The east of London has absorbed immigrants from all over the world for decades. The area is a wonderful mix of ethnicities and cultures with their associated cuisines offering a cornucopia of restaurant options for lovers of good food.
Historically, the East End as it was known used to be notorious for its deep poverty but the area has undergone renewal in the 21st century, one obvious example would be Canary Wharf. Another significant characteristic of East London has been migration, both inward and outward for decades, resulting in a richly diverse cultural mix. And these days the halal industry stats show that eating options have mushroomed.
In fact, the options can be overwhelming. So we’ve done some legwork for halal foodies and put together a list of 10 of the best halal restaurants east London can offer. It’s a diverse list with options to cater for all tastes, including breakfasts, vegan, Asian, Punjabi, Korean, Sichuan and even lovers of British pie and mash.
Right, let’s jump right in and list some of the top categories.
What Are The Best Halal Restaurants In East London Overall?
Our votes goes to the Saffron Kitchen, Dulce Coffee and Tayyabs.
What are the best Halal Restaurants in East London for Families with Children?
Our choice in this category goes to Thai N Pie and Saffron Kitchen.
The Best Halal Restaurant In Canary Wharf
This one goes to Chai-Ki.
What follows is our list of the 10 best halal restaurants in east London. As mentioned we have tried to cater for a wide range of patrons and to introduce the truly global eating experience one can find in east London.
Grounded
Address: 9 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DU
Great for halal breakfasts, the sausages and the bacon are made with beef and/or turkey.
If you’re looking for other treats like muffins, or independently made baked goods, Grounded has a lot of these on offer. They’re also open for lunch and dinner.
Dulce Coffee
Address: 86 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX
Dulce Coffee is one of the best halal restaurants in East London, particularly for their halal English breakfasts. Their menu is extensive, with good sandwiches, halal pasta, and other quick bites. Said to be one of the best bakeries in London. Set up like a French cafe, there is a small amount of outdoor pavement seating.
Panda’s Kitchen, Forest Gate
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Address: 396 Katherine Road, Forest Gate, E7 8NW
This is a great Sichuan halal restaurant. Their squid is superb as are all their dishes. Their rice has the right crisp, their beef is saucy and their black bean sauce is particularly good. Fully HMC certified, Panda’s Kitchen is one of the few halal Chinese restaurants in the east of London. Patrons should note they do prepare and serve pork.
Pie Factory
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Address: 103 Whitechapel Road, E1 1JE
We’re including this restaurant as they have elevated the humble British pie to an art form, plus its halal so Muslim consumers can enjoy a fantastic pie. Serving halal British food, the Pie Factory is a must for those who love down-home British pies. It’s a simple restaurant that offers some of the best halal food in East London such as pie and mash, with most meals coming in at well under a tenner. And it’s located right across from the East London Mosque. Also a good breakfast joint after Friday prayers.
Thai N Pie
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Address: 45 Mile End Road, E1 4TT
Known for Thai fine dining, Thai N Pie offers delicious halal dumplings and halal crispy chicken among lots more. They offer an extensive menu with a kids menu too, and there is a happy hour. It’s a very romantic restaurant so would be a good option for a date as it’s quietly tucked away on Mile End Road. There are dine-in and takeaway options, plus they deliver.
Tayyabs
Address: 83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU
Purveyors of fine traditional Punjabi cuisine, this family-owned business opened in 1972. Who doesn’t love rich and nourishing Punjabi food? Their lamb chops have made them a household word and everything on their menu is top drawer. Tayyabs offers excellent service but remember to bring your own bottle if you want to drink alcohol.
Halal Korean BBQ & Vegan Restaurant
Address: 5 Mile End Road, E1 4TP
What’s not to like with this choice, for Asian food lovers and vegans. Look no further to satisfy your craving for authentic Korean cuisine but that is also halal. The tasty bibimbap, homemade kimchi, Korean pot soups and crunchy veggies should make you swoon. This is a great change from burgers and steaks and the menu is varied and extremely well-priced. There is an extensive vegan menu too. Fully HMC certified with no pork nor alcohol served. The interior is simply and authentically decorated offering a memorable Asian dining experience.
