Brick Lane – Visiting East London’s Iconic Street

Last Updated on 15 October, 2025

Brick Lane is one of East London’s most iconic streets, stretching from Bethnal Green to Whitechapel, and buzzing with vintage shops, street art, curry houses, and trendy coffee spots.

Whether you’re here for vintage shopping in Shoreditch, exploring London’s street art scene, or grabbing a late-night salt beef bagel, Brick Lane is an unmissable stop on any East London itinerary.

It’s also home to famous food markets, independent boutiques, and historic landmarks that reflect the area’s rich multicultural past — from Huguenot chapels to Bangladeshi mosques.

Here’s your guide to the best things to do on Brick Lane — including where to eat, shop, and explore in one of London’s most creative neighbourhoods.

 

 

A Little History of Brick Lane 

Once known as Whitechapel Lane, Brick Lane has been evolving since the 15th century — transforming from a humble brickyard route into one of London’s most famous cultural streets.

The area’s diverse heritage is reflected in its architecture and cuisine. Over the centuries, Brick Lane has been home to French Huguenots, Jewish immigrants, and later the Bangladeshi community, whose restaurants helped shape the city’s famous curry scene.

Today, you can still see this history in the Brick Lane Mosque, a building that has served as a church, synagogue, and mosque — a symbol of East London’s layered cultural identity.

 

ALSO SEE: Guide To Shopping in Shoreditch

 

 

In 1742, a Huguenot Chapel was named La Neuve Eglise on the corner of Fournier Street and Brick Lane. From 1809 onwards, the missionaries used this chapel as The Jews Chapel with an eye on the expanding Jewish community where they promoted Christianity. In 1819, the Protestant residents used this as a Methodist chapel.

In 1898, this chapel came to be known as Machzikei HaDath, Spitalfields Great Synagogue. The demographics of this region underwent a gradual change, with a decrease in the Jews count and an increase in the Bangladeshis count.

Due to this, in 1976, this construction was named the Great London Mosque or London Jamme Masjid to cater to the Bangladeshis’ requirements. This means one building has been a church, a synagogue and now a mosque which is quite remarkable.

 

The 19th century witnessed the immigration of Ashkenazi Jews and Irish people. Till the early 20th century, Jewish immigration continued. The major immigrants in the later 20th century were Bangladeshi Bengalis from Sylhet.

This was the second wave of Anglo-Indian cuisine development. Many Bengali immigrants worked in the docks and had come from the Chittagong port. In 1997, the ornamental Brick Lane Arch, which Meena Thakor designed, was erected close to Osborn Street as a mark for entry to Brick Lane and ‘Banglatown.’

Since the late 1990s, several reputed nightclubs, such as The Vibe Bar and 93 Feet East, have begun operations on Brick Lane. Here, you can find a regular display of street art related to artists such as Omar Hassan, Ben Eine, D Face, ROA, Stik, and Banksy.

 

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Vintage Shopping on Brick Lane

If you love thrifting and second-hand treasures, Brick Lane is one of the best vintage shopping areas in London. The street is lined with retro boutiques, record stores, and pop-up markets selling everything from designer denim to handmade jewellery.

Don’t miss:

• Rokit – an East London institution for vintage fashion and accessories.

• Thrifted.com Market – find unique pieces and statement looks.

• Hunky Dory Vintage and Vintage Paradise – for carefully curated vintage finds.

On weekends, explore the Brick Lane Vintage Market inside the Truman Brewery — perfect for fashion lovers, stylists, and collectors.

 

ALSO SEE: Best Places For Cheap Shopping In London – Where To Shop On A Budget

 

 

Brick Lane Shops

There is everything on Brick Lane, from Asian restaurants, street food stalls, souvenir shops, vintage shops, some of which we have covered on the blog to the unmissable salted beef bagel shops, tattoo parlors and cafes. All sat comfortably along side each other in this colourful part of London. Below are some of the shops on Brick Lane.

• Brick Lane Mini Market London – 100 Brick Ln, London E1 6RL
• Thrifted.com – Vintage Market Shoreditch, Unit 30, 85 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL
• Backyard Market – 146 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL
• Brick Lane Souvenirs – 160a Brick Ln, London E1 6RU
• Cream Vintage London – 158 Brick Ln, London E1 6RU
• Rokit – 101 Brick Ln, London E1 6SE
• Brick Lane Vintage – 182 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA
• Kin Store London – 131 Brick Ln, London E1 6SE
• Serotonin Vintage London – 194 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA
• Non Stop Vintage – 117c Brick Ln, London E1 6HR
• Bankrupt Store – 145 Brick Ln, London E1 6SB
• Here After – 151 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA
• Beigel Shop – 155 Brick Ln, London E1 6SB
• Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery – 159 Brick Ln, London E1 6SB
• Vintage Paradise – 220 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA
• Hunky Dory Vintage – 226 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA
• Temple Cycles – 240 Brick Ln, London E2 7EB

 

 

Brick Lane Markets

Every weekend, Brick Lane Market transforms the area into a vibrant hub of food, fashion, and creativity.

