London’s culinary scene is as vast as it comes, a testament to the city’s diversity and different rich cultures. The Indian restaurants in the city, of course, do not come to play when it comes to spice, flavor, and creating delicacies that can rival any made in India, from restaurants that mimic the same classic homemade type comfort foods to Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants that showcase just why they got their laurels.
Best Indian Restaurants In London
1. Dishoom Restaurant
2. Brigadier Restaurant
3. Maharaja of India
4. Aladin Brick Lane
5. Gymkhana
5 Best Indian Restaurants In London
Here are some of the best Indian restaurants in London.
1. Dishoom
The McDonald’s of Indian food has seven locations in London alone: strategic Covent Garden, Carnaby, Shoreditch, Kensington, Canary Wharf, Battersea, and King’s Cross. The restaurant makes it easy for Londoners to find it and come in for its flavorful, spicy meals, and Londoners do not disappoint.
Dishoom is an Indian restaurant that has managed to bring the traditional local taste and feel of Bombay cuisine straight to life in gloomy London. The restaurant was inspired by the now extinct Irani cafés of 1960s Bombay, with each Dishoom location serving as a nod to the lost era. The restaurant is one of the most sought-after Indian restaurants in the city. A go-to restaurant for diners craving real Indian comfort food, whether you choose to get their famous Akuri for breakfast or the flavorful Biryanis. You know the food is good when there is always a line, which is often the case with Dishoom’s several restaurants.
The food is great, comforting, rich in flavor and spice, and deeply addictive. While the Bacon Naan Roll has developed something of an almost cult following. Their slow-cooked Black Daal is a must-have when visiting a Dishoom. Add in their pretty amazing cocktail list, like the Kingfisher and the orange juice, and you’ve got a dining experience that’s somehow both nostalgic and modern.
The Staff at Dishoom are very friendly and professional, the energy is loud and exciting, ideal for a brunch or a late-night meal with friends. Even if you did not want to come back to Dishoom’s because of the long queues, they soften the blow of waiting by serving light snacks and drinks to you while you wait. Who would ever say no to that?
Location: Upper Saint Martins Lane, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Price Range: £25 – £45
2. Brigadier
Thinking of combining a night out in town with hearty indian food? Then, Brigadier is the place to be. It is an army mess hall-inspired restaurant that serves high-end steaks, indian barbecues, and grilled food.
The ambience at Brigadier’s feels more like a combination of a gentleman’s club and a grill house with a little something extra, probably the smell of spice and chatter floating around in the air. The restaurant encourages socializing and camaraderie. It boosts the atmosphere with its large screen TV showing live sports, a pool table, poker, and card games that can be paired with a stiff drink.
Located in the heart of London’s financial hub, Brigadiers attracts a lot of corporate workers ready to let loose and relax after a long day of work. The restaurant features several rooms, including the Dining Room, an Outside Terrace for open air or al-fresco, the blighters and tap room for drinks, and the pool room for games. It also has private dining rooms like the Potluck room and Kurki. Guests are free to visit any room or reserve a part of the restaurant or the whole restaurant to host parties, team dinners, or celebrations.
Brigadier is not quiet, and it definitely is not cute. It has all the makings of a clubhouse, but for free and without you having to sign up, so if you are looking for an intimate, dreamy place, then you might want to skip this one.
Location: 1 – 5 Bloomberg Arcade, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Price Range: £60 – £100
3. Maharaja of India
Quite different from the majority of this list, the Maharaja of India is a no-fuss, no-frills Indian restaurant that takes pride in its authenticity and fresh ingredients. Its menu leans into the traditional classic curry and tandoori dishes that are a core of Indian delicacies.
The restaurant is located at Charing Cross, Leicester Square, and Soho, and largely caters to locals and tourists alike who prefer the comfort of classic indian cuisines, like the Seekh Kebabs for starters, and the Tandoori Chicken or Chicken Masala for the Mains. The menu list is pretty extensive but sticks very close to the traditional Indian offering, so don’t expect any innovative masterpiece, just good old regular food.
