Brick Lane is London’s Cool Kid

This funky London street brings together arts, crafts, curry and independent culture in a fun, laid back mix

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What I love the most about London is that here no two places are alike, and sometimes a single street is a world in its own right. Take Brick Lane for example. It might be just a small, mostly pedestrian high street with an edgy vibe, but there are so many cool things to do, you could easily spend a whole day here. What sets it apart is that it’s nonconformist, creative and independent – all rolled into one delicious mix.

Speaking of delicious…

Brick Lane is a great place to have a British curry

When I first moved to the UK, half a lifetime ago, I couldn’t quite comprehend why some Brits considered curry to be the national dish. After all, curry is native to the Indian subcontinent and has nothing to do with traditional English cuisine, or does it? Later on, I was surprised to find out that the cultural exchange between Britain and its former colonies in Asia led to the introduction of curry on the British Isles as far back as the early 19^th century.

And I kid you not, the British love curry. There’s something both comforting and invigorating about having a spicy dish in the damp, cold weather, especially in winter. I think that’s what must have made curry so appealing. That and the fact that the more classically, natively British dishes are somewhat lacking in spices.

Brick Lane is the artery of an area that’s been home to a busy Bangladeshi community since the mid-20^th century. It was right here and in Birmingham that the Anglo-Bengali curry culture was born. Which is why Brick Lane was dubbed “the curry capital” of England.

Sadly, many businesses were hit hard by the pandemic and the economic downturn, and in recent years more than half of local curry eateries have closed doors. But you can still have a curry, including the iconic chicken tikka masala. There are at least a few dozen ethnic restaurants in the area.

If curry is not your thing or you are on a budget…

You Can Sample Street Food from Around the World

The Upmarket Food Hall at the Truman Brewery is a great option for quick takeaways. To be honest, I find the place way more tempting than all the local restaurants. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by the waft of freshly cooked food. Steam rises from huge pots in which cooks stir appetising dishes. Your mouth begins to fill with saliva within seconds, and you are hard pressed to choose what to have for lunch.

All that culinary sensuality comes with a lot of choices, too. You can try at least a dozen different world cuisines – Thai, Indian, German, Chinese, Mexican, and Bengali (again), to name a few. Grab a plate and join the other customers who lounge on beanies or gather around wooden tables, while the cooking goes on full steam. The food is hearty, fatty and spicy – and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you feel guilty for packing in the calories, you can always burn them later on by sightseeing.

Come to Brick Lane on a Sunday and you will find an outdoor food market, too, because apparently temptation is a local specialty. Yet, food is not all there is.

Crafts Are All Around You

Brick Lane is artistic in its own unique, unpretentious way. The young artists and craftsmen, who sell locally, don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. You can forget about the high-brow exhibitions of Soho or Chelsea, and that’s a very relaxing and refreshing experience, if you ask me. Artisanal, boutique, antique, vintage, and hand-crafted goodies are the main offerings on nearly every market stall and in every shop.

Make sure to pop inside the Backyard Market, the Vintage Market, and the Truman Brewery. The latter, as its name suggests, was once a brewery, apparently the largest in London. Today it lives through a new reincarnation as a multi-purpose commercial and cultural space. There’s dining and shopping (as already mentioned), but also art and music spaces.

The area behind the Upmarket Food Hall is filled with stalls offering everything from exquisite press-on nails to hand-knit decorations, ornate vintage-style jewellery and a bunch of other things. You can also browse the local shops for apparel, books, homeware and souvenirs, among other things. For bargain hunters there are also a couple of second-hand stores (in England we call them charity shops).

Street art greets you at every corner

From simpler “tags” to huge murals, keep an eye out for street art while you stroll around the area as you might find it where you least expect. There are also a few places worth checking out if you want to see a good exhibition or art event.

One such venue is the Whitechapel Gallery. Since its opening in 1899, it has hosted exhibitions by world-class artists, including Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Jackson Pollock, among others.

Every now and then the Truman Brewery hosts fantastic art events. Last time I was there, there was an exhibition showcasing the work of more than 30 contemporary artists, both home-grown and foreign talents. Most of them were present and eager to talk about their art. Not only were they approachable but they also showed a delightfully diverse range of techniques and styles.

My advice is to keep an eye on the websites of local venues, especially the Brewery, so you know what’s on before you arrive. You might be able to snatch discounted tickets in advance.

I hope you enjoy your time in Brick Lane, whatever surprises it brings. And if you have already been here, what did you enjoy the most? You can share it in the comments.

Next time, we are heading far from London.

With wander-love,

Your “Local” Insider