Indian food in London is one of the city’s defining cuisines, and it sits at the centre of everyday eating in a way few other national cuisines do. Londoners don’t just “like” Indian food. It’s become a default comfort option, from quick weeknight curries to celebratory meals, with dishes like chicken tikka masala being labeled the national dish. That level of popularity is closely tied to Britain’s historical relationship with India through the colonial period and the subsequent migration that followed decolonisation, particularly from the 1950s onwards when many people from India settled in the UK and built restaurants as both businesses and cultural hubs. Over time, what started as migrant-run “curry houses” adapted to local tastes and ingredients, creating a distinct Anglo-Indian cuisine that evolved alongside more regional and authentic styles from across the subcontinent. Today London reflects both sides: high-end regional Indian restaurants showcasing specific cuisines like Tamil, Kerala, Punjabi or Gujarati cooking, alongside the classic British curry house tradition that most Londoners grew up with. The result is a food culture that is not just popular, but deeply interwoven with modern British identity.
1. Ambassadors Clubhouse
📍Mayfair. A stylish Punjabi-inspired restaurant from the JKS group, known for a modern take on Punjabi dishes, innovative cocktails, and a classy club-house atmosphere. To drink you’re going to want to get the patiala peg which is basically a free-poured Johnny Black with saffron bitters and gum syrup. They also serve an amazing old fashioned with Macallan 12. All the food is great but make sure order the butter chicken chops. Service is great too. It’s not cheap, definitely a spot for special occasions, but it’s hard to fault.
2. Tamil Prince
📍Caledonian Road. The Tamil Prince is a beloved ex-neighbourhood pub turned Indian restaurant serving South Indian classics alongside excellent pints. One of the founders previously worked at Roti King so you’re definitely going to want to get a few of those with whatever you order. Other favourites of mine include the chicken lollipops, chana bhatura and paneer butter masala. They also have a sister restaurant called The Tamil Crown, and a three others called Tamila.
3. Brigadiers
📍City of London. Brigadiers is basically a refined version of a desi pub. They play sport, they have a pool room, and they serve arguably the best mixed grill and lamb chops in town. It’s been a favourite of mine since they opened. All the food here is great but to start I always want to get the goat tikki buns and the bbq butter chicken wings. Great food, attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere. Again it’s not cheap so one for special occasions or company expenses.
4. Empire Empire
📍Notting Hill. Empire Empire, the younger sister restaurant of Gunpowder, is a theatrical and luxurious restaurant celebrating old-world Indian grandeur, serving rich North Indian dishes in lavish surroundings. The lamb chops here give the ones at Brigadiers a run for their money. Another must-get dish is the lobster biriyani. Pair this with a butter chicken and daal. Great music and a cool atmosphere.
5. Regency Club
📍Queensbury. A long-standing North West London desi pub renowned for authentic Punjabi cooking. Expect epic tandoori grills, rich curries, and generous portions. The must-get items in my opinion are the garlic mogos and mixed grill, but if you’re in a large group then the whole leg of lamb is a great call too. I’ve always found service to be great here too.
6. Gunpowder
📍Multiple locations. This modern Indian restaurant has been a favourite of mine since they opened. They now have three locations; Spitalfields, Tower Bridge and Soho. The must-get dishes for me have always been the softshell crab and venison & vermicelli doughnut. Prices aren’t what they used to be but you can’t fault the food.
7. Kricket
📍Multiple locations. Modern Indian cooking with a British twist, known for creative small plates, seasonal ingredients, and contemporary presentation. Kricket is another restaurant that’s been in my top ten Indian spots for at least a decade now. You’ve always go to get their signature dish which is the Keralan fried chicken with curry leaf mayo. At their Soho and Canary Wharf restaurants they have a cocktail bar attached called Soma which serve incredible Indian-inspired drinks.
8. Tamila
📍Multiple locations. A contemporary South Indian restaurant showcasing Tamil cuisine. They have restaurants in Kings Cross, Soho and Clapham. The menu includes a lot of the same dishes as The Tamil Prince and The Tamil Crown but I’m not complaining.
9. The Scotsman
📍Southall. There are two desi pubs in Southall in a fan of. The first is The Scotsman on Scots Road. The pub dates back to 1935 but has only been Indian-run for the past twenty years. They play sport, have at least twelve beers tap and serve good food. It has welcoming community atmosphere. Must-get dishes include the mixed grill, chicken lollipops and chilli paneer.
10. Prince of Wales
📍Southall. The other Southall desi pub I’m a big fan of is The Prince of Wales. It’s a traditional pub with a strong reputation for serving epic mixed grills. As well as food they have a line-up of around sixteen beers on tap. One of the biggest selections I’ve seen in a regular boozer before. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is always lively.
11. Aunty’s Cafe
📍 Norwood Green. An Indian cafe serving comforting Punjabi breakfasts in Norwood Green. It’s more of a relaxed neighbourhood café than a formal restaurant. Everybody comes here for their freshly made paratha. You can get this stuffed with aloo, mooli, gobi, cheese & onion or paneer. Smother it with butter. So simple but so good. If you come on weekend mornings then expect to wait as lot of people call ahead for takeaway.
12. Gymkhana
📍 Mayfair. Gymkhana is London’s only two Michelin star Indian restaurant. They offer sophisticated North Indian cooking. The elegant, luxurious setting and beautifully executed dishes make it a great choice for a special occasion or impressive dinner. I probably should have it higher on the list but I’ve only been once a few years ago now. It’s so worth noting that they have a cheaper set-lunch menu.
