Guide to the best restaurants in Whitechapel

For an authentic Japanese dining experience, head to Sushinoen. The restaurant has a traditional design with Western and low seating, and staff are dressed in kimonos. Set lunches are available and the à la carte menu features fresh sushi and sashimi, plus hot food. Enjoy it with sake or a sake cocktail.

Renowned chef Marco Pierre White is behind Mr White’s English Chophouse, a place for traditional British food that’s 100% halal. The menu is meat-centric, serving steaks and burgers in a stylish and modern space. There’s an express lunch menu as well as a special weekly steak night offering.

If you want an affordable meal that's packed with flavour, try Shalamar Kebab House. This canteen-style Pakistani eatery is simple and straightforward, but the food makes a big impression. Expect curries, biryani, and kebabs that will fill you up and give you a true experience of cuisine from Pakistan.

Since 1972, Tayyabs has been dishing up classic Punjabi recipes, becoming something of a legend in Whitechapel. This large restaurant has a lively atmosphere and attracts a varied crowd of diners. You can bring your own alcohol and get stuck in to comforting traditional eats like samosas, tikka masala, or tarka dhal.

Vegetarian diners can enjoy a Middle Eastern feast at Bubala. This well-established local favourite is fully veggie-friendly but serves plenty of vegan dishes too. There’s a set menu for dinner and at lunchtime you can choose from the set mezze menu or à la carte options. There are lots of wine options too.

Taste of Jaipur in Brick Lane serves Rajasthani Indian cuisine. The restaurant is elegant with caring service from the staff. On the traditional menu you'll find a wide range of options like chicken lollipops, biryani, korma, and vegan dishes. Complete a meal with rice, bread, and an Indian beer.

At Amber Restaurant you'll find a stylish and contemporary space to enjoy Middle Eastern cooking. The modern restaurant is comfortable and the warm hospitality makes your meal an experience. Try breakfast dishes with Middle Eastern influences, or small plates to share like pides, kofta, and hummus, paired with wine or cocktails.

Although Cinnamon is a modest-looking place, it’s one of the most popular curry destinations in Brick Lane. This restaurant has won awards for its traditional cooking, served in a simple environment. There’s a menu of well-loved Indian recipes like tandoori prawns, and saag aloo, plus the essential trimmings like poppadoms and naan bread.

Enjoy Punjabi cuisine to the sounds of a Bollywood playlist at Needoo Grill. It's a colourful and vibrant restaurant serving classic recipes prepared with top quality ingredients. Dishes on the menu include aloo gobi, pakoras, chicken tikka, and fish masala. The environment is spacious and you're welcome to bring your own booze.

Housed in a former fabric warehouse, Som Saa is a place for Thai food and cocktails. In a stripped-down environment you can enjoy regional Thai dishes. À la carte choices include chicken skewers and braised pork but there are plenty of veggie-friendly items too. Add to it with a refreshing Asian-influenced cocktail.

Part of the Whitechapel Gallery, modern British restaurant Townsend is popular whether you're seeing an exhibition or not. Brightly lit with large windows, it's smart and stylish. All-day dining is available, including Brick Lane bagels for breakfast and small plates like fried Wendsleydale or braised cuttlefish. European wines are served too.

Voted the best curry in London in 2022, you don’t want to miss out on Sheba when you’re in Whitechapel. This family restaurant has been open since 1974 and serves classic South Asian dishes in a restaurant filled with images of Bollywood stars. Expect a menu of traditional favourites.

When you simply want a satisfying meal in a no-frills setting, Pakistani grill house Lahore Kebab House takes some beating. There’s a real buzz around this low-key spot thanks to its flame-grilled kebabs, moist lamb chops, and aromatic curries. It’s also a great place to eat if you want somewhere budget-friendly.

At Brick Lane Tandoori you can expect flavoursome authentic dishes and warm hospitality. The interior of the restaurant is simple but remains smart and sophisticated. Begin with onion bhajis or poppadoms before choosing from the mouthwatering main dishes like meat from the tandoor, honey mango chicken, or vegetable biryani.

Check out Dauns for innovative vegan food - it's London's only vegan Scandinavian restaurant. This colourful and contemporary space has menus that change frequently, but you can expect plant-based versions of Nordic favourites like meatballs and open sandwiches, a wholly unique Sunday roast, and vegan toasties. You can always get cinnamon buns here.

Rated as one of Brick's Lanes leading curry houses, City Spice has won numerous accolades and was the first place in Brick Lane to offer a separate vegan menu. The red-hued dining room feels traditional, and there's also a private dining space upstairs. The menu has an extensive choice of classic dishes.

You'll find all your favourite Indian dishes at The Monsoon. This place has been in business since 2001, with attentive service and a compact, low-key interior. Expect a menu of classic dishes like samosas, tandoori chicken, and curries. You can also order a set menu for a complete Indian feast.

Independent pizza place Circle & Slice is in the heart of Whitechapel. It has a cheerful vibe and serves up sourdough pizza, pasta, and tempting sweet treats. Toppings like four cheeses, a meat feast, or Hawaiian are available, plus classic pasta recipes like carbonara or spaghetti pesto. Italian desserts are offered too.

For stylish French food in Brick Lane, Chez Elles is where to go. The rustic interior is chic, the restaurant is bustling, and you'll get service with a smile. Classic French cooking is on the menu - think French onion soup, duck confit, and escargots. Wines from all over France are served.

The Culpeper is a bustling spot to eat, drink, and hang out. Best known as a pub with attached hotel rooms, it also has a rooftop space with its own veggie and herb garden. This homegrown produce is used in the food and drinks, with dishes like potted crab or aubergine tagliatelle, although the menu changes from time to time based on the seasons.

Discover unique Sicilian flavours at Zoom East, a contemporary restaurant that's effortlessly stylish and brimming with vibrant colour. The setting is style-conscious and modern and there's a straightforward menu of dishes to satisfy diverse tastes. There's also a deli bar where you can take the flavours of the restaurant home.

When you’re craving Korean BBQ check out Bari Bari. This is a sleek space serving comforting stews and BBQ dishes. With plenty of plates for sharing like fried chicken, it’s great for a social lunch or dinner. This place also has a special lunch menu for speedy midday meals.

Enjoy breakfast and coffee at any time at Grounded. This modern place uses freshly-roasted coffee and organic ingredients to prepare all-day brunch dishes like cooked breakfasts and omelettes, all cooked to order. In the evening you can enjoy burgers, salads, and grilled meat, as well as that irresistable all-day breakfast.

Halal Restaurant opened in 1939, making it the oldest Indian restaurant in the area. It's a classic choice for Indian food, served in a low-key setting. On the menu you'll see all the favourites like samosas, bhajis, curry, chicken biryani, and saag paneer. You can bring your own alcohol to this restaurant.

Get the fiery flavours of Xi’an Chinese food at Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles. The spacious canteen-style dining room is full of Chinese artwork, and it’s here that you can enjoy a unique Chinese menu. Expect distinctive dishes like jellyfish in chilli oil, hand-pulled noodles, and black fungus with coriander.