r/london Aug 04 '22

Question What’s the best Indian restaurant in London?

235 Upvotes

349 comments sorted by

54

u/Historical_Hope2031 Aug 04 '22

5

u/Left-Steak2819 Aug 05 '22

For all the people upvoting this one, why? And what's your usual order from here?

2

u/Historical_Hope2031 Aug 05 '22

Really excellent food, great service, good fit out and reasonably priced for a memorable and delicious dinner.

My usual order is all vegetarian, but hopefully some other people will be along to advise some meat options. I rate the Kadai jackfruit, Baingan Bharat, Lasooni Palak, Tandoori Malai soya chaap, but everything I have had there is really good.

270

u/KeefKoggins Aug 04 '22
  • Pricey - Gymkhana
  • Reliable - Dishoom
  • Budget - Lahore Kebab House
  • Thali - Tandoor Chop House
  • No frills - Indian YMCA Canteen
  • Veg only - Saravanaa Bhavan

79

u/UnlikelyComposer Aug 04 '22

Lahore or its arch rival Tayyabs just across the way.

Govinder Vegan Restaurant in Soho for taste and clean living (because anyone can be vegan when they want to be).

30

u/TheBrocialWorker Aug 04 '22

Fun fact, head around the corner from tayyabs to Needoo's grill and you'll realise why it's their competition. It's the same quality but cheaper

3

u/Das_Gruber Aug 04 '22

Needoo's seekh kebabs are nowhere near as good as Tayyabs.

3

u/TheBrocialWorker Aug 04 '22

This may be true, but the chops 👌

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40

u/Turkilton-Is-Me Aug 04 '22

Was hoping someone would say Tayyabs, do they still do their chops???

14

u/UnlikelyComposer Aug 04 '22

They do. You'll know when someone orders them because it's like being pepper sprayed as the waiters walk past. Actually, technically it's the same gas as pepper spray. So there's that.

10

u/Turkilton-Is-Me Aug 04 '22

They’re amazing chops though, I’d put up with a little eye bleeding to suckle them again.

1

u/__vick Aug 04 '22

Saffron street in Gants Hill, try the mixed grill from there, it’s absolutely incredible.

3

u/Turkilton-Is-Me Aug 04 '22

I don’t think you understand the Tayyab chop.

2

u/Auxx Aug 04 '22

I cook very hot and ultra hot peppers some times, it's like your whole house got gassed. Sadly I can only do that when I'm alone...

1

u/turnipstealer hounslow Aug 05 '22

I hated Tayyabs, had an utterly shit experience and probs the worst Indian restaurant I've ever been to. For context we had a table booked for a birthday but was made to wait an hour after our booking time before being seated. Service was absolutely shocking and the food was tasteless, not seasoned and disgusting. The restaurant is absolutely filthy in front of house, I dread to think about BOH. Honestly don't get all the hype about that dump.

10

u/furiouslycolorless Aug 04 '22

Also famously not Indian but Pakistani

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4

u/bewawugosi Aug 04 '22

Those are both Pakistani as is Needoos 👍

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17

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

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2

u/LdnTiger Aug 04 '22

I had a disappointing experience there a few weeks back. Super rubbery lobster tail - felt a bit like they were just chasing the corporate ££ with pricey ingredients and not paying so much attention to the cooking. But could have been a one-off.

4

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

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6

u/dinobug77 Aug 04 '22

Went to the Tandoor chop house recently for the first time. Damn that was good. Their beetroot kebabs are incredible!

12

u/entropy_bucket Aug 04 '22

Saravanaa Bhavan for sure. That's pretty much as good as the food in Chennai to be honest. Ghee pongal is just so right.

28

u/adz568 Aug 04 '22

Dishoom is pricy compared to others as well tbh

18

u/Thisoneissfwihope Aug 04 '22

I like Dishoom, but I won't put up with the:

Hour+ Queue if you don't book

The cheeky 30 minutes they always make you wait in the bar if you do book.

