Late last year, Whitechapel almost caused a lasting feud in my family. "Oh son, why can't you just have a nice countryside wedding reception, like the one we always thought you'd have?" "No. Listen here Mother, its all decided, we're doing it round our way and that means having the reception in Whitechapel."
You could almost hear the pitying gasps from my various provincial aunts as the invites landed. "Really? Whitechapel? That's only one better than Old Kent Road!?" I admit, its not the most picturesque place in London. But that's quickly forgiven when you're boozily tucking into a feast of the finest curries at Tayyabs, or working your way through the wine cellar (and a few celebratory Sambucas) at Georgian listed-building-now-gastropub The Dispensary. "Best wedding I've ever been to," said an aunt.
Without doubt my favourite restaurant in London, Tayyabs is a crown Jewel, with its Pakistani cuisine of an unbelievable quality. You'll never again entertain going for a curry on Brick Lane again once you know that Tayabbs is only a 5 minute walk round the corner. Great prices (substantial meal for two around £20), lovely owners, and a bring-your-own policy. It's Scarlett Johansson's favourite restaurant in London (apparently), and I've spotted Natalie Portman and Heston Blumenthal in there before now. It does suffer from shockingly long queues every night, so get there early (6.30) or late (10) to avoid being 100th in line. It's worth it though. Have the Tandoori ribs to start. Others might tell you that the Lahore Kebab House has the edge, but essentially it's a very similar set up and is also excellent for all the same reasons, so try both. If you can't hack queueing there's Needoo Grill (run by an ex-Tayyabs chef,) or Mirch Masala, both of which also serve up a level of quality (at better prices) that shames the laughable gruel of most Brick Lane equivalents.
Aside from excellent curries, the traditional British menu at The Dispensary comes highly recommended but unfortunately it's not open at weekends. For proper fine-dining, you're sorted at the Whitechapel dining room, which is part of the Whitechapel Art Gallery – a great spot for a cultural Sunday afternoon, accompanied by a stroll up the aforementioned Brick Lane to the bustling street and covered markets, including the legendary Spitalfields Market.
Bar-wise my personal faves are Indo, a tiny place on Whitechapel Road with a raucous atmosphere, and Carnivale, an arty addition at the very Southern end of Brick Lane (where it's called Osborne St) which has occasional live music and regular DJs. Nonetheless, part of the main beauty of the area is that you're only a 20min walk from the Shoreditch triangle and surrounding environs, without having to pay the extortionate cost of housing yourself in the thick of it.
You can also catch a bit of history with one of the area's many Jack the Ripper walking tours, and if you're genuinely at a loss for something do to, why not visit the oldest manufacturing company in Britain the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, where Big Ben was crafted.
So all in all, yes, Whitechaps is a little rough around the edges, but it's safe, cheap to live in, incredibly well-connected by tube and bus, boasts unbeatable curries, and there's loads to do within a short walk from your front door.
