Technically called “New Tayyabs”, you can call this famous (and justifiably so) Pakistani restaurant in East London just plain Tayyabs. The “new” bit refers to its expansion from its original 1974 dimensions. Regardless of the added space, Tayyabs is still known for its excellent, moderately priced food–and its queues. Patient diners line up day and night for their flakey vegetable samosas, perfectly seasoned grilled meats and intensely flavorful chicken dishes. I went Monday at 3pm after the lunch rush was over, expecting things to be slow. Instead, the place was still busy with groups of families and friends sharing a plate of lamb ribs, take out customers wandering in and out of the dining room, servers delivering sizzling plates of kebabs to diners. Fortunately I got a table right away. It was all the fun of Tayyabs without the interminable line. The joy was doubled by the extra spicy chicken tikka.

Tayyabs
83-89 Fieldgate St.
London E1 1JU