London Sights

Brick Lane

#1418 of 1425 things to do in London

#283 of 286 sights in London

3 reviews | Write a review

Good for: an evening stroll

Not good for: Indian cuisine

  • Address
    • Aldgate East Spitalfields
  • Transport
    • Aldgate East

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Lonely Planet review for Brick Lane

Brick Lane is the centrepiece of a thriving Bengali community in an area nicknamed Banglatown, and today it's one long procession of curry and balti houses intermingled with sari and fabric shops, Indian cookery stores and, to the north, streetwear boutiques. The street's reputation as a place to eat has declined over the years, and the numerous restaurant touts (or curry pimps) don't help.

The 24-hour Brick Lane Beigel Bake (No 159) remains an institution, serving insomniacs, taxi drivers and clubbers. But if you're serious about your curry, you're better off going to New Tayyab in Whitechapel, or making the trek to Tooting.

 

Traveller reviews for Brick Lane (3)

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    Better currys are to be had elsewhere in London.

    rocketbabydoll does not recommend this,

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    Overrated for Indian food (and bagels)

    andy_murdock does not recommend this,

    I used to walk Brick Lane twice a day on my way to and from work, and for my taste it's at its most interesting during off hours when stores are setting up and kids are walking to school. During the dinner hour and on weekends it gets crowded and mildly annoying, and the hawkers trying to pull people into restaurants don't help. There are a few sweet shops and markets that have some good stuff, but the restaurants are largely overrated and prey on tourists and groups of drunks, and the bagels at the old-school bagel shops are far too cakey for my taste (albeit very affordable).

    The suggestion in the LP review to head to Tayyabs is on the mark; I'd also add Lahore Kebab House not far from Tayyabs as an alternative choice (never quite as busy as Tayyabs, but arguably just as good).

    Brick Lane is a nice enough place for a stroll, but I wouldn't recommend it for food.

    Good for: an evening stroll

    Not good for: Indian cuisine

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    Beers and Beigel Bake - the perfect Saturday night

    justhojo recommends this,

    Brick Lane is known for it's curry houses (but if you want curry head south to Tooting Broadway), anyway, yes there is lots of curry, but by far the best thing you'll eat on Brick Lane is a salt beef beigel from Beigel Bake (159 Brick Lane). There's a bar opposite called Casa Blue that never seems to close too. My best piece of advice - get two - they are perfect in the morning. Oh and remember, it's a Jewish bakery - so don't go asking for a bacon beigel like my friend did!

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