Downstairs at Morito

It might seem counterintuitive to open a restaurant in its own right, only to serve exactly the same dishes as the site above, but there is a point to Downstairs at Morito (sister restaurant to Morito located upstairs). The food might be the same, but it's raison d’etre is totally different.  

Downstairs at Morito is a bar first and a restaurant second. It only opens its doors at the tail end of the week (Thursday-Saturday), supposedly on nights when people are more than happy to kick back with friends over a couple of drinks. Indeed, its casual, late-night vibe was evident from the moment we arrived.  

We descended down the staircase to a warmly-lit basement illuminated by the orange-glow of the bar, designed to mimic a golden Mediterranean sunset. While the phrase ‘underground bar’ might suggest dark and moody, Downstairs is anything but. Industrial-style metal chairs, well-spaced tables, white-bulb spotlights and a bright blue bar (representing the Mediterranean Sea?) provide a refreshing contrast to everything you’d expect a basement bar to be. You don’t have to guess what you’re eating, for one, and can actually see who you’re talking to.  

We ordered a twist on a negroni from the concise cocktail list, which was just as punchy as the classic Campari-based drink but with a fiery underlayer of something spicy thanks to baharat-infused gin. While a £29 bottle of white from the Penedes region provided a light, easy-drinker that paired well with our plates of choice. 

The best of the bunch was a generous plateful of crisp-coated polenta aubergine fries, like velvet in the middle, drizzled in date molasses and crudely dolloped with whipped feta. While red mullet served with sweet tomato jam, roasted fennel and kalamata olives proved that simple ingredients, with the right attention, can be something great – in true Mediterranean style. Prices are reasonable and very much worth it: you’re looking at no more than £10 for a cocktail, while plates vary between £4-18. We’ve just found our new favourite hangout.  

Downstairs at Morito is tucked beneath already established Morito, the east London favourite. Chef proprietors Sam and Sam Clark wanted a space that celebrated two of their loves - good food and live music.

The cosy basement space has been designed by Studiomania and has deliberately been fashioned to create an atmospheric late-night spot. Here you’ll find royal blue banquette seating that tone with the vibrant blue and orange walls. The central focal point however is the bar, which is backlit and supposed – they say – to be reminiscent of a summer sunset on the Med. Topped with copper and with custom-made Seville orange bar stools and banisters, it’s easy to go along with the picture they’re painting.

While the bar is only open on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for regular evenings, it also hosts weekly Morito Music nights on a Tuesday, just to keep things interesting. These have been created with supporting local talent in mind and have been curated by east London resident and musician Crispin Forster who presents the evenings. Themes range from emerging East London talent to a collaborative acoustic feast from guitarist Raphael White, cellist Ruby Moore and Morito Music curator himself Crispin. Music at Morito downstairs is often played in the middle of the room, which allows for a fully immersive experience, where all guests have the perfect view from their seats round the edges.

Drinks-wise, the focus is very much on cocktails, with a specially curated menu in place to keep diners well looked after. However, there’s also an impressive wine list. Dishes are reflective of the kitchen’s work upstairs and features favourites like their Spanish tortilla with aioli; lamb chops with anchovy butter and a chopped salad made with crispy chickpeas and zaatar. For dessert the chocolate and olive oil mousse isn’t one to miss.