Vindaloo Vic

Definitive Reviews of London’s Indian Restaurants

Definitive Reviews of London’s Indian Restaurants

Welcome to Vindaloo Vic!

This website is dedicated to the finest cuisine in the world – the food that originates in the Indian sub-continent.

But primarily it’s about the Indian food we can enjoy in the UK. There are over 9,000 Indian restaurants to choose from, and they serve an ever-growing variety of dishes.

Unfortunately (for obvious reasons) I could never visit all these establishments, so I’ve limited my reviews to the place where I live – London.

To find out about the best — and the worst — take a look at the reviews. You can search by restaurant name, my rating (out of 10) or by location (postcode). Or use the map to find places in your area.

If you want a fast-track to the very best, take a look at the current “London Top 5” – the handful of restaurants that have scored the full 10/10 score (or could easily get there).

My opinions reflect my own culinary tastes, so I tend to put the main emphasis on the food itself and, as you will gather, I am partial to hot curries (but I actually like all levels of spiciness). And some restaurants that get highly rated in other food guides get exposed here for what they are — over-priced establishments that serve bland food.

Anyway, please feel free to send me your comments, or suggestions of other places I should try. (You can text me on 07774 101 404).

So grab a couple of beers and enjoy!


** MAY 2022 ** This Covid business hasn’t been very conducive to visiting Indian restaurants — but I’m back in business at last.

Sad to report that some 22 restaurants I had previously reviewed have not survived the pandemic. It is with a heavy heart that I have therefore had to remove such old favourites as New Delis (WC1), Rasa (W1) and Spice of India (W2). But I am equally pleased that some of the crappier places have not made it. Let’s celebrate the death of Curry Palace (W2), Darjeeling Express (W1), Golden Shalimar (W2), Indian Accent (W1) and Vineet Bhatia (SW3).

vindaloo vic's london curry map

Manthan 8

49 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PQ, UK

This is yet another recent exponent of “modern Indian” cuisine to have popped up in London over the last few years. The restaurant is long and narrow, and the lighting is quite dim. It is on the site of a previous Indian eatery, Lucknow, which I guess must have run out of luck. Manthan offers… Read the full review

Chourangi 8

3 Old Quebec Street, London W1H 7JP, UK

Chourangi is a relatively new arrival on the London restaurant scene; it is another proponent of “modern Indian” cuisine. It boasts that it is bringing the “unexplored flavours of Calcutta” to London. Our pre-starter snacks got things off to a good start: Crackling Spinach and a Smoked Chilli Poppadum selection. The former was reminiscent of… Read the full review

Bibi 7

42 North Audley Street, London W1K 6ZP, UK

This is one of the latest of the wave of “modern Indian” restaurants to hit London. In terms of the food, I think it is probably one of the best. We decided to go for the “Selection Menu” – a veritable marathon of 10 dishes, taking around 2 hours to serve. Apparently the menu changes/evolves… Read the full review

The Hampshire 8

225-227 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9JT, UK

On first sight you’d probably think it was a pub – and indeed it once was: it was called The Hampshire Hog. But as people from the Indian sub-continent do not generally eat pork, the “Hog” has been dropped in its transformation to a curry restaurant. The place is big, with a large outdoor area… Read the full review

Indian City 6

4 New Bridge Street, London EC4V 6AA, UK

Indian City is in a prominent location on a busy road just north of the Thames. On the evening we went it was pretty busy, with a couple of large parties as well as smaller groups of diners. We started with a shared Tandoori Platter, which was as described. We then followed with a Chicken… Read the full review

Pure Indian Cooking 9

67 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ, UK

I had previously had a couple of takeaway meals from this restaurant, while visting friends who live nearby. So I already knew that the food was quite good. But when we actually went to dinner there on a quiet Monday evening the meal completely exceeded my expectations. Their flagship starter dish is something called Patra… Read the full review

Indian Gourmet 7

64 Borough High Street, London SE1 1XF, UK

It doesn’t look much from the outside: a narrow shop frontage down the road from Borough Market. But inside the place opens up tardis-like to reveal an extensive interior. And that interior was almost completely full — at least it was on the Tuesday evening that we went. So there must be a loyal clientele…. Read the full review