13. The Tamil Crown
📍 Angel. Sister restaurant to The Tamil Prince. Like the Prince, it is an ex-pub turned Indian restaurant, specialising in vibrant South Indian dishes. It has a relaxed, atmospheric setting with plenty of sharing dishes, cocktails and a lively pub feel. The menu is quite similar to The Prince.
14. Purple Flame
📍 Queensbury. I think you can tell by now I love a desi pub. Purple Flame was founded by an ex-employee of the Regency Club. This lively Indian bar/restaurant has a broad menu and a strong focus on bold, flavourful dishes, alongside East African influences. On weekends this place gets very lively.
15. Bibi
📍Mayfair. A modern Indian restaurant in Mayfair from JKS, led by Chetan Sharma, delivering highly creative tasting-style dishes inspired by family recipes and regional traditions. I don’t know how this spot doesn’t have a Michelin star yet.
16. Trishna
📍Marylebone. A Michelin-starred Indian restaurant specialising in coastal Indian cuisine, particularly seafood from the southwest coast of India. This was the original JKS Indian restaurant that started it all.
17. Maru’s Bhajia House
📍Wembley. A cult favourite for East African Gujarati street food, especially bhajias. This restaurant started in Nairobi before moving to Ealing Road in Wembley. Watch my reel here.
18. Saravanaa Bhavan
📍Multiple locations. An internationally recognised vegetarian chain serving reliable South Indian classics such as dosas, idlis, and thalis. Dishes are very well-priced here.
19. Arya Bhavan
📍Multiple locations. A vegetarian South Indian restaurant known for traditional Tamil dishes, dosas, and value-focused meals. There are two Arya Bhavan London that used to be Saravanaa Bhavan’s but recent broke away from the franchise. The menu is still pretty much the same.
20. Dishoom
📍Multiple locations. London’s iconic Bombay café-inspired chain, celebrated for its nostalgic atmosphere, house black daal, and bacon naan rolls. American tourists seem to think it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Expect queues if you don’t book. They also open for breakfast Indian-British fusion dishes.
21. Fat Pundit
📍Multiple locations. One of London’s best-known Indo-Chinese restaurants, famous for chilli paneer, momos, and flavourful Hakka-style dishes.
22. Indian Zing
📍Chiswick. A refined neighbourhood restaurant offering sophisticated regional Indian cooking with an emphasis on lesser-known dishes.
23. Asher’s Africana
📍Wembley. A distinctive restaurant blending African and Indian influences, reflecting the culinary heritage of East African Indian communities.
24. Aroma Lounge
📍North Wembley. Aroma Lounge in North Wembley is a popular desi pub with locals. On top of the mixed grill I highly recommend the chilli garlic mushrooms and some chilli garlic wings. The wings might be some of my favourite in the London. The spice level is pretty high here.
25. Mumbai Junction
📍North Wembley. Mumbai Junction in North Wembley is a popular Indian restaurant/pub offering a range of traditional and contemporary Indian dishes. It’s a welcoming spot for casual dining, with a menu suited to both classic Indian-food lovers and those looking to try something different.
26. Good Cod Hillingdon
📍Hillingdon. Good Cod in Hillingdon is an independent fish-and-chip takeaway on Long Lane, offering fish and chips, kebabs and a fairly well-sized Punjabi menu. I tried the haddock and it was solid, but the stand out items for me were the masala chips, and the butter chicken. The butter chicken was so spicy but so good.
27. The Royal Albion
📍 Hounslow. A traditional local pub with a strong Indian curry and grill menu. It has a relaxed atmosphere with a small beer garden, live sport and occasional live music, making it a good choice for a casual meal with drinks.
28. Shahanshah
📍 Southall. A popular vegetarian Indian restaurant, particularly well known for its freshly made samosas, chole bhature, paneer dishes and Indian sweets. It’s more of a casual, no-frills spot that’s ideal for a quick bite, takeaway or inexpensive vegetarian meal.
29. The Maharaja Sweets & Savouries
📍 Southall. A Punjabi vegetarian restaurant and sweet shop that has been serving Southall since 2016. Alongside hearty Indian dishes, it has a large selection of traditional mithai such as jalebi, gulab jamun, barfi, ladoo and rasmalai, making it particularly good for casual dining or picking up sweets to take home.
30. The Black Horse
📍 Hounslow. A traditional Hounslow pub with a large beer garden and a kitchen serving Indian specialities including daals, biryanis and curries. It has a relaxed pub atmosphere and offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, making it a good option for an informal dinner and drinks.
31. African Queen
📍 Hounslow. A lively Indian restaurant and bar with a vibrant atmosphere, particularly popular for sports and evening gatherings. The menu covers classic Indian favourites alongside tandoori dishes such as chicken tikka and lamb seekh kebabs, with a bar, beer garden and plenty of space for groups.
32. Chennai Srilalitha
📍Multiple locations. A specialist South Indian vegetarian restaurant offering authentic Tamil Nadu cuisine, including dosas, thalis, and traditional sweets.
33. Shree Krishna Vada Pav (SKVP)
📍Multiple locations. A London institution for Maharashtrian street food, SKVP is best known for serving some of the city’s most authentic vada pav, misal pav, chaat, and Mumbai-style snacks. The Hounslow original has developed a cult following among the Indian diaspora for its nostalgic flavours, cutting chai, and affordable, casual dining experience that captures the spirit of Mumbai’s streets.
James Dimitri 