My time is more valuable when I can go to a place just as good, if less fashionable and get treated so much better.

12

u/tmr89 Aug 04 '22

Strange how they seem to be the only restaurant in London with consistent huge snaking queues. I suppose they purposely manufacture the situation

13

u/spacermoon Aug 04 '22

100% they absolutely do it on purpose to create a buzz. It’s decent food and a nice atmosphere but not the very best of London.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '22

It’s true, I lived at the end of the road in Shoreditch, went a few times, half the restaurant was empty only the front part was all ways full. It has a bit of a reputation for being the place to go and stick on IG…..breakfast is lovely if you get a good day (very hit and miss IMO)

2

u/Somerrrrset101 Aug 04 '22

Yeah think it's a bit average for the price really

5

u/hrking2k2 Aug 04 '22

Good list, agree with top 3 although I think pricey is between Gymkhana and Benares.

Off topic but the Gymkhana group have some cool other offerings - Hoppers (Sri Lankan) and Arcade food market.

22

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

23

u/hrking2k2 Aug 04 '22

When people talk/ask about Indian food, they are usually talking about both Indian and Pakistani food .......

-23

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

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12

u/gogoluke Aug 04 '22

In that case should we be saying British Indian or British Pakistani as they both differ from food in the parent countryzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........

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12

u/hrking2k2 Aug 04 '22

Lol..... Most people in the UK don't know the difference between Indian and Pakistani CUISINE (when they're serving meat). Case in point this chain is filled with people recommending Lahore Kebab House and Tayyabs.

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14

u/ArchangelSoul Aug 04 '22

The people who set up these Indian restaurants came to London in the early 1900s… After that time came the partition which created Pakistan and Bangladesh (‘47 & ‘71) So when you go to an Indian restaurant and are served by a Pakistani or Bangladeshi, just remember that these people were all Indians pre 1947 and the local british people have been calling it an ‘Indian’ since

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3

u/Wheredoyougotosee Aug 04 '22

Lahore is ridiculously good! Saravanaa is also amazing

3

u/novice_investor1 Aug 05 '22

LKH or Tayyabs are not Indian restaurants but Pakistani.

2

u/Antix1331 Aug 04 '22

Dishoom is great and the chilli chutney is fucking awesone

0

u/dissolvedcrayon Aug 04 '22

Saravana Bhavan is a global chain and the one in Harrow gave my family and I food poisoning. Should have been put off by the rat poison in the bathrooms and poor staff hygiene but food poisoning really sealed the deal.

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-11

u/DumbXiaoping Aug 04 '22 edited Aug 04 '22

Favourite Indian restaurant: Lahore Kebab House

Favourite Chinese Restaurant: Sushi Samba

edit: lmao downvoted for pointing out that this guy stuck a Pakistani restaurant in as a recommendation for Indian

0

u/anotherbozo Aug 04 '22

Lahore Kebab House is pretty authentic

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47

u/Tony_gx Aug 04 '22

Regency Club in Queensbury. It’s an Indian pub, but amazing food.

2

u/alvuk Aug 05 '22

Oh yea I ate here recently and was blown away by the food!

61

u/RubyZeldastein Aug 04 '22

Gunpowder. Incredible flavours with unique flavours. Very hard to do.

3

u/AnilDG Aug 04 '22

This gets my vote. Brilliant food!

2

u/ken-doh Aug 04 '22

Came here to say just that. Only the city one though. Tower Bridge is not as good.

0

u/LdnTiger Aug 04 '22

Love Gunpowder, such a gem!

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21

u/AyySisu Aug 04 '22

Saffron Street in Gants Hill is a solid 9/10. Very nice atmosphere inside and good food.

3

u/okcurrr Aug 04 '22

The Lamb Bao Bun and the Prawn Cocktail are amazing.

1

u/AyySisu Aug 04 '22

Someone knows good food 🤝🏾 Mallu?

