Curries. Tandoori. Biryanis. I could eat the lot, I don’t know about you… In fact, whether I’m dining in or getting an Indian takeaway, the cuisine is lost upon me if you restrict me eating just one dish – instead of feasting upon the entire menu. Thankfully, Indian restaurants in London offer an incredible variety, making it easy to indulge in all the flavors at once.
You’ve probably heard about Dishoom. I mean, it’s pretty faultless. Great food, fair pricing – the bottomless chai really is a winner here. Go for the lamb chops, Bombay potatoes and the dal – stay for everything else. But what about the notorious queues?
Now, as a serious foodie, I’m not averse to waiting my turn for a good bite to eat – but in London, where there is a plethora of restaurants spanning every cuisine, I feel as though queuing should be done sparingly.
So, as fabulous as Dishoom is, I thought I’d highlight a few other delicious Indian eateries in the city that are definitely worth a shout out. Whether you’re looking for a cosy ambience or to dine in luxury, there’s most certainly no shortage of exquisite Indian food in London.
So, without further ado, here are a selection of Indian restaurants in London to visit when you next dine out.
10 Best Indian Restaurants in London
Benares
For those who enjoy the finer things in life – but still want a good curry – Benares is the Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant to have on your list. Having visited a couple of times myself, neither the food nor service has ever faltered. Start with a lychee and mango cocktail before perusing the menu; the baked Malabar scallops with coconut curry are a firm favourite, while the oyster vindaloo with steamed sanna is a more unusual offering.
Mains-wise, it’s hard to choose, with everything from Welsh lamb and chickpea masala to fish and egg curry and beetroot kofta korma. I opted for a lobster biryani-style dish cooked in stock with pink peppercorn raita and onion salad – divine, if a little pricey. The wild halibut with clam moilee in a rogan josh-style sauce was another standout. Add a few kulchas, rotis or naans for mopping up the sauces, and you’re onto a winner. If you have room for dessert, the pistachio praline dark chocolate tart is a must.
Farzi London
While many central London spots risk feeling gimmicky and aimed at tourists, Farzi is not one of them. The whole menu offers plenty to choose from, but my personal favourite will always be the butter chicken baos. What a creation. So simple, yet so delicious. Butter chicken. In a bao. If I haven’t convinced you to order them, please get in touch and I’ll take you next time – because thanks to these beauties, there’ll always be a next time.
I’m actually here to talk about the brunch offering, too (I know, my ode to the bao was a slight red herring). At around a tenner less than a mains dish from the à la carte menu, it’s a pretty reasonable offering, with eggs royale or florentine, avocado chaat and banana ragi pancakes all on the menu.
My favourite had to be the dosa taco, available with jackfruit or chicken and a fried egg. Both are delicious, but I actually preferred the meat-free version. Don’t mind me – just out here doing God’s work for you all. Wash it down with Farzi’s signature cocktails and that’s a solid Saturday in my book.
Jamavar
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in Mayfair, Michelin-starred Jamavar London is marking the occasion with its first-ever Onam Sadhya, available until 31st August. For those unfamiliar, Onam is Kerala’s annual harvest festival, with the Sadhya at its heart – a 21-dish feast traditionally served on a banana leaf and shared with family and friends.
At Jamavar, the feast is particularly personal, inspired by Leela Nair, affectionately known as Leelamma, the beloved matriarch of the Nair family. Curated by Executive Chef Surender Mohan, expect banana chips, pickles, coconut-rich vegetable dishes, fragrant curries and rice, alongside coastal favourites including Sea Bass inspired by Meen Porichathu and Alleppey Prawn Curry. A vegetarian option is available, too – because nobody should miss out on a feast like this.
Dessert comes in the form of Pal Payasam and Parippu Pradhaman with a traditional elaichi banana. Priced at £68 per person and available at lunch with 24-hour pre-order, it’s a delicious way to get a taste of Kerala’s rich culinary heritage in the middle of your day.
Copper Chimney
Located in the heart of Westfield London, Copper Chimney is the perfect stop for any tired shopper in need of a tasty break. I immediately loved the menu’s division into curries, tandoori dishes and biryanis – as well as the waiter’s insistence that I try one of each. My type of waiter (please take note).
I also think it should be a rite of passage at Indian restaurants in London to create your own mixed platter of starters. Ours came piled with yoghurt and cheese tikkis, green pea and potato samosas, carom-flavoured shrimp and poppadoms with all the chutneys. The waiter pulled up another table; I liked her even more.
The Delhi-fried chicken didn’t quite win me over, but the chargrilled chicken tikka, lamb seekh kebabs and spiced prawn and saffron biryani certainly did. Torn between butter chicken and pickled chicken masala, the latter won out – its tartness was exceedingly moreish, particularly when mopped up with garlic and cheese naans. For dessert, the Gajar Pistachio Crumble is a sweet finish, while the sour whisky and mango cocktail went down a treat.
Pure Indian Cooking
Step away from Central London and guess what – you’ll find the same array of delicious restaurants. Some may even be better. Pure Indian Cooking is a perfect example, where you can eat well without fighting the crowds or booked-out tables, all while enjoying genuinely lovely service. Husband-and-wife duo Faheem Vanoo and Shilpa Dandekar run both front of house and the kitchen, making for a wonderfully personal dining experience.
