Lahore Kebab House

An east London kebab-and-curry institution started in 1972, cheap-and-delicious Lahore spent the end of the last century serving perfectly yummy vegetable curry, tikkas and rotis, but then turned its back on its humble roots and went big and splashy with an expansion that ripped out the original intimate space. Quality deteriorated a bit, and some were alienated. Now a 350-seater and going strong despite competition from nearby blockbuster neighbour Tayyabs [see entry], Lahore enjoys a certain classic status, with perfectly decent dishes on offer, many downright yummy. If you don't think back to its glory days, this is an unusually fine budget option for Pakistani specialities. Atmosphere is loud, lively and mostly male (including after-work City workers), with Sundays more family-friendly. A second branch can be found miles away in south-west London's Streatham (668 Streatham High Rd). Located about an eight-minute walk south-east of Brick Lane. Tube stations: Aldgate East and Whitechapel.