London: East End Indian Food Tour & 8+ Tastings Brick Lane

Summary

Brick Lane’s curry houses, market sounds and sweet lassi breaks

You’ll wind through East London’s Brick Lane with a local guide, tasting eight or more Indian dishes from curries to sweets. Expect laughter over creamy lassi, stories about migration shaping these streets, and sensory surprises at every stop. You’ll leave full — maybe even changed by what you tasted and heard along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We started just off Liverpool Street Station — you know that hum of the city, taxis blurring by and someone selling flowers under the rail arches. Our guide, Priya, waved us over with a grin and before I could even think about being hungry, we were already walking toward Brick Lane. The smells hit first: cardamom drifting out of a bakery, something smoky from a tandoor. I tried to guess which dish was which but honestly, my nose isn’t that sharp.

First stop was this tiny spot where they handed us fried snacks stuffed with spiced chickpeas. Crunchy outside, soft inside — I burned my tongue because I got impatient. Priya told us how so many families came here from Bangladesh and India in the ‘60s and ‘70s, making this part of London their own. She pointed out Bengali signs above curry houses and we watched two uncles arguing (or maybe just talking very loudly?) outside a sweet shop. The curries came next — one creamy, one with that slow-building heat that makes you reach for your lassi a little too quickly. I always thought naan was just bread but fresh from the oven it’s pillowy and kind of perfect.

I lost track of how many dishes we tried — at least eight? There was lamb sizzling on a metal plate, rice fragrant with cloves, and those syrupy gulab jamun at the end that made me wish I’d worn looser jeans. We wandered through Old Spitalfields Market after; the air smelled like rain on concrete mixed with cinnamon. Someone played guitar under an awning while we finished our last bites (the “secret dish” — I won’t spoil it). It felt like being let in on something real about London — not just food but stories layered into every street corner.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — East London Indian Food and Culture Tour

• Start at Liverpool Street Station
• Pass by Whitechapel Gallery
• Walk through Brick Lane
• Explore Old Spitalfields Market
• Taste 8+ authentic Indian dishes
• Enjoy refreshing lassi drink
• Try classic Indian desserts
• Learn about Indian immigration history
• End with Secret Dish surprise

Top questions

How many tastings are included on this East London Indian food tour?

The tour includes 8 or more authentic Indian food tastings along Brick Lane and surrounding areas.

Where does the East London Indian food tour start?

The tour starts near Liverpool Street Station in central London’s East End.

Is lunch included in the Brick Lane Indian food tour?

Yes, the tour includes multiple tastings that together make up a full meal, including curries, naan, rice, snacks and desserts.

Are vegetarian options available on this food tour?

Yes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries are included; dietary needs can be accommodated if requested in advance.

Does this tour include dessert?

Yes, traditional Indian desserts like gulab jamun or rasgulla are part of the experience.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

Yes, a knowledgeable local guide leads the group through all stops in East London.

How much walking is involved in this East End food tour?

The tour involves a fair amount of walking; comfortable shoes are recommended.

What is the secret dish mentioned in the itinerary?

The secret dish is revealed at the end of the tour as a surprise for guests; details aren’t shared in advance.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Brick Lane and Old Spitalfields Market with all tastings covered: smoky tandoori specialties, rich curries (veg & non-veg), freshly baked naan and basmati rice, fried chickpea snacks, creamy lassi to cool things down, traditional sweets like gulab jamun or rasgulla—and finally their exclusive secret dish before you finish up near Whitechapel Gallery.