Bistro Freddie Review: Modern Bistro In The Heart Of Shoreditch

The Big Question: Is Bistro Freddie Worth the Trip to Shoreditch?

Shoreditch is famous for many reasons, including hipster markets, vintage shops, Banksy’s art, and its diverse culinary scene. It’s no surprise that Bistro Freddie has found its home here, tucked away in a quiet corner, wanting to remain hidden from the crowd but visible to those who genuinely seek a great meal.
I am very lucky to have had the chance to try Bistro Freddie, and I can’t wait to share my findings in this review.

One reason I wanted to review Bistro Freddie is that it is part of a small, independent restaurant group called HAM, where each restaurant offers something unique. I was torn between Bistro Freddie and Crispin at Studio Voltaire. The latter is located in a lovely art gallery in South London, specifically Clapham. While it was a tough decision, the menu at Bistro Freddie intrigued me more. The focus on high-quality British ingredients combined with French culinary techniques exemplifies how different cuisines can create a remarkable dining experience. Who better to lead the kitchen than Head Chef Alexandre Laforce Reynolds? (For those who don’t know, Reynolds is half French and half British, making him the perfect fit.)

Bistro Freddie – First Impressions

We had one of the latest lunch service reservations. Bistro Freddie is located at the corner of 74 Luke Street in a tranquil area surrounded by dark brick buildings. The windows offer a nice view into the room and the open kitchen. When we arrived, the restaurant was buzzing and in full swing. Bistro Freddie is relatively tiny (approx. 40 seats) with tables fairly close to each other and a chef’s counter (accommodating roughly 10 guests). We obviously sat at the counter, as I like to interact with the chefs.

The menu had an old-school flair. I haven’t seen a handwritten menu in ages. I found it rather romantic. While deciding what to order, I opted for a Negroni. It looked good and served just the way I like it, on a large ice block.

The room has some interesting pieces of art, and the decor falls somewhere between minimalist and vintage. The room has earthy colours, from the brown of the chef’s counter to the burgundy shade of the chairs. In the evening, a taper candle embellishes the tables, adding a touch of charm to the atmosphere.

If the food Price is justifiable, the drinks are overpriced

While the food pricing felt fair, this Bistro Freddie Review takes a turn with the drinks, which were noticeably overpriced given the portion sizes and execution.
I asked the waitress what the wine pouring size was, as it was not mentioned on the menu, and her answer was, “I’m not sure, but it is a decent pouring”. It turned out to be 125ml, which is a standard small wine glass, helping to set clear expectations about portion size and value.

The drink prices were unreasonably high, especially given the markup on the wines by the glass, which felt excessive for the quality and portion size. The wine list offered only French wines.

I decided to have a Negroni, which could have been better executed at £14, prompting me to question the value.
I appreciated the fancy “Bistro Freddie” customised ice block.

The taste wasn’t balanced, so either the bartender didn’t add the correct spirit measurements or didn’t stir it properly. Also, the glass rim was chipped (I could have cut my lip, but since I’m a hospitality insider, I know that checking the glass before drinking is always a good practice).

Unfortunately, this is the biggest downside of my experience and review of Bistro Freddie. I generally spend more on food than on drinks, but I feel that having the entry-level bottle of wine just over £40 isn’t very inclusive. I even looked at other good restaurants nearby, and while their wine lists were similarly priced, they offered entry-level wines from £29, providing better value for casual diners.

Where English Flavours Meet French Techniques

During my visit, the team mentioned the menu had recently changed. A promising sign for those who value seasonality in modern London restaurants.

The menu spans from snacks and starters to main courses and side dishes, with a short list of puddings.
We wanted to try as much food as possible, so we shared everything. The sharing concept also suits the vibe of the Bistro Freddie, a convivial space where you can have a great time with friends.

The pig head croquette, one of the restaurant’s best-selling and signature dishes, started the dance.
As you can imagine, the meat was flavourful and tender, but the dish was also overly oily.
The tartare sauce, as well-balanced as it was, wasn’t going to tone down the dish’s greasiness.
In my humble opinion, this dish should be revised.

Then we had the steak tartare served with fried bread. The quality of the British meat was outstanding. It was prime cut, nicely chopped, and seasoned to perfection. There was a little Tabasco, just enough to add that sweet-and-tangy flavour, even if the deep-fried beef fat sourdough overpowered the dish.
With such prime meat, a plain, humble, toasted sourdough would have complemented the dish better.

The flatbread & beef cheek was enjoyable. The meat was moist and nicely flavoured, slightly salty. The flatbread was pillowy, as expected. I liked the dish. Although it recently ate something similar at Row, Fallow’s sister restaurant. Flatbreads, topped like pizzas, are the new trend.

The Main Course Was The Highlight Of The Meal

The main course became the standout moment of this Bistro Freddie Review. The monkfish with mussels and Dieppoise sauce showcased precise cooking and bold flavours. As a side dish, we had roasted cabbage and finished with sticky toffee pudding.

I particularly like this fish because it is delicate yet has bold flavours.
Monkfish are widely used in fine dining and French cooking, possibly because they have a taste and texture similar to lobsters.
Our main course was flaky and pleasant to the palate, and the sauce complemented the dish very well.

The cabbage was meant to be roasted, but it was charred. One of the chefs said certain vegetables work very well with the flavour, which I am sure they do, but I’m conscious of the effects of eating burnt food on my health.
We finished our meal with a classic British dessert, the sticky toffee pudding. It was moist and maintained its texture throughout. A slightly bigger ice cream scoop would have been nice.

Final Thoughts on Bistro Freddie: Enjoyable but Needs More Attention To Details

Overall, this Bistro Freddie Shoreditch Review highlights a restaurant with excellent ingredients, strong culinary technique, and a warm atmosphere—but with room for improvement on pricing, drink execution, and consistency.

The downside was the attention to detail (chipped glass), some staff could have had better knowledge, and a more inclusive wine list with lower entry-level prices.
Lastly, I would have appreciated a less greasy experience. I’m not saying the food wasn’t good; I think, based on my liking, I would have enjoyed it more.

Please reserve your table as soon as possible, as London can be very busy, and it’s hard to get a walk-in table during peak seasons. You can easily book via OpenTable.

Bear in mind that they don’t have a clockroom, and there are only a few unattended hooks scattered around the room.

Our bill was £133,88, with a 12.5% service charge included. Bistro Freddie partners with Belu, which charges £1 per person. My friend had a glass of orange wine at £14, and my Negroni cost the same.