Smokestak

The food tastes as good as it smells when you walk through the door!! I ate at Smokestak last night after an event nearby. I hadn't booked, but my friend and I were lucky to get seats on the large communal table. It was really busy, especially for a Sunday evening, which is a good sign! The menu is pretty much different sharing plates. My friend and I chose a selection to share, 3 meat & 3 sides. We started with the Lamb Ribs & Mushrooms on Toast. The flavours were delicious. The lamb was a bit fatty for me, but that is my personal taste. Of course it all adds to the flavour and it tasted amazing, but if you're trying to be "good" maybe go for a less fatty meat. The mushrooms on toast was decent, plenty of toppings and enough to share between two. I was impressed with the starters but unbeknownst to me, The best was yet to come!
The main event but sooo good! My friend and I shared the Beef Ribs, Beef Brisket, large jacket potato and spinach. The meat was mouth wateringly delicious. I didn't want it to end!! Smoked perfectly, seasoned perfectly, tender, juicy. The her the idea! When the jacket potato arrived, I didn't think it was for us, but I wanted to know what it was and I wanted it. The potato came topped with cheese and was fluffy and creamy on the inside and the skin crispy on the outside. It was a bit creamy for me (I don't like mashed potato) but once I got past the topping I really enjoyed it. I'm glad we had also ordered the spinach as well, as it was a lovely combo with the meat, potato & spinach.
When I go back again, I would probably miss the starters and just have the main meal and possibly add another meat dish.
Service was good, staff were really friendly and I can't wait to recommend it to others and return for more meat! The decor is cool; industrial style and very Brooklyn-esque. Be careful what you wear, as the smokey smell does tend to stick around after you leave so the smell might still be on your coat the next day.

YES! I was a bit skeptical of BBQ in the UK having been to many BBQ places in the southern USA. But gotta stay, it was all delicious. We got maybe four different meats, double order of fries/chips, drinks, it was all really good.

I did get a bit confused with what the waitress was saying at times but it is what it is - this was a fun place that everyone should try. (Also, if you're wondering if you're at the front door but not quite sure, you're probably at the right place.)

Incredible barbecue -- and I say this having eaten my fair share of barbecue in Texas. The smoky aroma can be smelled from more than a block away as you turn left from Brick Lane, and it's alluring.

I visited with a friend for a weekday lunch, where it was moderately busy but not too crowded.

The pork belly rib is unmissable: a deep, smoky char only attainable after hours in the smoker, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and a slightly sweet glaze that balanced the richness.

The other dishes we ordered too were wonderful: the ox cheek croquettes, gochujang wings, coal roasted aubergine, and broccoli salad. I was surprised the gochujang wings were as tasty and tender as they were; I wouldn't have expected a barbecue restaurants to execute well on Korean fried chicken but it was delightful. The vegetables were a welcome respite and counterbalance to the fattiness of the meal (an interesting and perhaps even preferable contrast to the pickles, onions, and slaw from Texas).

I'll have to try the brisket and beef rib on another visit.

Solid 4.5 stars!

Delicious food and good service. We came in as a large group after a work event. The order was prearranged and all went smoothly. Everything we tried was delicious. The beet salad was excellent, brisket was meltingly perfect and sticky toffee pudding outstanding!

Try the Lucky's Syrah/Pinot Noir, goes well with everything!

Definitely recommend

Fantastic barbecue (coming from an American) in East London. The atmosphere was crowded and hip. While the food was great, there was also a layer of subtlety and depth you usually don't get in BBQ. Starters were both fantastic: perfectly smoked pastrami and incredible oxtail croquettes. Shared three mains, with the brisket being my favorite. Pork rib had great flavor (one large rib rather than a rack) while the lamb sausage was good but not as mind altering. Red cabbage was red cabbage but the burnt greens were one of the best sides I've had anywhere.

The staff was friendly. We were 5 people sharing and the portion was quite good. My favorite was pork ribs, beetroot and bone marrow. I wouldn't recommend gochujang chicken wings though. I didn't expect much before coming but I had a great time and great foods here. The atmosphere was quite relaxing as well.

We've been noticing that barbeque is on the rise in London, and we ventured out while staying in Shoreditch to see for ourselves. Our journey landed us here on a pretty chilly night with a bit of a cue since we had no rezzie. It was completely worth the wait. The crispy ox cheeks, charred pork belly, and the 30-day dry rubbed rib were all a smoky, meaty, delectable experience! Top it off with the Sticky Toffee Pudding with clotted ice cream, and you are talking one tasty meal. We will be back for sure!!!!

This place is great! Pork belly rib, fennel salad, crispy ox cheek and brisket were all delicious! I'm sure everything is. Great vibe and reasonable prices as well! Would definitely recommend and will be back.

Stumbled on this place walking around. Feels like they are on the brink of being great but need to make some tweaks to the dish concepts and clean up execution.

Coal roasted aubergine, red miso, toasted cashew - 4.5/5. By far their best dish. Re-ordered it. Really nice toasty flavor on the aubergine and some nice pop from the supporting flavors.

Brisket bun, pickled red chilli - 3/5. Could have been great but the brisket was dry.

Sea bream crudo, grapefruit, pickled ginger, jalapeño - 3/5. Great components but too similar in texture, a crunch would really have elevated the dish.

Sticky Toffee with ice cream - 3.5/5. Great dulce de leche type sauce. Decent chocolate cake.

Burnt peach old fashioned - 3.5. Totally solid but didn't get any peach flavor.

Trout wonton - 3.5/5

Salted caramel ice cream - 3/5. Nice salted flavor on top but got a little redundant and did not finish.

Pork and Fennel Sausage - 3/5

This place was great!! Best barbecue in London. I got the pulled pork sandwich which was one of the best I've ever had. Also got the fries and a house made lemonade. Will be back!!

Sure, I'm in Shoreditch. I'm from San Francisco. I'm getting BBQ in a hipster kinda spot. How cliche can I be? I don't care. Judge me all you want. Smokestak is legit. Booked a table for 2, seated promptly, meat platter after platter shows up. All delicious. Had I another few days in London, I would have gone again.