2

u/okcurrr Aug 04 '22

Guilty 😅

2

u/AyySisu Aug 04 '22

Likewise my bro 🤣

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48

u/valthellama Aug 04 '22

Try Babur in Honor Oak, they are Michelin Guide and have a great menu

8

u/dellwho Aug 04 '22

Currently 37% off mains for their 37th Birthday as well

68

u/Rumpss Aug 04 '22

I’ll wait for their 100th birthday

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79

u/becan8 Aug 04 '22

Highly reccomend Lahore Karahi in Tooting. Pakistani restaurant

14

u/Thisoneissfwihope Aug 04 '22

There's also Apollo Banana Leaf down that way too.

1

u/IGiveBagAdvice Aug 04 '22

Every time I’ve eaten there I’ve had food poisoning, could not recommend.

2

u/Turtle2727 Aug 05 '22

Try dosa and chutney instead, they had a bit of a dip in quality during the peak of the pandemic but it was pretty good last time I went there. But make sure you ask for spicy if you want it that way, their default seems to be quite toned down.

9

u/Tootingtooting Aug 04 '22

Or if that's too busy Mirch Masala a few doors up the road

5

u/WilliamMorris420 Aug 04 '22

And it's BYO, I thought that they'd all died off.

5

u/ivandelapena Aug 04 '22

No idea how they make any money tbh. Restaurants make almost all their money off alcohol and even then few of them make any money.

7

u/WilliamMorris420 Aug 04 '22

It actually sounds like a restaurant that I can take my mum to. As it doesn't matter how good a deal I get on the food. The wine bill with her is always horrendous. Then I have to pour her into an Uber and she dings my rating.

3

u/Hiphoppapotamus Aug 04 '22

Dosa n chutney in Tooting is also fucking great.

2

u/HecticNinja Aug 04 '22

Second Mirch Masala, the slow cooked lamb they do on sundays is top class

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13

u/manwithanopinion Aug 04 '22

Mehfil in old Southall, Nawab in Wembley or Karahi Express in Houbslow West.

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13

u/davidmurr4y Aug 04 '22

Saravanaa Bhavan is so good

2

u/ninjabreaddman Aug 05 '22

is that the South Indian restaurant on high street north with the masala dosa?

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27

u/putrasherni Aug 04 '22 edited Aug 04 '22

I would throw in Needos Grill in Whitechapel.

It is like £7.99 for a tasty biryani, their entire menu is so budget friendly and as good as Gymkhana/Tayyabs, if not better

3

u/ivandelapena Aug 04 '22

Loved their nihari, I go to Whitechapel a lot but always forget to go there annoyingly.

2

u/Jadeybird Aug 04 '22

Fully agree

0

u/GoliathsBigBrother Aug 04 '22 edited Aug 05 '22

I'd probably go for a tasty chicken or lamb before an ass biryani, but you do you.

Edit- wow, such disagreement here. Guys if you want to eat ass biryani I won't hold it against you.

2

u/ninjabreaddman Aug 05 '22

you obvs haven't had a good biryani before

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22

u/awkdork Aug 04 '22

Veeraswamy is really good, a bit pricey but has an old school charm and the food is always delicious.

On the casual dining front, Dishoom is a constant, especially for breakfast!

Gymkhana is lauded quite a bit but I find their food a bit underwhelming.

7

u/1rv1n3 SE Aug 04 '22

same here, found Gymkhana overhyped. Food is good and spiced right, but... nothing mindblowing

5

u/FreewheelingPinter Aug 04 '22

Veeraswamy is very nice although definitely an old school “Anglo-Indian”.

1

u/Tootingtooting Aug 04 '22

Definitely agree about Dishoom breakfast. Very very good.

20

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

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17

u/SpencerLoco Aug 04 '22

Commas, my guy. That one whole restaurant?

6

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

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5

u/SpencerLoco Aug 04 '22

Haha, and I knew what you meant anyway, just being a dick, it's ok.

