Janna Cafe - (Near Tower Hamlets, South East)

5 /5 Linda Talos: Its a West African casual dining place in Whitechapel. The entrance is located a few meters away from the back of the East London Mosque. We popped in after going to the cinema (Curzon) nearby. We opted for the meat platter for 2 as it was recommended. The food was amazing, especially the lamb, which was juicy and tender at the same time. our platter also had beef cubes on it which was also good but i preferred the lamb. The dish itself is not spicy at all so it has mild flavours, cooked with peppers, onions and their one herb blend but not spicy. The spice, if you want some, comes from the 2 side sauces the medium heat red one (slightly peppery and maybe has come cayenne in there) and the green sauce which is the real spicy one (i assume green chillies or similar) and the good news is you can use both sauces as much or as little as you like. For me it added depth to the dish. I also enjoyed the Guava juice. The dish is very big so we hardly finished 1/3 between the 2 of us, and ended up taking home the rest. Good food, nice spot for a quick and tasty halal meat lunch or dinner.

3 /5 Razaul Hoque: I met up with a few friends on a Saturday evening and we ended up spending most of the day around Towa Hamlets East, London. Janna Cafe is tucked away quite discreetly literally just a few doors down from the East London Mosque so if you blink, you might miss it. That said, once you know where it is, it’s a convenient little spot. When we arrived, it wasn’t particularly busy, which was a pleasant surprise for a Saturday night. There was no real waiting time, and the menu was already on the table, making ordering quick and straightforward (always appreciated when hunger is creeping in). We ordered the lentil soup, hummus topped with lamb, and a large platter to share, along with bottled water and a mango drink from the fridge. A quick note on the mango drink, It was very thick consistently so throughout the bottle. While it was still enjoyable, I personally felt a fizzy drink might have been a better choice. Consider this a friendly heads-up rather than a complaint. The lentil soup, however, was the clear star of the evening. It was rich, comforting, and unanimously enjoyed by all of us. Arguably more than the main course itself. Definitely a must-have. The main platter consisted of rice, lamb shank, and a piece of chicken on the side. Portion sizes were extremely generous, so arriving hungry is highly recommended. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t finish it—proof that Janna Café does not believe in small servings. Overall, the food was good, the atmosphere relaxed, and the portions impressively hearty. I would happily visit again, if only for another bowl of that lentil soup (and perhaps a fizzy drink next time).

5 /5 Kaja Johnson: I’ve never had cuisine from this area of the world and omg best first time I think I could have. The sauces are so good and flavorful. l wanted to try allll the cake options! visit if you’re in the neighborhood or at the Wombats Hostel. Was much needed after traveling all day to get to the hostel