Thinking of renting an office in Whitechapel? You’re about to base yourself in foodie heaven…
Every office needs its bolthole, a go-to restaurant for big events. A place guaranteed to impress clients. A place to unwind and kick back after a hectic day. Fortunately, London’s not short of incredible eateries, and that’s especially the case in Whitechapel.
With Brick Lane on its western fringe, it’s justifiably famed for some of London’s best curry houses, but if variety is your preferred spice of life, you’ll find a much more global story happening just around the corner from your Whitechapel office.
Here are some of our favourites:
Café Spice Namaste
Where? 16 Prescot Street, Aldgate, London E1 8AZ
Numerous curry houses line the streets of Whitechapel and there’s fierce debate over which is the greatest. For us, however, the best of all has to be Cafe Spice Namaste. Chef Cyrus Todiwala (you might recognise him from tv shows like Saturday Kitchen or Daybreak) launched the restaurant in 1995, and it has held a coveted Michelin BIB Gourmand for 18 years.
The vegetarian and vegan choices are terrific, but the grilled halibut on red chilli and garlic risotto or the Goan prawn curry are hard to beat. One of the very best in Whitechapel (and London).
Sushinoen
Where? 2 White Church Lane, Shadwell, London E1 7QR
Not the easiest Whitechapel restaurant to find: head south-west of Whitechapel station or northeast of Aldgate East, and you’ll find it nestling just off Whitechapel High Street. This contemporary Japanese restaurant is a favourite with Japanese diners.
East End Review said this place “might just be the only normal Japanese restaurant in East London” and we know what they mean. There’s no identikit supermarket sushi here, but nor is there the pretension (or stratospheric price tag) of some other Japanese restaurants in London.
The emphasis is on the sushi, and it’s done exceptionally well. And with the low tables and sunken floors, it’s a good choice when you want a restaurant that delivers an experience as well as a great meal.
Chez Elles Bistroquet
Where? 45 Brick Ln, Spitalfields, London E1 6PU
At the southern end of Whitechapel Road is Brick Lane. Rent an office round here and there’s a fair chance you’ll never make it home again, such is the choice of dining. It’s not every day we’d recommend taking a longer lease on your Whitechapel office just so you can eat your way around the district, but here we’d make an exception.
Amongst the first restaurants on your list should be Chez Elles Bistroquet, a place so quintessentially French you expect Edith Piaf to be belting out a tune in the corner. What we love about this spot is its cosy modesty. It’s not a huge place. The menu isn’t huge. But as We Own the City said in its review, “At Chez Elles, one can be transported to France without needing a passport.”
On our last visit, we had the beef onglet with caramelized shallots, and grilled aubergine with couscous and goat cheese parmentier. Close to a religious experience.
Chicken Shop & Dirty Burger
Where? 27a Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4TP
Every office needs a reliable place for hearty burgers and good chicken. Five minutes’ walk from Whitechapel Market, we’d recommend the pleasingly ‘does what it says on the tin’ Chicken Shop, a small London-based chain which hopefully won’t become a much larger chain otherwise we’ll feel less excited about recommending it.
Wood-fired spit roast chicken. Brioche buns of burger-y goodness. A neat line in ‘hard’ shakes if you like your milkshake with added bourbon or Baileys.
E Pellici
Where? 332 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 0AG
Ok, so it’s not technically a Whitechapel restaurant (because it’s a café and it’s in Bethnal Green), but it’s definitely worth a 10-minute stroll to work up an appetite. Virtually next door to Bethnal Green Market, E Pellici is an East London landmark, serving customers since 1900. It’s still a family business.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat during the day (it closes at 4.00pm) its pasta and sandwiches are local institutions.
Treves & Hyde
Where? 15/17 Leman St, Whitechapel, London E1 8EN
Ask ‘where’s good to eat in Whitechapel’ and sooner or later (usually sooner) someone will say Treves & Hyde. Yet whilst it’s on lots of people’s list of favourite Whitechapel restaurants, it’s often for different reasons.
Breakfast is a solid bet with the Whitechapel office community and if you base yourself in the area there’s every chance your breakfast meetings will happen here at least once in a while. The lunch set menu is a great choice for office events and client dining, while the a la carte menu makes for a fitting reward to the end of a long working day.
The Guardian’s food critic Jay Rayner called it “a City gem” and he’s not wrong. It’s modern without being smug, contemporary without sacrificing hearty (you won’t leave feeling that you need a McDonalds top-up), and simply effective. If your Whitechapel office is within any sort of walking distance, you really must give it a try.
Find your next London office with us
Great restaurants aren’t the only reason to choose offices in Whitechapel. For lots more reasons, and rents as tempting as these menus, call us for a chat on 020 3608 8436.
