Babur

Indian·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Babur

Silver Award

Readers applaud this “gem” of an Indian restaurant for its “artfully chosen” decor, “superb” cocktails and “exceptional” food. Babur is a long-standing neighbourhood favourite, where furnishings have become increasingly stylish over the years (currently, bare brick, tiled flooring, low-hanging lights and wooden partitions holding vibrant flower displays) and the Sunday buffet remains consistently popular. Food encompasses both northern and southern Indian cookery, so you’ll find clove-smoked lamb chops from the tandoor, as well as wild mushroom and pea dosa. But the new menu also contains a healthy dose of innovation. Dishes such as steamed spice-crusted shoulder of lamb with beetroot rice combine prime British ingredients with bold Punjabi flavours. Ostrich is marinated in a fierce Rajasthani masala, and even goat gets a look-in: slow-cooked to perfection and transformed with aromatic spices. To match these dishes, Master of Wine Peter McCombie has put together a list of food-friendly bottles.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Indian
Eat at Home
Deliveroo, Home delivery, Takeaway service
Ambience
Fine dining
Awards
SquareMeal London Top 100
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Special Features
Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Since opening in 1985, Indian restaurant Babur has held its place in South London's Forest Hill as one of the most popular places to enjoy a range of food from across South Asia. The restaurant says its mission is to represent India's many different cuisines - not just the dishes you see at your local curry house - and offer both traditional and modern takes. 

And, it seems it has managed to do just that, having appeared on The Michelin Guide London, as well as both The AA Restaurant Guide and The Good Food Guide by Waitrose in 2024. Amongst its various praises are notes on the continued stylishness of the restaurant from its exposed brick feature walls to elaborate floral installations, as well as its popularity with locals for unique, off-the-beaten-path dishes. 

There's a selection of menus available, most notably the a la carte, tasting menu and Sunday buffet. Some highlights from the a la carte include a modern twist on a tikka dish in the form of swordfish with onion, radish pickle and yellow chilli, alongside mains like Garam masala Gressingham duck with rainbow quinoa khichdi and orange jus. We also like the sound of the baby aubergines with peanut sauce, garlic nan, seasoned spinach and cottage cheese, as well as sides like thinly-sliced crispy fried potatoes with dried mango powder.

If you have a sweet tooth, there's absolutely loads to go at here, from the pistachio kulfi with white chocolate soil and pistachio tuiles, as well as the spiced apricot and fig crumble with saffron custard, both of which are offered with a sweet wine pairing. 

While Babur doesn't put on weekly events, check out its calender for special themed nights for holidays like Valentine's Day and Christmas. And, if you're throwing your own bash, the team are happy for you to take over the restaurant, use their marquee or come and cater for you at a different location.


FAQs

Are there gluten-free options on the menu at Babur?

Yes there are gluten-free options on the menu at Babur.

Helpful? 0

Location

119 Brockley Rise, Dulwich, London, SE23 1JP

020 8291 2400 020 8291 2400

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-14:30
Tue 12:00-14:30
Wed 12:00-14:30
Thu 12:00-14:30
Fri 12:00-14:30
Sat 12:00-14:30
Sun 12:00-16:00
Dinner
Mon 17:30-23:00
Tue 17:30-23:00
Wed 17:30-23:00
Thu 17:30-23:00
Fri 17:30-23:00
Sat 17:30-23:00
Sun 17:30-23:00

Reviews

Share your thoughts with other diners

Write a review


15 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Richard F

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Great quality Indian. Sunday buffet is excellent 

Gavin M

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Exquisite authentic indian. 

Grace R

30 September 2019  
Food & Drink 2
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 2
Value 1.5
Visit to Babur

Went to Babur on Saturday for our wedding anniversary, we booked a table but was placed at the back by the entrance to the kitchen so each time the door opened it was very cold and thre was a draught.