Republic 7

301-303 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4HH, UK

Republic is a relatively new restaurant that was set up by two former employees of Kricket (q.v.). According to their website, the aim was to “inject new energy into the dining scene in Chiswick:. The menu is very short, comprising around 15 dishes which are not divided into “starters” or “mains” as such. We went… Read the full review

Dishoom Kensington 8

4 Derry Street, London W8 5SE, UK

This is the fourth (of five) London branches of the Dishoom empire that I have visited, and the vibe is much the same across all the restaurants. This one is large with an Art Deco look, based on the fact that the location used to be part of Barkers department store. We started with cocktails,… Read the full review

Babur 8

119 Brockley Rise, London SE23 1JP, UK

Due to a mix-up about dates, we discovered that Babur could only take our booking at 6.15pm in the evening. This is somewhat earlier than I normally like to eat, but I was assured that the experience would be worthwhile. In fact by 6.30, the place was completely full. Most Indian restaurants would give anything… Read the full review

Tandoor Chop House 8

8 Adelaide St, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4HZ, UK

I rarely go to Indian restauarnts at lunch time because (with my appetitie) it’s easy to eat far too much and then feel lethargic all afternoon. But when I was invited to go to Tandoor Chop House by friends, I didn’t put up much resistance. Basically the lunchtime menu is kept very simple; you’re steered… Read the full review

Delhi Grill 7

Chapel Market, 76 Chapel Market, Islington, London N1 9ER, UK

According to its own description, this is a “canteen” rather than a formal restaurant. And indeed the décor is fairly basic, with long wooden tables, hard seats and walls festooned with colourful posters. The menu (which is printed on the table mat) is reasonably short. As we were eating late in the evening, we just… Read the full review

Mumbai Square 8

7 Middlesex St, Spitalfields, London E1 7AA, UK

This is a big restaurant in the East End’s Middlesex Street (better known as “Petticoat Lane” because of its street market), although the entrance is actually round the corner in Gravel Lane. It’s a big place and, when I arrived, it was almost completely empty. This of course set alarm bells ringing, but as the… Read the full review

Paradise 8

49 South End Road, London NW3 2QB, UK

The setting is very pleasant; Paradise faces Hampstead Heath and on a summer’s day (as was the case when I went) the whole front of the restaurant is opened up, with tables spreading on to the pavement. When we arrived I noticed that there was a large party at a nearby table waiting to get… Read the full review

Mango 6

6 Redcross Way, London SE1 9HR, UK

Mango is located in a side street near Borough Market. I’m not sure if it’s hit hard times because it appears the restaurant formerly occupied two units; now it is a single building (the other one with the Mango sign being boarded up). The setting is light and airy and the on the night we… Read the full review

Indian Lounge 7

343 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8PX, UK

This is a very popular restaurant directly opposite Kings Cross station. There is a main room on the ground floor, but then there are two further rooms in the basement, one of which is festooned with fake plastic greenery to give a sort of jungle effect. I have now been to Indian Lounge three times,… Read the full review

Veeraswamy 6

99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS, UK

I used to go to Veeraswamy as a child – not least because it was one of the few Indian restaurants in the country. In those days the setting was lavish and sumptuous, based on a traditional Indian home from colonial times. The lavish decor has gone and the restaurant is smaller than I remember… Read the full review

Kricket White City 7

Television Centre, Wood Lane, London, UK

Strange to return to a building I used to work in (when it was the home of BBC News) to see it completely transformed into a large 140-seater restaurant. The arrival of Kricket at this location follows its success at two other branches, in Brixton and Soho (neither of which I have been to). It… Read the full review

Rangrez 8

32 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 9PH, UK

Right next to the busy Hammersmith Broadway, Rangrez clearly benefits from its proximity to the Hammersmith Apollo; I’m sure many audience members nip in here for a pre- or post-show meal. The menu is not particularly long, but it does contain a few unusual dishes. For a starter we tried their Chicken Zal-zala, a variant… Read the full review

Rajput 8

144 Goldhawk Road, London W12 8HH, UK

I used to live near this restaurant and was a regular visitor. So it was interesting to go back after a gap of about 15 years. Not much has changed — the place looks much the same; the manager recognised me and I recognised him! And the place still does what it always did –… Read the full review