You’ll find:

• Backyard Market – handmade crafts, jewellery, and local art.

• Sunday UpMarket at Truman Brewery – indie fashion, vintage, and international street food.

• Brick Lane Food Hall – global bites from Korean BBQ to vegan treats.

 

ALSO SEE: 21 Best Markets In East London

 

 

Nearby Attractions

There’s plenty to explore around Brick Lane:

• Boxpark Shoreditch – the world’s first pop-up mall for food and fashion.

• Columbia Road Flower Market – colourful blooms every Sunday morning.

• Spitalfields Market – a covered market with designer stalls and gourmet food.

• Shoreditch High Street – trendy bars and cocktail lounges for a night out.

 

ALSO SEE: Shoreditch Nightlife Guide

 

 

Things To Do Near Brick Lane

There is plenty to do on this long lane in London’s Shoreditch. You can drop by the Shoreditch High Street nearby, you have plenty of markets, from clothing markets to food markets and the must-see Columbia Road Flower Market which runs on Sundays is close by.

Below are just a few things to do in Brick Lane and nearby.

 

• Brick Lane Market – It refers to the group of London markets in east London in Tower Hamlets on the Brick Lane. These markets sell many items, ranging from vintage clothing and street food to eight-track cartridge decks and antique books.

 

• Beigel Bake Bakery – The bakery is open round the clock producing 7,000 beigels per day. It sells beigels with fillings, such as salmon, cream cheese, chopped herring, hot salt beef with mustard, and some sweets and pastries.

 

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• Backyard Market – This is the top artisanal market in East London, where you can buy a very large and varied selection of lifestyle products, homeware, beauty, fashion, and art.

 

• Spitalfields City Farm – This offers educational opportunities for adults and children in a multi-cultural, vibrant community to enable them to learn new skills, develop confidence, and overcome social isolation. There is another farm also close by which we have covered on the blog. Be sure to add Hackney City Farm to your list of places to visit in East London.

 

• Boxpark Shoreditch – In 2011, Shoreditch Boxpark became the first pop-up shopping mall in the world. It offers independent and familiar brands specializing in drinks, food, arts, and fashion.

 

ALSO SEE: 34 Things To Do In East London: A Comprehensive Guide To The Best Activities, Areas, And Tours

 

 

Street Art & Culture

One of the biggest draws to Brick Lane is its world-class street art. The walls here are a living canvas featuring famous names like Banksy, Stik, ROA, and Ben Eine.

For photography lovers, it’s one of the best Instagram spots in London, and guided Shoreditch street art tours are available for those who want to learn more about the artists and their work.

 

ALSO SEE: 8 Amazing Food Tours In London Perfect For Foodies

 

 

• The Truman Brewery Market – This market offers a platform for new fashion, art, and design with an ethos that matches the Brewery. It is a secure site with bollards, barriers, alarms, CCTV, firm security procedures, patrolling SIA-accredited guards, and 24-hour security.

 

 

Where to Eat on Brick Lane

Brick Lane is often called London’s Curry Capital — and for good reason. It’s packed with Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants, as well as street food stalls, bagel shops, and cafés.

Top spots to try:

• Aladin Brick Lane – iconic curry house known for its spicy Balti dishes.

• Beigel Bake – 24-hour bakery famous for its salt beef bagel, a must-try in East London.

• Cinnamon Kitchen City – for a modern twist on Indian cuisine just off Brick Lane.

• Dark Sugars Cocoa House – incredible hot chocolate and handmade truffles.

 

 

Book Brick Lane Tours & Experiences

For a deeper dive into Brick Lane’s culture, book a walking tour or street art tour that explores the area’s rich history and vibrant art scene.

There are also Brick Lane food tours where you can taste curries, bagels, and sweets while learning about the Bangladeshi and Jewish influences that shaped the neighbourhood.

 

 

How to Visit Brick Lane – Getting To Brick Lane

Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street (Overground) or Liverpool Street (Central Line).

Best Time to Visit: Weekends for the markets, early mornings for photography.

Guided Experiences: Book a Brick Lane walking tour or food tour to learn about the area’s history, street art, and multicultural heritage.