Tayyabs
8.2Friend Score / 10#2 of 20 Restaurants in London
Known forlamb chopsseekh kebabmasala fishkarahi gosht
A Whitechapel institution since 1972: Punjabi cooking at full volume, and the sizzling char-grilled lamb chops that half of London dreams about — around £13 a plate. BYOB with no corkage keeps bills absurdly low. The trade-off is chaos: queues, noise, brisk service. Book ahead, bring beer, order the chops.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 12:00–23:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | 020 7247 9543 |
| Website | tayyabs.co.uk |
| Nearest transit | Whitechapel (Elizabeth line, District, Hammersmith & City, Overground), 5-minute walk; Aldgate East 7 minutes |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Weekday before 6:30pm; Friday and Saturday nights mean serious queues without a booking |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.2/10- Value9.2
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level4.0
- Authenticity9.3
- Accessibility8.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is Tayyabs too chaotic for a relaxed dinner?
- Honestly, a bit — it's loud, packed, and service moves at speed; tables are turned briskly. That energy is part of the institution. For a quiet date, go elsewhere; for a great feed with friends, nowhere better.
- Is Tayyabs really BYOB?
- Yes — bring your own beer or wine and there's no corkage charge, which is a huge part of why bills stay so low. There's an off-licence culture around Whitechapel; grab drinks before you arrive.
- What are Tayyabs' opening hours?
- Open daily, noon to 11:30pm, kitchen running more or less throughout. That continuous service makes a 4pm lamb-chop session both possible and wise.
- How bad is the queue at Tayyabs?
- On weekend evenings without a booking, genuinely long — an hour is possible. They do take reservations now, so book online, or go for lunch or before 6:30pm on a weekday and walk in.
- Is Tayyabs halal?
- Yes, Tayyabs is a halal Punjabi restaurant, and it's been serving the local community since 1972 — the halal status isn't an afterthought, it's the foundation. No alcohol is sold on site, hence BYOB.
- What should I order at Tayyabs?
- The lamb chops, full stop — marinated, char-grilled, arriving on a sizzling plate at around £13. Back them up with dry meat curry, karahi chicken, daal, and fresh naan. One order of chops per two people, minimum.
- How much does dinner at Tayyabs cost?
- With BYOB drinks, you can eat heroically for £25-30 a head — chops, a curry, daal, breads. It's one of the best value celebrated meals in London.
- How do I get to Tayyabs?
- Whitechapel station is five minutes' walk and now on the Elizabeth line, making Tayyabs absurdly easy from Heathrow, Paddington or Canary Wharf. Aldgate East on the District line is also close.
Nearby in Ask London
- Tipping & Pub Etiquette in LondonAttraction0.57 km · 7 min walk
- Discount Suit CompanyBar0.81 km · 10 min walk
- The Cocktail Trading Co. | ShoreditchBar1.03 km · 13 min walk
- E. PellicciCafé1.07 km · 13 min walk
- Tower of LondonAttraction1.29 km · 16 min walk
Where to stay near Tayyabs
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Friend Score