Sitara 6

784 Holloway Road, London N19 3JH, UK

The theme of this place is jazz. Apparently they often have live music; on the occasion we visited it was pre-recorded and played quite loud. A lot of people would find this a bit intrusive, but I thought it was OK. The service was friendly, with drinks and pappadoms being served quickly. We shared a… Read the full review

Dhaba@49 8

49 Chippenham Road, London W9 2AH, UK

Dhaba@49 is on a busy corner in Maida Vale. It had been open for just over a year when I went. It is clearly doing something right, being very highly ranked on TripAdvisor. Also, when we left (on a Sunday evening) there was a queue of people waiting to get in. (Many Indian restaurants would… Read the full review

Dishoom Carnaby 7

22 Kingly Street, London W1B 5QA, UK

Having eaten at two other Dishooms (if that’s the correct plural), it was only a matter of time before I came to this one is Soho. The setting is not as spectacular as the one near King’s Cross, but it is a big place, with a series of interconnecting rooms leading off from the main… Read the full review

Bombay Bustle 8

29 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PB, UK

Initial impressions suggested that this restaurant was going to be a bit pretentious and expensive. It’s located in Mayfair, on the site of a previous eatery called Hibiscus (which was so pretentious that it closed down in 2016). But as soon as I sat down at the bar and saw the cocktail list, I realised… Read the full review

Depa Tandoori 8

4 Leigh Street, London WC1H 9EW, United Kingdom

Leigh Street is a small thoroughfare not far from King’s Cross station, but it is not the sort of place you’d stumble on by chance. So it was a good sign that when we arrived at Depa Tandoori, the place was full (this being a weekday evening). It’s been going since 1957, so it is… Read the full review

Dastaan 9

451 Kingston Rd, Epsom KT19 0DB, UK

Epsom is not really a place I would ever choose to go. If you live in London, it’s not as far away as Land’s End, but it’s some way in that general direction. Anyway, word had reached me about Dastaan, a new establishment that had been started by a chef who had previously worked at… Read the full review

Roz-Ana 8

4-8 Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7NH, UK

I know this is supposed to be a London restaurant review site, but occasionally I will travel further afield in the quest for curry happiness. Kingston is right on the border of “Greater London” so I decided I can allow Roz-Ana to be included. It’s quite a large restaurant with a double frontage. The menu… Read the full review

Memories of India 10

18 Gloucester Road, London SW7 4RB, United Kingdom

This is a restaurant that seems to have a large and loyal following. It’s quite big – much bigger than you would think from the outside. There is also a large conservatory-style room at the back. Suffice it to say that on a Monday night the place was full. The menu is quite short but… Read the full review

Monkey Temple 8

92 Askew Road, London W12 9BL

I chose this restaurant because on the London map it was midway between where I live and where the person I was meeting lived. Acton is not a very exciting area, so it is not a “destination”, but Monkey Temple might be enough to change my opinion. The food is described as Nepalese, but there… Read the full review

Indian Express 8

3 North End Parade, London W14 0SJ

This is a small, unassuming restaurant in the very nondescript thoroughfare that is North End Road in West Kensington. They don’t sell alcohol, but you can bring your own and there is a Sainsbury’s right across the street. They’re certainly doing something right, as Indian Express regularly features right up near the top of London… Read the full review

Cinnamon Bazaar 7

28 Maiden Lane, London WC2E 7JS

It’s certainly different. The chef has taken a variety of influences from all over the Indian subcontinent, shaken them up and come up with a menu of dishes that you would not have encountered before. So we decided the best thing was to share lots of dishes tapas-style to decide which were the best. Our… Read the full review

Jamavar 6

8 Mount Street, London W1K 3NF, United Kingdom

Jamavar claims to offer “the unique flavours and secret recipes from different parts of India.” Certainly the menu features some unusual dishes. We started with Lobster Idli Sambhar, Malabaar Prawns and Beef Uppu Uthappam. These were all tasty (particularly the prawns), but the portions were small; these were more like expensive canapes than starters. For… Read the full review

Raj of Kensington 8

1 Abingdon Road, London W8 6AH

This restaurant used to be called the Kensington Tandoori, although I never went there when it had that name. As well as a new name, the place has had a makeover and there’s a new chef. The overall effect is to it more upmarket, but not into the realms of pretentiousness, something this is now… Read the full review

