High Street Ledger · the halal ledger
The Halal Ledger

Halal Restaurant

2 St Mark St, London E1 8DJ, UK4.3 (940 reviews)020 7481 1700websitemap

Reputedly London's oldest Indian restaurant (est. pre-WWII), a timeless Aldgate institution serving classic North Indian curries and tandoori — fully halal food and now newly re-licensed for alcohol.

Why it's listed: Named Halal Restaurant, historic halal Indian; alcohol incidental

Profile last updated 14 July 2026.

Halal Restaurant — photo
Photo: Omer Furkan Isik · Google
voice 1

The business claims it

Structured facts from the listing and website.

Cuisine style
Traditional North Indian: tandoori mixed grill, butter chicken, bhuna gosht, jalfrezi, curries and classic sweets
Tandoori Mixed Grill ... butter chicken ... Bhuna Gosht ... Chicken jalftezi ... Gulab Jamunreviews
Halal status
fully halal
Named 'Halal Restaurant'; long-standing halal Indian institution, 'Love the Halal'reviews
Service modes offered
dine in · takeaway
sit-down Indian restaurant ... meet friendsreviews
Alcohol policy
licensed
They just got their alcohol license backreviews
Price band
midrange
PRICE_LEVEL_MODERATE ... value for moneypriceLevel
voice 2

Customers reveal it

Recurring signal mined from real reviews — with receipts.

Atmosphere as customers describe it
Timeless, old-school interior kept unchanged for decades; historic and characterful
Timeless Indian restaurant ... kept the same old vibe of the placeeditorialSummary
Occasions customers use it for
meeting friends · traditional Indian meal · groups
Great spot to meet friendsreviews
Dishes customers name repeatedly
tandoori mixed grill · butter chicken · bhuna gosht · chicken jalfrezi · gulab jamun · free samosas
Tandoori Mixed Grill was excellent ... butter chicken ... Bhuna Gosht ... Chicken jalftezi always a hit ... free samosasreviews
Service character as customers describe it
Warm, attentive, personal service (free samosas, orange slices and sweets, photos)
they even offer orange slices and delightful candies ... took a photo for mereviews
Value for money as customers see it
Good value for money
Value for money as wellreviews
voice 3

Only the owner knows it

Questions we hold for the kitchen itself. Unanswered until they answer.

Origin story
Reputedly London's oldest Indian restaurant, established in the same premises before WWII
same home since it was established before WWII ... Oldest Indian restaurant in LondoneditorialSummary

We're holding 9 questions for the owner — families & kids, best occasions & the vibe, vegan, coeliac & allergy options, why choose you, groups, private hire & catering, booking or walk-in?, good to know before you visit, must-order dishes, made in-house & sourcing — and will publish the answers here once confirmed.