The spice route in the city is hotter than ever: new restaurants have introduced regional variations and new takes on traditional recipes, while old favorites are stepping up their game. We reveal London's top 20 Indian restaurants.
1. Gymkhana
It is influenced by elite clubs in India, where upper caste members socialize, eat, and participate in sports. Since 2014, the meet has held a Michelin star for its classic and modern Indian cuisine. Gymkhana's menu caters to all tastes and preferences, whether it's untamed mushroom pilaf, spicy Goan prawn curry, gently spiced truffles, or the Chatpata Nimbu Achaari Raita, and whatever you order, it'll be special.
2. Trishna
It is good for Gujarat. Cosmo with home-cured rose floral leaf tea or fancy gin and tonic. Begin your journey through Southern India with Trishna' Koliwada's elaborately embellished little plates that mix smoke and spices in spectacular dishes like a stuffed crab. Iyengar Aubergine Varuval with coconut, dried red peppers, shallots, curry leaves, and Makai Saag, Creamy Spinach and Sweet Corn with lentils and truffle pilau are among the delectable curries.
3. Kricket
It could be a collection of modern Indian restaurants that combine British ingredients with Indian flavors and aromas. The drink menu is full of surprises, such as the rum spike masala bottle. There is a theater-style kitchen, counters, and long communal tables in the restaurant. Kricket's bartenders create Indian-inspired cocktails using a variety of independent spirits, craft beers, and small-batch wines.
4. Dishoom
It is regarded as an important part of London life, although it has only been eight years since the opening of the first Bombay-style restaurant in Covent Garden. Dishoom pays homage to Iranian cafes as well as Mumbai's culinary art. Dishoom's menu features a variety of delectable Indian dishes that will inspire you to eat as much as you can while your wallet allows: spicy lamb chops marinated in juice and shrub sugar, warmed-over with daring spices including ginger, garlic, and black pepper. Daal is a signature dish that is steamed for more than twenty-four hours. The drinks menu remains popular, with lassis and craft beer on the menu, as well as fun cocktails to fancy at the basement bar if you're waiting for a table.
5. Bombay Bustle
It captures the essence of a costly and time-consuming preparation tradition. Many of Mumbai's most famous dishes will be styled here. The rarah keema pav, a richly seasoned ground lamb served with buttered bread, and the masala akuri, scrambled eggs with shimmering spices on a mushroom naan, are both excellent choices. The menu offers a reasonable stopover tour of various regions.
6. Pali Hill
The Pali Hill is located in the heart of Fitzrovia and was sculpted during the cultural fusion of community life, also known as the "built society" in Mumbai. Pali Hill, named after a charming neighborhood in town, serves the most effective Indian small plates in the region, derived from homemade recipes and ancient techniques and meant to be shared in an intimate setting. The restaurant celebrates a diverse range of flavors from across the country. A night of community and socializing, fine dining and intimacy, heat and sharing. The Bhandara Bhai cocktail bar downstairs is a great place to end the night.
7. Jamavar
This acclaimed fine-dining establishment receives high marks for everything from its interior design and atmosphere to its divine food. From the Royal Northern room to the delicious south coast options, the dishes explore distinct flavors and secret recipes from completely different regions of India. The menu deftly weaves together many aspects of Indian cuisine. So expect dishes like grilled goat meat and ocean bass curry, as well as Chandni chowk ki aloo Tikki, old Delhi butter chicken, araki lamb chop, and many more. Juicy scallops with tamarind date condiments and slow-cooked dal Jamavar with black lentils are highlights. This restaurant's wine list features a diverse selection of fine wines from the world's major wine regions.
8. Kutir
This elegant townhouse-style restaurant in the heart of Chelsea serves chic and traditional classic Indian cuisine. Kutir offers diners the opportunity to savour common flavors in exquisite dishes accompanied by cocktails and a selected wine list and inspired by the history and splendor of this magnificent part of the world. Roast duck in cashew sauce, Thai jackfruit, bhapa doi, and mango cassata are popular dishes here.
9. Darjeeling Express
Darjeeling specific continues to dish out an exquisite menu of Bengali and North Indian dishes, as well as delicious combinations of street food like papri chaats and royal dishes like lamb dum biryani, which takes you on a journey from Calcutta in the east of India to Hyderabad in the south. The food is served in the traditional Indian manner - the plates complement one another in texture and flavor, encouraging you to return and share anciently "draw at".
10. Gunpowder
The original Gunpowder branch tucked away in an alley behind Spitalfields Market, may appear underrated, but the food is explosive. The menu features extensive, well-prepared, and relaxing dishes that will leave you wanting to start over. Charcoal-grilled lamb chops and Chettinad pulled duck, organic baby chicken grilled with tandoori seasoning, and "cheese chutney sandwiches" are among the most notable dishes.