Khan’s of Kensington 5

3 Harrington Road, London SW7 3ES, United Kingdom

UPDATE – DOWNGRADED BECAUSE OF ATTEMPTED SCAM Khan’s used to be one of my favourites. Not anymore. They’re obviously under new management because the food was much less good than it used to be. My main course Murg Adrakwala was mild and had very little flavour – not like the old days. And then they… Read the full review

Saqui Tandoori 6

317 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5QY

Saqui is the local curry house for the inhabitants of Ham, and it was because I was visiting some nearby residents that we chose to go there. The setting is a bit dingy and (being a Monday evening) there was hardly anyone there. But the welcome was friendly enough and the service was efficient throughout…. Read the full review

Palms of Goa 8

12 Charlotte Street, London W1T 2LU, United Kingdom

Why I booked for 7.00pm on a weekday evening is a bit of a mystery; the place was completely empty when we arrived. However this was very much not the case when we left – every table was full and people were being turned away at the door. Clearly Palms of Goa is doing something… Read the full review

Little India 7

32 Gloucester Road, London SW7 4RB, United Kingdom

The frontage of this restaurant is very thin, so you could easily walk by and miss it. But what it lacks in width it makes up for in depth! And indeed inside we found it packed to capacity – always a good sign on a weekday evening. The website boasts that Little India is “one… Read the full review

Muhib 7

73 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL, United Kingdom

In my quest to improve the representation of Brick Lane establishments on this site, I headed for Muhib on the grounds that other reviewers (including many on TripAdvisor) had rated it highly. The first thing you notice is the epic scale of the menu. There are literally hundreds of dishes, including all the old favourites,… Read the full review

Nazrul 8

130 Brick Lane, London E1 6RU, United Kingdom

I would be the first to admit that the cornucopia of Indian restaurants in Brick Lane is seriously under-represented on Vindaloo Vic. But this is because I live some way away in west London (you can probably work out my location by looking at the map of my reviews). But I intend to remedy this… Read the full review

Trishna 5

15-17 Blandford Street, London W1U 3DG, United Kingdom

This is another of those trendy “new wave” or “modern Indian” restaurants that seem to be springing up all over London. So in practice that means: 1) All the dishes will be very mild, so as not to upset anyone 2) You’ll pay about double (or more) what you’d pay at your local curry house… Read the full review

Akash 7

500a Edgware Road, London W2 1EJ, United Kingdom

It could be easy to miss this restaurant if you’re rushing up the Edgware Road; it’s quite small and the entrance is tucked away underneath a staircase. Even so they must be doing something right, as Akash has been in business for nearly 40 years. We started with the King Prawn Puree (a two-person portion… Read the full review

Mumtaz 7

4-10 Park Road, London NW1 4SH, United Kingdom

The setting is large, light and airy; there are lots of tables by windows, affording a view of the road outside — on many days this is populated by crowds of cricket fans returning from nearby Lords Cricket Ground to central London. I have visited Mumtaz on a couple of occasions as it is near… Read the full review

Gymkhana 8

42 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4JH, United Kingdom

Having tried most of the new-wave, upmarket Indian restaurants in London (see other reviews), I was fully expecting to be ripped off again — i.e. getting very bland meal at a ridiculous price. The fact that Gymkhana has a Michelin star was another factor that set alarm bells ringing. But I was wrong. Gymkhana manages… Read the full review

Bombay Spice 7

50 Paddington Street, London W1U 4HP, United Kingdom

For some reason this restaurant uses the tactic of stationing a waiter outside the front door to lure passers by inside. Ther Rajdoot next door (q.v.) also does this. So every time you walk down Paddington Street you have to run the gauntlet of temptation! This really does smack of desperation and, in the case… Read the full review

Agra 10

135-137 Whitfield Street, London W1T 5EL, United Kingdom

Dating from 1954, Agra is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in the UK. It occupiers two adjoining properties in the area known by estate agents as Fitzrovia or, more recently, “NoHo” — presumably having expanded at some stage from a single shop unit. The decor is slightly tatty, but this shouldn’t put you off…. Read the full review

