You’ve just spent three hours wandering through 250,000 objects at V&A East Storehouse. Your craving for culture is satisfied. Your feet are tired. And you’re absolutely starving.
Sound familiar? Whether you’re visiting the Storehouse, heading to the brand new V&A East Museum when it opens on 18 April 2026, or doing both in one trip, the question everyone asks is the same: where’s actually good to eat around here?
Well, just down the steps by the Olympic pool, Draughts is a bar, board game kitchen and lounge with over 1,000 games, right here inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a few minutes’ walk from both V&A East buildings. And honestly? A meal and a game at Draughts might end up being the part of your day you remember most.
Three Ways to Plan Your V&A East Day
Here’s the thing about V&A East – the Storehouse alone can easily swallow three hours, and once the Museum opens in April, you could spend an entire day between the two buildings. How you structure your visit makes a real difference to how much you enjoy it. A bit of planning goes a long way when there’s this much to see.
So here are three ways we’d do it.
The Morning Explorer
Get to V&A East Storehouse for 10am opening. At that time of day, you’ll have the four floors of walkways and galleries at their quietest – a completely different experience to a busy Saturday afternoon. Spend a couple of hours losing yourself in the collection (everything from Samurai swords to Elton John’s tour costumes to a 15th-century Spanish ceiling), then walk over to Draughts for lunch around midday.
This is our favourite approach, because you arrive at Draughts with your head buzzing from everything you’ve just seen. Order food, grab drinks, and pick something from our library of over 1,000 games. You’ll be amazed how well a board game works as a palate cleanser after a few hours of visual overload.
If you’re visiting after April 2026, you can then head to the V&A East Museum for the afternoon – the free Why We Make galleries and the ticketed exhibitions. You’ll arrive refreshed and fed rather than running on fumes.
The Late Night Visit
Here’s a local secret that most visitors miss. V&A East Storehouse stays open until 10pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. The atmosphere is completely different in the evening – quieter, more atmospheric, and genuinely special.
Come to Draughts first for an early dinner. Get settled, play a game or two, and then stroll over to the Storehouse around 7pm. You’ll have three hours to explore at your own pace, with far fewer people than during the day. It’s one of the best evenings out in east London, and hardly anyone knows about it yet.
The Full Day Cultural Marathon
This one’s for the people who want to squeeze every last drop out of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Start at V&A East Storehouse in the morning, break for lunch and games at Draughts, then hit the V&A East Museum in the afternoon for The Music is Black: A British Story (the Museum’s opening exhibition – a landmark show exploring 125 years of Black music-making in Britain, running until 3 January 2027, tickets from £10 for under 26s).
If you’ve still got energy after all that, the park has plenty more to offer. The ArcelorMittal Orbit and its 178-metre tunnel slide, the London Aquatics Centre, and Sadler’s Wells East are all within walking distance. We’ve written a full guide to things to do near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park if you want to plan the rest of your itinerary.
What to Expect When You Visit V&A East
If you haven’t been yet, here’s a quick heads-up on what you’re walking into so you can plan your food and drink stops sensibly.
V&A East Storehouse is enormous – 16,000 square metres across four floors. It’s not a traditional museum with neat rooms and labels. It’s a working storage facility that’s been opened up to the public, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (the same firm behind New York’s High Line). You walk through shelving racks, peer into conservation areas, and stumble across over 100 mini-curated displays. There’s no set route – you wander, you discover, you lose track of time. Budget at least two hours, ideally three.
V&A East Museum (opening 18 April 2026) is a five-storey building designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey with two free permanent galleries and a major exhibition space. It’s more curated and focused than the Storehouse – think carefully designed displays exploring why humans create, with over 500 objects spanning art, design, fashion and performance. The permanent galleries are free, though some exhibitions and events require separate tickets. Budget around 90 minutes for the free galleries, plus another 90 if you’re seeing a ticketed exhibition.
The point is: this isn’t a quick 45-minute stop. You’re going to need proper food and drink, and you’re going to want somewhere to sit down afterwards. Which brings us back to the important bit.
Why Draughts is the Best Place to Eat Near V&A East
We might be biased. But hear us out.
When you visit a museum as visually rich and overwhelming as V&A East, you need somewhere afterwards that lets you switch gears. Not somewhere you’re rushed through in 20 minutes. Somewhere you can sit down properly, eat freshly prepared food, have a proper drink, and do something that’s engaging but relaxing.
That’s us.
We’re at 5 Aquatics Walk, London E20 2AS – inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which means you can walk from either V&A East building to our front door in minutes. No buses, no navigating Stratford High Street. Just a stroll through the park.
Our staff can recommend games based on your group size, how much time you’ve got, and what you’re in the mood for. Just come off a three-hour visual marathon at the Storehouse?
