Best Indian restaurants in London: 32 spots to spice up your life

Looking for the best Indian restaurants in London? You won’t have to look far. The capital is home to one of the world’s most exciting dining scenes, and few cuisines have captured British hearts quite like Indian food. From cheap Indian eats and authentic curry houses to sleek, Michelin-starred Indian restaurants, London offers something for every taste and budget.

Over the past decade, diners have come to appreciate the incredible diversity of Indian cuisine. Each region brings its own distinctive flavours and traditions. In the north, a strong Mughal influence means plenty of rich dairy-based curries, paneer dishes and breads cooked in communal tandoors.

Travel west to Gujarat and Goa, and you’ll find lighter, more coastal fare. Gujarati cuisine is largely vegetarian, while Goan food reflects its Portuguese heritage, featuring pork, beef and plenty of coconut milk. Every region tells a different story, and London’s Indian restaurants capture that variety beautifully; today, you’ll find everything from vibrant Indian street food and creative small plates to refined modern Indian fine dining. The city even boasts several Michelin-starred Indian restaurants, underlining just how highly regarded the cuisine has become.

With so many options, choosing where to go can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated this guide to the best Indian restaurants in London, from laid-back curry spots to high-end tasting menus. Every restaurant featured has been tried and tested by our expert critics, ensuring you’ll find the perfect place whether you’re craving butter chicken, chaat or something entirely new.

Best fine dining Indian restaurants in London

London’s Indian fine dining scene is world-class - a mix of old-school charm and bold, modern energy that proves Indian food can be every bit as elegant as anything else. Only a handful of Indian restaurants in the world hold two Michelin stars or more, and London is home to one of them - Gymkhana.

Kanishka, Mayfair

What: Atul Kochhar brings his fine-dining finesse to Mayfair with Kanishka - a sleek, glitzy spot built for business lunches and celebratory dinners. The menu bridges inventive flair and accessible comfort, headlined by the legendary, golden-crusted chicken tikka pie and an array of innovative Indian dishes that incorporate British flavours - like his minced lamb kebabs with rosemary and mint chutney. Leave room for exceptional desserts too - Kanishka serves up formidable food from front to back. Mayfair being Mayfair, the a la carte isn't cheap, but the insider track is the lunch and early evening set menu, which offers two courses for under £30. 
Where: 17-19 Maddox Street, W1S 2QH
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Kanishka
Book now: Kanishka

Romy Gill at The Pem, Westminster

What: Chef and broadcaster Romy Gill MBE cooks in the Art Deco-inspired dining room at Conrad London St. James, a room named after suffragette Emily Wilding Davison. Her Neemat menu celebrates regional India through dishes made for passing around: murgh malai with baked naan, anardana lamb with dried pomegranate and chillies, and quince tart with chai-spiced ice cream. Gill blends many of the spices herself and sources from British producers and women-led suppliers. Tasting, feasting and pre-theatre menus are also available.
Where: Conrad London St. James, 22-28 Broadway, SW1H 0BH
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at the Conrad London St James
Book now: Romy Gill at The Pem

Trèsind London, Mayfair

What: The first UK outpost of Dubai's Trèsind group brings modernist Indian cooking to Hanover Street, overseen by Himanshu Saini (whose Trèsind Studio in Dubai holds three Michelin stars) and run by Executive Chef Amit Bagyal, formerly of Kanishka. Terracotta-red walls, deep blue accents and undulating art suspended from the ceiling set a dramatic scene. Tasting menus lead the way, with arugula pani puri with feta cream and tandoori tiger prawn with hollandaise espuma, while a three-course set lunch offers a gentler introduction.
Where: 13-14 Hanover Street, W1S 1YH
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Trèsind London
Book now: Trèsind London

Manthan, Mayfair

What: Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, Manthan brings modern Indian cooking to Mayfair with bold flavours, polished presentation and genuine warmth. Menus draw on Ghai's childhood memories and years leading some of London's top Indian kitchens, balancing traditional recipes with modern techniques. Set in an elegant townhouse, you can anticipate signature dishes like crisp ghati masala prawns with sesame, peanut and coconut, richly spiced lamb Jaffna, smoky basil chicken tikka and paneer tikka with raw mango and corn chaat, while excellent cocktails round off the experience.
Where: 49 Maddox Street, W1S 2PQ
Book now: Manthan Mayfair

BiBi, Mayfair

What: Winner of SquareMeal's London Restaurant of the Year Award in 2022, BiBi is a monumental restaurant that blends a wide array of influences to serve up dishes that are unique and contemporary, but still have the essence of recognisable Indian cuisine. Chef patron Chet Sharma spent time in development at restaurant juggernauts like L'Enclume, Moor Hall, The Ledbury and Mugaritz, so it's no wonder that this young starlet is making waves in Mayfair. Some of the menu changes up seasonally but you can't go to BiBi and not eat Chet's Lahori Chicken - it's one of the most delicious single dishes anywhere in London.
Where: 42 North Audley Street, W1K 6ZR
Book now: BiBi