Dishoom King’s Cross 8

Stable Street, Kings Cross, London, N1C 4AB, United Kingdom

This is a sister restaurant to the Dishoom in St Martin’s Lane (reviewed elsewhere). The King’s Cross branch is significantly more spectacular, being laid out over four levels in an old warehouse. The whole place exudes hipness and trendiness; this would normally ring warning bells as far as I’m concerned, but I’m happy to report… Read the full review

Zayna 6

25 New Quebec Street, London, W1H 7SF, United Kingdom

A few paces from the over-priced and mediocre Porte des Indes (q.v.), this is a smart establishment that specialises in North Indian/Pakistani cuisine. They boast that all their spices are ground in-house, that dishes are marinated overnight and that only free-range meat is used. This of course suggests that it is going to be quite… Read the full review

Zayka 8

8 South Ealing Road, London W5 4QA, United Kingdom

Getting the service right in a restaurant is not always easy. Over-attentive staff can be irritating and intrusive. Zayka is a place that gets the service absolutely right — friendly, efficient, cheerful but not over-powering. The restaurant takes the form of a large, minimalist room, just a few minutes walk from South Ealing station. It’s… Read the full review

Tandoori Villa 3

3 Ranelagh Road, London W5 5RJ, United Kingdom

The activities of other diners are not usually a factor in determining whether or not a meal out is enjoyable. Unfortunately that was not the case on the evening we ventured to Ealing, “Queen of the Suburbs”, to try this place out. On the adjoining table were some 12 sixth-form schoolboys who were celebrating the… Read the full review

Tandoori Nights 8

73 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London SE22 8EP, United Kingdom

“Most people can’t eat that dish, but you polished it!” That was the manager’s parting comment as we left after I had braved their Red Chicken Handi. It’s described as a “wildly hot fusion of chillies with a highly spiced marinated chicken. Only for the brave!” Well I’m glad I was brave enough to make… Read the full review

Tamarind Mayfair 6

20 Queen Street, London W1J 5PR, United Kingdom

The “Mayfair” in the address (as they give it) provides an important clue. Because this is a designer restaurant for designer people, and by “designer” I mean “££££££”! With house wine starting at £34 a bottle, it wasn’t difficulty for our party to rack up a bill of over £100 a head. That makes it… Read the full review

Shapur 6

149 The Strand, London WC2R 1JA, United Kingdom

The Shapur’s location makes it a useful destination for post-theatre eating. That’s what brought our party here on a Monday evening. It looks like a typical Indian restaurant — quite dark. Poppadums arrived promptly, and were soon washed down by some welcome bottles of Kingfisher beer. There are some unusual starter choices, including Monk Pudina… Read the full review

Shilpa 7

206 King Street, London W6 0RA, United Kingdom

** UPDATED REVIEW ** This restaurant in the heart of Hammersmith describes itself on its website as a “customer focused entity” (whatever that means). In particular in specialises in the cuisine of Kerala, the region in the south of India. I had eaten here a few years ago and had a rather diappointing meal, resulting… Read the full review

Roti Chai 8

3 Portman Mews South, London, W1H 6HS

This establishment is presented in two forms: the “Street Kitchen” on the ground floor, and the slightly more formal “Dining Room” in the basement. We ate at the latter. It takes the form of a large, bustling hall. On a Tuesday evening it was full — so the place is clearly popular. We started with… Read the full review

Rajdoot 7

49 Paddington Street, London W1U 4HW, United Kingdom

One of the criteria when choosing an Indian restaurant must be: does it pass the “smell test”? In other words, are the aromas that emanate from within sufficiently tempting to lure you across the threshold. I had walked past the Rajdoot on several occasions and had always been tempted by the olfactory experience. So when… Read the full review

Ragam 8

57 Cleveland Street, London, W1T 4JN, United Kingdom

Although quite small, this restaurant is very easy to find. Just walk towards the base of the BT Tower and you’re pretty well there! Twinkly fairy lights in the window welcome you as you arrive. Ragam specialises in southern Indian (Kerala) cooking and its particular shtick is Dosai, a type of white flour pancake that… Read the full review

Punjab 6

80 Neal Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9PA

This claims to be the “UK’s Oldest North Indian Restaurant”, having opened either in 1946 (according to their menu) or 1947 (according to their website). It’s located just off Shaftesbury Avenue, and it successfully passes the VV “smell test”, as an alluring aroma of curry hits you from a range of at least 100 metres…. Read the full review