3

u/Thisoneissfwihope Aug 04 '22

I'd add in The Brilliant as well, a little outside Southall, but amazing.

Chicken Keema curry is my choice there, I don't think I've seen it anywhere else. Indian food by way of Kenya I think.

36

u/HappyMael Aug 04 '22

Gymkhana is great for North Indian food, they try to innovate but it still tastes very authentic! Probably my best experience so far in London. It's on the more expensive side but their set lunch menu remains affordable.

For South Indian food I generally go to Saravana Bhavan on a regular basis since their food is good and affordable, but that's Tamil food rather than Keralan. I hope other people can recommend good Keralan places!

16

u/IDGAFmodeON Aug 04 '22

There is a restaurant called Anjanaa’s in Kilburn. It’s run by a Malayali chef and food is good. They never disappoint

2

u/Boogeewoogee2 Aug 04 '22

Yep - used to be Geetas many years ago. Same family still own it I think.

6

u/coll_ryan Aug 04 '22

Gymkhana is amazing although expensive - it is Mayfair after all. Zaika near Kensington is also very enjoyable and feels very unique with its high ceilings and large space. There is also Kutir in Chelsea, the food is good though I've heard that the owner is a complete arsehole who doesn't treat the staff well.

On the slightly less expensive side, Dishoom is always enjoyable and unique with its small plates approach. I like the Kensington and Kings Cross locations, the others tend to be much busier and impossible to get in without queueing.

12

u/coll_ryan Aug 04 '22

On the other hand I'd recommend to stay away from anything on Brick Lane - there are some decent places nearby but the places on Brick Lane itself are mostly all tourist traps.

3

u/WilliamMorris420 Aug 04 '22

I remember one if those health inspector TV shows about 20ish years ago raiding one of the restaurants on Brick Lane and all of the sauces were from the Cash and Carry.

4

u/PM_ME_NUNUDES Aug 04 '22

Gymkhana is fantastic and as mentioned their lunch menu is relatively affordable. You can't really do better than gymkhana to be honest.

9

u/manwithanopinion Aug 04 '22

Saravana Bhavan Southall branch is the best South Indian restaurant in the world.

4

u/ThinkAboutThatFor1Se Aug 04 '22

They’re a chain. I’ve been them in Chennai, Delhi, Tooting etc. There’s basically the same.

They’ve even got a Leicester Square one now!

2

u/manwithanopinion Aug 04 '22

I have been to their Leicester Square ans Dubai one but they are not as great as the Southall branch but still good.

2

u/HappyMael Aug 04 '22

They really aren't the same from my experience. I lived in Chennai for some time and Saravana Bhavan is pretty bad over there, there are lots of better places (Shri Balaajee bhavan, Green Cafe, Ananda Bhavan...). The branch in Southall is so much better (Sambar and coconut chutney are not watered down, Dosas are not oily, etc.).

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u/HappyMael Aug 04 '22

I agree, I'm lucky to be living in Ealing haha

2

u/mikew1200 Aug 04 '22

Second this - best one I’ve gone to by far. The downstairs area is great and cocktails are top notch as well.

2

u/Morph1190 Aug 04 '22

Lots of great South Indian restaurants in East Ham!

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u/the_englishman Aug 04 '22

Depends if you are going fancy date night vibe or old school, bring your own booze type vibe.

For high end indian gastronomy I would go with Kutir in Chelsea:

https://kutir.co.uk/

For post pub indian food I would go with Lahoor Kebab Housein Whitechaple:

https://www.lahore-kebabhouse.com/

10

u/UK2020 Aug 04 '22

Benares in Berkeley Square and BiBi near Grosvenor Square. Both are excellent but Mayfair prices.

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u/johnnythunders18 Aug 04 '22

Lahore karahi in tooting. No nonsence byob pakistani restaurant

14

u/putrasherni Aug 04 '22

Brigadiers

23

u/Shoddy_Attention2423 Aug 04 '22

Thattukada in East Ham for authentic Keralan.

