The Best of Brick Lane London
Take a walk with us from Spitalfields to Shoreditch and discover the best of Brick Lane. Whether you’re here for the brewery or the Banksy, the bicycles or the beigels, Brick Lane is a London staycation highlight. We’ve rounded up some of the top things to see, eat, do, and shop on East London’s most famous street.
Quick History of Brick Lane
At less than a mile long and tucked away from London City’s grand skyline, Brick Lane is unassuming and understated. But don’t let that fool you; you’ll find more culture, cuisine, and history here than perhaps anywhere else in East London. It would have been the brick makers that brought you to the Lane in the 15th century, the Truman family brewers were the big-draw in the 16th, and filling your cart at the famous market was the appeal in the 17th century. A cosmopolitan mix of nations have added to the Lane’s character with French Huguenots, Ashkenazi Jews, and Bangladeshi settlers each bringing a taste of home to the East End.
Where To Shop In Brick Lane
Famous for its markets for over 300 years, Brick Lane continues to embrace its market-trader roots with a collection of fiercely independent labels, regular markets, and uniquely East London vintage fashion.
85 - Vintage Market (http://www.vintage-market.co.uk/) – Vintage Clothing & etc
Sellers arrive from throughout Europe to set up their stalls in the Truman Brewery’s famous clothing and accessories market. From silk wedding dresses to pre-loved Doc Martens, the market is a vintage paradise.
91 - Upmarket (http://www.sundayupmarket.co.uk/) – Street Food & More
The Old Truman Brewery hosts a collection of markets (including the Vintage Market), but their Weekend Upmarket is perhaps our favourite. For over twenty years the Upmarket has hosted some of London’s best gourmet street food chefs and artisans, so make sure you arrive hungry and eat your way around the world from Ethiopian Injera bread to Korean Dak-kkochi skewers.
226 - Hunky Dory Vintage (http://hunkydoryvintage.com/) – Vintage Clothing
Priding themselves as “noted purveyors of vintage clothing”, they’ve handpicked some of the best vintage clothing to stock their shelves. Whether you’re looking for a 1950’s Kimono or a 1960’s Hawaiian shirt, a 1970’s leather bomber jacket or a 1980’s soccer strip, they’ve got it.
166 - Brick Lane Book Shop (https://bricklanebookshop.org/) – Bookstore
The antidote for the Amazon generation, this is the kind of bookstore where the staff have read the books and will help you find something you didn’t even know you were looking for.
118 (Bethnal Green Road) – Brick Lane Bikes (https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/) – Bikes
You might not have room in your weekend bag for a bike if you’re only here for a short London staycation, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting the home of this global bicycle brand. They stock all the big brands including their own BLB label, but the real appeal is the selection of vintage bikes and accessories that is hard to beat.
Where To Drink In Brick Lane
Brick Lane has some great drinking spots, whether you prefer a quiet East London pub or a neon-lit cocktail & BBQ shack.
91 - Café 1001 (https://www.cafe1001.co.uk/) – Coffee, BBQ, DJ’s, and Drinks
Generally, we prefer our bars to be great at one thing, rather than being mediocre at several. But thankfully Café 1001 somehow excels at everything. In the day you can get a silky smooth flat white, as well as a deliciously dirty burger, and from 4pm every day the espresso machines make way for signature cocktails and the best vinyl spinning DJs.
26 - Osborn Street – Apples & Pears (https://www.applesandpearsbar.com/) – Cocktails
Technically it’s not on Brick Lane, but we’re going to ask for a pass to include this one on our list. At the Aldgate East end of the Lane and surrounded by street-art, this independent and easy-going cocktail spot strikes the perfect balance between great music, delicious-but-not-show-off cocktails, and laid-back clientele.
174 - Exit Bar (https://exitbar.co.uk/) – Bar
The wallpapered lounge vibes at Exit Bar set the tone for a unique bar experience on Brick Lane. The bar staff know their way around a cocktail shaker and the burgers are a welcome treat for getting your energy back after some dancefloor exertion.
149 - Monty’s Bar (https://www.facebook.com/MontysBarE1/) - Bar
A favourite with those in-the-know, this low-key Brick Lane bar is a London nightlife highlight. The drinks are well priced, the street-art atmosphere is true to its Brick Lane location, and the crowd is always up for a good night out.
141 - Dark Sugars Chocolates (https://www.darksugars.co.uk/) – Chocolatier
Yes, we could’ve just as easily put this on the ‘where to eat in Brick Lane’ list, but as great as the truffles and chocolates are, the highlight for us is the drinking chocolate. Grab a takeaway chilli hot chocolate and experience the full flavour of the West-Africa-meets-South-America story that goes along with it.
Where To Eat In Brick Lane
There’s no shortage of Brick Lane’s famous curry houses for you to choose from, but the area’s dining appeal is much more diverse than a collection of great Indian restaurants. Here’s some of our favourites.