Potli 8

319-321 King Street, London W6 9NH, United Kingdom

For as long as I can remember there was a restaurant on this site called Tandoori Nights. I was a regular visitor, but over the years it seemed to lose momentum. Last time I went there were only a handful of diners. Now it is reborn as Potli. I’m not sure whether the same management… Read the full review

Noorjahan 2 4

26 Sussex Place, London W2 2TH, United Kingdom

I’ve wanted to like this place, as it’s very near my London home, and so I’ve tried it on three separate occasions. And those three visits have confirmed my opinion that it’s not very good. The predominant colour is dark blue, and the tables are crammed in close together to maximise the number of punters… Read the full review

Mint Leaf Lounge 4

12 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HB, United Kingdom

This is one of the growing number of “up-market” Indian restaurants that are targeting a clientele who wouldn’t normally eat curries or spicy food. They all have certain features in common: the decor is smart and stylish, and the staff are attractive. But they also tend to charge way over the odds, and the food… Read the full review

Malabar 3

27 Uxbridge Street, London W8 7TQ, United Kingdom

The style is designer minimalist – ideally situated to the local clientele of designer minimalist people who live in the bijou residences of “Hillgate Village” near Notting Hill Gate. This is a place that sells itself on image, rather than the quality of its food. To be fair the starters we had were pretty good… Read the full review

Madhu’s 10

39 South Road, Southall UB1 1SW, United Kingdom

This restaurant is similar in many ways to the Brilliant (q.v.) and when I originally came here a few years ago it was called “Madhu’s Brilliant”. It then mysteriously closed for a couple of years, but it’s back – and even better than before. The setting is definitely more upmarket than most Southall eateries, and… Read the full review

Kathmandu Inn 8

6-7 Seven Stars Corner, london, W12 8ET

“But I warn you, Sir, this dish is really, really hot!” I’ve heard that from waiters in Indian restaurants so many times that I know it usually means the dish in question is just slightly spicier than the others on offer. So it is refreshing to be given such a warning and then to find… Read the full review

Indian Zing 7

236 King Street, London W6 0RF, United Kingdom

This restaurant is obviously popular, so much so that they have created a makeshift extension at the back using tarpaulin to create a roof over what was once the outside courtyard. This was where we were seated, kept warm by patio heaters. Indian Zing is definitely trying to be up-market, offering “refined and flavoursome” food…. Read the full review

India India 8

206 Northfield Avenue, London W13 9SJ, United Kingdom

India India — so good they names it twice! But in fact the restaurant is somewhat unobtrusive; a friend who lives round the corner said he had never noticed it, despite walking past its frontage on most days. Northfields may not be an obvious destination for visitors to London (unless they get lost on the… Read the full review

Flavors of India 5

46 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 3HH, United Kingdom

At least on the bill they spell “flavours” like the rest of us. But, however you spell it, there isn’t much flavour to be found here. The setting is distinctive; most of the tables are on the ground floor, grouped around a bar designed to look like a “tuk-tuk” (an Indian taxi). There is also… Read the full review

Durbar 8

24 Hereford Road, London W2 4AA, United Kingdom

“A Rogon Josh to die for.” Pete Postlethwaite. This celebrity endorsement appears on the menu and on the website. Unfortunately Mr. Postlethwaite (a well-known luvvie) had died a few days before our visit; I hope that the Durbar’s Rogon Josh was in no way responsible for his untimely demise. This is a busy and popular… Read the full review

Drummond Villa 6

118 Drummond Street, London NW1 2HN, United Kingdom

There are many Indian restaurants in Drummond Street, a thoroughfare close to Euston Station. But most of them seem to be exclusively vegetarian. Not my thing. So one Tuesday evening we tried the Drummond Villa. It is a small but quite smart restaurant on the north side of the street. White table cloths create a… Read the full review

Dishoom 8

12 Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9FB, United Kingdom

This is what retail experts would call a “concept restaurant”. It is described as a Bombay Cafe, supposedly based on a type of fast-food eatery that was popular in that city in the middle part of the twentieth century. When, in a few years time, there’s one of these in every shopping mall in Britain,… Read the full review