The Cinnamon Club, Westminster

What: Set within a galleried, book-lined room (formerly the Old Westminster Library), this famous institution established by acclaimed chef Vivek Singh is a must-visit for anyone who’s serious about Indian food. Beautifully spiced dishes on offer at The Cinnamon Club are made even more tempting by perfect presentation, which is all part of the well-heeled package here. Portions are petite and prices are steep, but professionalism and quality such as this doesn’t come cheap. Look out for guest chef dinners, which are always enticing. 
Where: The Old Westminster Library, Westminster, SW1P 3BU
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at The Cinnamon Club
Book now: The Cinnamon Club

Colonel Saab, Trafalgar Square and Holborn

What: Instantly recognisable thanks to its dazzling interiors, Colonel Saab’s two locations have become popular for those who appreciate something that feels special. Both sites are littered with old Indian art and artefacts, most of which come from founder Roop Partap Choudhary’s family. The food, meanwhile, paints India in broad brush strokes, covering street food favourites to celebratory dishes taken from royal kitchens, and there are menus for all occasions, from tasting and pre-theatre, to afternoon tea.
Where: 42 William IV Street, WC2N 4DD; 193-197 High Holborn, WC1V 7BD
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square
Book now: Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square; Colonel Saab High Holborn

The Curry Room, Victoria

What: Enter a world of jewel-encrusted, Raj-era opulence at The Curry Room, housed inside The Rubens at The Palace - by any metric, one of London’s most luxurious hotels. The cooking here majors in comforting curries, with inspiration taken from all over India on a menu that leans from Bengal fish curry, to butter chicken, to Punjabi lamb curry. Still, the food is only part of the experience - The Curry Room is really about the old-world charm, with oxblood Chesterfield sofas, embroidered Rajasthani tapestries and vintage ornaments giving it a unique vibe.
Where: The Rubens at the Palace, SW1W 0PS
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at The Rubens at the Palace
Book now: The Curry Room

Kahani, Belgravia

What: Peter Joseph brings a wealth of experience to Kahani. He spent more than a decade at well-respected Tamarind, latterly as head chef, helping to keep its Michelin star. His menu in this smart basement dining room, tucked behind Cadogan Hall a short walk from Sloane Square, is full of delicious dishes. Raised in Chennai, Joseph pairs seasonal British ingredients with the spicing of his childhood, and plates are small and made for sharing. Look out for the smoked Malabar prawns in a turmeric, coconut and curry leaf sauce, venison keema with truffle naan, Somerset lamb chops with Kashmiri chilli and a rich butter chicken.
Where: 1 Wilbraham Place, SW1X 9AE
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Kahani
Book now: Kahani

Kutir, Chelsea

What: Rohit Ghai's original solo venture, the smart, glitzy dining rooms at Kutir make an entrancing setting for modern Indian cooking. Inspired by India’s vast and rich heritage and wildlife, Kutir offers diners the opportunity to enjoy traditional flavours in refined dishes such as lamb with black cardamom and black lentil dal, followed by sweet creations like rhubarb Falooda - a cold milk-based dessert - with kulfi and saffron. 
Where: 10 Lincoln Street, SW3 2TS
Book now: Kutir

Benares, Mayfair

What: This highly regarded establishment has a talent for changing the way people perceive and experience Indian cuisine, thanks to its French-inspired approach to spice-based cooking. Named after India’s holy city, Benares marries tradition with modernity, both in the kitchen and with its elegant yet exotic interior, so anyone looking for a standard curry should look elsewhere. Kindly, engaging staff deliver spotless service and while prices are befitting of the restaurant’s Mayfair location, it’s well worth a visit on special occasions.
Where: 12a Berkeley Square, W1J 6BS
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Benares
Book now: Benares

Oudh 1722, Borough

What: Aktar Islam, chef-patron of two-Michelin-starred Opheem in Birmingham, made his London debut with this tribute to Awadhi cooking, the royal cuisine of Lucknow. The listed Victorian building in Borough is deliberately understated, with creaking floorboards, widely spaced tables and a bar on the top floor. Beautiful though the dining room is, the food does the talking: slow-cooked dum pukht dishes, charred clove-laced lamb chops, oxtail over jewelled rice and a butter chicken worth crossing the river for.
Where: 66 Union Street, SE1 1TD
Book now: Oudh 1722