The restuarant was very busy, the food was not good didn't meet our expectation, we also waited a while to be served but the nail in the coffin was as we came to the end of our meal the waiter came over asked us if we had finished as he had people waiting to be seated. I have never had a waiter rush me to get out of a restuarant before and it was very uncomfortable. We will not be going there again, I would not recommmend ti to anyone.  

Geo S

31 July 2018  
Brilliant Indian on the outskirts.

Linda A

01 October 2017  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
Nothing not to like...
I was a bit nervous before my first visit here (for my father's birthday) - my family are very quick to criticise and I wanted the evening to be a success. But the impeccable service and delicious food on the tasting menus won everyone over, and we left promising to come back soon. The food was far from the run of the mill tandoori chicken and nan bread of the typical local Indian restaurant. Really interesting and subtle spicing combinations, beautifully presented. I have no hesitation in recommending it. Go!

Valerie M

29 February 2016  
Food & Drink 5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4.5
Fantastic local restaurant
This really is the best restaurant in my side of the South East, and visiting it is always a treat. My favourite dishes are the beetroot cutlets and the buffalo main dish, which is hot and smoky - I actually like I've smoked 40 Marlboro after eating it. And I love the organic Prosecco which is quite rustic and appley. I know that Indian restaurants are not renowned for their desserts, but I do think they could improve on the range, as it currently doesn't reflect their style and flare in my opinion.

Vi Vian

19 February 2016  
Food & Drink 4
Service 2.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 4
Babur excels again!
Our cocktail and canapes by Chef Jiwanlal's included poultry, vegetarian, savoury and sweet… plus we also took up their 50% off offer in the restaurant that night. Would be ashamed not to! chukandri venison £7.95 – quite a heavy spiced and the venison was a little dry. clove smoked lamb chops £8.25 – the infused flavour of cloves is so subtle yet quite distinct. I have never had cloves as the main flavour in lamb and thought that this works well. Brilliant! ostrich soole £8.50 dal makhni £5.50 – the creamy black lentils was such a hearty warming dish but I thought it was quite a small portion. lamb dum briyani, boondi raita £15.75 – the scent of perfectly cooked basmati rice is just unbeatable and the sealed pot was opened at the table, the smell of those spices was just delectable! Service is as attentive as always and once again enjoyed Babur's meal. I felt that the meat starters that we had was a little dry and the spice was quite intense, bordering excessive but I am sure that Chef Jiwanlal will come up with something interesting soon. Looking forward to our next meal, Babur!

Taran W

15 October 2012  
Food & Drink 5
Service 4
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 5
From an Indian, born and bred in Yorkshire, I am used to only the finest curries around and I can honestly say you wont be dissapointed to enjoy your curry at Barbur, tucked away 5min walk from Honor Oak Park station on the (gingerline) you will find this real gem!! Innovative, contemporary, stylish but best of all are its fantastic flavours.. simply delicious! If you are looking for an Indian with a difference, value for money and spot on for taste.. look no further! The chefs are top drawer! Sunday Lunch Buffet is the best around!

Ch N

26 March 2012  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
We dined at Babur, Forest Hill, on Friday night with my brother and sister-in-law who were visiting from Leeds. All the food was absolutely delicious, including the pear tarte tatin for pudding, and the cocktails we had to begin with was just delicious. My brother and I had one of the dishes from the chef special menu (steamed Pollock cake) which was lovely. Lovely restaurant with a great service. Will be back soon.

Christina H

29 December 2011  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4
I do not normally like to have Indian food, but I keep going back to it as the foods are so good there!! I love the way how they combine the herb into food…
Book a table

Find a table
Delivery or takeaway

Order takeaway from Babur by calling 020 8291 2400.

Sorry, you cannot spend SquareMeal vouchers here yet.

Other restaurants we like near Babur

The Rosemary
New Cross

The Rosemary

Frank's Café
Peckham

Frank's Café

Sylva
Deptford

Sylva

Check availability