Delhi Brasserie 6

44 Frith Street, London W1D 4SB, United Kingdom

Situated in the heart of Soho, this is a popular destination. According to the restaurant’s website, it was on Frith Street that the nine-year-old Mozart wrote his first symphony. I wonder whether he’d have stopped off for a celebratory curry of the Delhi Brasserie had already opened for business. The place was full (on a… Read the full review

Curry Leaf East 5

20 City Road, London EC1Y 2AJ, United Kingdom

Someone told me this was the best Indian restaurant in London, so I cancelled all my engagements and headed here as soon as I could to check it out. Alas, my opinion is somewhat different. Curry Leaf East is OK – but OK is hardly a recommendation in a city with so many excellent alternatives…. Read the full review

Taj Mahal 6

8 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QL, United Kingdom

This place looks more like a shed than a restaurant, so it is not the place to take a prospective boy/girlfriend or your boss, bank manager, etc. But the food is well above average when compared to most other establishments in the Paddington and Bayswater areas. There are some unusual dishes on the menu, such… Read the full review

Cinnamon Spice 6

12-14 Glentworth Street, London NW1 5PG, United Kingdom

First impressions were promising enough. The restaurant is light and airy, with large windows and modern furniture. The menu is impressively extensive with both “Chef’s Recommendations” and “Cinnamon Specialities”, as well as the usual familiar favourites. But then things fell apart. We ordered some drinks and waited, and waited. Eventually after around 15 minutes a… Read the full review

Cinnamon Kitchen 6

9 Devonshire Square, London, UK, EC2M 4YL

As it was a summer evening, the offer to sit on the outside terrace seemed like a good idea. It isn’t actually outside, it’s in a covered courtyard – so when it started to rain we were able to continue with our meal in what was a very pleasant and airy setting. Cinnamon Kitchen is… Read the full review

Chettinad 9

16 Percy Street, London W1D 1DT, United Kingdom

Once in a while you walk into an Indian restaurant and you immediately know that you’re in for a real treat. Chettinad is just such a place. (Incidentally the name is that of a region in India’s Tamil Nadu region). Situated just off London’s Tottenham Court Road, the restaurant is airy and spacious with wooden… Read the full review

Brilliant (The) 9

72-76 Western Road, Southall UB2 5DZ, United Kingdom

This is undoubtedly one of the best Indian restaurants in the UK. It was started in the 1970s by two brothers who came here from Kenya, and has since expanded to become the 200+ seat restaurant we know today. The dishes are described as “North Indian with a Kenyan slant”. That means you’ll find various… Read the full review

Bombay Palace 7

50 Connaught Street, London W2 2AA, United Kingdom

The Bombay palace is part of an international network of restaurants, and this is clearly advertised by the place names on the outside of the building: “Montreal, Washington DC, Toronto, New York, etc. Clearly if they have a branch in Cheam, Bradford or some other less glamorous place they are not going to boast about… Read the full review

Bengal Lancer 4

253-257 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2JT, United Kingdom

UPDATED REVIEW Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Hard to believe that this was a Vindaloo Vic 10/10 rated restaurant. It used to be so good. But it has declined in every way and I (for one) don’t intend to go there again. When I last arrived, the green neon name sign on the outside… Read the full review

Bengal 6

62A Porchester Road, London W2 6ET, United Kingdom

This is a small restaurant that probably gets its main business from local Bayswater residents, as it is some way from the area’s main shopping thoroughfares of Queensway and Westbourne Grove. The interior is a bit dark, but the service was certainly efficient and welcoming. Our starters, which included a King Prawn Butterfly and a… Read the full review

Benares 7

12a Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BS, United Kingdom

“Enter Berkeley Square from Bruton Street, pass the Bentley showroom and then the Rolls Royce showroom; Benares is the first door on your left.” These directions will give you an accurate idea of how to find this upmarket venue, which offers “fine dining, Indian style” – and it does have a Michelin star. But it… Read the full review

Bawarchi 7

68 Chamberlayne Road, London NW10 3JJ, United Kingdom

Kensal Rise may not be the most salubrious of areas, but it is well served by Indian restaurants — there are about five clustered close together. Based on first appearances, Bawarchi is the most upmarket of the bunch. The main dining room is brightly lit and modern, with colourful (mainly orange) pictures on white walls…. Read the full review