Tracey S.
Yelp
You can never know quite what to expect in a place like Shoreditch aside expect the unexpected. SOO when I heard news of a similar boxpark-esque street food hub, I was raring to go! Shoreditch to me is like an urban abandoned jungle which has been given a new leash of life from shoreditchians (totally made that word up but hoping it'll start a trend!). From this I learnt that even the most unattractive of buildings can be beautiful masterpieces. You therefore learn to embrace all forms, shapes and sizes. This is what I came across from the entry point of Dinerama, a mish mash architectural building resembling something like a large shed. It felt a lot like the Harry Potter's Weasley's house (in my mind). Very makeshift but done lovingly so.
What I particularly love about street food is that you're not limited to eating at one establishment. For someone who eats alot, this was the perfect place to cram in as much food as possible and eat it in one sitting.
At the forefront, Dinerama looks like a disused scrapyard with a tiny entrance which could've easily been overlooked. Dotted around are bonfire garbage cans similar to what homeless people use. In a way, it added to the shabbyness of it, which is arty for some, but trashy for others. Excuse the pun *cough cough*. However don't let the cover of the book deceive you as with all things Shoreditch, the people, the community transforms it into a loving welcoming home. Sitting opposite the Dinerama entrance lies a building with two train carriages nestled at the top. #onlyinshoreditch
The staff standing outside welcomed us warmly (something which I struggled to find in London so it was a pleasant surprise to receive such friendly service). Dinerama was actually much bigger than it looked and bustling as well, especially for a Thursday evening! Imagine what Friday might bring!
Any thoughts of Boxpark being better than Dinerama were soon dashed out the window as we entered a large hall with food stalls lining two sides. Honestly words don't do this place justice as the ambience was fantastic, the food was marvellous with plenty of choices.
At first I thought the bars lined one side and the food, the other but I was wrong as I was told upstairs... yes there is an upstairs... housed a bar pub like area with plenty of cushy seating areas. It just felt so surreal as I can never imagine Boxpark being this grand. I also know that as a tip, you can gauge how good an establishment is by checking out their loos and in Boxpark there aren't any loos but in Dinerama ... Wow! The loos were plentiful and they had working sinks! I had actually expected portable loo style bogs but I was pleasantly surprised. I just felt Dinerama really caters for their customers and I felt cared for.
Downstairs with the food stalls, there were plenty of benches and seating areas too and when it came to being weather proof, Dinerama wins hands down, as the food hall is an indoor structure with glass ceilings.
I only managed to try the Yum Bun pork buns and chicken (Probably the best things I've ever tried) and the doughnut ice cream (honeycomb ice cream with salted caramel and doughnuts). I wish my stomach was bigger because I would really like to tackle more choices :D
I love street food and this has officially made it to the top of my list!!