Mint Leaf London

Classic Indian cuisine can be found all across London - there's definitely no shortage of curries - but Mint Leaf Lounge offers a high-end alternative hidden away in the City. With moody, elegant interiors, Mint Leaf seamlessly blends the old with the new, decorated with pebbled walls and grand columns that imitate the exteriors of the surrounding area.

The evening starts with a series of signature cocktails. Mint Leaf tells stories through its drinks, giving nods to Indian history along the way. The Lost Treasure - a rum based option inspired by a tale of golden treasure lost at sea - is a real spectacle, arriving in a treasure chest which belches smoke across the table once opened. The Silk Route featured in-house infused gin, served with add-your-own pomegranate seeds and strawberry caviar bubbles that burst, sweet and refreshing, in your mouth. 

The drinks may have set the stage, but the food stole the show. The coconut prawn curry is rich and creamy, infused with lemongrass and a good punch of spice, and served with saffron rice. Brits may be used to pairing naans with all their curries, but Mint Leaf’s menu serves specialty breads from regions all over India. A tender butter chicken comes with a gorgeous spiced potato naan, for example. Dishes feel simultaneously simple and yet intricately spiced, and there was not a crumb left on any plate.

Dessert was equally memorable - a creamy raspberry compote cheesecake with a sweet, buttery base, followed by a selection of classic Indian desserts including gulab jamun, a traditional spiced sponge cake, and a cinnamon ice cream which served as a perfect palette cleanser and a final burst of spice to end the evening.

With options for a traditional Indian experience or something a bit more modern, Mint Leaf offers an exciting evening of unique cocktails and tasty dishes that will leave you wanting more.

The City isn’t short of fine-tuned places to eat and drink - you just have to know where to look. If you work in the area, then Mint Leaf Lounge is a handy spot to have up your sleeve. This Indian restaurant is a little different from your standard curry house and would make an elegant place to head for a business lunch or intimate dinner in the evening. Indeed, the reference to a ‘lounge’ in the restaurant’s title is reflected through cosy and comfortable interiors, sleek dark wooden furniture, leather sofas and low mood lighting.

Diners can opt for either the a la carte or set menus (there are lunch and dinner set options available). Highlights on the menu include kashmiri chicken tikka to start, made with a Kashmiri chilli marinade and served with mint chutney. While main dishes feature Kerala fish curry cooked in coconut, Paneer Kurchan (paneer tossed with onions, tomatoes, green chilli and peppers) and a selection of biryani dishes served with cucumber raita.  

Meanwhile, the set menu gets you three courses and a cocktail on arrival for just over £30, which is excellent value and includes most of the dishes on it’s a la carte offering. Finish the meal with a round of mango cheesecake or sorbet to refresh your palate.  

Mint Leaf Lounge also boasts a 16m long cocktail bar which serves over 500 spirits prepared however you like. Try one of its many cocktails (there are sections dedicated to gin, rum, whisky, tequila, cognac and vodka-based cocktails), or take a look at its Mint Leaf Specials for the City Girl (raspberry cordial, lemon juice, violette, prosecco) and Tennessee Bee (Jack Daniels, Absinthe, Honey Syrup, Baileys).  You'll struggle to choose from its extensive wine list, with its collection of reds taking the top spot for choice.