London’s impressive Indian food scene is made up of long-standing curry houses and spots that use subcontinental culinary traditions as springboards for next-wave cuisine. From MICHELIN-starred gems to bustling hot spots serving street food-inspired dishes, the best Indian restaurants in London are spread all across the capital.
A fusion restaurant showcases the best of North Indian and Cantonese cuisine, while curated tasting menus for a journey through India’s varied regions. A contemporary fine dining destination offers a unique take on classic dishes by experimenting with new flavours. Others keep things simple, with a focus on local British produce prepared in a classic, unfussy style. Feast on meat charred to perfection in tandoori clay ovens, or find comfort in a rich, creamy korma. There’s no shortage of premium wines to pair with your meal, while professional mixologists create signature cocktails to complement your meal.
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The best Indian restaurants in London – read on for the full guide
For Cantonese-Indian fusion in London – try Fatt Pundit in Soho and Covent Garden
Fatt Pundit in Soho is one of the best Indian restaurants in London for a truly unique fusion experience. The vibe here is buzzy yet relaxed, while the decor has an edgy, industrial-chic feel. Fatt Pundit’s menu is built around a fusion of Chinese and Indian cuisines, drawing inspiration from the Hakka people who migrated from the Guangzhou region of China to Kolkata, bringing traditional Chinese cooking techniques with them. Popular dishes like the Kolkata chilly chicken and the masala lamb chops perfectly combine Chinese ingredients, such as soy sauce and black beans, with traditional Indian spice rubs.
Fatt Pundit in Covent Garden is popular for its range of traditional Nepalese momos – steamed dumplings stuffed with vegetables, meat, and spices. There are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from too, and the crackling spinach, served as a starter with yogurt, dates, and pomegranate, is a popular choice for both veggies and meat-eaters alike.
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📍 Covent Garden — Check Availability
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For tender tandoori-cooked meat – try Tandoor Chop House in Covent Garden
Prime cuts of British meat prepared in a traditional tandoori-clay oven make Tandoor Chop House at Covent Garden one of London’s best Indian restaurants for simple yet satisfying cuisine. Mimicking the casual style of North Indian diners and combining this with the British chop house tradition of cooking meat on the bone, Tandoor Chop House offers up a unique fusion of British-Indian styles. Tandoori cooking techniques mean that meat is slow roasted in a sealed clay oven, creating the most succulent texture and charring a mouth-watering layer of Indian spice onto the surface. Dishes like the house tandoor chicken or the crispy lamb chops are perfect choices to experience this flavour-packed combo. Diners can also enjoy one of the restaurant’s group dining options, like the Thali Lunch spread or the Big Feast three-course sharing menu, perfect for special occasions or big tables of friends. A crisp gin and tonic, made with gin from local distilleries, is the perfect pairing.
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For a special occasion at one of the best Indian restaurants in west London – try Tamarind in Mayfair
Elegant decor and a sophisticated fine dining menu make Tamarind the ideal place for a birthday celebration or a romantic date night. The airy dining room has plenty of natural light, while fresh flowers on every table are an instant mood booster. Tamarind was the first Indian restaurant in London to win a MICHELIN star, under its previous direction by celebrity chef, Atul Kochhar. The current menu reflects this unparalleled legacy, with spectacular dishes like the tandoori octopus cooked in a garlic and black peppercorn marinade and the chargrilled lamb chops with a pistachio and kokum crust. As if that wasn’t enough to tantalise your taste buds, the beautiful plate presentation here takes fine dining to a whole new level, and the kitchen team are experts at balancing flavour and colour to enhance every dish. Can’t choose what to order? Go for the tasting menu for £79 per head and enjoy a selection of the restaurant’s most popular small plates and main dishes. For a more casual special occasion with a group, visit its sister restaurant Tamarind Kitchen Soho and explore a menu designed for social dining.
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For a sophisticated business meal at one of London’s best Indian restaurants – try The Cinnamon Club in St. James’s
With its walls lined with books and rich mahogany panelling, The Cinnamon Club has a luxurious old-world feel – hardly surprising when you learn it’s housed in the former Old Westminster Library. With its historic location and close proximity to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, The Cinnamon Club is one of the best Indian restaurants in London for an upmarket business lunch or a truly special meal out. Headed up by executive chef Vivek Singh, who owns several other renowned Indian restaurants in London, signature specials like the kokum crusted halibut and the South Indian-style pork belly with masala mash showcase an incredible blend of classic Indian food with an innovative modern twist. The restaurant also has an expert sommelier on hand to help you pair the perfect wine with your meal. If you like your food served with a side of live music, book a table on Saturday for The Cinnamon Club’s popular live jazz brunch, which is always an occasion.