11. Cinnamon Kitchen
The old Westminster Library's ethereal Victorian backdrop is the ideal setting for this ground-breaking Indian restaurant. There are also four different types of naan to soak up the excess sauce, including simple, garlic, Peshwari, and chicken and cheese tikka. A greasy butter chicken did serve on a silver plate; a classic curry that is both familiar and uplifting and is paired with a creamy black sauce; and paella drizzled with aromatic whole grains, as well as crispy garlic to dip into a rich sauce.
12. Tayyabs
It has remained one of London's favorite casual eating establishments since the early 1970s and, judging by the large line that forms outside the door every night, shows no signs of slowing down. Since 1972, this vendor has been selling traditional Punjabi dishes. Thus, dishes range from delectable Karachi chicken keema to lemon thyme bread, crab meat soup, and egg yolk ravioli.
13. Benares
Benares, which is named after India's sacred city, combines tradition and bold modernity with handcrafted furniture, water features, and elegant and exotic interiors. Benares Restaurant & Bar is one of London's best Indian restaurants. Vegan and eatery food is delicious and allows for inventive cooking methods and unique dishes. The tikka panner is the go-to dish here, which could be a fusion of British ingredients with native Indian palates. And you can't go wrong with Tandoori Shakahari Momus. They come with a beetroot condiment and are flat-topped with catsup and chutney. They are South Asian dumplings that are popular throughout the Indian subcontinent, particularly in mountainous regions.
14. Chettinad Restaurant
It is well-known for its delectable cuisine, which is one of the many reasons people visit Chettinad. It provides a no-frills, no-frills, fashionable, and relaxed eating establishment that focuses on authentic South Indian culinary art in the heart of central London. No meal is complete without their signature Dosa, lentil pancakes that can be eaten at any time of day. Kolli poriyal and aadu chukka (lamb) is mandatory here.
15. Kahani, Chelsea
It serves traditional Indian dishes with a British twist made with seasonal British ingredients. Peeled crab with Mangalorean seasoning, turmeric, coconut smoked Malabar shrimp, and marinated tandoori broccoli served over the honey and crumbled poppadum art are among the menu highlights. The bhuna (cardamom, peppers, and shallots) on paratha is lightly spiced with chili pepper. For foodies, kulfis sorbet, an Indian ice cream in which eggs are replaced with evaporated milk for a milder creamy taste, is a must-try. And the JCB special edition 47 Brut from Maharashtra, an Indian sparkling wine named to commemorate the country's independence from Britain in 1947, is a definitive attempt in this category.
16. Brigadiers, The City
The Brigadier's house has 140 apartments indoors and 34 more on outdoor terraces, inspired by the chaotic bars of the Indian army, where army regiments dine, drink, and socialize. Afghan lamb skewers, smoked lamb eggplant, and a bowl of salted chicken lettuce with chilli are among the appetizers on the small plate. Most dishes are fiery, so order plenty of sesame and cucumber raita to balance it all out.
17. Dum Biriyani House
It specializes in dum, a change of state technique in which meat or vegetables are tempered with spices associated with rice, then flat-topped and sealed with a pastry lid and steamed until perfumed and tender. Okra yoghurt, baby aubergine, house pickle, and papadums are served with all dishes. The pig trotter and wild garlic soup is a surprising light option, while the siphonophore shorba and lukhmi pastries are crisp and flaky, filled with guinea fowl, and scented with fenugreek.
18. Chutney Mary, St James
Its cuisine is inspired by a holistic Indian dining experience, incorporating regional tastes and traditions through the use of only the finest ingredients. The menu at the restaurant is diverse, with attractively presented small plates, delicate kebabs, complex stews, and curries. The dishes range in heat from mild to hot. Tokri Chaat (a basket of potato chips filled with vegetarian food), golden fried shrimp, grilled scallops in Mangalorean sauce, lobster, and Andhra peppers are among the main courses.
19. Hoppers
The excellent Sri Lankan small plates at reasonable prices are the main draw of this ever-popular Hoppers branch in Soho, though the cozy interior should not be overlooked. You should order the entire menu. However, we recommend trying a few short eats' before ordering one of the eponymic hoppers (a concave rice flapcake with an adhesive egg embedded in its base). Hoppers are excellent value for money, and the lovely staff always make you feel welcome.
20. Jikoni
Gourmets flock to the restaurant, which is frequented by top chefs and locals alike. Jikoni is located in the heart of London's Marylebone neighborhood, just a five-minute walk from Selfridges and Baker Street. Jikonis' menu changes with the seasons, with dishes such as venison samosas cooked in cloves with beet chutney and roasted Brussels sprouts with a sweet and sour sauce.