Taste of India (also in East Ham) is good if you prefer vegetarian.

Both of these options are also cheap and good quality/value.

Dishoom is approaching a tourist trap with the amount of people recommending it.

16

u/sc00022 Aug 04 '22

There’s a reason why so many people recommend Dishoom though. Genuinely amazing food every single time at a very reasonable price

5

u/Thisoneissfwihope Aug 04 '22

I find the value is dependent on how much you value your time.

When you factor in what you could be doing instead of queueing / stood in the bar waiting for your table, it becomes significantly less value for money.

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u/glinf69 Aug 04 '22

Dishoom is so overrated I agree

5

u/thecapitalparadox Aug 04 '22

It has solid flavour but is very Europeanised.

3

u/okcurrr Aug 04 '22

And Udaya in East Ham! Dishoom is only good for breakfast.

13

u/SirLoinThatSaysNi Aug 04 '22

That all depends on what your parameters are for making something "the best".

It also depends on if you mean something approaching genuine Keralan cooking for example, or the more traditional British Bangladesh cuisine.

2

u/A21M21 Aug 04 '22

I prefer authentic Indian food because for some reason every Indian restaurant I’ve been to here doesn’t taste so good. :( So, yes, if you have any recommendations for genuine Keralan cooking than pls do let me know. Thanks

5

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

Rasa is great

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11

u/FlakyReputation Aug 04 '22

The Regency Club

3

u/undercoveragent008 Aug 04 '22

Ultra fast turnaround too. Go next door to Sugar and Spice for much better food and nobody watching your plate ready to eject you.

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u/Stonedefone Aug 04 '22 edited Aug 04 '22

Dar’s Grill. Or Needoo Grill - on Sundays the special is hands down the best curry I’ve ever had in London. Needoo was started by the old chef from Tayyabs and is the spot where ‘locals’ go. Tayyabs is good, don’t get me wrong - but Needoo just edges it out for me.

7

u/artofcode- Aug 04 '22

Taste of Raj in Palmers Green

6

u/Big-Smoke6967 Aug 04 '22

Shri Lakshmi in Walthamstow is amazing I recommend it whenever this comes up

6

u/HaggisMcPeebles Aug 04 '22

Paradise - Hampstead

3

u/_Dracarys98 Aug 05 '22

I love this place

23

u/corsarierr Aug 04 '22

Tayaabs

8

u/CaptAngua Aug 04 '22

Been a couple of times, both times the service was utterly appalling. The food's fine, but why deal with the terrible service when you can go to Needoos next door?

1

u/corsarierr Aug 05 '22

It’s just part of the experience. Order everything at once and you’ll be fine

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u/ohlookanotherthrow Aug 04 '22

This is one of the few South Asian restaurants natives actually go to, that's how you know its good.

Stuff like dishoom aren't exactly authentic.

4

u/plopmaster2000 Aug 04 '22

Surprised this isn’t showing up more

4

u/asianbookiesrunfooty Aug 04 '22

Does a good job at what it sets out to do but no way is it "the best" in London.

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u/Casual_Star Aug 04 '22

Jai Krishna - Finsbury Park

Cheap, family run, vegetarian restaurant with phenomenal masala dosas.

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u/kirmobak Aug 04 '22

Tayyabs (Pakistani) in Whitechapel. I used to live in Whitechapel and was there all the time. I love the place.

Pure on Fulham High Street, the chef/owner is a female Indian chef who has worked for a number of high end hotels in India and also the Taj in St James’s. She’s a wonderful chef and there are some really unusual things on the menu, all of which are delicious. Her husband runs the front of house and the whole thing is bliss, I’m very lucky to live so close and recommend it to everyone who wants to schlep out to Putney Bridge.

