Mile end
Orange Room Cafe
A good place for chilled-out lunches.
Venus in the Park
Good Greek food. One of several restaurants under the Green Bridge.
Zeera
A decent, if slightly pretentious, Indian restaurant. One of several restaurants under the Green Bridge.
There is a cluster of good eatereries at Bow Wharf, just a few minutes north of Mile End station.
The Crown
Remarkable gastropub, see "Drink" below
Saucy Kipper fish & chip shop
Makes possibly the finest Fish and Chips in the world.
Brick lane
Bengal Village
Definitely one of the best places in Brick Lane. Very good food, good value, pleasant atmosphere and good service!
Brick Lane Beigel Bake
A local institution, Beigel Bake is more celebrated of the two and rated by some as the freshest most delicious bagel you will ever have. Their salt beef is more highly rated than Beigel Shop and a salt beef bagel with mustard and pickle is highly recommended for a post-clubbing snack.
Britain's First & Best Beigel Shop
While less celebrated than its near neighbour, Beigel Shop is still well worth a visit. While Beigel Bake is a local institution, it is reflected in its limited range. As a result, Beigel Shop works harder for your cash, providing a wider range of fillings and an excellent sausage roll, making it the preferred destination for those who aren't enamoured with salt beef.
New Tayyabs
Long established and arguably the best South Asian restaurant in the Whitechapel area. Serves traditional food in a pleasant if slightly frenetic atmosphere. Outstandly good value and with fast efficient service, this reaturant is head and shoulders above any rival in nearby Brick Lane. Particularly recommended are: the mixed grills to share and the delicious mango or banana lassi drinks which are similar to milkshakes. Finally, when you have finished your delicious meal, the bill will always leave you with a smile on your face! Book and/or arrive early on Friday or Saturday as the restaurant is so popular you may have to queue.
Wander up Brick Lane, and you will be pounced on by countless touts trying to persuade you to enter their client's restaurant. Try to go on a recommendation if you can, otherwise take pot luck.
Unfortuntately many of Brick Lane's curry restaurants have become victims of the success of the area. Most restaurants now employ pushy touts, who will hassle you to eat in their client's restaurants. The discounts may sound tempting, but they frequently inflate the prices simply so they can offer you a 'deal'.
The largest concentration is between Woodseer Street and Fournier Street. The old-style, flock wallpaper curry houses have now largely given way to shiny, light wood and aluminium eateries for the tourists and City workers. Whichever style you go for, though, it's always worth checking that they've got a licence to sell alcohol before taking up a table. A lot of the restaurants will allow you to bring you own alcohol along.
Other places
Tas Firin
Great Turkish grilled food, pretty much for carnivores only.Just off Brick Lane
Gourmet San
Fantastic Chinese food, as close as you'll get to the real thing in London.
Pellici's
Possibly the best greasy spoon caff in the country and one of very few left, this old pad, frequented by celebrities from X-Factor winners to the Krays, is well worth the effort. Cheap as chips by the London standard and well worth the value for money.
Mala
Expensive Indian cuisine. Tandooris, Biryanis, and other specialties. View of the docks, full bar.
Canary wharf
Royal China
Popular restaurant with a great view of the Thames River. Decorated with Royal China gives a contemporary feel. Enjoy dim-sum as well as an extensive menu.
First Edition
International cuisine with continental and Far Eastern influences compliment a wide range of fresh seafood. Extensive wine list served by the glass. Private affairs welcome.
Quadrato
International classics for breakfast and northern Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. The Tuscan Sunday Brunch and cocktails at bar Quadrato should not be missed. Watching chef Sebastiano Spriveri at work is a main attraction.
Gaucho Grill
The Argentinian cowboy, the gaucho, made famous the tradition of cooking fresh meat over charcoal grills. The large horseshoe bar offers traditional South American cocktails and beer.
Zizzi
Serves authentic pastas and pizzas. During the summer a large riverside terrace affords sweeping views over the River Thames.
Scu-zi
The funkiest restaurant and bar on the Thames river. Pastas, pizzas and salads are complimented by a first class selection of wines, spirits and cocktails.
Sri Nam
Fine dining restaurant offering authentic Malaysian, Thai, Chinese, and Singaporean cuisines. A wide variety of drinks, cocktails and snacks are offered. Private dining rooms available by request.
Nandos
Traditional Portuguese style food, specializing in their famous Peri-Peri chicken flame grilled to perfection. Family style atmosphere is relaxed and always friendly.
Café Rouge
Waterfront Parisian Bistro. Wide selection of food and wine in a relaxing setting.
The Fine Line
Lunchtime menus include a mixture of continental and international meals. A snack menu is available in the evening. Two mezzanine areas at the bar for private party bookings.
There are many restaurants in Docklands clustered around the new developments of Canary Wharf. Some of the best are listed below:
Carluccios
Authentic Italian Cafe with all Italian dishes developed by Antonio Carluccio himself. There is also a genuine Italian deli with take out lunches, meats, cheeses and a range of branded products and gift items.
Itsu
Conveyor belt sushi restaurant, more on the side of "fusion" than traditional. Japanese Sushi along with a wide range of dishes reflecting a strong Asian and Vietnamese influence. Take away boxes are available. Fresh cocktails, sake and Japanese beer at the relaxed bar.
Wagamama
Noodle and rice dishes freshly cooked in a well-designed canteen style restaurant. See detailed review in Chains reviews section of London article.
Waitrose Food and Home
Six different eateries under one roof. Waitrose Steak and Oyster Bar, Salad and Juice Bar, Tapas Bar, Moshi Moshi Sushi Bar and many other options.
Plateau Restaurant Bar and Grill
Modern French restaurant, part of the Conran restaurants group. More informal Bar and Grill includes steak grills and hearty regional french dishes. Two bars.