As a nation, the British love curry. Fortunately, there is an incredible variety of quality Indian restaurants in London. We’ve highlighted the best options in town for when you’re in a rush for a curry.
01
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Amaya, Belgravia
Direction
Halkin Arcade, Off Lowndes St, London SW1X 8JT, UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7823 1166
Web
Visit the website
Belgravia’s Amaya is owned by the team behind successful Indian restaurants, Chutney Mary and Veeraswamy. Chef Karunesh Khanna is one of the few Indian chefs to have earned a Michelin star. He has been working as Amaya’s chef de cuisine since its opening in 2004. The service is excellent and the Indian food is not traditional as Amaya specializes in Indian barbecue and kebabs. Food is designed to be shared and comes in tasting portions; 6-8 of these dishes is equivalent to a two-course meal.
02
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Bombay Brasserie, South Kensington
Direction
London Courtfield Road, Opposite, Gloucester Road Tube, Londres SW7 4QH , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7370 4040
Web
Visit the website
Bombay Brasserie in South Kensington has a well-deserved reputation for fine Indian cuisine. Weekend brunch is a popular time to sample the cuisine at this brasserie.
03
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The Cinnamon Club, Westminster
Direction
The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith St , Londres SW1P 3BU , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7222 2555
Web
Visit the website
The Cinnamon Club opened in 2001 in a former Grade II listed Westminster Library. The wood-paneled main dining room has a gallery lined with books around the room and offers contemporary grandeur with a nod to elegant colonialism.
The style is haute Indian cuisine and the restaurant uses modern recipes with the intention of revolutionizing the way Indian cuisine is viewed in the UK. Dishes are made with seasonal ingredients and spices and the menu features some of the most creative Indian food in town. The restaurant’s wine expert advises on wine pairings from an impressive 200-person list, and the wine and spice nights are perennially popular.
04
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Dishoom, multiple locations
Direction
7 Boundary St, London E2 7JE, UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7420 9324
Web
Visit the website
This is London’s first Bombay café, based on the popular restaurants of the Indian city in the first half of the 20th century, opened by immigrants from Persia. It’s where wealthy businessmen rubbed shoulders with sweaty taxi drivers and wedding couples looked at each other over marble-topped tables.
Checkerboard tiles and oak paneling, along with marble-topped tables and mismatched chairs, make Dishoom a quirky place. Look at the photos on the wall, as many are family photos of one of the owners, including a photo of your grandmother that was sent to your grandfather to present before their marriage.
The food isn’t your standard curry feast and the all-day menu includes kabobs and salads, as well as healthy roti wraps. The Bombay Breakfast Club puts a twist on the classic British breakfast with a cup of chai and Bacon Naan Rolls.
Hay restaurants in Covent Garden, Soho, Shoreditch and King’s Cross.
05
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Masala area, various places
Direction
9 Marshall St, London W1F 7ER, United KingdomGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7287 9966
Web
Visit the website
Masala Zone is an Indian restaurant chain with locations throughout London. It is owned by MW Eat, the company behind Amaya, Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary. The Masala Zone restaurants have contemporary and colorful Indian interiors and serve very popular and tasty Indian cuisine at affordable prices. Their Thalis (stainless steel plates loaded with small plates of homemade Indian food dishes) are very popular.
06
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Indian YMCA, Bloomsbury
Direction
41 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6AQ, United KingdomGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7387 0411
Web
Visit the website
This is not a fancy restaurant, but the London Indian YMCA canteen is open to the public and serves bargain-priced food. It is where the real Indians eat and is very well priced. The dining room is not open all day and night, so check their website for opening hours.
07
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Tayyabs, Whitechapel
Direction
83-89 Fieldgate St, London E1 1JU, United KingdomGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7247 9543
Web
Visit the website
This family-run Indian restaurant in Whitechapel opened in 1974. They actually serve traditional Pakistani Punjabi food that is 100% Halal.
08
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Veeraswamy, Mayfair
Direction
Victory House, 99-101 Regent St , Londres W1B 4RS , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7734 1401
Web
Visit the website
Established in 1926, Veeraswamy is the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK. It underwent an 80-year renovation and has remained very popular. There is a prix fixe menu, otherwise it can be quite expensive to eat here. The food is considered fresh and of high quality and has many returning customers.