When you think of Spitalfields, you probably think of the market. And yes, there is no shortage of excellent street food vendors who are just itching to satiate your raging hunger with a stunning burger, or the perfect taco. But it would be remiss of you to ignore all the incredible restaurants Spitalfields has to offer that are just as worthy of your attention and appetite.
From amazing steak to a taste of India at Gunpowder, Spitalfields has it all. Forget wandering round the streets of London, grappling with that age-old struggle of where to eat! We’ve rounded up 9 of the best places in Spitalfields (in no particular order) where you can get a mouthwatering meal that will have you coming back for more. We’re sure that soon enough, Spitalfields will become your regular haunt. Be it brunch, a light lunch, or dinner— there’s enough here to keep you hooked.
Read on to discover where to eat in Spitalfields, whatever your budget.
What's Included
Brother Marcus
There’s just nowhere that can compete with Brother Marcus when it comes to brunch. Beware: once you’ve tasted their yolky masterpieces, the nectar and ambrosia of the gods, no other brunch will ever satisfy you again.
Already a smash hit in Angel and Balham, the recently opened Spitalfields branch is their third and largest venue to date. And it’s a gorgeous plant-filled, fairy-light-wreathed oasis. And as Instagrammable as their interiors are, just wait till you take a look at the food.
Everything is delicious, but try their signature dishes: the Step Sister with sweet potato, avocado, veg and feta fritters, turmeric yogurt and a poached egg, or the Brother Special with beetroot-cured salmon, chargrilled tenderstem broccoli and scrambled eggs served on sourdough toast.
And if you’re hoping to stop by for dinner then rejoice, because the Mediterranean-style small plates are mouth-wateringly good and perfect for sharing!
Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles
So you like noodles? You’ll love the huge, hand-pulled ones at Xi’an Biang Biang. The large, flat noodles soak up the rich, accompanying sauce in a major way, meaning that each mouthful you take is a flavorful bite of nirvana. Choose the beef belt noodles for a meal that you’ll be left dreaming about for weeks.
There’s also a selection of cold starters to whet your appetite. And why not try some of their signature pork dumplings on the side? Explore the range of traditional Xi’an street food dishes and be transported straight to the heart of the Shaanxi Province.
This is a restaurant with no-frills service, but a lovely relaxed atmosphere and unbeatable, authentic food. There’s no way to eat these noodles elegantly, so don’t even bother trying. Just lean over the bowl and slurp them up with joyous abandon—there’s no judgement and plenty of napkins!
Hawksmoor
This Spitalfields steakhouse is sleek, sexy and a top contender for the “best steak in London” accolade. The Hawksmoor is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Enjoy your perfectly cooked meat with a scrumptious selection of sides, including macaroni chips, baked sweet potato, and steak sausages.
This is no meal for the vaguely peckish. To do justice to Hawksmoor, you’d better bring along a big appetite. Their steaks are large and their sides are mostly comprised of buttery, carby goodness that you’ll want to keep eating until you burst out of your jeans. So, if you’re feeling particularly ravenous, this will sort you right out.
With lovely warm lighting, exposed brick and gorgeous art-deco finishes, this restaurant is also a strong contender for the prettiest steakhouse in the city. Cozy up in a booth and while away your afternoon with the perfect long lunch.
Unity Diner
For those environmentally conscious vegans among you, Unity Diner is an absolute godsend. While serving up delicious, 100-percent vegan food, this non-profit restaurant also raises money for grassroots animal rights movement Surge.
The brainchild of Youtuber and activist Earthling Ed, Unity Diner is on a mission to serve incredible plant-based fare to curious foodies—vegan, vegetarian and meat-eaters alike! From “mozzarella” sticks to hot dogs, burgers and ice cream sundaes, this diner-style menu will show you that there’s a lot more to plant-based food than salads and green juices.
If you need any more convincing, it’s also a dog-friendly venue and any furry guests that stop by will get free vegan dog treats if they’re feeling hungry!
Gunpowder
You may think you know Indian food. You may think Dishoom is the be-all and end-all when you’re in the mood for curry in London. But trust us: Gunpowder is a homestyle Indian kitchen that you’ll be coming back to time and time again.
This small restaurant is serving up massive flavors and it boasts a Michelin Bib Gourmand to prove it. Its menu, made with responsibly sourced ingredients, is full of inventive takes on traditional Indian fare. You’ve got to try the rasam ke bomb, a kind of spiced soup served in shot form with crispy potato resting on top, and the spicy venison and vermicelli doughnut, a perfectly cooked doughnut of meat coated in crispy-fried noodles.
For an affordable, delicious meal full of creative Indian flavors you cannot go wrong with Gunpowder. It’s most definitely, banging.
St. John Bread and Wine
The plucky little sister of St. John, St. John Bread and Wine serves up excellent British cuisine: traditional, delicious and never boring. The menu changes regularly, but head chef Farokh Talati produces masterpieces like lamb’s heart with purple sprouting broccoli and anchovy, and rabbit saddle with turnip and green sauce, so you’re in good hands.
Sit down in their white-walled, minimalist-chic venue for a no-frills dining experience of an almost biblical brilliance.
Want to bring your own wine? St. John Bread and Wine do offer a corkage fee. There’s also a cakeage fee if you want to bring your own cake!
Bubala
In the mood for hummus? Feeling like some falafel? Hankering for halloumi? Don’t worry, Bubala is here to satisfy all your Middle Eastern food cravings. It’s completely vegetarian, but honestly, the food’s so good we’re pretty sure that even die-hard carnivores won’t notice the lack of meat.
The menu is designed for sharing plates, which is excellent because it means you’ll get to try more dishes that way—and trust us, you’ll want to try them all. Fried aubergine with zhoug and date syrup is a must, as is the delica pumpkin. Meanwhile, desserts include tahini, date and tangerine ice cream, coconut malabi, hibiscus and sesame brittle, and salted caramel truffles.
Curious vegetarian foodies will love having loads of options to choose from. But there’s also a set menu, if you want to relinquish control and accept that Bubala knows best.
Pizza Union
Food doesn’t have to be fancy to be incredible, and sometimes all you want is a slice of really good pizza. If you’re wandering around Spitalfields and you get hit with that pizza craving then Pizza Union is where you should go.
Let’s start with just how affordable it is. A 12-inch margherita comes in at under £5. That’s a bargain for a whole, delicious pizza. In fact, the most expensive thing on the menu is under £10. You can’t beat these prices!
But you might be wondering, how good can those cheap pizzas be? The answer is very, very good. For a meal that will never disappoint, pick Pizza Union.
Canto Corvino
For Italian done right, we suggest you pay a visit to Canto Corvino. This gorgeous Spitalfields restaurant serves delicious, modern Italian food in the sleekest of venues. Whether it’s breakfast or brunch, lunch or dinner, they’ve got you covered.
As you’d expect from a good Italian, the pasta is truly heavenly. The rabbit ragu pappardelle is breathtakingly good, as is the lobster tortellini. There are gluten-free dishes available and a selection of plant-based options too.
Sit back with a glass of Chianti and enjoy a brilliant meal at what is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Spitalfields.
Update notice: This article was updated on July 31, 2023.
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