I’ve never been disappointed by a sharing board of starters, so that was an immediate yes. Tandoori paneer, chilli-fried squid, malai tikka and seekh kebab were joined by the ‘Taste of Mumbai’ – bhel, pani poori and papdi chaat. A very good start.
It was hard to bypass the lamb chops, but the Telangana prawn masala had me hooked, with ginger, curry leaves, chilli and tomatoes proving that simple dishes can make a serious impact. I also went rogue with the pistachio chicken curry, while the dal makhani and butter naan were essential sides. The pea and jeera pulao was tasty, if a little less memorable – but all is fixed with one of the signature mango margaritas…
Colonel Saab
Walking under a ceiling of sparkling chandeliers, I thought to myself, “This restaurant has got the decor right.” Impressive to all (and dare I say, perfect for the average Instagrammer!), Colonel Saab is instantly pleasing to walk into.
I was told I had to try the Andhra-style baby aubergine, served with curry leaf and tamarind sauce – sweet, light and with just the right amount of tang. Paired with paneer, it made for a lovely contrast. Memsaab’s chicken curry, named after the Colonel’s beloved wife, was a must-try, though I found it slightly bland for my taste. The Colonel’s butter chicken, however, was exactly what I’d been craving.
No Indian meal is complete without the usual crew of chutneys, dals, naans, rotis and rice, but the cumin potatoes made a particularly lasting impression. And while cheesecake is my favourite dessert, period, the rasmalai milk cake stole the show. That cardamom cream – I’m still thinking about it.
Chourangi
Nestled just behind Marble Arch, Chourangi is a Central London hidden gem. While the classics are always welcome, dishes like crackling spinach with almond slivers offer a nice change from bhel while you peruse the menu.
From tandoor to curries and biryanis, Chourangi does it all. I pretty much created my own tasting menu to appease my appetite and avoid any FOMO. The tandoori tiger prawns, flavoured with black peppercorns, ginger and yoghurt, were a standout, while the chilli paneer had a lovely kick and the steamed crab and prawn parcels were a more unusual offering. I was told I absolutely had to try the Kosha Mangsho – slow-roasted Welsh lamb with yoghurt, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and mustard oil. The waiter had me at slow-roasted. It paired beautifully with the chicken biryani, with the rice and naans doing an excellent job of mopping up all that rich, amber-orange curry sauce.
No room for dessert, but a full tummy and Tupperware to take home? I’d call that a success.
Masala Zone
There are a fair few Masala Zone spots around, so you’d be forgiven for thinking this Indian restaurant in London is like countless other chains. But the gorgeous decor, friendly staff and menu of little gems make it well worth a visit.
The Jaipur gol guppa pops are a fun starter, while the Goan crispy-fried prawns with vindaloo mayo are a must-order. The onion flower bhajia is another perfectly crispy, seriously moreish snack. Butter chicken is a classic and Masala Zone does a satisfying version, while the paneer tikka and lamb seekh kebab are packed with flavour. Add black dal, homemade raita and plenty of naan and chapatti for mopping up the sauces. For dessert, the coconut ice cream was the perfect finish.
Pravaas
Tucked away in South Kensington, Pravaas offers a cosy and inviting escape with its warm interiors and welcoming atmosphere. The friendly service adds to the charm, making diners feel instantly at home as they embark on a journey through vibrant Indian flavours. Among the standout dishes is the wasabi chicken, a creative fusion of bold spice and a touch of heat that dances on the palate.
Equally impressive is the red snapper and palourde moilee, where tender fish is marinated in chilli, tamarind, ginger, and garlic and bathed in a rich, aromatic coconut sauce that’s perfectly spiced and deeply satisfying. Accompanied by clams and samphire pakora, this curry was truly the star of the show. The lamb rogan josh is succulent and flavoursome, while heat-lovers should definitely sample the prawn balachao. Of course, there are naans, rotis, rice and dals galore, too. Pravaas masterfully combines comforting hospitality with inventive cuisine, making it a delightful spot for both casual meals and special occasions.
Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, Mayfair
If you’re in the mood for a more fine-dining experience, Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, tucked away in Mayfair, is a worthy choice on our list of the best Indian restaurants in London. Helmed by MasterChef‘s Atul Kochhar, who was the first Indian chef to win a Michelin star at the acclaimed Tamarind, you know you’re in good hands. I anticipated the food would be very good, but what really helped this restaurant shine was the warm service, instantly putting us at ease and inviting us to learn more about the dishes.
We couldn’t resist the seven-course tasting menu, which pairs traditional Indian flavours with modern twists, including Atul’s signature chicken tikka pie with cumin-mixed berry chutney. We were taken on a real journey of flavours, and the wine kept flowing (a light and peppery red that really complemented the dishes).
Current menu highlights include Changezi Champen (a flavour-packed dish of Romney lamb cutlet with kohlrabi and jus), Orkney scallops served with caramelised apple, ginger purée, and Exmoor caviar, and the chef’s signature dessert, Mithai Platter, rasmalai with saffron-poached pear, dark chocolate mousse, and almond fudge. A masterclass in Indian fine dining.
Like this? Take a look at our guide to the best seafood restaurants in London, the best oyster restaurants in London for a special occasion, written by a shellfish enthusiast, or our brilliant guide to the best Asian restaurants in London, with advice on how to recognise authentic cusine beyond the postcode hype.
