Brick Lane is iconic for its high concentration of Indian and especially Bangladeshi curry houses, offering a lively, traditional experience with many restaurants competing for diners. While considered a historic hub, opinions vary, with some locals noting that quality can be inconsistent compared to its peak, yet it remains a popular, bustling spot for a classic curry.
The majority are concentrated in West and North-west London (in the boroughs of Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Brent), though populations can be found throughout London.
Brick Lane is in the heart of the East End and is one of London's most iconic streets. Historically it's been home to French Huguenot and Jewish immigrants, and now it's a centre for the Bangladeshi community. Along with its heritage, Brick Lane is known for its food.
By the 1970s and 1980s, Brick Lane had transformed into “Bangla Town”, a thriving hub for the Bangladeshi community. The arrival of the first curry houses in the mid-20th century turned the street into a culinary magnet that drew food lovers from across London—and beyond.
Finding The Best Curry House In London | Food Tours | Insider Food
Where is Little India, London?
Southall: Southall's Little India is located in the borough of Ealing. It is the oldest Little India in the UK, and is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse population.
You must have seen a lot of Bollywood celebrities come to London for vacations. But do you know where they actually go to eat? It's this place called Apna Punjab in South Hall. They known for some of the best and most authentic Punjabi food in London and they even cater for Bollywood shoots and events.
London's oldest surviving Indian restaurant is Veeraswamy, located on Regent Street, which opened in 1926, making it a historic institution serving authentic Indian cuisine for nearly a century, despite recent challenges to its lease.
Yes, Brick Lane is still considered cool, remaining a vibrant East London hub for street art, vintage fashion, diverse food (especially curry and bagels), lively markets (weekends are best), and unique nightlife, though its vibe constantly evolves with new pop-ups and evolving trends. It's a mix of historic charm, bohemian culture, and modern-day gentrification, always offering something interesting to explore, especially during its energetic weekend markets.
Littered with vintage boutiques and colourful stalls, Brick Lane is famously known for its vintage fashion and although it makes for a great day out, a lot of the fashion can be very expensive.
Upmarket hosts an array of artisanal food traders offering freshly created and selected produce ranging from natural preserves to sourdough breads. Locally sourced fruits are used to make invigorating smoothies and juices as well as sustainably sourced and fair-trade delicacies from around the globe.
The curry chain Dishoom have a brilliant way of applying behavioural science: the matka. At the end of your (off-peak) meal you roll a dice and if it's a six everything is free.
No, Dishoom, the popular Bombay-inspired restaurant chain, does not currently hold a Michelin star, though some locations were previously listed in the Michelin Guide until early 2022 and have received other accolades like a Michelin Chefs award for their cuisine. While not Michelin-starred, Dishoom is highly regarded for its accessible, popular, and consistently delicious food, often praised for being a great value compared to starred restaurants like Gymkhana.
While beauty is subjective, Dishoom Kensington (Art Deco glamour, high ceilings, chandeliers, live music) and Dishoom King's Cross (vast, multi-storey, gentleman's club meets industrial warehouse) are often cited as the "prettiest" or most visually impressive, with Dishoom Battersea praised for its riverside setting and retro-futuristic design, though Shoreditch offers unique character, and Covent Garden is charming but cramped.
Since the 1990s, Brick Lane has become a mecca for artists, hippies, bohemians and yuppies, thanks to its countless pieces of street art, and it's also home to some of London's best-known nightclubs, independent boutiques, and vintage fashion markets that have attracted both locals as well as tourists from all over the ...
Index of Multiple Deprivation (UK government qualitative survey): Areas to the east of Brick Lane are among the 20% most deprived in the country. Areas to the west are among the 40% least deprived.
Here are some Indian billionaires who own luxurious properties in London: 5. Mukesh Ambani – Purchased Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire in 2020 for ₹592 crore. 4. Lakshmi Mittal – Owns multiple expensive properties, including a $500 million (₹4,150 crore) mansion with 15 bedrooms on Kensington Palace Gardens.
Ask a local where to find a delicious curry or enjoy Bhangra music, and they'll likely direct you to Southall, located in west London. This vibrant area, often referred to as "The Little Punjab of London," is where the Sikh community has thrived since the 1950s.
The biggest immigrant population in London, by country of birth, is from India, followed by large communities from Romania, Poland, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, reflecting both historical Commonwealth ties and recent EU migration patterns, with India consistently leading as the largest single non-UK birthplace, notes the Trust for London.
