Café East

No tap water, no beer, no atmosphere and average food. Service is good but generally this place is massively overrated. Go to Kingsland Road if you want good cheap Vietnamese.

I do enjoy the beef pho everything time I go here, having spent time in Vietnam it is very authentic. The one big mistake in my book, and I do think its bad, is they wont serve tap water, their own drinks are very sickly and sweet.

First time here, and I will be back. The starter (rolls with prawn and pork) was tasty and filling, and the mains came in large-ish portions. My friend's pho with prawns was good and my spicy dry rice noodles had the right amount of chili. The service was efficient and friendly enough.

We often travel from East London to Surrey Quays for this little gem. Flavors are deep and intense, ingredients are super fresh. Huge portions and all of the dishes are spot on and very very authentic.

Definitely worth the travel

My family and I had been regular customers of Café East for many years, right from when they were a little café on the street corner. I recently returned a telephone order - a noodle soup dish - which I’d already plated up before realising it was the wrong order (you have to mix noodles, meat, vegetables and soup base which all come separate). When I’d phoned the restaurant to inform them of the mistake, after consulting with the owner, the waiter had told me to return the food and they would replace it. I was surprised to have to return the food especially as I’d mixed it all up but I took back what I could fit back into the plastic container the soup base had come in.
On return to the restaurant the owner told me I hadn’t returned it all, that most of the meat and noodles were not there so he couldn’t be sure I hadn’t eaten it, so he wouldn't replace it. He said he had to do this otherwise all his customers would ‘try it on’. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I asked him if he really thought his customers would behave in this way? He replied, “Yes!” He offered to spice up the soup I’d returned (add chilli?) since he’d know my family for a long time. I didn’t take up his offer. Needless to say I left never to return.
A real shame, as apart from an owner who doesn’t think too highly of even his regular customers (Oh… and the fact that they wont give you tap water), Café East has good, inexpensive food and the ground staff are pleasant and friendly.

Fantastic food and friendly staff.
Prices add up fast and for a cafe style eatery they are only just acceptable.
They could do with a week day lunch special.
The currys are sublime.

Having been to nearly all the Vietnamese restaurants in London, Cafe East is the best at what it does. Authentic, cheap Vietnamese Street food. The Banh Cuon is lovely, and whist not strictly authentic, the Spring Rolls have a lovely flavour. Highly recommended.

When I am struck by a "noodles now" mood, and that's about once a week, I zip over to Cafe East for a quick and tasty pho. I recommend it to everyone. Tasty, quick, cheap in a simple dining room. It ticks all the boxes for me

I am utterly addicted to the spicy pho from this place. Gutsy, bold and so delicious.