Chai-Ki
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Address: Crossrail Pl, London E14 5AR
If you love chicken, you have to visit Chai-Ki. Serving Indian cuisine, all their chicken is halal. It’s easy to get to as well, the nearest Tube stop is Canary Wharf. The establishment is in a spacious double volume modern block which is tastefully decorated with good views. Their menu is extensive and varied and incredibly reasonably priced. This would be a great restaurant to introduce the Canary Wharf area to visiting friends or family.
Saffron Kitchen
Address: 300 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton
A great family restaurant. Saffron Kitchen serves very good Indian food inspired by the streets of Mumbai. All meat is halal and no alcohol is served. They have an extensive menu, including chaat, appetisers, tandoor, fusion, classics, vegetable, rice and breads with loads of fresh juices, milkshakes and Indian drinks. They also deliver via Uber Eats and Deliveroo and offer extensive online ordering and payment options. They even sell DIY meal kits that home cooks can order online. This family-run business offers some amazing incentives to visit them. Private rooms for those intimate family gatherings for up to 35 guests are available, as is a semi-private party room for up to 25 guests. WiFi is free for all guests and a state of the art tablet ordering system makes their ordering easy and efficient. There is a car park behind the building. Be warned, Saffron Kitchen is very popular so get in early.
Fine Halal Dining In East London
Dishoom
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Address: 7 Boundary St, Hackney, London E2 7JE
Dishoom is definitely one of the best halal restaurants in London with a full all-day halal menu. Combining both Iranian and Indian food influences, Dishoom gets fusion food just right. Take a look at their menu and all served in a great atmospheric interior. There is also a sunny verandah for some serious lounging with good food.
Patrons could be forgiven if they imagined themselves in Mumbai with this gorgeous interior. The walls are adorned with beautiful historical Indian photography. We would recommend their overnight marinated Murgh Malai and Spicy Lamb Chops. Their dhals are superb, we dare you to try the Big Bombay platter and their delicious house chai is free flowing.
Never mind the best halal restaurants in London. There really is no end to good halal restaurants in east London, it was really hard coming up with 10 of the best, so we hope you try at least one. Or better, yet, try them all!
MexiCasa
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Address: 377 High Street, E15 4QZ
Punted as the best Mexican hangout in London, Mexicasa presents a beautifully colourful atmosphere in which to dine on their good food. They offer a Taco Tuesday special and sharing platters for “social eating” at its best. Their menu is 100% halal. There is also a delicious menu for the little amigos.
The Grill
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Address: 38 Romford Road, E15 4BZ
The Grill serves a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes in both their East Ham and Stratford locations. Think grilled platters, burgers and pasta dishes, this one is for serious carnivores but there are some vegetarian options. A kid’s menu together with an extensive choice of drinks and mocktails make The Grill a good choice for the whole family.
Café Rasa Malaysia
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Address: Lower Ground Floor Westfield Stratford City, E20 1EJ
A truly halal Malaysian restaurant, and one of the few in the area. Their menu offers a range of traditionally Malaysian dishes and there are lots of vegan options. Their meat is HMC certified and they use daily-fresh ingredients as any good eatery should.
HSandCO
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Address: 405 High Street, E15 4QZ
This is a great family restaurant in the east of London. Also one of the oldest halal restaurants in the area, they have gone out of their way to cater for Muslims with halal mocktails, a dedicated prayer space and an extensive tea selection.
Great halal dining has become part of the London restaurant scene so there’s something for everyone. The eastern part of London is awash with good eateries and well worth spending a day exploring. Just a walk down Miles End Road will reveal many temptations for the taste buds be it Arabic, Malaysian, Korean or the rich cuisine of the Punjab.
Happy exploring!