Tucked away in the heart of London’s East End, Spitalfields is a culinary playground with a vibrant dining scene that extends far beyond the Old Spitalfields Market.
If you’re a discerning food enthusiast on the quest to uncover the very best that this eclectic neighbourhood has to offer, you’ve come to the right place. From Michelin-starred French delights to unassuming yet authentic eateries, Spitalfields has a diverse palate to satisfy all cravings.
Our stomachs are already rumbling just thinking about it, and we bet yours are too. So, join us as we embark on a delectable journey through the very best that Spitalfields has to offer in the world of dining!
Galvin La Chapelle
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Location: 35 Spital Square, London E1 6DY, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7299 0400
Pricing: £££
Located in a Grade II-listed building that was once a Victorian chapel, Galvin La Chapelle is a piece of history. The high-vaulted ceilings and grand chandeliers set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.
One of the signature dishes that you simply can’t miss is the Lasagne of Dorset Crab. It’s a perfect blend of rich and delicate, with layers of crab, bechamel, and a buttery herb sauce that will make your taste buds dance with delight.
Ottolenghi
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Location: 50 Artillery Ln, London E1 7LJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7247 1999
Pricing: £££
Let’s talk about the man behind the magic – Yotam Ottolenghi. He’s a culinary genius hailing from Jerusalem, and his name has become synonymous with vibrant, flavourful, and innovative cooking.
Ottolenghi’s dishes are renowned for their use of fresh herbs, aromatic spices, and a kaleidoscope of colours. His cuisine borrows from various culinary traditions, making every dish a surprise.
Ottolenghi’s dessert game is off the charts, by the way. The display of pastries and sweets is a feast for the eyes, and indulging in them is a treat for your taste buds. The iconic Chocolate Krantz Cake and the famous cheesecakes are just a couple of the heavenly offerings
Hawksmoor
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Location: 157A Commercial St, London E1 6BJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7426 4850
Pricing: ££
Hawksmoor is an absolute temple for meat lovers. Their dedication to top-quality steak is unparalleled. You don’t just come here to eat a steak, you come here to worship it.
Their beef is sourced from the finest British farms and dry-aged for a minimum of 35 days. That’s the secret to its unparalleled flavour and tenderness.
You can choose from various cuts, such as ribeye, sirloin, or the epic chateaubriand for sharing. The result? A carnivore’s dream come true.
Sushisamba
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Location: Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3640 7330
Pricing: ££
One thing that sets Sushisamba apart is its stunning location. Perched on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower, it offers panoramic views of London. You can savour your sushi with a side of the city skyline – an experience that’s as jaw-dropping as it is delicious.
The sushi at Sushisamba is a work of art. Each roll, each piece of sashimi, is carefully crafted to not only taste incredible but to look like a masterpiece on your plate. You’ll find everything from classic sushi to innovative creations unique to Sushisamba.
Delamina
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Location: The Audio Visual Lounge, 151 Commercial St, London E1 6BJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7078 0770
Pricing: ££
Delamina is a dining destination that takes your taste buds on a journey to the Eastern Mediterranean. Think about the rich flavours of Tel Aviv, the aromatic spices of Istanbul, and the culinary traditions of Jerusalem.
If you’re a seafood lover, you’re in for a treat. Delamina’s whole grilled seabream is a masterpiece. It’s infused with aromatic herbs and served with a side of tahini, pomegranate, and a medley of fresh vegetables.
And don’t skip dessert! The malabi is a sweet ending that’ll linger on your taste buds. It’s a creamy rose-scented milk pudding topped with crushed pistachios and a drizzle of pomegranate syrup.
Bubala
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Location: 65 Commercial St, London E1 6BD, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: ££
Bubala has a knack for turning humble vegetables into culinary masterpieces. Their menu showcases creative combinations of ingredients, from roasted cauliflower to aubergine, tahini, and pomegranate.
If you’re looking for a must-try, you can’t go wrong with the renowned Mushroom Shawarma. This dish is a veggie lover’s dream come true.
Picture earthy mushrooms infused with spices, roasted to perfection, and served with tahini, chilli, and fresh herbs. It’s an explosion of flavours that will leave you craving more.
Gunpowder
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Location: 11 White’s Row, London E1 7NF, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7426 0542
Pricing: ££
At Gunpowder, they’re all about dishing out authentic, home-style Indian fare. No fancy frills or over-the-top extravagance, just the pure, unadulterated goodness of traditional recipes passed down through generations.
When you visit Gunpowder, there’s one dish that’s an absolute must-try, and it’s their Spicy Venison and Vermicelli Doughnut. Picture a delectable, spiced venison, encased in a crispy, golden doughnut-like shell.
Crispin
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Location: Pavilion on The Corner, White’s Row, London E1 7NF, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7247 1173
Pricing: ££
One of the most intriguing aspects of Crispin is its dual identity. By day, it’s a coffee lover’s paradise, serving up some of the best artisanal brews in town.
But when the sun sets, it magically transforms into a gourmet haven, delivering a delightful blend of European-inspired dishes that make your taste buds sing with joy.
The showstopper at Crispin is their Tomato and Ricotta Ravioli. It’s a mouthwatering plate of pasta perfection, with delicate pillows of ravioli generously filled with creamy ricotta cheese and bathed in a luscious tomato sauce.
Noodle & Beer
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Location: 31 Bell Ln, London E1 7LA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3827 9033
Pricing: ££
Noodle & Beer, as the name suggests, is all about combining two of life’s greatest pleasures: savoury, slurp-worthy noodles and an ice-cold brew. It’s a match made in gastronomic heaven, and it’s one of the many reasons why this place is a must-visit in Spitalfields.
