From street style cafes, to high-end Michelin star cooking and everything in between, these places showcase how incredible Indian food is in England. Time to start working your way through the best Indian restaurants in London…
These are the places that you simply cannot afford to miss, whether you live here or are just visiting.
Best Indian Restaurants In London
How do these rankings work?
1. Roti Chai
In an unusual move, Roti Chai has two rooms, a Street Kitchen and a Dining Room, each with their own distinct menus and their own dedicated kitchen. Each is excellent, though different.
The Street Kitchen serves up tapas-style small plates inspired by roadside hawkers. The Dining Room is slightly fancier, yet still comfort central: there’s butter chicken with Old Delhi style chicken thigh tikka.
2. Babur
This south-east London stalwart has been open since 1985, with a menu of exciting eats from all over India. Example? Think clove-smoked lamb chops, beetroot cutlets with papaya chutney, or rabbit soweta with sweetcorn and Rajasthani spices.
Make sure to also try one of the original cocktails, some of which use home-made spirits, syrups and bitters. If you’re a true fan, you can join their Tasting Group and be on hand to offer feedback on new menu items at regular tasting sessions.
3. Brigadiers
The team behind Michelin-starred Indian eateries Trishna and Gymkhana have both Motu (below) and Brigadiers, a slick Indian barbecue and whiskey restaurant inspired by the army mess bars of India. The innovative food menu focuses on different methods of Indian barbecue, utilising tandoors, charcoal grills, rotisseries, wood ovens and classic Indian smokers. Wash it down with lots and lots of whisky….
4. Motu
Motu, which takes its name from the affectionate Hindi term for “Fat Man”, serves indulgent home style Indian food, paying homage to the British love of a classic Indian takeaway. It is a delivery-only service, which is a pretty unique concept in that you can’t pop in here to grab your takeaway like most places.
But with dishes such as black lentil dahl and Keralan curry leaf curries with prawns, it’s worth ordering in.
5. Chettinad
Chettinad is named after a small village in the Southern Tamil Nadu State of India which is known for its tasty, no-frills cuisine. The chefs grew up in Chettinad, so expect only the most authentic South Indian dishes. The freshly baked dosas stuffed with potatoes, onion, ginger and chilli is a must-order to kickstart the meal.
As for mains? You have to try their signature spicy chicken curry, which uses 23 different spice ingredients.
6. Bombay Bustle
This superb spot in Mayfair pays homage to the electric flavours and atmosphere of Bombay.
Bombay Bustle’s menu has recreations of some of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) city’s most loved dishes alongside family recipes. These include from Koliwada squid served with chilli, garlic and carom seeds, to madras chicken curry with southern spices and coconut milk.
7. Dishoom
Dishoom is one of the more intriguing restaurants on this list. The restaurant’s theme pays homage to traditional Irani cafés that were once part of daily life in Bombay. The elegant, timeless decor further adds to the unique experience that is dining at Dishoom.
It’s one of the most popular Indian restaurants in London, with five locations in the city. Try their signature black dahl dish or, for a tasty breakfast, the egg naan rolls.
