London’s 10 Best Indian Restaurants for Every Occasion
London’s Indian food scene stretches far beyond the familiar curry house. From buzzy neighbourhood gems to Michelin-starred tasting menus and inventive contemporary kitchens, the city offers an extraordinary range of flavours, styles, and budgets.
Creative and Contemporary
Darjeeling Express (Soho)
Darjeeling Express (Soho)
Asma Khan’s heritage shapes the menu at this bright, breezy restaurant in Kingly Court. Her all-female kitchen creates vibrant, soulful dishes where careful spicing lets each ingredient shine. Served à la carte at lunch and as set thalis at dinner, the food feels like elevated home cooking — a labour of love and a must visit for heritage led cuisine.
Pahli Hill
Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai (Fitzrovia)
Named after a Mumbai neighbourhood, Pahli Hill celebrates regional diversity with small plates made for sharing. The menu spans tandoor, grill, big plates, sides, and desserts, each showcasing a different style of cooking. Relaxed yet refined, the space is perfect for a casual but elevated meal, with a retro Indian cocktail bar downstairs inspired by a smugglers’ den for after hours fun.
Brigadiers
Brigadiers (City of London)
Styled after an Indian army mess hall, Brigadiers is designed for feasting and bringing some fun to the City. Smoky kebabs, fried chicken and butter-soft naan pair perfectly with expertly crafted cocktails. Loud, lively and always memorable — it’s the ideal spot for a group meal.
Jikoni
Jikoni (Marylebone)
Ravinder Bhogal’s “no borders” kitchen fuses Indian flavours with global influences — from prawn toast scotch eggs to pressed shoulder of Cornish lamb with ras-el-hanout and whipped feta. For something sweet, the Paan Madeleines with Kenya chai are worth the trip alone. Intimate, creative and one of the prettiest rooms in London.
Neighbourhood Gems
The Tamil Prince
The Tamil Prince (Islington)
Set in a beautifully restored pub, The Tamil Prince serves South Indian-inspired dishes full of spice and personality. The paneer butter masala and Thanjavur chicken curry are seriously good, while okra fries pair perfectly with a cold beer. Relaxed, generous, and always busy, it’s a local favourite for good reason.
Potli (Hammersmith)
A West London favourite since 2011, Potli meaning ‘bundle’ serves vibrant, market-inspired Indian dishes that are as colourful as they are flavourful. The unpretentious, lively space is perfect for sharing everything from light snacks to hearty curries and plant-based platters. Attentive service and bold flavours make it a neighbourhood gem.
Rasa
Rasa (Stoke Newington)
A cult classic for those in the know, Rasa champions vegetarian Keralan cooking, with paneer, lentil curries, and oversized dosas taking centre stage. Its vivid pink façade signals a welcoming spot for kids and the generous hospitality and reasonable prices means you will find yourself making many trips back.
Refined Dining experiences
BiBi
BiBi (Mayfair)
Chef Chet Sharma’s BiBi offers a refined yet deeply personal take on modern Indian cooking, blending classic ingredients with intricate spice work inspired by his grandmothers. Elegant, inventive, and quietly luxurious, it’s the kind of restaurant that makes you linger — the Lahori Chicken alone is worth the reservation.
Gymkhana
Gymkhana (Mayfair)
With dark-wood interiors and club-style surroundings, Gymkhana has earned its two Michelin stars for good reason. Tandoori masala lamb chops and game dishes stand out, while the atmosphere feels indulgent without being stuffy. Head to the bar afterwards for excellent cocktails, it is a timeless choice for a special night out.
Kanishka
Kanishka by Atul Kochhar (Mayfair)
Renowned chef Atul Kochhar celebrates India’s regional cuisines with seasonal British ingredients at this relaxed fine-dining spot. Dishes like Blue Cheese Paneer Tikka, Soft Shell crab with, chilli and rhubarb chutney alongside Hindostanee Biryani showcase authentic flavours with a modern touch. Tasting menus, set menus, kids menu and a very popular weekend brunch make it versatile for any occasion.