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Tayyabs

Halal, Indian·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Tayyabs

Bronze Award

Squaremeal London Hot 100 2016Standing in line at venerable Tayyabs, it’s impossible not to wonder if it’s all worth it. But, once the queuing is over (factor in an hour), you’ll soon forget the hassle as the sound, smell and (finally) the taste of those sizzling hot tandoori lamb chops assails you. Since this “manic” family-run canteen started life on its east London backstreet in 1972, it’s been gussied-up just a little (the new bronze chairs and latticed screens actually look pretty smart), but it remains one of London’s favourite low-budget eateries, as popular with families and students as it is with rowdy City parties and mates on the town. Of course, you must have the lamp chops, but don’t overlook the biryani specials, “amazing” pumpkin curry and the better-than-it-sounds ‘dry meat’. Tayyabs is BYO, so choose something spice-friendly to go with your nosh. “Quick service” is exactly what’s required too.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Under £30
Cuisines
Halal, Indian
Ambience
Cool, Fun
Food Occasions
Byob
Perfect for
Group dining [8+]
Food Hygiene Rating

Tayyabs is featured in

Location

83-89 Fieldgate Street, Aldgate, London, E1 1JU

020 7247 9543 020 7247 9543

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 12N-11.30pm

Reviews

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42 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

16 April 2023  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 0.5
Value 0.5

Anon

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Authentic tasty Indian 

Anon

22 August 2022  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 0.5
Value 1
EXTREMELY RUDE STAFF/SERVICE & OILY FOOD

I visited today and was extremely disappointed by the service and incredibly oily food. i've heard good reviews about this place so having visited today was put off entirely. 

the waiter who served us was so rude and dismissive, practically throwing our food on the table with no manners or etiquette. The food arrived way too quick which meant it wasn't cooked properly and was 50% oil in the dish/curry. 

I felt really uncomfortable with the way the waiters treated me and my dad and will not be returning here or recommending to anyone i know. i've lived in london all my life and have tried hundreds of restaurants, but this was the worst i've ever encountered. the food would have been bearable if the staff were nicer. 

Wouldn't have even paid if i had the choice.

Anon

26 March 2022  
Food & Drink 1
Service 1
Atmosphere 1
Value 0.5
AVOID AT ALL COST - WORST CUSTOMER & DISCRIMINATORY SERVICE EVER - EMBARRASSMENT TO THE ASIAN FOOD INDUSTRY!

Worst Customer Service - I would give it no stars if I could.

I walked in for a table for two with a friend where we were told (by waiter at the till desk with glasses of Pakistani Origin) that we would have to wait until a table became free ‘when customers left’ (full marks to Sherlock the waiter).

There was an Asian couple that were already waiting to which we were told we would be after them.

Then a white couple came in and were also told to sit down but then ‘miraculously’ gave this couple a table before us Asians.

Then another white couple came in and were told to also sit down. Then two tables became free and us Asians were told that we can proceed to our tables. Then as we were walking to our table, we were told that no the table isn’t free and then the 2nd white couple that came after us was called to the table! This was again by the same waiter at the till desk with glasses of Pakistani Origin who blatantly discriminated us twice because we were Asian and not of white origin.

HOW RIDICULOUS IS IT THAT AS AN ASIAN GET DISCRIMINATED FOR BEING AN ASIAN?

Utterly disgusting and disappointed and will not be seen dead in Tayyabs - avoid at all cost!

Anon

09 June 2021  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 0.5
Overpriced and cheated on the bill

Food is really bad, over priced and over charged me. Always check your bills before you pay but I won't be going there. 

Anon

09 June 2021  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 0.5
Overpriced and cheated on the bill

Food is really bad, over priced and over charged me. Always check your bills before you pay but I won't be going there. 

