Whitechapel student guide: Best places to stay, eat and explore
A stay in Whitechapel puts you right on the doorstep to several London universities and at the heart of London’s vibrant East End. With its down to earth atmosphere and trendy attractions, it’s an area of brilliant contrasts, ideally located for a student in search of a lively place to live and study.
Key takeaways
A fun place to live in one of the coolest parts of London.
Stylish studios and one-bedroom apartments on the doorstep.
Served by two train stations and multiple buses, with links all over London.
Near to Central London and the City of London.
Close proximity to eight universities.
Surrounded by great restaurants, bars, and attractions.
Why Whitechapel?
Whitechapel is located in east London, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. A melting pot of history and culture, Whitechapel has for decades enjoyed a reputation for being one of London’s bolder, more cosmopolitan areas. With a pulsating heart of cool art, theatre, eateries, and shops.
Known for its diverse community, the area boasts an international vibe in its South Asian restaurants, stores and market stalls, which sit together with British and European establishments. Providing a colourful atmosphere, friendly for students, unlike anywhere else in London.
Transport links
Conveniently situated, Whitechapel lies close to both Central London and the City of London, and is served by both trains and buses.
Trains: Whitechapel has two main train situations: Whitechapel and Aldgate East. Whitechapel is an interchange station covered by the London Underground, London Overground, and Elizabeth Line. With links all over London. While Aldgate East train station straddles two lines – the District, and Hammersmith and City – transporting you East and West. With a train from Whitechapel, you can be in Central London or the City of London in under 20 minutes.
Bus: Whitechapel is served by several bus routes, which transport you all over London. Buses include the 15, 25, 100, 115, 205, 254, 343, 78, N25, N205, N253, and A7.
Where to stay
Aldgate, an area that neighbours Whitechapel, has various luxury student apartments, close to universities and train stations, including studios and one-bedroom apartments.
Reflecting the artiness of the local area, Leman Street Aldgate and Aldgate City Studios offer a creative and thoughtful place to stay near Whitechapel. But also a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle around them.
Leman Street Aldgate
At Leman Street Aldgate, students enjoy stylish and professionally-managed studio and one-bedroom apartments with great views. Plus access to excellent on-site amenities including a gym, coffee shop, restaurant and co-working space.
Aldgate City Studios
Aldgate City Studios is equally chic and comfy, but dials up on its meditative atmosphere with calming, mood boosting studios and a big communal space for students to hang out in. The aparthotel also features a podcast studio, should you want to flex your recording skills during your stay.
Universities served
The following universities are either located in Whitechapel or are just a short distance away. So consider a stay in Whitechapel if you’re studying at one of them.
Queen Mary University
Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry
London Metropolitan University
INTO City, University of London
Arden University
Hult International Business School
London School of Commerce and IT
BPP London East (Portsoken)
Top attractions
Brick Lane
Slap bang in the middle of Whitechapel is the world renowned Brick Lane, famous for its shops, street art, and restaurants, including great curry houses.
Its hotspots include the Truman Brewery – a former brewery turned fashion and food emporium – Backyard Market – a vibrant market of clothes, jewellery and street food – curry house, Bengal Village, and the iconic bagel shop, Beigel Bake.
Popular with students, Brick Lane is a student playground of fun things to see and do. And a must visit destination for anyone staying close by.
Old Spitalfields Market
If Brick Lane doesn’t satisfy your appetite for fun and entertainment, then Old Spitalfields Market certainly will. The market boasts everything from buzzy food stalls to awesome boutiques and craft stores. And is located just up from Brick Lane in Horner Square.
Housed inside an attractive Victoria market hall, the market requires little walking to get around and can be visited morning, noon, and night.
Whitechapel Gallery
A public art gallery next to Aldgate East train station, Whitechapel Gallery is a striking creative space with lots to offer inside. Including exhibitions, studio spaces, a specialist bookshop and a great cafe.
Students travel far and wide to visit the gallery, and relish in its collection of art, including pieces from China, Brazil, and the Islamic World. Do pop along if you have the time.
Spitalfields City Farm
While a built-up area, Whitechapel has a number of green spaces that are worth checking out. Spitalfields City Farm takes visiting students back to nature with its heartening array of rare breed and rescue animals and its ethos of nurturing the planet and giving back. A former wasteland site turned urban oasis, the farm features a farm shop and a tea hut, serving great locally sourced food and produce.
Wilton Music Hall
If live music and theatre are your thing, be sure to swing by the Wilton Music Hall. The iconic music hall puts on some terrific performances and productions each year, with ticket prices affordable and fairly priced. Shows run throughout the week, including on weekends, just be sure to book ahead.
Places to eat
Poppies Fish and Chips
Few dishes are more British than fish and chips, and Poppies is one of the best places in London to have it. A traditional style chip shop with modern touches, Poppies blends new and old to great effect, providing classic options like cod, haddock, and saveloy, in a hip, 1950s style setting.
Bengal Village
No stay in Whitechapel is complete without a visit to a local curryhouse. Located on the Curry Mile that is Brick lane, Bengal Village is the best of the bunch and offers a fusion of Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine, including vegan options. Now running for over 30 years, the restaurant remains popular as ever and has garnered several awards along the way.
Sleazy Pizza
Good pizza places are everywhere these days, and Sleazy Pizza is no exception. Its pizzas are as mouthwatering to look at as they are to eat and can be had for great prices. With deals running throughout the week. Options include The Devil (a mix of spicy salami, chilli and basil), and the V-Rated (red peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and red onion).
Elys Yard Food Trucks
A tasty on-to-go option, the food trucks next door to the Truman Brewery bring together a great array of food vendors. With all food freshly prepared and spanning a variety of international cuisines.
Dan Dan restaurant
For quality Chinese food in Whitechapel, head to Dan Dan on Stable Walk. The Chinese restaurant does excellent noodle dishes, Sichuan style, along with seriously good dim sum. Dan Dan also offers vegetarian and halal friendly dishes. Pop along for a hearty bite to eat in a cosy setting.
Great coffee shops
Exmouth Coffee Company
This buzzy cafe roasts its coffee on site and serves a delicious selection of cakes, quiches and salads. The coffee is great, the staff are friendly, and the cafe makes a tasty breakfast.
Copper Coffee
It might be small, but Copper Coffee is certainly not short on quality. This cute little cafe does excellent coffee, snacks, pastries and is conveniently located close to Aldgate East station.
Grounded London
Worth a visit for its organic eggs and sourdough bread alone, Grounded offers high-end coffee and freshly made food. And is open all day from 6am to 10pm, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Trade Coffee
With four coffee shops in London and a host of great reviews behind it, Trade needs no introduction, but continues to impress with its choice coffee and artisanal sandwiches. Its Whitechapel cafe can be found on Commercial street.
Quality pubs and bars
The Hoop and Grapes
This charming timber-framed pub escaped The Great Fire 1666, and provides an authentic, historic setting to neck a pint. The pub is known for its cask ale, craft beer, and ciders, whilst also offering an extensive whisky and gin range.
Boom Battle
Boom Battle is a bar and games venue rolled into one, boasting axe throwing, crazy golf, shuffleboard, and augmented reality darts. The venue also does karaoke, for those all important singalongs.
Pride of Spitalfields
Another popular local pub, Pride of Spitalfields is as cosy as they come and has existed since the middle of the 19th century. This pub has a piano inside and does live performances, so is worth hitting up if you fancy a spot of live music
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