For those a bit wary about Indian dishes but still want to visit, you can start out your food adventure with the English dishes option of the Omelette and Chips or the Masala chips option and step you food down with simple soft drinks like the Coca cola or go a bit fancy with the Cocktails, Wine and Champagne options.
The restaurant is ideal for a simple lunch or an intimate dinner date while still managing to keep the ambience simple. The restaurant’s ambience is more plush seating, Indian art, and cozy retro feel than elegant sophistication, but it somehow works and attracts quite the crowd who wants something quiet but good. The Service of the restaurant is also accommodating and friendly enough to whip up food not on the menu if a guest specifically requests it, and the ingredients are available
Location: 19A Charing Cross Road, London, United Kingdom.
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Price Range: £20 – £50
4. Aladin Brick Lane
Regarded as one of the best curry restaurants in London with a lot of laurels and awards attached to the name and personally praised by King Charles himself, Aladin is a pretty old Indian restaurant established and still functioning in the Brick Lane area of London, known for its host of good curry restaurants. The casual restaurant follows the zero pretence vibe of its area and sticks to what it does best, hot spicy curry whose recipe has been perfected over decades, and its really large portions.
Aladin offers a large menu option with no fluff or frill, you come in, get your dose of flavors and spice with Tandoori, Madras and Tikka Masala, Biryani and Bengali, and maybe finish off with a Kulfi, a popular indian ice cream in Pistachio, Almond, Malai or Mango flavor. A unique practice of the restaurant is that it allows a bring your bottle policy where guests are allowed to bring their drinks to keep costs low, but you can still order soft drinks and juice from the restaurant’s menu.
The decor in Aladin is more functional than fashionable, a basic, minimal restaurant with plush chairs and long tables that does not invite a lot of dawdling, soft lighting, and fast service. The restaurant is not the ideal spot for a date night because it is loud, bustling, and fast-paced, but this does make it great for a quick meal grab alone or with friends, with the added benefit of actually being able to reserve the place for parties and events.
Location: 132 Brick Lane Restaurant, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Price Range: £15 – £30
5. Gymkhana
Tucked into elite Mayfair, Gymkhana seems to be the crown jewel of the Indian fine dining restaurant scene, inspired by the elite colonial-era clubs of India where members used to come eat, drink, and socialise, and is the proud owner of two Michelin stars. The restaurant takes a bit of innovation and a luxurious spin to classic Indian delicacies, making them more refined with techniques and incredible sourcing of ingredients.
The interiors are elegant and seem to wrap its guests in dark opulence, with its refined dark wood, brass trim, and its stylish muted light and dining area. The restaurant also has a private dining area just above the general restaurant, perfect for special events and large gatherings. It also has a bar area and cocktail lounge called 42 that incorporates nostalgic flavors and ingredients into its drinks and whiskies.
The food is almost as rich as the aesthetic, offering an array of dishes from the Quail Seekh Kebabs to the Chicken Tikka and its celebrated game dishes like the Muntjac Biryani and Pepper Partridge or the Kid Goat Methi Keema. The service is very upscale and thoughtful, and the noise level is non-existent, making it a good place for a business lunch, intimate dinner, or special occasions.
Prices of food and drinks are a bit on the more expensive side, especially for the tasting menu, and the ambience can seem a bit stiff for someone looking for a fun night out. Regardless of this, Gymkhana is the perfect genteel club for those looking for a more upscale dining experience.
Location: 42 Albemarle Street, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Price Range: £50 – £150
Conclusion
The Indian restaurant landscape is old and rich, woven into the history of spice, flavor, and warm comfort food. It doesn’t matter if you are basking in the nostalgia of Dishoom or the elegance of Gymkhana, experiencing the lively hustle of Brick Lane or the reliable comfort of Maharaja in India; every restaurant type has a role to play, and they play it quite well. No matter the size of your budget or appetite, you can be sure you will find an indian cuisine just right for you without leaving the city of London.
