This year, the 7th-13th October marks National Curry Week, so what better time is there to treat yourself to your favourite Indian Dish, or perhaps try a modern fusion.
It’s true that we are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining at an Indian restaurant in London, with a countless number of eateries to choose from.
Our guide below, aims to help narrow down the choices, as we pick our favourite spots to dine at over the course of this special week.
Baluchi
“Exquisite and delectable options, with sophisticated interiors to match..”
says Khush’s Features Writer, Hanisha Sethi
Ambience:
The Lalit London, is just a stone’s throw away from Tower Bridge and upon entering the hotel, it already feels like the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Drenched in royal blue hues, and gold accents, the interior of Baluchi is jaw-droppingly stunning with eye-catching blue chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The cathedral-like hall is also the perfect set-up for a lavish dinner.
Food:
The Tandoori Celeriac isn’t a common dish to serve at a Pan-Asian restaurant, so naturally, it’s one to be curious about. The celery was roasted in a gunpowder masala, which has both a smoky and fiery kick, and is cooled down by the mint chutney and a touch of coconut foam. Meat-eaters though, should definitely opt for the kebab platter. The salmon tikka, kaffir lime chicken and lamb chop each had their own distinct aromas and flavours to match. For mains, you’d be foolish to miss out on the Lamb Shank. Executive chef, Santosh Shah, has created this Kashmiri delicacy with perfection, with hints of cashew and saffron, served with a delightful masala mash. I’d personally recommend the Cheddar Cheese Kulcha too, an ideal dipping accompaniment.
Service:
All staff ensured every need was met, from drink options, to explaining the roots behind every signature dish. Attentive, yet not pushy, we were extremely well looked after throughout the entire experience and had a memorable dinner - I’ll definitely be returning!
Presentation:
The art of arranging and decorating food to enhance its aesthetic appeal is crafted with success at Baluchi. This added to the value of the dining experience for myself and my guest, and remained a talking point throughout our meal.
Baluchi
www.TheBaluchi.com
0203 765 0000
Ooty
“Delightful and polished, yet not forgetting the roots of India..”
says Khush’s Fashion Editor, Vikas Rattu
Ambience:
Nestled in London’s Baker street, as soon as you enter Ooty, you can instantly tell you are going to have a special experience. The décor oozes charm with specifically chosen prints to give enough warmth to the interior - without feeling like its over the top.
Food:
As a vegan I was extremely impressed with the menu options presented. To start with, I chose the Almond + Pea Cake. Initially apprehensive of the starter, I was pleasantly surprised and thought of it as a contemporary version of a pakora. It was interesting to note the fusion element of the dishes, particularly with the crispy asparagus in the dish. When it comes to mains, I always choose Daal at a restaurant. I feel you have a taste of the chef’s masala and technique by opting for what is thought to be a simple dish. The Daal at Ooty did not disappoint – it had a great burst of eastern flavours, and it took me back to the traditional Daal I used to taste in my childhood
Presentation:
Ooty is a charming restaurant with chic interiors to match. It’s highly polished in today’s contemporary spaces in London, without forgetting its Indian routes. A great amalgamation of tradition, yet keeping up with innovations both reflected in the food and décor.
Service:
The waiter took the time to explain each dish, and cater to my vegan needs, even ensuring the poppadoms and chutneys were vegan-friendly. The service was polite, caring and attentive. I even left my drink selection in their hands, and they chose a refreshing cocktail to complement and cool the spices in the dishes chosen.
OOTY
www.Ooty.co.uk
0203 727 5014
Indian Accent
“You’ll find the perfect blend of elegance in every single detail..”
says Khush’s Creative Director Manni Sahota
Ambience:
The romance and intimacy of this Mayfair eatery is extremely prominent once you step foot inside Indian Accent. The walls are adorned with black and white Indian vintage photography, and beautiful sounds of musical jazz add to the senses. The restaurant itself sits behind a mini-garden outdoor space, giving you no indication of the grandeur inside. Light marble, golds, and deep plush velvets with intimate lighting, instantly set the tone and mood.
Food:
Indian Accent no doubt has the best selection of vegetarian-friendly starters for the first course. We loved the Soy Keema with quail egg, lime leaf, and butter pao. For meat lovers, the succulent Tiger Prawns with Indian Sorrel Chutney is a dish not to be missed. After indulging in our starters, we were excited as to what was in-store for our main course. My guest chose the Ghee Roast Lamb, which they described as ‘delectable and more-ish'. If you have enough room for dessert, I would recommend the incredibly tasty Makhan Malai. It’s light and airy, with rose petal jiggery brittle and almonds – a true delight. To accompany our meal, I chose ‘The Proper Copper’ cocktail. It consisted of kaffir lime leaf infused vodka, with honey and rose blossom, and it arrived beautifully presented in a small copper cup. If you prefer wine, I would recommend the Malbec from Argentina. In my opinion, the wine list was inclusive of the best wines from around the world.
Presentation:
A striking feature at Indian Accent, is that the food is excellently presented and served on black and cream earthenwear dishes, in ample, and inventive servings. The rich, Ghee Roast Lamb with tiny roomali roti’s, and an array of chutneys gives you the ability to ‘make your own’, creating an interactive and shareable platter.
Service:
From the moment you enter, the staff are very friendly and accommodating. Although there’s just a small waiting area for guests, you can indulge in one of the many cocktail options before you dine. As expected, the waiters are very knowledgeable about the menu, giving honest feedback on the dishes that would best suit your requirements.
