Sri-Lankan restaurant Hoppers is part of the JKS restaurant group and one of a handful of sites speckled across London (also in King’s Cross and Soho). Its Marylebone site takes inspiration from the Tropical Modernist movement, made famous by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, who's interiors were typically inspired by nature and the outdoors. To this effect, Hoppers Marylebone is decorated using a host of natural materials such as wood and stone to create a calm atmosphere for diners.
In contrast, the menu is all about big, punchy flavours designed to alert the senses. There are multiple menus available, from a la carte to tasting and feasting options. The main menu is divided into sharing-style plates including snacks, short-eats, hoppers and dosas, kothus, karis and grills. Signature dishes include a range of hoppers (classic, egg and string versions) along with lamb kothu roti (a street food dish of chopped flatbreads and lamb), chicken kari (curry), mutton rolls with Lankan ketchup and banana leaf roasted chilli and lemongrass bream. If you can’t decide, then select the Taste of Hoppers menu which includes plenty of Hoppers favourites, with a vegetarian option available, too.
For groups of six people or more, there is a Group Menu to be taken by the whole table which features around ten of the restaurant’s top dishes. There is also a Family Feast menu which needs to be ordered 48 hours in advance.
The drinks menu includes a range of beers, cocktails, punches, wines and ‘milks’, which are a refreshing Sri Lankan take on a milkshake. Treat yourself to a signature cocktail, such as the Coconut Gimlet for a tropical mix of gin, coconut and lime. The non-alcoholic options are just as tempting, with the likes of Ceylonese iced tea made with jasmine, white tea and basil seed.