Old Spitalfields Market is a historic covered market built in 1876, located in the heart of the East End. Nowadays, it is famous for its artisanal food stalls, trendy clothing shops, and vintage boutiques. You'll find international cuisine vendors, including Japanese, Korean, and Middle Eastern. Take your lunch and relax in the Old Spitalfields Market's seating area, surrounded by the smell of fresh bread and buzzing market atmosphere. After enjoying the lunch, head to Brick Lane, best known for its incredible street art, vintage shops, curry houses, and independent clothing stores.
Established in 1901, Whitechapel Gallery is a public art gallery showcasing contemporary art exhibitions from around the world. The gallery has a bookshop, bar, and a café. Visit the gallery's archive to see historical exhibitions since the gallery's establishment. After an hour or two at Whitechapel, you can head to Wilton's Music Hall, one of London's oldest music halls dating back to the 1850s. It boasts a rich history of spectacular performances, with an incredible bar, perfect for pre-show drinks.
If you have more time, you might want to visit the iconic Tower Bridge and combine the art gallery visit on the same day, spending one morning at Whitechapel Gallery and the other at Tower Bridge. Roman Road Market is worth visiting on a weekend to experience a traditional East End market. Spitalfields Market usually gets busy on weekends, which makes it more crowded- take this into consideration while planning your trip. If you have less time, skip Wilton's Music Hall and include a visit to the Jewish Museum London in your itenerary.