Indian Accent
www.IndianAccent.com
0207 629 9802
Kanishka
“Innovative, yet friendly - an experience made for sharing..”
says Khush’s Creative Director Manni Sahota
Ambience:
After you ‘shop ‘til’ you drop’ make sure you visit this eatery which is conveniently located just off Oxford Street. It’s the perfect destination after a post-wedding shop in central London, whether you’ve been looking for the perfect Groom’s suit or Bridal accessories.
Food:
We started with the highly recommended Atul’s Passionfruit Martini which had an Indian twist and a slightly spicy flavour. The wine options were also very varied, which means veggies and meat-eaters alike can be rest-assured there’ll be one to suit your chosen dishes - we selected a full-bodied red Argentinian Malbec. With influences from China, Nepal and Bangladesh, but using all seasonal local ingredients, Kanishka offers an exciting selection of dishes. Atul’s Chicken Tikka Pie was a stand-out dish for my guest, which consisted of tikka masala in puff pastry with cumin scented berry compote. My vegetarian favourite was Ghugni Aloo Tikki, which was a twist on the traditional dish. For those with a sweet-tooth, the Chocolate Sphere is a must-have, with a sweet and salted-caramel sauce. Dishes were modest, and perfect for a relaxed, dining experience.
Presentation:
Kanishka offers a unique option by exploring the dishes of North-East India, and it’s clear each dish is meant to be a sharing experience. Presented on rustic plates, with a homely and pretty presentation, Kanishka offers an exciting experience for every diner.
Service:
Attentive, and helpful, the staff are able to guide you through the menu to explain dishes you might not normally see at your standard Indian local. With an an experimental, yet honest menu, Kanishka offers an enchanting experience for all.
Kanishka
www.Kanishkarestaurant.co.uk
0203 9780 978
Bombay Brasserie
“Honestly the best and most succulent biryani I have ever tasted..”
says Khush’s Editor-in-chief Sonia Ullah
Ambience:
Walking into the Kensington restaurant, you feel like you have been transported to colonial India with the classical decor, chandeliers, and photos adorning the walls. It’s an extremely comfortable place to dine without being disturbed by others. I noted there was a good mixture of family diners, as well as those on business, with it being a great spot for a working lunch or dinner.
Food:
For pani-puri lovers that want to take their favourite dish to the next level, the drink to start your dining experience has to be the non-alcoholic, Pani Puri Mojito. With a touch of sweet and sour notes, it had a refreshingly tangy taste. The garnishing of a gol gappa on the tip of the glass was a welcomed finishing touch too. For starters, we opted for the Palak Patta Chaat with fried baby spinach, yoghurt and date chutney - perfect for vegetarians. For seafood and meat lovers, I’d recommend the Tawa Suwa Jhinga (griddled prawns) and the kebab platter which consisted of tandoori chicken, seekh kebab, and achari chicken tikka. There was one stand-out dish of the evening, which I would recommend every diner to try! That’s the Chicken Dum Biryani, cooked with fragrant spices, and layered with basmati rice, it was definitely the highlight of the evening. Along with the braised lamb shank, which melted off the bone, each dish was cooked to perfection. If you’re not too full for dessert, you’ll savour every mouthful of the Orange Jamun Cheese Cake. With a cardamom infused shortbread, bursting with orange, the sweet flavours are a perfect finish to a delicately spiced meal.
Presentation:
Bombay Brasserie transports the flavours and textures and aromas of Indian to London for the experience of locals and visitors globally who are looking for an authentic indian dining experience in classical surroundings. With the executive chef only using only the freshest ingredients in his dishes, we can all indulge in each flavoursome dish.
Service:
I can’t fault the service at Bombay Brasserie. The waiters were attentive, ensuring all our needs were met, and they were extremely helpful with suggesting options if you required their advice.
Bombay Brasserie
www.BombayB.co.uk
0207 3704040
1947 London
“Plenty of pizazz for a date night or swanky business meeting..”
says Khush’s Features Writer, Hanisha Sethi
Ambience:
Stylish and swish, 1947 London’s famous flower wall is hard to miss upon entry – so don’t forget to take an Instagram selfie before you dine. It’s the perfect date-night vibe, with just enough glam to put you in the mood for a great night ahead. With the bar area kept separate and elevated from the main dining room, a pre-dinner drink is a must before you are seated.
Food and Drink:
The cocktail list contains a combination of all-time favourites mixed with contemporary twists. My guest and I opted for a Hello Lassi (A pina-colada/lassi concoction) and an Indian Rose (a cosmopolitan/rose syrup tipple). 1947 London is one of the few Indian restaurants that experiment with their starter options - they’re split into ‘nano-plates’ and ‘small-plates. I’d recommend the mini Asparagus, Corn & Coconut Samosas to start with, as the curry leaves and mustard seeds within the pastry are full of flavour and extremely more-ish. It’s a complete contrast to the Hyderabadi Chicken we ordered, which is a sticky and chewy delight, and fried in a light batter. For mains, we chose a personal Indian favourite – butter chicken which was presented in a large cup, and flavoured with fenugreek leaves. If you choose the chef’s selection of breads, you’ll be presented with a different variety of rotis and naans to guide you through your mains. After hearing that the chef’s dessert speciality was the Kulfi, we shared the rose flavoured option. Served sliced, and sprinkled with pretty petals, it’s a refreshing and aromatic way to finish any Indian meal that’s rich in flavour.
Presentation:
Having only been opened for a few weeks, this restaurant is well on it’s way to becoming a firm favourite. Detail and attention is paid to every dish and drink selected, both in aromas, flavour and garnishing.
Service:
Attentive and helpful with just the right amount of guidance, the waiters are knowledgable about every option on the menu. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
1947 London
www.1947London.com
0207 693 6290