You will queue at Dishoom. That’s a fact, like rain in London or the Tube being delayed. But here’s the secret: the queue is part of the experience. You’re handed a chai tea that tastes like a hug from a very friendly Indian grandmother. While you sip, you watch the chaos—couples arguing over who gets the last piece of naan, tourists taking photos of their dal makhani for the ‘gram. It’s like a food-themed opera, but everyone’s happier.
Inside, the decor is a love letter to Bombay’s old Irani cafes. There are ceiling fans spinning lazily, vintage mirrors, and waiters with the confidence of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. You don’t eat here; you perform a ritual. The bacon naan roll—yes, bacon in an Indian restaurant—is the celebrity you didn’t know you needed. It’s greasy, crunchy, and so good it makes you forget your own name.
The Real Heroes: The Street-Side Dives
Now, if Dishoom is the polished rockstar, Brick Lane’s side streets are the garage bands you discover by accident. Walk a few meters off the main drag, and you’ll find Aladin. It’s so unassuming you might miss it, but the word “BYOB” is written in neon hope. You bring your own wine—or half a bottle of cheap rosé—and sit under a poster of the Taj Mahal. The chicken tikka is so tender it falls apart like a bad relationship ending.
My mate Dave once walked in there at 11 p.m. after a night out, wearing a stained hoodie. The owner, a man named Rahim, called him “Boss” and brought out a lamb biryani that cured Dave’s hangover before it started. That’s the magic: a place that doesn’t care if you look like a raccoon, as long as you eat the food with gusto.
Another hidden gem is Curry Bazaar, but don’t go for the name—go for the paneer pakoras. They’re like fluffy clouds that got a PhD in spiciness. The waiter will probably confuse you with a regular, even if it’s your first time, and ask, “Same order, boss?” You’ll nod, feeling like a local legend.
The 13 Best Indian Restaurants in Brick Lane | Thatsup London