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For exquisite private dining at one of London’s best Indian restaurants – try Benares in Mayfair
Executive chef Sameer Taneja trained under the legendary French chef Pierre Koffmann and puts his extensive knowledge of French-classical cooking to great use, creating Benares’ menu, awarded with its first MICHELIN star in 2023, and its renowned tasting menu. Among the incredible array of dishes on offer here, stand-outs include the batak Curry made with Gressingham duck and the fig and cashew korma. To get the full experience, arrive a little early and settle in at the lounge bar to enjoy a signature cocktail before your meal. Benares is also one of the best Indian restaurants in London for private parties and events, with a 80-seat main dining room, and four elegant private dining rooms to choose from.
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For casual dining at one of the best Indian restaurants in north London – try Social Dhaba in Hatch End
Social Dhaba Hatch End takes its name from traditional Indian Dhabas – roadside diners that serve a range of hearty curries and popular street foods. The restaurant blends this fast, casual dining style with updated modern recipes and a beautiful, colourful presentation. Start your meal off with a traditional Indian street food dish like chaat dumplings stuffed with spiced potatoes and avocado, before feasting on biriyani made with slow-cooked saffron rice and charcoal grilled chicken. The full vegetarian menu also makes it the ideal spot for non-meat eaters. Many dishes at Social Dhaba are served in copper pots to reflect the Ayurveda tradition, which believes that copper has health-giving properties. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, the restaurant also serves a range of Indian desserts like the sponge balls and kulfi, an Indian variant of sorbet.
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For a signature cocktail at one of the best Indian restaurants in London – try Yaatra Restaurant in Westminster
With its traditionally decorated dining room and modern presentation, Yaatra Restaurant is one of the best Indian restaurants in London for contemporary Indian food. The restaurant’s renowned tasting menu is curated by executive chef Amit Bagyal and takes diners on a colourful journey through different Indian regions. A vegetarian tasting menu is also available and features tempting dishes like apricot and paneer curry and carrot and cabbage kofta ‘meatballs’. Don’t miss the chance to pull up a seat in the bar at Yaatra Restaurant, where a professional mixologist is on hand to make a variety of signature cocktails or mix your drink just how you like it. Highlights from the drinks menu include the Fire Station martini with vodka, passion fruit, and prosecco, and the Roast Banana old-fashioned, a combination of banana-infused bourbon, whiskey, and bitters.
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For a stellar romantic date night – try Indian Essence by Atul Kochhar in Petts Wood
With two MICHELIN stars under his belt – earnt while working in the kitchen of stellar dining destinations Tamarind and Benares – chef Atul Kochhar is one of the most famous Indian chefs in the UK. Kochhar’s culinary prowess is given yet another chance to shine at Indian Essence by Atul Kochhar, which serves contemporary Indian specialties with fine dining flair. Tantalise your taste buds with the Railway lamb curry – Norfolk lamb cooked with masala potatoes and brussels sprouts – for an Anglo-Indian twist on a Sunday roast. Or dine out on the three-kebab platter, which features a combination of meat and seafood grilled with Indian spices. Come on a Monday or Thursday evening to enjoy a live performance by house musician Gordon Mark Webber. With its invitingly intimate environment, the restaurant is the perfect setting for a romantic date night.
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For a city escape at one of the best Indian restaurants in south London – try Kutir Restaurant in Chelsea
Inspired by Indian landscapes and wildlife, Kutir Restaurant is an oasis in the midst of bustling Chelsea. This dining destination is curated by renowned Indian chefs Rohit Ghai and Abhishake Sangwan, who use their vast culinary training and Punjabi roots to make Kutir one of the best Indian restaurants in London. The decor here is delightfully whimsical, with floral wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, while the food is rich and sumptuous. Go for the classic chicken tikka masala with fenugreek and Kashmiri chillies, or try the lobster with black cumin. Pair your Indian meal with something from the wine list, which boasts an incredible collection of excellent bottles from Europe and beyond. Meanwhile, the bar menu features classics like premium gin and tonic or a refreshing guava and prosecco mixer. But don’t just take our word for it – there’s a reason why Kutir was named Restaurant of the Year in 2022.
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For a night-on-the-town feel at one of the best curry restaurants in London – try MOKA in Northwood
Modern decor and a sleek, urban feel are the order of the day at MOKA, one of the best Indian restaurants in London for contemporary fine dining. Inspired by traditional Indian dishes served at state banquets and royal celebrations, MOKA updates these recipes with a fresh new twist. The signature menu includes tempting dishes like the whole rack of spring lamb marinated in cinnamon and cumin and roasted in a tandoori clay oven. Don’t miss the cod and chips created using spice-coated black cod and masala fries. For a morning pick-me-up, MOKA’s brunch menu features Indian takes on western brunch classics. Start your day right with a spiced avocado served on sourdough bread with tomatoes and poached eggs – or try the Mumbai potato and cheese toastie.
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London boasts some of the best Indian restaurants in the world, making it the perfect city to experiment with your love of spice. From succulent meat curries to tantalising tandoori-cooked seafood, you can find something to suit every taste at one of the best Indian restaurants in London.