Anon

18 December 2020  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
go in the afternoon

at night tayyabs is a victim of its own success however if you can go in the afternoon it really is a great experience and the food is fantastic

Alex G

13 February 2019  
Food & Drink 4
Service 2.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 5
Old school rules

Any restaurant that not only opened in 1972 but has expanded its premises since then must clearly be doing something right. That there are often customers queuing (an hour’s wait is apparently not abnormal) is further testament to Tayyabs. Based on our recent week night visit – which fortuitously did not involve any queuing – the reason is very apparent. It has nothing to do with the insalubrious venue/ décor, and everything to do with the food: which was top-quality and delivered at compelling prices. My comrade and I dined at Tayyabs for ~£20/head and came away highly contented. The culinary angle is Punjabi cooking, where lamb is the main meat under consideration and the emphasis is on either grilling or slow-cooking it. The restaurant’s lamb chops (priced at 4 for £7.95) have assumed an almost legendary status in some culinary circles and I was informed that no meal at Tayyabs was complete without sampling said dish. They lived up to the promise, delivered to us dark and sizzling, spicy and smoky to taste with a comforting chewiness. Combined with tender chicken tikka pieces and a pleasingly sweet seekh kebab, the starter selection would have been enough for many. Nonetheless, we resolutely pushed on to mains. Diners get to choose from around a dozen meat and a further dozen vegetarian options as well as a range of specialities including a novel daily dish. I went for the latter, as much as anything since I had never sampled curried quail (pictured) before. The meat was wonderfully tender and melded seamlessly into the chilli-infused sauce. A thumbs up too from the chicken and spinach main selected by my comrade. The tables are cramped, service is performed without much love and the venue can get very noisy, but none of this matters when the cooking is this good. There is no alcohol licence at Tayyabs so there is the added bonus on being able to bring your own booze: a sure-fire method for improving the evening.

Gad M

20 November 2016  
Food & Drink 2.5
Service 1
Atmosphere 1
Value 2.5
Disgraceful Service! Aggressive and hostile treatment from senior management
I have been to Tayyabs several times in the past. It's cheap, BYOB, and the food is decent. However, my issue is with the staff, in particular the manager. It was my girlfriend's birthday and I had purchased a personalised cake and bought it to the restaurant shortly before she arrived, with clear instructions on when to bring it out. There is a £10 charge for them to bring the cake out. This is pretty steep, but what the hell; she'd love the surprise. So here goes.. We finish our meals, my friend goes over and asks them to start preparing the cake. A waiter then comes over, clears our table, and starts setting out small plates with spoons...surprise over. One of the waiter then walks over and brashly announces to the whole table "where is the cake?", at this point I am appalled. My friend goes over to speak to the main desk and they give him the cake in the box it came in. He explains, they are charging us to present the cake, after which the rudely agree. Then they come back to the table and ask for candles. I give them candles. 10 minutes later, surprise completely over, they bring the cake. Then the bill comes with the £10 charge. I tell them I'd like this to be removed because of the hassle that was involved and fact they spoilt the surprise. The waiter says no, calls over a more senior manager. This guy also says no, all very rudely and aggressively. He then calls over the general manager. I reasonably state why I don't think this charge should be added, all things considered. The general manager, in a very hostile manner, out right refuses, with no explanation, attempt to discuss the point, just shouts that I have to pay the bill, "or else" as he aggressively put it. I continued to debate the issue, after seeing these are completely unreasonable people I begrudgingly had to pay the charge, life is too short. For a restaurant that features in Time Out, had a table bill of over £100 and had ruined a very simple request, they had the audacity to still charge £10 for bringing our own cake. I am most frustrated by the aggressive, disrespectful and outright nasty behaviour of the manager. This is an absolute disgrace and there should be consequences to treating human beings this way, let alone paying customers. There are much nice restaurants close by that offer BYOB and great food. I'd urge decent people to avoid Tayyabs and go to one of the other alternatives. This kind of behaviour should not be allowed to slide.

Zoe W

17 April 2014  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 0.5
Value 0.5
Can't say more than the whole experience was horrendous. The queue for a table is exceptionally long and the manager will just seat his ‘special’ guests when they just walk in making ya wait even longer in line. We sat behind a table of ten young city banker guys who where all making themselves sick at the table on purpose and the staff refused to do anything! We left and the guys where still allowed to throw up at their table! Food was tough and chewy and the chicken, and jamb all tasted the same. It is like bring in a school canteen with people pushing and shoving and not a great experience at all. First and mart times will ever eat there! How can they slow people yo throw up and kept them still be in the restaurant with people eating all around them!
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