Best Curry Houses in Brick Lane London: A Foodie Guide

The absolute best curry in Brick Lane depends on your vibe: Aladin’s is the go-to for a classic, bustling experience, Sheba offers refined, award-winning Bangladeshi dishes, and City Spice is widely considered the 'King' of the street. For the best experience, steer clear of the pushy street touts and use your data to check real-time reviews before stepping inside.

The Legend of the Brick Lane Curry

If you’re an Aussie or Kiwi landing in London, Brick Lane is likely at the top of your hit list. Located in the heart of East London’s Banglatown, this narrow, graffiti-covered street is world-famous for its high concentration of South Asian restaurants. It’s a sensory overload: the smell of toasted cumin and turmeric, the neon lights, and the relentless energy of the 'touts' trying to lure you into their dining rooms with promises of free beer or 20% off the bill.

But here’s the catch: not all curry houses are created equal. Some are tourist traps serving lukewarm korma, while others are culinary institutions that have been family-run for generations. To find the authentic stuff, you need to know where to look. More importantly, you need to be able to look it up on the fly. Don’t rely on the 'free Wi-Fi' promised by restaurants—it rarely works when the place is packed. Instead, grab a UK eSIM before you leave Sydney or Auckland. You can see plans that connect you to local networks like EE and Three, ensuring you have the 5G speed needed to navigate the backstreets of Shoreditch.

Top 5 Curry Houses You Can’t Miss

1. Aladin’s

Aladin’s is arguably the most famous name on the street. Even HRH King Charles (back when he was Prince) has popped in. It’s loud, it’s cramped, and it’s exactly what you want from a Brick Lane experience. Their Lamb Jalfrezi has a kick that will wake up your taste buds after a long-haul flight. It’s also BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle), so hit up a local off-licence for a few Cobras before you head in.

2. Sheba

If you want something a bit more 'refined' without losing the soul of the dish, Sheba is the winner. It has won numerous 'Best Curry House' awards and for good reason. Their 'Bollywood Blast' is a legendary spicy dish, but their traditional Bengali fish curries are the real stars. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for a slightly more comfortable seat than the standard wooden benches found elsewhere.

3. City Spice

Often called the 'King of Brick Lane,' City Spice prides itself on using traditional recipes with a modern presentation. They have an extensive vegan menu, which is a massive plus if you’re traveling with a mixed group. Their Thalis (a platter of various dishes) are the best way to try a bit of everything if you’re feeling indecisive.

4. Bengal Village

This is a solid, reliable choice that often has great deals for groups. The service is usually faster than its neighbors, making it a good pick if you’re trying to squeeze in a meal before a show or a night out in Shoreditch. Their Garlic Chilli Chicken is a pungent, spicy masterpiece.

5. The Famous Beigel Bake

Okay, it’s not a curry house, but you cannot visit Brick Lane without stopping at Beigel Bake (the white one, not the yellow one). Open 24/7, it’s the perfect palate cleanser after a spicy meal. Grab a salt beef bagel with extra mustard and pickles. It’s a London rite of passage.

Navigating the Touts and the Tech

Walking down Brick Lane is like running a gauntlet. Touts will approach you with menus, offering 'the best deal on the street.' Our advice? Ignore them. The best restaurants don’t need to beg for customers. This is where having a working data connection is vital. Instead of being pressured into a mediocre meal, stand to the side, open Google Maps, and check the recent reviews.

Many Aussies and Kiwis get caught out by the 'International Day Pass' trap. Telstra and Optus will happily charge you $10 a day just to access your home data. Over a two-week UK trip, that’s $140 gone—money that could have bought you about ten massive curry feasts. AussieRoam offers a much smarter way to stay connected. By using a data-only eSIM, you skip the roaming fees and connect directly to local UK towers.

UK Connectivity: EE vs Three

In the UK, the network landscape is dominated by a few big players. AussieRoam plans give you access to EE (which offers the best 5G coverage in London) and Three (great for 4G backup).

• London & Cities: You’ll almost always be on 5G with EE. This is perfect for uploading your food photos to Instagram or making WhatsApp calls back home to brag about your meal.

• Rural Areas: If your trip takes you beyond the M25, coverage can get spotty. If you’re heading north, check out our guide on the best mobile signal in the Scottish Highlands for hikers.

• The Tube: Be aware that most of the London Underground still doesn’t have mobile signal between stations, though it is being rolled out. You’ll usually get a burst of 5G at the platforms, so have your directions loaded before the train leaves the station.

If you are planning to drive across the country, you might want to see plans that offer higher data limits, like the 20GB or 50GB options, especially if you’re using phone-based GPS for hours. For more on navigating the British Isles, read our article on eSIM for the UK and Ireland: Mobile Data for Road Trips.

Comparing the Costs: Roaming vs eSIM

Feature	Telstra / Optus Roaming	AussieRoam eSIM
Daily Cost	$5 - $10 per day	One-off prepaid price
Network	Roaming partner (can be slow)	Local EE (5G) / Three (4G)
Setup	Automatic (often expensive)	Digital download (Instant)
Data Limits	Usually capped daily	Flexible (1GB to 50GB)
Phone Number	Keeps home number	Data only (No number)

Note that because AussieRoam plans are data-only, you won't get a local UK phone number. However, in 2026, who actually makes traditional phone calls? WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime work perfectly on these plans, so you can still call your mum or book a table at a restaurant using data.

How to Install Your UK eSIM

Setting up your connection is easier than choosing between a Madras and a Vindaloo. You can install it while you’re waiting for your flight at Sydney or Auckland airport, so you land at Heathrow or Gatwick with data ready to go.

1. Check Compatibility: First, check if your phone is compatible with eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Samsung/Google Pixel phones are sorted.
2. Pick Your Plan: Choose from fixed plans (like 3GB, 10GB, or 50GB) or a daily pass if you’re only in town for a few days.
3. Scan the QR Code: You’ll receive a QR code via email.
4. Activate:
   • iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
   • Android: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add.
5. Set as Primary Data: Ensure your AussieRoam eSIM is selected for 'Mobile Data' and keep your home SIM on for calls/texts if needed (but turn off 'Data Roaming' on your home SIM to avoid charges!).

For a more detailed breakdown, follow our guide on how it works.

How Much Data Do You Really Need?

• The Weekend Foodie (1GB - 3GB): Perfect for a 3-day stopover in London. Enough for Google Maps, checking restaurant reviews, and a few social media posts.
• The Explorer (5GB - 10GB): Ideal for a 10-14 day trip. You can use Spotify while walking the Thames and upload plenty of videos.
• The Digital Nomad (20GB - 50GB): If you’re working from a pub in East London or streaming Netflix on the train to Edinburgh, go big.

We offer a range of fixed plans (1GB/7 days, 3GB/30 days, 10GB/30 days, up to 50GB/180 days) and daily passes (0.5GB to 10GB per day) to suit any traveler. Top-ups are available if you realize you’ve been spending too much time on TikTok while waiting for your naan bread.

The bottom line

Brick Lane is a must-visit for any Aussie or Kiwi foodie, but don’t let the touts or the roaming charges ruin your night. Grab an AussieRoam eSIM, head straight for Aladin’s or Sheba, and enjoy the best curry London has to offer without the stress of a massive phone bill waiting for you at home.