Guide to the best Indian restaurants on Brick Lane

This Brick Lane institution has been serving classic Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi fare since it opened in 1974. It's always been run by the same family and has nabbed several awards over the years, like the Best Curry in London (2022), the Best Indian Restaurant in Brick Lane (2012) and the Best Curry House in the UK (2015). They serve a menu of traditional fare, like chicken tikka masala, prawn vindaloo, samosas and more.

If you want to dine at one of the world’s best curry houses, you’ve come to the right place. Aladin’s was actually voted one of the best in the world and has even been visited by King Charles. They serve a menu of authentic dishes from the sub-continent, with an accompanying vegan menu for non-meat eaters and one that offers gluten-free options, too.

Step into Bangladesh at this authentic Brick Lane curry house, where they serve an award-winning menu of traditional Bangladeshi fare. The menu comprises the classics, like chicken tikka, chana masala and plenty of fragrant side dishes. If you’re partial to a balti, you’ll like it here; their balti list is almost an entire page.

The Monsoon was founded by Shams Uddin in 2001 and is one of Brick Lane's largest Bangladeshi-owned restaurants. It's been serving hungry Londoners looking to taste traditional Indian and Bangladeshi fare ever since. The restaurant is relaxed and casual, with walls lined with tables. Expect a menu brimming with aromatic dishes, like biriyanis, curries, tandoor dishes and more.

This family-run curry house serves a menu of Indian and Bangladeshi food from an eclectic menu of fragrant dishes. The menu is split into sections - medium-spicy, mild and creamy and fairly hot - so it’s easy to pick something perfect for your palette. Expect plenty of traditional Indian dishes alongside several Sylheti dishes from Bangladesh.

Preem opened on Brick Lane in 1963 and has served a menu of Indian and Pakistani favourites ever since. The menu is chock full of exquisite dishes, like butter chicken and chicken khaiber, a lesser-known Indian dish comprising a roasted chicken doused in an aromatic marinade; it’s particularly popular in rural northern Pakistani villages.

City Spice is an award-winning spot to enjoy traditional Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine. It was also the first Brick Lane establishment to offer a separate dining menu for vegans. The restaurant is spacious, seating around 105 people, and is decorated in shades of red balanced by tables draped in white tablecloths. The main menu is filled with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, like saag paneer, tandoori and plenty of seafood-based dishes.

Meraz is regarded as one of the city’s best places to enjoy a classic Indian meal, and it’s not hard to see why. This traditional restaurant specialises in a menu of the finest food, like chicken tikka, lamb chops and more. It’s also BYOB, so you don’t have to fork out loads of money adding on bottles of wine; you can bring along your own and spend the leftover money on trying a few more dishes.

When Londoners crave a curry, many flock straight to Brick Lane to get their fix. Despite the acclaimed Dishoom being located right around the corner, sometimes an authentic curry house just cannot be beaten, especially when it's Cinnamon. This spot has won numerous awards for its traditional dishes, like tandoori prawns, saag aloo and chicken tikka, all best eaten with fluffy naan breads for dipping, dunking and mopping.

The Famous Curry Bazaar is another one of the oldest curry houses on Brick Lane, specialising in aromatic Bangladeshi dishes, including heaps of vegetarian options. It won’t cost an arm and a leg, especially if you visit with a group and can order a bit of everything to try. Bombay aloo, murgh masala and lamb shashlik bhuna are just a few of the highlights you can expect to see on the menu.

Restaurant critics love Bengal Village on Brick Lane, and it’s not hard to see why. They serve some of the best dishes on the street like the tender slow-cooked parka lamb and various fish specialities. The restaurant is spacious and sleek, making for an excellent spot to enjoy a group meal.

There’s a reason everyone’s talking about Muhib Indian Cuisine; it’s another one of Brick Lane’s curry institutions, serving classic dishes in a candlelit setting. The restaurant is cosy and has a romantic feel, making it a fantastic date spot. Expect a menu chock-full of flavoursome dishes, like the tandoori king prawn bhuna and the barbecued chicken with yoghurt, fresh ground almonds and butter sauce.