Something light and social like Hues and Cues (a gorgeous game about colour perception – basically what would happen if a V&A curator designed a party game). Got a competitive group with two hours to spare? We’ll point you towards something with more bite. Visiting with kids who need to burn off some energy after being told not to touch things for three hours? We’ve got loads of options for families.
Over 1,000 games. A something-for-everyone food menu. A well-curated bar. And the kind of atmosphere where two hours fly by without you noticing.
Book a table in advance at draughtslondon.com – we get busy, especially on weekends and during school holidays. And when the V&A East Museum opens in April 2026, the whole park is going to be even busier than usual.
Timing Tips That’ll Make Your Day Better
These are the kind of things you only know if you’re local. Which we are.
- Get to the Storehouse for 10am. The first hour is the quietest. By midday it’s noticeably busier, especially on weekends and school holidays.
- Thursday and Saturday evenings are golden. The Storehouse is open until 10pm on both nights. Arrive after 6pm and you’ll have a completely different, much calmer experience.
- Book Draughts before you book the Museum. If you’re planning to visit the V&A East Museum’s ticketed exhibition, work out when you want to eat first and book your Draughts table, then buy your museum ticket for the slot either side. That way you’re not rushing between the two.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Between the Storehouse’s four floors, the Museum, the walk through the park, and Draughts, you’ll cover a lot of ground. This is not a heels day.
- Stratford station is your best bet. Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth Line, DLR and National Rail all stop here. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk into the park from there.
- Check for event days. West Ham home matches and concerts at London Stadium (capacity 62,500 for football, up to 80,000 for concerts) make the whole park busier. Check the London Stadium schedule before you visit and plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I eat near V&A East?
Draughts London Stratford is a bar, board game kitchen and lounge at 5 Aquatics Walk, E20 2AS – inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and just a short walk from both V&A East buildings. With over 1,000 board games, a full food menu and a well-stocked bar, it’s the perfect place to eat before or after your museum visit. Book a table at draughtslondon.com.
How long should I spend at V&A East?
Budget at least two to three hours for V&A East Storehouse – it’s 16,000 square metres across four floors with over 250,000 objects to explore. For V&A East Museum (opening April 2026), allow around 90 minutes for the free permanent galleries and another 90 for the ticketed exhibition. If you’re visiting both in one day, plan a food break in between at Draughts to recharge.
Can I visit V&A East Storehouse and the Museum in one day?
Yes, and we’d recommend it – but plan a break in between. Both buildings are inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, within walking distance of each other and Draughts London Stratford. Start at the Storehouse in the morning, break for lunch and games at Draughts, then head to the Museum for the afternoon.
Is V&A East free?
V&A East Storehouse is completely free with no booking required. The V&A East Museum’s permanent Why We Make galleries are also free. The Museum’s temporary exhibitions are ticketed separately – the opening exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story, costs £22.50 on weekdays and £24.50 on weekends, with tickets for students and under 26s at £10.
What are the V&A East Storehouse opening hours?
The Storehouse is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with late openings until 10pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Admission is free and no advance booking is required.
When is the best time to visit V&A East Storehouse?
The quietest time is first thing in the morning – arrive for 10am opening and you’ll have the place largely to yourself for the first hour. Thursday and Saturday evenings (open until 10pm) are also brilliant, with a calmer, more atmospheric feel. Weekends between midday and 4pm tend to be the busiest.
How far is Draughts from V&A East?
Draughts London Stratford is at 5 Aquatics Walk, right inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – the same park that’s home to both V&A East buildings. It’s a short walk through the park with no buses or complicated navigation needed.
What else is there to do near V&A East?
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is packed with things to do beyond V&A East. The ArcelorMittal Orbit (with the world’s longest tunnel slide), London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark, Sadler’s Wells East dance theatre, playgrounds, fountains and canal walks are all within the park. Check our full guide to things to do near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for details.
Where is V&A East?
Both V&A East buildings are inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, forming part of East Bank – the UK’s newest cultural quarter. The nearest station is Stratford, served by the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, the DLR and National Rail.
How do I get to V&A East from central London?
The quickest route is via the Elizabeth Line or Central Line to Stratford station, from where it’s about a 10-15 minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The Jubilee Line, DLR and National Rail services also stop at Stratford.
Is Draughts suitable for families visiting V&A East?
Absolutely. Our library of over 1,000 games includes loads of options for all ages, and our staff can help you pick the right game for your group. After a few hours at V&A East where the kids have been told not to touch anything, a board game cafe where they’re actively encouraged to grab things off shelves is exactly the change of pace everyone needs.
Can I book a table at Draughts on the same day?
You can, but we’d recommend booking in advance at draughtslondon.com – especially on weekends, school holidays, and around the V&A East Museum opening in April 2026. Walk-ins are welcome when we have availability, but booking guarantees your spot.
