Dining
The 5 Best Indian Restaurants in London
From Michelin-starred dining rooms to the city's great curry houses: where to eat Indian in London.
In short: our top picks are Gymkhana, Brigadiers and Dishoom. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London arguably eats Indian better than anywhere outside India, and the range is the point: Michelin-starred dining rooms reinventing the regional classics, and old curry houses doing one thing brilliantly for decades. These are the ones worth the trip across town.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gymkhana | Mayfair | ££££ |
| Brigadiers | City of London | £££ |
| Dishoom | Shoreditch | ££ |
| Trishna | Marylebone | £££ |
| Amaya | Knightsbridge | ££££ |
-
Editor’s choice
Gymkhana
Why we pick itTwo Michelin stars and the best Indian dining room in London; book the tasting menu.
Worth knowingTwo stars invite comparisons the kitchen does not always survive, and the gap between the best plates and the merely good ones can feel wide.
-
Brigadiers
Why we pick itAn all-day Indian bar and grill built for long, boozy lunches and sport on the screens.
Worth knowingSpicing varies between visits and portions are questioned against the price, in a room that gets genuinely loud once the City crowd arrives after work.
-
Dishoom
Why we pick itThe Bombay-cafe phenomenon; worth the queue for the bacon naan and the black daal.
Worth knowingNo reservations for smaller groups, so expect a queue, and it gets frantic enough at peak times to undercut the leisurely cafe atmosphere.
-
Trishna
Why we pick itCoastal south-west Indian cooking with a Michelin star; the seafood is the order.
-
Amaya
Why we pick itLive-fire grill cooking in an elegant Knightsbridge room; small plates done with finesse.
Before you book
Book the famous rooms well ahead and go with a group so you can order across the menu. Ask the waiter what is regional and what the kitchen is known for. And do not fill up on bread; at the best places the smaller plates and the grills are where the real cooking is.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Gymkhana is our editor's choice: Two Michelin stars and the best Indian dining room in London; book the tasting menu. Gymkhana, Brigadiers and Dishoom lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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