, and East Londoners search for spaces that feel intimate yet inspiring. This season, the Brush East London Grand Cafe steps into the spotlight with a full festive offering that celebrates European flavour, Hoxton character and the cosy pleasure of slowing down.
Located on Great Eastern Street, the venue introduces a new Hot Toddy Terrace — a heated hideaway dressed in blankets, soft lights and winter atmosphere. Alongside it comes a series of festive menus built for long conversations, seasonal comfort and gatherings that stretch into the night.
For London creatives, founders and cultural explorers, the Brush East London Grand Cafe presents an inviting escape from the pace of December. It offers a warm corner of Hoxton where flavour, craft and community meet.
A Winter Escape in Hoxton: The Hot Toddy Terrace
The new Hot Toddy Terrace invites guests to step away from Shoreditch’s December rush and into a serene, candlelit hideaway. Blankets, heaters and understated décor create a sense of winter calm, while the cocktail list introduces inventive twists on classic hot toddies.
There is The Elegant, blending Martell VSOP Cognac, citrus, honey and Telmont Brut Réserve Champagne. The Spiced leans richer, mixing Woodford Reserve bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, agave and ginger beer. The Smoked, featuring Ardbeg 10-Year whisky, chamomile tea and lemon, delivers depth and comfort, while The Ripe combines Calvados, vanilla, citron and Sassy Poiré cider to elevate orchard flavours.
These warm cocktails pair well with new terrace sandwiches: a Grilled Ham & Cheese with kimchi and gherkins, and the Brat’dog with jalapeños, onions, pickles and sauerkraut. Both are easy to share — or not, depending on mood.
Hoxton’s street culture has long embraced creative flavour profiles. This cocktail-led terrace reflects the curiosity you find throughout East London, captured in our guide to Things To Do in Shoreditch, where food, culture and atmosphere shape every experience.
Festive Dining at the Brush East London Grand Cafe
From 24 November to 21 December, groups of six or more can enjoy a generous festive set menu. Executive Chef Ryan Matheson leans into familiar European flavours with a contemporary touch, creating dishes that feel both comforting and celebratory.
Starters include Poussin Ballotine with mushroom vinaigrette and Burrata paired with winter squash and marigold. Mains centre on two classics: a roast Turkey Hen with onion stuffing, sage jus and cranberry, and a Mushroom Wellington built with portobello mushrooms, cavolo nero and goat’s cheese.
Hearty sides complete the table: roasted carrots and parsnips, braised red cabbage and chestnut mash. Dessert brings either a Chocolate Basque Cheesecake with caramelised oranges or traditional Christmas pudding with rum anglaise.
There is generosity in this menu — both in its approach to sharing and in its connection to winter ingredients. It echoes the communal energy found in East London’s creative rhythm, reflected in our conversation with artist Bradley Theodore, who speaks about the emotional force behind gatherings and creativity.
A Christmas Day Built Around Ease, Comfort and Craft
On Christmas Day, the Brush East London Grand Café offers a more refined three-course experience. Starters include Smoked Duck Carpaccio with fig and satsuma or a Gin-Cured Salmon paired with pickled apples, charred onions and pumpernickel.
Mains stay true to tradition: Charred Fillet of Beef or Roast Turkey with all the trimmings. Dessert grounds the experience in comfort — Christmas pudding or an Apple Tart Au Tin that balances sweetness and warmth.
Christmas Day in Shoreditch carries its own rhythm — streets slow, creatives decompress, and the neighbourhood takes on a cinematic quiet. A dining room that honours calm luxury fits the moment perfectly. It aligns with themes explored in our interview with Lee Broom, where design, emotion and atmosphere come together to shape meaningful experiences.
New Year’s Eve: Modern European Indulgence Meets Cocktail Craft
New Year’s Eve menus can often feel rushed or overly elaborate, but Brush keeps it elegant and intentional. The a la carte menu features Ham & Cheese Croquettes with salsa verde, Roast Fillet of Beef with truffle jus and a classic Sticky Toffee Pudding paired with vanilla ice cream.
The cocktail list shines here too. The Champagne Martini — Absolut vodka, Champagne reduction, Noilly Prat and orange bitters — delivers a sparkling edge that feels celebratory without being excessive.
As Hoxton gears up for New Year’s Eve, the café’s blend of refinement and ease mirrors the creative energy found in our Weekend Guide to Shoreditch Markets, where atmosphere, discovery and culture define every moment.
Why Brush Feels Like a Winter Hub for Creatives
The festive season is when Londoners crave warmth, connection and craft. The Brush East London Grand Cafe offers all three: a winter terrace for relaxed evenings, menus that embrace seasonal comfort and a design approach that welcomes long conversations.
This space complements the wider creative identity of Hoxton, where culinary experimentation, design thinking and community culture intersect. For local founders and artists, the venue acts as a retreat and a meeting point — a place built for connection.
It’s also a reminder that even in the cold months, East London’s creative community thrives in spaces that value detail and intention, much like the inspiration found in our interview with Ben Okri, who reflects on how storytelling shapes the way we gather and create.
As winter unfolds, the Brush East London Grand Cafe stands ready with hot toddies, shared plates and a warm, welcoming glow — a Hoxton winter hub built for creatives, friends and anyone looking to celebrate the season with intention.