Tayyabs

One of the best proper curry houses in London, with authentic flavours in a busy and popular environment.

Bring your own booze, or don’t have any, there are soft drink options which accompany the meal nicely.

The lamb chops and garlic naan are outstanding, and all the curry dishes are great.

Sometimes a little wait if you don’t have a reservation but it’s easy to see why as it’s always packed, across 3 floors. At lunchtime it can be a bit quieter, eg Sunday afternoon.

Is a great evening out with a group, the atmosphere is energetic and the food arrives quickly after ordering, and doesn’t disappoint.

Fair prices, consistent quality and a fun visit.

A great experience here. The atmosphere is lively, and it was completely packed. I would definitely book in advance - even this doesn’t guarantee you a table, it just pushes you to the front of the queue! The food itself was absolutely delicious - so flavoursome, and so much of it. The meat biryani (the house special on a Friday night) was unreal.
The service was attentive and friendly, and the prices were fair, especially for London. I’d highly recommend this restaurant - thank you very much

Tayyabs is one of those London spots people always talk about, and after going, I get why. The Punjabi food is bold, full of spice, and cooked with real character. The lamb chops are the dish everyone raves about for a reason…smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. The karahi curries are rich, hearty, and perfect for sharing around the table. Portions are generous, so you won’t leave hungry.

The atmosphere is buzzing and energetic. It’s not a quiet or intimate restaurant, but that’s part of the charm. It feels alive, with big groups, sizzling plates, and constant movement. Seating can be tight, and it does get noisy, so don’t expect a calm dinner. This is more about enjoying the food and the energy of the place.

Service is quick, sometimes a little rushed, but that matches the pace of the restaurant. Food usually comes out fast and fresh, which is impressive given how busy it gets. The interior is simple and functional…it’s clear the focus here is all about the food.

You might walk out with your clothes carrying the smoky aroma of the grill, but honestly, that’s part of the experience. Overall, Tayyabs is a London institution worth visiting. Go with friends or family, order plenty, and enjoy the flavors.

Had a great experience at Tayyabs. The food was so good: we got the lamb chops, seekh kebab, garlic naan, pilau rice, mango lassi, samosa and karahi chicken tikka masala.

Great portions, all cooked and seasoned beautifully. The staff were so friendly and kind, thank you for a memorable meal!

We visited Tayyab’s as a group of 8 (4 adults and 4 children aged 4–13) on a Saturday evening with a 5:45pm booking. As expected, the place was absolutely ram-packed.

We were seated upstairs initially which was fine, but by around 6:30pm it completely filled up and became incredibly loud. The atmosphere is very lively and buzzing, which works brilliantly for adults, but honestly not so great for kids. It’s extremely noisy and there aren’t many mild, child-friendly meal options on the menu.

That said, the food itself was actually decent and arrived surprisingly quickly given how busy it was. The BYOB setup is obviously a big draw – people bring their own drinks and just order food, which makes it very attractive for large groups.

Overall, I’d highly recommend Tayyab’s for big groups of adults who enjoy a loud, bustling environment and great energy. But for families with young children, based on our experience, it’s probably not the best fit.

Halal Status for Tayyabs Whitechapel