The best restaurants at Spitalfields Market

Right next to Spitalfields Market, Galvin La Chapelle has held a Michelin star for more than a decade. The kitchen reworks seasonal ingredients using classic French techniques, turning out dishes such as crab and scallop lasagne, barbecued monkfish, or coffee and Amalfi lemon risotto, finished with something indulgent like a peach soufflé. It's all backed up by an elegant, polished setting and a serious wine list.

Brother Marcus feels like a leafy retreat dropped into the industrial buzz of Spitalfields Market, with pale wood, greenery, and an easy, sun-washed vibe. Grab a seat outside to people-watch as you tear into pillowy pitta, dunking it into silky hummus or smoky baba ghanoush before moving on to a generous spread of modern mezze from the East Med or rounding things off with a fresh house pastry.

Galvin La Chapelle's more relaxed sibling restaurant at Spitalfields Market adds a dash of British familiarity to its Parisian bistro stylings, serving a menu of French cuisine made from sustainably sourced produce – expect options like fried skate wing, rib-eye steak, or buttermilk panna cotta. Like with La Chapelle next door, there's a varied wine list to choose from, while brewery-fresh Czech beer is poured from the striking copper tanks above the bar.

If your ideal glass of wine comes with the relaxed feel of a neighbourhood pub and tasty Italian bites, Alfi fits the bill perfectly. The bar pours a rotating line-up of European wines on tap alongside an extensive bottle list and expertly mixed cocktails, with Italian all-timers to graze on in between. The smart, modern restaurant at Spitalfields Market also hosts the likes of leisurely Sunday lunches and hands-on pasta workshops.

Inspired by the classic New York City burgers at Zaitzeff in the East Village, Bleecker Burger builds its award-winning burgers around rare-breed, grass-fed British beef from small farms, dry-aged and cooked to order for an intense, rich flavour. Old Spitalfields Market is where they first parked their food truck, soon moving into a permanent shop on the premises that still offers a tight menu of no-nonsense burgers, plus proper fries and shakes on the side.

Wicked Fish puts a contemporary spin on the classic chippy formula. Based at Spitalfields Market, it focuses on fresh, responsibly sourced seafood, with gluten-free batter as the default. The tight menu keeps things simple – think top-quality fish, live lobster, properly cooked chips – letting ethical sourcing and good ingredients do all the heavy lifting.

Dumpling Shack is a long-standing takeaway favourite at Old Spitalfields Market, known for its freshly made Northern Chinese dumplings and noodles. The must-order is the pan-fried pork soup dumplings, cooked daily with crisped bases and juicy, piping-hot centres. They're joined by prawn and vegan wontons drenched in chilli oil, plus comforting bowls of noodle soup and dan dan noodles delivering a proper Sichuan kick.

Michelin-level kebabs might sound like an oxymoron, but that's exactly the point at Le Bab. This Middle Eastern-inspired favourite reimagines the street-food classic with playful flair courtesy of Michelin-trained chefs – think spiced paneer layered over coconut and beetroot with curry mayo, or slow-cooked pork shawarma topped with pickled cucumbers and a drizzle of fondue sauce.

After a well-received pop-up stint, viral hit Crunch first put down roots at Old Spitalfields Market. The focus here is on sandwiches built with thick-cut, golden brioche and fillings that go from Southern-fried chicken with shredded lettuce, baby pickles, and house-made aioli to slow-cooked Gressingham duck leg with mixed leaves, banana shallots, crispy onions, and smoked apple sauce. If you're in the mood to seriously upgrade your lunchtime sandwich, this Old Spitalfields Market stall more than delivers.

A fresh concept from street-food incubator Kerb, Kerb Social Club blends pub-style warmth with big-screen sports and the buzz of a food hall. Located at Old Spitalfields Market, the venue brings together multiple traders serving American comfort classics such as hot dogs and Detroit-style pizza, alongside large screens streaming live sport. Upstairs, there's a terrace bar overlooking the market, plus games areas and private rooms.

The family-run Twirly Bird sits at the heart of Old Spitalfields Market, focusing on a menu built around rotisserie chicken and appropriate sides. The chickens are slowly roasted over the spit with a house spice mix, producing deeply bronzed skin and succulent meat throughout. Seasonal sides move beyond the usual suspects, giving the offering a bit more thought and range than your average chicken stall.