Amaya, Belgravia

What: Boasting shiny surfaces and a 'theatre' kitchen at the heart of the sleek dining room, this glamorous venue has star quality written all over it. Opened in 2004 and Michelin-starred since 2006, Amaya (sister restaurant to Veeraswamy, also on this list) hides down the covered Halkin Arcade off Motcomb Street. Its menu keeps pace with the clever design spec as the chefs fashion succulent and creatively spiced Indian-style tapas from their array of tandoors, tawa hotplates and sigri grills. Dishes arrive as they're ready, so order a few at a time. The smoked chilli lamb chops are a signature, the tandoori prawns are a joy, and there's a short, rotating list of curries and biryanis to finish.
Where: Halkin Arcade, SW1X 8JT
Book now: Amaya

Gymkhana, Mayfair

What: It's difficult not to reach for the superlatives when talking about this two Michelin-starred Mayfair thriller, and for good reason. Opened in 2013 by the Sethi siblings' JKS Restaurants, Gymkhana won its first star within a year and its second in 2024, making it London's first two-starred Indian restaurant. The room evokes a colonial-era members' club, all ceiling fans, leather banquettes and a buzzing basement bar. The menu is made for sharing and leans on game. Don't miss the kid goat methi keema with pao, the wild muntjac biryani with pomegranate and mint raita, or the tandoori masala lamb chops. Whether your taste is for a gently spiced pilau or a fearsome vindaloo, whatever you order is going to be exceptional.
Where: 42 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JH
Book now: Gymkhana

Veeraswamy, Mayfair

What: Founded in 1926, Veeraswamy is still flying the flag as the oldest Indian restaurant in London, and it now holds a Michelin star too. You reach it by a lift from the Swallow Street entrance, and the opulent, old-world space is split across three dining rooms, including the elegant Paisley Room and the light-filled Verandah Room. The plum Regent Street location means you'll be rubbing shoulders with a wide range of clientele, who are all there to enjoy a menu that moves between India's royal kitchens and its street stalls. Start with the signature raj kachori, a crisp shell piled with chaat fillings, before moving on to slow-cooked lamb such as the Patiala shahi raan or a fragrant Kashmiri rogan josh.
Where: Victory House, W1B 4RS
Book now: Veeraswamy

Best casual Indian restaurants in London

When all you’re after is a comforting curry, a warm naan and a pile of poppadoms, London’s more laid-back Indian restaurants have you covered. They’re every bit as tasty as the high-end spots - just without the eye-watering bill.

Dishoom, Various locations

What: There’s a good reason for the near-constant queues outside the flagship restaurant of this now UK-wide group of Bombay-style cafés: Dishoom’s reliable all-day menu that includes an aromatic chicken berry Britannia biryani, and ever-popular naan rolls filled with things like bacon and eggs. The drinks list keeps up the good work, with lassis and craft beers, plus exciting cocktails to enjoy in the basement bar if you’re waiting for a table.
Where: Various locations
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Dishoom Covent Garden; Dishoom King's Cross; Dishoom Shoreditch or Dishoom Canary Wharf
Book now: Dishoom Covent Garden; Dishoom King's Cross; Dishoom Shoreditch; Dishoom Battersea; Dishoom Kensington; Dishoom Carnaby; Dishoom Canary Wharf; Dishoom Borough

Sripur, Tower Hill

What: This business-friendly Tower Hill favourite has served authentic Indian cuisine for over 30 years, blending classic and contemporary dishes using seasonal Asian produce. Interiors are smart but relaxed, whilst light wood panelling and abundant foliage gives the dining room a welcoming, tropical vibe. The extensive menu features tandoori starters, signature curries like shorisha chicken and the alarmingly spicy Bollywood Blast, which contains Mexican, Naga and African chillies. With vegetarian options, desserts, and a full drinks licence, Sripur is ideal for tourists and locals alike exploring London’s historic heart.
Where: 25 Great Tower Street, EC3R 5AQ
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Sripur
Book now: Sripur

Anokha, City of London

What: Anokha nails the location and the cooking, serving up some thoroughly delicious, authentic Indian plates from a historic Grade II-listed former tea warehouse in the City. You’ll find it just around the corner from Leadenhall Market, but don’t be fooled by the outside - inside, the dining room makes a statement with mood-lighting, checkerboard floors and dark, velvet upholstery. Meanwhile, the menu flits from big, bold cooking like grilled Achari lamb chops to lighter, more health-conscious options, but the tasting menu is the easiest way to experience the best of this intriguing newcomer.
Where: 2 Creechurch Lane, EC3A 5AY
Book now: Anokha

Masala Zone, Various locations

What: Consistently excellent for 25 years, Masala Zone has always been a reliable stop for accessible Indian cooking. With three big sites across central and west London, and a menu that takes a broad approach to India’s diverse, regional cuisine, this is the sort of place that has something delicious to feed absolutely anyone. Back that up with pleasingly glitzy interiors, and special brunch and afternoon tea menus, and it’s no wonder Masala Zone remains hugely popular.
Where: 48 Floral Street, WC2E 9DA; 224 Piccadilly, W1J 9HP; 9 Marshall Street, W1F 7ER
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Masala Zone Covent Garden; Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus; or Masala Zone Soho
Book now: Masala Zone Covent Garden; Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus; Masala Zone Soho

