Dining

The 5 Best Restaurants in Brick Lane

The best restaurants in Brick Lane: where to eat well, chosen on merit.

In short: our top picks are Gunpowder, Som Saa and St. John Bread and Wine. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.

Brick Lane and Spitalfields pack in some of London’s most exciting cooking, from fierce Indian small plates to northern Thai and a 24-hour bagel institution. These are the best restaurants on and around Brick Lane.

Place Area Price
Gunpowder Spitalfields £££
Som Saa Spitalfields £££
St. John Bread and Wine Spitalfields £££
Dishoom Shoreditch Shoreditch £££
Beigel Bake Brick Lane ££
  1. Editor’s choice

    Gunpowder

    • Spitalfields
    • £££

    Why we pick itFiercely good Indian small plates in a tiny room near Spitalfields.

  2. Som Saa

    • Spitalfields
    • £££

    Why we pick itAcclaimed northern Thai cooking in a handsome Commercial Street room.

  3. St. John Bread and Wine

    • Spitalfields
    • £££

    Why we pick itThe Spitalfields outpost of St John; bakery, wine and nose-to-tail.

  4. Dishoom Shoreditch

    • Shoreditch
    • £££

    Why we pick itOld-Bombay cafe cooking near Brick Lane; always a queue.

  5. Beigel Bake

    • Brick Lane
    • ££

    Why we pick itThe 24-hour bagel institution; salt beef at any hour.

Before you book

The best spots are small and queue-prone; go early or midweek.

Common questions

What are the top picks in this guide?

Gunpowder is our editor's choice: Fiercely good Indian small plates in a tiny room near Spitalfields. Gunpowder, Som Saa and St. John Bread and Wine lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.

How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?

Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.