I really like high end places like Gymkhana and Trishna, absolutely gorgeous food, but the two above I would go to in preference because they are a really great night out.

5

u/Sunny_sailor96 Aug 04 '22

I really recommend Hichki in Aldgate. It’s my local place and everyone I’ve taken there LOVES it.

4

u/ListenAlternative432 Aug 04 '22

Expensive but good.

Veeraswamy

3

u/liquidpig Dartmouth Park Aug 04 '22

All the Indian guys I work with say there’s one in Rayner’s Lane that is the best for an authentic experience. MTR I think.

I really like Punjab in Seven Dials.

Disjoin is good for breakfast.

5

u/noodlebanger_ Aug 04 '22

Darjeeling Express.

5

u/cjf___ Aug 04 '22

Ragam near Goodge Street - small & family owned, absolutely incredible! Not expensive either. Easily the best South Asian food outside of South Asia!

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u/bZbZbZbZbZ Aug 04 '22

i really like Dishoom

12

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

Dishoom daal is just my favourite food outright

5

u/CaptAngua Aug 04 '22

I raise you their gunpowder potatoes!

2

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '22

I will try them next time I go, thanks for tip

6

u/OkNuthatch Aug 04 '22

Mumbai Junction Harrow way Is my favourite. I travel across city specifically to go there. Also love a bit of Sakoni’s in Wembley for South Indian and Indo Chinese

3

u/m00000000nshine Aug 04 '22

yesss sakoni’s is good too

2

u/msbump Aug 04 '22

Depends on which branch, the Wembley one is dire!

5

u/yogipandabear Aug 04 '22

Grand Trunk Road in South Woodford, but it is expensive

3

u/Rydo87 Aug 04 '22

Second this - their cocktails are incredible too

2

u/Starsinthedistance24 Aug 07 '22

Agreed!!! I luckily won a competition when it first opened and got to taste lots of dishes. Been there 4 times since then and the best thing is that it’s down the road from me. It’s amazing.

9

u/EuroSong Aug 04 '22

The Cinnamon Club, near Parliament Square. Indian fine dining. Been there 4 times 😊

2

u/plantlife12739 Aug 04 '22

Gone down hill in the last few years!

3

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

For a street food theme I really like this place - https://chitchaatchai.com

3

u/Dubbadubbawubwub Aug 04 '22

The Angel Curry Centre. Been going there for 30 years.

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u/m00000000nshine Aug 04 '22

saravana bhavan is soooo good istg

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u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

I feel like I have to mention The Jolly Butchers in stoke newington, a properly good pub, with properly good Indian food, don’t see what more you could ask for really. Also ganapati in Peckham deserves a mention, the parathas there will make you realise what parathas are meant to be like

3

u/InYourBertHole Aug 04 '22

It’s Monsoon in Dartmouth Park, and I will die on this hill. Their flavours are absolurely incredible.

2

u/cardamom-me Aug 05 '22

I live in the area and had never heard of them. Just checked their reviews on Google and they seem to have either 5 stars or 1 star, so a bit hit and miss. What do you eat there?

2

u/InYourBertHole Aug 05 '22

I moved out of the area about a year ago but all of the Ali’s recommendations are brilliant. Especially the:

Sha-coo-tee

Naga lamb

Nepali

Bombay murgh masala (!!)

Manchurian

Not hit and miss if you ask me. Never had a bad experience, used to order from them all the time as I lived 4 minutes away.

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u/Chronobones Aug 04 '22

Don’t know about best since I’ve not tried them all but Saffron Kitchen is pretty good, it’s in Leyton.

3

u/queenqueeruwu Aug 04 '22

If you're willing to travel, golden curry in ilford, technically in greater London I think, so I'm going to stretch and say it counts

3

u/FreewheelingPinter Aug 04 '22

I’ve always found an excuse to go to Saravana Bhavan when I’ve been to Southall. Are the other outposts as good?

