Brick Lane is one of the best-known streets in East London, combining migration history, religious landmarks, industrial heritage, street art and modern markets within a short stretch. The street lies in Tower Hamlets near the City of London, within walking distance of Spitalfields and Shoreditch.
Brick Lane history
Brick Lane’s development is closely linked to industrialisation and immigration. In the late 17th century, French Huguenots settled in the area and introduced silk weaving. Around the same period, Truman Brewery was founded and grew into one of London’s largest breweries during the 18th and 19th centuries.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a Jewish community from Eastern Europe moved to the area. After the Second World War, the population changed again, and during the late 20th century, Bangladeshi immigrants settled here. Their influence is especially visible in the restaurant scene and in the area’s religious and social life.
One of the most prominent buildings is Brick Lane Mosque. Built in the 18th century as a Huguenot chapel, it later served as a Methodist church and synagogue and today functions as a mosque. The building reflects the area’s successive religious communities.
Industrial activity remained important for decades. Old Truman Brewery ceased brewing in 1989, after which the former industrial buildings were converted into offices, markets and event spaces.
Old Truman Brewery and Brick Lane Market
Today, the Old Truman Brewery houses creative businesses, restaurants and market spaces. The popular Brick Lane Market takes place on Sundays, spreading along the street and around the brewery area. Visitors can browse vintage clothing, antiques, crafts, collectibles and street food. The Brick Lane Vintage Market, downstairs in the brewery building, is the biggest vintage clothing market in London. The market hosts many sellers in its labyrinthine corridors, offering plenty of variety.
Several regular markets operate within the brewery complex:
- Sunday Upmarket combines fashion, art and food on Sundays.
- Backyard Market focuses on independent designers and runs on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Boiler House Food brings together street food traders on weekends.
- Vintage Market, located in the brewery basement, is London’s largest vintage destination and opens Thursday to Sunday.
- The Tea Rooms specialise in furniture and antiques at weekends.
Various seasonal events are also held throughout the year, including those during London Design Week, which get a lot of visibility.
Vintage Brick Lane – second-hand shopping
Brick Lane has long been known as a vintage shopping hub. Several second-hand shops operate along the street and in the area, with frequently changing stock.
- Serotonin Vintage and Cream focus on design-led pieces
- Rokit and Brick Lane Vintage specialise in denim and streetwear
- Vintage Basement focuses on menswear
- House of Vintage offers a more classic aesthetic
- Beyond Retro stocks a wide range of clothing from different decades
- Hot Futures focuses on colourful vintage styles
Street art on Brick Lane
Brick Lane forms part of the wider Shoreditch–East London street art area. Works by artists such as Banksy, Stik, ROA and Ben Eine have appeared here.
- Banksy is known for stencil works
- Stik for minimalist human figures
- ROA for large-scale animal murals
- Ben Eine for typographic street art
The artworks change frequently, so specific pieces cannot be guaranteed to remain.
Food culture on Brick Lane
Brick Lane is often called London’s curry capital. During the 1970s and 1980s, Bangladeshi restaurateurs opened numerous curry houses along the street, a tradition that continues today. Restaurant windows often display photos of celebrity visitors.
Popular Bangladeshi-owned restaurants include Aladin, Sheba, City Spice, Bengal Village and The Famous Curry Bazaar, serving British-Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.
The area’s former Jewish community also left a culinary legacy. Founded in 1974, Bagel Bake is famous for its salt beef bagels and its 24-hour opening, with customers often queuing for them.
What to see near Brick Lane
Brick Lane is within walking distance of several East London attractions.
- Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays)
- Boxpark Shoreditch, a container-style food and retail hub
- Spitalfields Market, a historic covered market with design brands, crafts and food
The surrounding streets also feature numerous cafés and restaurants.
