Food Scene
Forget Brick Lane - this is the place to go for curry. Somewhat chaotic (no booking - expect to queue) and often noisy, but the food is excellent and not expensive. BYO alcohol.
381 locals recommend
Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate StForget Brick Lane - this is the place to go for curry. Somewhat chaotic (no booking - expect to queue) and often noisy, but the food is excellent and not expensive. BYO alcohol.
Dirty Burger. The name says it all! A hipster burger joint, just 5 mins' walk from my flat. CURRENTLY CLOSED
86 locals recommend
Chicken Shop & Dirty Burger Whitechapel
27a Mile End RdDirty Burger. The name says it all! A hipster burger joint, just 5 mins' walk from my flat. CURRENTLY CLOSED
Mouse Tail Coffee Stories
307 Whitechapel RdBest local coffee.
The best breakfast in East London! You can walk up the canal to Pavilion Cafe (takes about 35 mins) and enjoy Sri Lankan hopper breakfast, or their excellent cardamom buns, or mushrooms on toast etc.
1666 locals recommend
Pavilion Cafe
Old Ford RoadThe best breakfast in East London! You can walk up the canal to Pavilion Cafe (takes about 35 mins) and enjoy Sri Lankan hopper breakfast, or their excellent cardamom buns, or mushrooms on toast etc.
St. Margaret's House
21 Old Ford RdA little community centre cafe serving great vegan/vege food.
It's a chain but it's good for ramen or bibimbap. Some other trendy options next door on Paradise Row.
40 locals recommend
Japanese Canteen
Arch 255 Paradise RowIt's a chain but it's good for ramen or bibimbap. Some other trendy options next door on Paradise Row.
Essentials
Fun for the animals but it's the Allotment Cafe that is really special. Open Tues - Sun. Excellent home-cooked food. Farmers' market here on Saturdays, 10-3pm.
58 locals recommend
Stepney City Farm
Stepney WayFun for the animals but it's the Allotment Cafe that is really special. Open Tues - Sun. Excellent home-cooked food. Farmers' market here on Saturdays, 10-3pm.
The nearest independent grocery shop that sells organic produce. Plenty of other shops on Roman Road too (butcher, baker, post office &c.).
58 locals recommend
SimplyFresh Bethnal Green
201-203 Roman RdThe nearest independent grocery shop that sells organic produce. Plenty of other shops on Roman Road too (butcher, baker, post office &c.).
Whitechapel Post Office
208A Whitechapel RdPost Office.
This is the most local little supermarket/mini-market. Has the basics, and is just near Stepney tube.
23 locals recommend
Co-op Food - Stepney
193 Mile End RdThis is the most local little supermarket/mini-market. Has the basics, and is just near Stepney tube.
Anchor Retail Park has a Halfords (stuff for bikes/cars), an Asda (supermarket) and a Curry's (electrical goods).
15 locals recommend
Asda Stepney Green Supermarket
123 Mile End RdAnchor Retail Park has a Halfords (stuff for bikes/cars), an Asda (supermarket) and a Curry's (electrical goods).
Shopping
Sainsbury's
2 Tulse HillIf you have to use a supermarket, this is the nearest big one.
Westfield Stratford City
157 Montfichet RdA huge mall. If you like that sort of thing...!
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the better local pubs (there aren't many in the immediate neighbourhood unless you are prepared to rough it). Some good ales and the food is good. Worth booking if you want to eat as a group.
50 locals recommend
The White Hart
1 Mile End RoadOne of the better local pubs (there aren't many in the immediate neighbourhood unless you are prepared to rough it). Some good ales and the food is good. Worth booking if you want to eat as a group.
One of the more local wine bars. Quite a 'serious' place, but good wines...!
26 locals recommend
Victualler
69 Garnet StreetOne of the more local wine bars. Quite a 'serious' place, but good wines...!
Urban wine bar in Bethnal Green. A bit pricey but the wine is good and the cheese board is excellent!
11 locals recommend
Renegade London Wine
Arch 12 Gales GardensUrban wine bar in Bethnal Green. A bit pricey but the wine is good and the cheese board is excellent!
Everything Else
FABULOUS Jewish bakery. Famous for crodoughs but I recommend the bath buns. Go early in the day.
60 locals recommend
Rinkoff Bakery
222-226 Jubilee StFABULOUS Jewish bakery. Famous for crodoughs but I recommend the bath buns. Go early in the day.
Arts & Culture
I LOVE THIS PLACE! One of the few independent cinemas, and right on my doorstep. Also does excellent coffee, and has a great bar upstairs (closes early).
244 locals recommend
Genesis Cinema
93-95 Mile End RdI LOVE THIS PLACE! One of the few independent cinemas, and right on my doorstep. Also does excellent coffee, and has a great bar upstairs (closes early).
A wonderful old Victorian music hall, lovingly restored, with a variety of theatre and music.
162 locals recommend
Wilton's Music Hall
1 Graces AlyA wonderful old Victorian music hall, lovingly restored, with a variety of theatre and music.
Whitechapel Gallery
77-82 Whitechapel High StBrilliant contemporary art gallery.
Cafe OTO
18-22 Ashwin StreetTHE place for experimental and improvised music. A London gem.