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Brick Lane is the vivid, ever-changing spine of the East End, a street that has been shaped by wave after wave of arrivals and today throngs with curry houses, vintage shops, street art and Sunday markets. It is one of the best places in London to eat, browse and simply take the pulse of the city.
Where is Brick Lane and how to get there
Brick Lane runs through the East End between Shoreditch and Whitechapel. The handiest stations are Shoreditch High Street, Liverpool Street and Aldgate East, all within a short walk of the action.
Curry, markets and street art
The southern end is Banglatown, long famous for its curry houses and the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community. On Sundays the whole street becomes a sprawling market, with the Sunday UpMarket and the yards of the Old Truman Brewery selling vintage clothes, crafts and street food. The walls are a shifting open-air gallery of street art, and at the top of the lane the legendary Beigel Bake serves salt beef bagels around the clock, covered in our guide to the best bagels in London.
Eating and drinking
Beyond the curry houses, Brick Lane and its markets serve some of the most varied street food in London, and Dark Sugars tempts with cocoa-dusted chocolates. It is a place to graze rather than to plan a formal meal.
Good to know
Is Brick Lane worth visiting?
Very much so, especially on a Sunday, when its markets, street food, vintage shops and street art are all in full swing. It is one of London’s most atmospheric and multicultural streets, and a highlight of any visit to the East End. Weekdays are quieter but the curry houses and bagel shops remain.
Where to go next
Pair it with Spitalfields and Shoreditch, or browse all our London neighbourhood guides.