78 - Monsoon Brick Lane (http://www.monsoonbricklane.co.uk/) Indian
For twenty years this has been one of Brick Lane’s top Indian takeaway restaurants. They pride themselves on fragrant and fresh dishes, but they aren’t afraid of a little heat!
75 - Bengal Village (https://www.bengalvillage.com/) Indian
Just a few doors away from Monsoon, this top-rated TripAdvisor-awarded curry house serves up some of the most delicious dishes on Brick Lane. Reserve a table or get it delivered to your room at The Gate with Deliveroo.
77 - The Famous Curry Bazaar (https://www.thefamouscurrybazaar.co.uk/) Indian
Squashed in between Bengal Village and Monsoon, The Famous Curry Bazaar holds its own even with such stiff competition surrounding it. The owners are quick to tell you about previous celebrity guests, but the real stars of the Famous Curry Bazaar are most definitely in the kitchen.
132- Aladin (https://www.aladinbricklane.co.uk/) Indian
With gluten free and vegan items making their mark on the menu and opening hours from 12 – 12 (except on Sunday when they close at 10:30pm), award-winning Aladin is a Brick Lane favourite every night of the week.
91 (The Old Truman Brewery) – DF TACOS (https://dftacos.co.uk/) – Mexican
The menu is full of taco and burrito classics, but this hip Mexican joint keeps things innovative and delicious with reinvented torta served on brioche and a selection of hard-to-resist frozen margaritas.
45 - Chez Elles Bistroquet (https://www.chezellesbistroquet.co.uk/) – French
Brick Lane might not be the first place you’d think of going for a French bistro style date night, but Chez Elles Bistroquet will make you think again. Rated as one of the top French restaurants in London and a 2020 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice winner, Chez Elles does not disappoint.
159 - Beigel Bake (https://bricklanebeigel.co.uk/ ) – Beigels
If there is one food that Brick Lane is famous for besides Indian dishes, it’s the mouth-watering beigels at Beigel Bake. They’re open 24-hours seven days a week and serve up no-nonsense delicious beigels.
155 - The Beigel Shop – Beigels
Although the rivalry isn’t quite Shakespearean, everyone has their side in the Beigel Bake vs Beigel Shop debate. Known locally as ‘The Yellow One’, the Beigel Shop has a hundred years’ more history than ‘The White One’ (Beigel Bake), but the real difference for beigel fans is Beigel Shop’s controversial inclusion of bacon on the menu. We’ll let you decide which is best; or simply have one from each.
157 - Crosstown Doughnuts (https://www.crosstowndoughnuts.com/) – Doughnuts & Ice Cream
Skip the debate over which beigel is best and choose a whole different circular food item at Crosstown. We reckon you won’t find better doughnuts anywhere else in London, and their ice cream is so good it tastes great even when London is at its greyest.
What To Do In Brick Lane
Hiding in between Brick Lane’s curry houses and market stalls you’ll find a historic brewery that’s been reinvented as an arts hub, a gallery that brings street-art indoors, and a bowling-meets-karaoke American style diner.
95 - All Star Lanes (https://www.allstarlanes.co.uk/locations/brick-lane) – Bowling, Karaoke & Bar
If you’re looking for a good night (or even day out) then head to All Star Lanes. Get messy with their buttermilk fried chicken in the diner, channel your inner Cher in a private karaoke booth, or get into the Big Lebowski vibes on the bowling lanes.
216 - Brick Lane Gallery (https://thebricklanegallery.com/) – Gallery
Evolving exhibitions and eclectic collections set the Brick Lane Gallery apart as one of East London’s most influential galleries for contemporary and up-and-coming artists. Championing everyone from Banksy to Wolfgang Tillmans, this is a place to be inspired.
91 - The Old Truman Brewery (http://trumanbrewery.com/) – Arts, Shops & Events
Ten acres of derelict buildings have been reborn to celebrate their historical connection and embrace the future of art, retail, events, and food. Come to The Old Truman Brewery for the music, the exhibitions, the indie boutiques or just to grab one of London’s best tacos.
77-82 (Whitechapel High St.) – Whitechapel Gallery (https://www.whitechapelgallery.org/) – Gallery
Another one that’s not technically on Brick Lane, but definitely close enough to justify it’s inclusion. Whitechapel Gallery is a fixture on London’s cultural landscape and has been at the forefront of international contemporary art since it’s opening. Self-proclaimed as ‘the artists’ gallery for everyone’, the handsome exterior (conveniently located next to Aldgate East Station) has been the entry point to a world of art from Picasso to Pollock and Rothko to Kahlo.
Where To Stay In Brick Lane
41 (White Church Lane) – The Gate (https://www.thegate-london.com/) – Luxury Aparthotel
Located at the Aldgate East end of Brick Lane, The Gate is the ultimate London staycation destination and perfectly located to explore the best of Brick Lane. With on-trend amenities like Peloton bikes, Le Labo toiletries and Hypnos beds, The Gate is a place to rest, restore and refresh.