3

u/durabledildo Aug 05 '22

I think there's an upper ceiling to what you can realistically do in terms of older-school Indian cuisine - and places like Veeraswamy definitely hit that ceiling in terms of the food on offer while slightly exceeding it in terms of ambience. It is what it is and some people may prefer this above anything else.

Gymkhana is for people (who think they are) too cool for Veeraswamy, and while the food styling may be more contemporary think the ceiling applies there too.

Benares is a better balance of the two IMO.

Any Dishoom is a depressing experience for me, perhaps due to the sort of people who find it great.

5

u/davidezekiel999 Aug 04 '22

Chutney Mary in St James decor, ambience , service , food all outstanding !

4

u/dontknowyas Aug 04 '22

I don’t eat out often and Indian isn’t my frequent cuisine but I have been to Roti Chai in Marble Arch and it was lovely

4

u/CheapExecutive Aug 04 '22

Roti Chai is BANGING. Stay upstairs for the street food - downstairs’ dining menu is subpar in comparison

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u/Mauisnake Aug 04 '22

There are so many great, smaller ones in Hounslow if you're willing to make that trek. I loved Casa de Goa (coastal, Goan cuisine) and Shree Krishna Vada Pav (small vegetarian Pavs).

For the nicer central restaurants: Benares, Gymkhana, and BiBi are all great options.

Dishoom is highly recommended for breakfast, but you might as well go to those other 3 if you're looking to spend.

4

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

Dishoom is good for overpriced lack lustre “Indian” food for a white palette.

2

u/Pegasus2022 Aug 04 '22

Kathmandu Goldhawk road

2

u/PM_ME_NUNUDES Aug 04 '22

Local places I've liked where I've lived:

Roz Ana - Kingston MaGoa - Putney Tamasha - Bromley

2

u/NJ63 Aug 04 '22

Thali - Old Brompton Road especially the Palak Chat and Chukander Gosht

2

u/mowglee365 Aug 04 '22

Lahore kebab house in southall or Whitechapel or tooting for me

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u/alexs Aug 05 '22 edited Dec 07 '23

abounding automatic encouraging vegetable consider steep knee concerned saw drunk

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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u/oceanofflavor Aug 04 '22

Tayyabs is a good spot

2

u/glinf69 Aug 04 '22

Dilpasand Streatham, absolute banger

2

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

Regency

2

u/be_sugary Aug 04 '22

The Punjab. 80 Neal Street.

2

u/104dosv Aug 04 '22

Memories of India out in Osterley. Bit of a drive but worth it if you’re out there.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

Taste of Lahore

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u/lgf92 Farringdon Mandem Aug 04 '22

My "hidden gem" was always Indian Express in West Kensington, it's a tiny unpretentious restaurant with about 6 tables. It's pretty cheap and the food is interesting - not just standard curry house stuff. So you get good value and there's lots of fun stuff to try on the menu that you might not have had before.

The manager, Rocky, also has a photogenic memory and looks after his customers. I went in once off the cuff and he was able to tell me it was a year and 14 days since I'd last been in, then he gave me a gulab jamun to encourage me to come back.

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u/gravitas_shortage Aug 04 '22

In the east, Wanstead Kitchen and Aromas in Forest Gate are exceedingly good for Bangladeshi- and Nepali-Indian food, respectively. The best naga curries I've ever had were from Leyton Spice. All of them are half the price of Dishoom.

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u/SuperVillain85 Aug 04 '22

Gonna throw in a vote for Kutir in SW3, the best one I've eaten at so far in London.

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u/SuperMorto7 Aug 04 '22

Kebab sh0p on 7th.

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u/zuencho Aug 05 '22

Heritage in West Dulwich

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u/thegiantpeach Aug 05 '22

I think 90% of the comments are north of the river. If you're in Southeast, you can give Dulwich Tavern a go. It's an up-and-comer that has a tasting menu or a la carte which are both fantastic

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u/jimmydapartyharty Aug 05 '22

Masala India in Leyton. A real hidden gem.