Whether you prefer your noodles perfectly al dente or swimming in a flavorful broth, there’s a noodle dish here to suit your every craving. And of course, from hoppy IPAs to crisp lagers, they’ve got a brew for every palate. The refreshing contrast of a cold pint against a steaming bowl of noodles is an experience that’s not to be missed.
St John Bread and Wine
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Location: 94-96 Commercial St, London E1 6LZ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7251 0848
Pricing: ££
St John Bread and Wine is the brainchild of Fergus Henderson, a man often dubbed the “Nose-to-Tail Eating Pioneer”. This is the guy who put the concept of using every part of the animal in his dishes back on the culinary map.
From crispy pig’s ears to rich and savoury bone marrow, their menu is a carnivore’s dream come true. It’s all about embracing the full spectrum of flavours and textures that meat has to offer.
While everything on the menu at St John Bread and Wine is a hit, there’s one dish that deserves a special shoutout – the Eccles Cake with Lancashire Cheese. This dessert is a crispy pastry filled with spiced currants and served with a generous helping of creamy Lancashire cheese.
Som Saa
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Location: 43A Commercial St, London E1 6BD, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7324 7790
Pricing: ££
Som Saa, pronounced “som sah”, is like a breath of fresh, aromatic air in the heart of Spitalfields. What sets it apart from the crowd is its unapologetically authentic Thai cuisine.
The genius behind Som Saa is a duo, Andy Oliver and Mark Dobbie, who met while working at the legendary Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, Nahm. They started by hosting pop-up dinners, and the response showed them they were onto something big and Som Saa was born.
If we had to pick a one-star player from Som Saa’s menu, it would undoubtedly be their Massaman Curry. This dish is a symphony of flavours and textures, with tender meat or hearty vegetables bathed in a rich, nutty sauce.
Lahpet
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Location: 58 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6JW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3883 5629
Pricing: ££
While London is no stranger to Asian cuisine, Lahpet brings something truly special to the table. It’s the first restaurant in London to serve contemporary Burmese dishes, which means you’re in for a unique culinary adventure.
Think of it as a delightful rendezvous between the flavours of India, Thailand, and China with a Burmese twist.
One of Lahpet’s standout stars is the Tea Leaf Salad. This is the dish that’s been making foodies sit up and take notice. It’s a burst of textures and flavours, with fermented tea leaves, crunchy nuts, and crispy lentils mingling in a tangy, zesty dressing.
Honest Burgers
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Location: 12 Widegate St, London E1 7HP, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3148 2950
Pricing: ££
Honest Burgers doesn’t believe in fuss and frills. Their philosophy is all about keeping it simple but doing it incredibly well. That means high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients and burgers that let the flavours shine.
One of their standout stars is the Homemade Rosemary Chips. These aren’t your regular fries, they’re crispy, golden, and infused with the aromatic goodness of rosemary. It’s a side dish you won’t be able to resist.
But of course, the star of the show is a burger and it’s none other than the Honest Burger. It’s a mouthwatering combination of beef patty, red onion relish, smoked bacon, mature cheddar, lettuce, and their signature Honest sauce.
Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles
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Location: 62 Wentworth St, London E1 7AL, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 8617 1470
Pricing: ££
The name itself is intriguing – Biang Biang. It actually refers to the sound the dough makes when it’s hand-pulled and slapped on the counter. These noodles are nothing like your regular pasta. They’re wide, thick, and satisfying, with a chewy texture that’s positively addictive.
When you visit, you absolutely can’t miss the Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Pulled Biang Biang Noodles. Picture tender, succulent lamb, aromatic cumin, and a rich, spicy sauce, all served over those wide, hearty noodles.
The Real Greek
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Location: 6 Brushfield St, London E1 6EW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7375 1364
Pricing: £
The Real Greek is all about authenticity. It’s like a one-way ticket to Greece without leaving London.
One of the restaurant’s standout stars is the iconic Souvlaki. Picture succulent marinated meat, whether it’s chicken, lamb, or pork, wrapped in warm pita bread and served with a dollop of cooling tzatziki. It’s a Greek classic and a must-try.
Detroit Pizza London
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Location: 575 Commercial St, London E1 6BD, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £
Detroit-style pizza isn’t just a new fad: it has history. It was born in the 1940s when auto workers used deep industrial pans as pizza trays. Today, those pans are still used to make this iconic pizza.
If you’re wondering what to order, look no further than their signature dish, the Classic Detroit. It’s a magnificent creation featuring Wisconsin brick cheese, tomato sauce, pepperoni, and a garlic and oregano crust that’s out of this world.
Detroit Pizza London doesn’t just stop at classics. They get innovative with their toppings, so you’ll find combinations like Nduja (a spicy pork sausage spread), fennel, and honey – a delightful balance of heat and sweetness.
My Old Place
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Location: 88-90 Middlesex St, London E1 7EZ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7247 2200
Pricing: £
This is a no-frills kind of place. It doesn’t boast a fancy exterior or a swanky interior. My Old Place lures you in with its unassuming charm, and that’s where the magic begins.
Plus, the restaurant is family-run, and it’s this personal touch that adds to the authentic experience. You’ll feel like you’re dining at a friend’s place, where they’re excited to share their favourite recipes with you.
This place is known for its legendary Dong Po Pork. This dish is a slow-cooked masterpiece, where pork belly is lovingly simmered in soy sauce until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s a flavour bomb that’s both sweet and savoury, and it’s an absolute must-try.
