Here’s the insider scoop: the best curry house is the one that picks you. You’ll see guys in waistcoats doing a little dance to lure you in. Don’t resist! Go with the one who makes you laugh. If they offer you a “free poppadom if you sit down,” that’s a declaration of love in Curry Land.
I once got roped into a place called Café Naz by a guy who claimed his curry “cures sadness.” He wasn’t wrong. I left with a full belly, a new friend named Amir, and a mild obsession with garlic naan. See? Life gets better when you let a stranger feed you.
How to Avoid the Tourist Traps (Sort Of)
Look—everywhere on Brick Lane has a gimmick. But the real gems are the ones with a grumpy owner and a queue of locals out front. Avoid the places with dancing robots (yes, they exist). Instead, look for the spot where the menu is laminated and smells like home.
Pro tip: Ask for your curry “Chinese-style” hot. It’s a London thing, and it’ll wake up your taste buds so fast they’ll file a complaint. And always, always order a side of daal. It’s the comfort food of the gods.
Best Curry House on Brick Lane, London - The Famous Curry Bazar