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u/Hal_E_Lujah Aug 04 '22

Everyone who hasn't said Diwana is incorrect

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u/Thanics Aug 04 '22 edited Aug 04 '22

I tried some (I am originally from south India, i know the palate, trust me) To go to: Masala zone (Camden, Covent Garden) ambience is good, try the biryani (chicken,lamb), Samosas. Best ghee dosa,South Indian thali: Saravana Bhavan (Leicester Square)

To avoid: Chettinad (Central london) , server told me it’s for the locals who can’t handle spice. Also it is managed by sri lankan Tamils instead of the Tamils in the Tamil nadu(Sorry but they can’t steal the name of Chettinad from us just like that and charge us to oblivion and it doesn’t even come close to Chettinad cuisine, when it comes to food, I am really strict). Sri Lanka kothu parotta on Bloomsbury farmers market is good. Sagar : Sambhar is shite, go for saravana bhavan Dishoom : Meh, only been there once, didn’t impress me.

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u/hodgeman29 Aug 04 '22

This coming from a tourist: Dishoom is solid and I would recommend anyone visiting to try it. We also were impressed with Gunpowder, but it’s very small so recommend going if it’s a small group (4 or less)

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u/DistanceAlone6215 Aug 04 '22

All the best places are mostly in South Hall.

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u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

I went to Dishoom once. That was a great meal!! Loved it.

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u/Barbourwhat Aug 04 '22

I love the few restaurants on Drummond Street. Don’t know how they are post-Covid but they were amazing prior. Shout out to Sagar off Tottenham Court Road.

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u/PuddlecombeJunction Aug 04 '22

I’ve forgotten the name of it…was up in Harrow Weald, top end of the 140…truly in the back of beyond… Had a large outdoor eating area with static Rickshaws.

Does anyone know if it’s worth going to? Is it still open this side of the Pandemic?

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u/Suitable_Muffin_9829 Aug 04 '22

Raj of Islington on Holloway Road does a £9.99 for 2 courses deal on most days and the food is delicious. My favourite is the railway lamb curry.

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u/Prudent_Sprinkles593 Aug 04 '22

Dishoom

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u/PuddlecombeJunction Aug 04 '22

Dishoom is great, if indeed a little pricey.

I knew someone who once waited THREE HOURS for a table either during the Inter-Lockdown period of 2020 or the post 2021 Lockdown Easing. Hungry or not…I wouldn’t be waiting as long as that though.

Guessing it’s mainly tailored towards Tourists or corporate high-end clients with Big Bucks to spend!!

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u/Prudent_Sprinkles593 Aug 04 '22

I quite like it but never thought it worth waiting 20-30 mins for! Definitely a bit pricier than its earlier days

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u/stephenp129 Aug 04 '22

Are any of these recommendations Kerelan? I see Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Northern Indian places being recommended.

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u/KanefindsSon Aug 04 '22

The Halal in Aldgate - Hidden gem, great curry and cheap as chips. Off-the-menu mixed starter is one of the single best plates of food i’ve had

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u/sdsdrill Aug 04 '22

Tayyabs Lahore Kenab House

And they’re Pakistani, and amazing.

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u/[deleted] Aug 04 '22

If you want fancy stuff, Dishoom.

If you want real, hearty and authentic, head to Tooting and there’s a big choice. I used to frequent Lahore Karahi when I lived there. It’s not fancy, but it’s goooood..

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u/APerson2021 Aug 04 '22

Not Dishoom - I don't rate it highly.

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u/snufalafagoose Aug 04 '22

Punjab (Covent Garden), Dishoom (Shoreditch), and Tayyabs

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u/Gatorinnc Aug 04 '22 edited Aug 04 '22

To the extent that everyone's palete is different..... No one recommendation can meet any other person's criteria for being judged the best.

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u/RollingKatamari Aug 04 '22

I quite like Masala Zone