Dishoom Permit Room Portobello, Notting Hill

What: Dishoom’s UK success has been just as much about the outstanding drinks offering as it has about the food, and Permit Room takes the drinks side further, recreating the vibe and style of Bombay’s iconic prohibition-era ‘permit room’ drinking establishments. The result? More outstanding cocktails, from a Mango Lassi Punch to Kiwi Colada Shimmy, with plenty of Dishoom-style sharing food to go with them. There’s also a dedicated dessert menu, with kulfi ice cream sandwiches and more.
Where: 186 Portobello Road, W11 1LA
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Dishoom Permit Room Portobello
Book now: Dishoom Permit Room Portobello

City Masala, City of London

What: Tucked away on Fetter Lane, City Masala is a lunchtime lifesaver and dinner go-to for fans of proper Indian comfort food. Expect sizzling seekh kebabs, creamy kormas, fiery vindaloos and veggie favourites like aloo gobi and matar paneer. The set lunch menu is a steal too, and if your fave dish isn’t listed, just ask - they’ll likely whip it up.
Where: 95 Fetter Lane, EC4A 1EP
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at City Masala
Book now: City Masala

Potli, Hammersmith

What: Beloved by Hammersmith locals, Potli has the whole package when it comes to Indian cooking. The name means a pouch of spices, and the Indian-market theme runs from bright colours to a full-size tuk tuk in the dining room. This cosy restaurant is brimming with personality, staff are enthusiastic and brilliant, and the food is second to none. Dive into the generously sized sharing platters and goat curry, or go for crowd-pleasers such as butter chicken samosas, citrusy pani puri and a Portuguese-influenced wild boar vindaloo. Save room for the cardamom creme brulee, and don't miss the fabulous Old Delhi Mojito. Big round booths make it ideal for groups, and the great-value bottomless Sunday lunch is a local favourite.
Where: 319-321 King Street, W6 9NH
Book now: Potli

Pravaas, South Kensington

What: This tidy, stylish South Kensington spot mixes things up a little compared to your classic, authentic curry houses, offering something more creative. Tucked down a side street by the tube station, Pravaas (it means "journey") is the second restaurant from chef-patron Shilpa Dandekar, who trained under Raymond Blanc and Quilon's Sriram Aylur. Her cooking marries the home flavours of western India with European technique. Standouts include the wasabi chicken tikka, a thigh marinated in fresh wasabi, cheese, cream and fenugreek, alongside patra chaat, lamb galouti kebab, venison dalcha and a red snapper and palourde moilee. The tasting menu is the best way in, and there's a good-value set lunch too.
Where: 3 Glendower Place, SW7 3DU
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Pravaas
Book now: Pravaas

Mint Leaf Lounge, City of London

What: Located in the heart of the City, this slick Indian joint serves up deftly spiced modern plates that feel far more refined than your average curry feast. Appetisers include tiger prawns with black onion seeds and spiced yoghurt, while main courses span a coconutty prawn curry to braised leg of lamb with kashmiri chilli. It also offers a great-value, three-course set menu which includes a cocktail or mocktail. 
Where: 12 Angel Court, EC2R 7HB
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Mint Leaf Lounge
Book now: Mint Leaf Lounge

Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden

What: A younger, more affordable offshoot from Vivek Singh's excellent Cinnamon Club (also in this list, by the way), Cinnamon Bazaar conjures the vivid sights, smells and flavours of an Indian bazaar, right down to the colourful linen awnings running across the ceiling. Dishes are designed for sharing. Start with the chaat section, where the papdi chaat with tamarind and yoghurt is a good place to begin. Then work through the Bazaar Plates, which have included Kabuli kofta in fenugreek sauce and grilled aubergine with sesame peanut crumble. Cocktails are a highlight, led by the Bazaar Old Fashioned made with coconut-washed Indian scotch. There's also weekend brunch and a High Chai afternoon tea if you fancy.
Where: 28 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7JS
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden
Book now: Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden

Farzi London, St James's

What: Farzi has a reputation in India for tableside theatrics and the London outpost also delivers when it comes to aesthetics, with glitzy golden interiors flickering in the candlelight. The menu takes inspiration from far and wide, not just in India but also Bangladesh, Afghanistan and even Nepal. Sizzling kebabs always manage to get the party started, as do Farzi’s theatrical cocktails.
Where: 8 Haymarket, SW1Y 4BP
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Farzi London
Book now: Farzi London

TANGRA, Soho

What: Indo-Chinese cooking, born in the Hakka Chinese community of Kolkata's Tangra district, gets a late-night stage on Frith Street, a short stroll from Ronnie Scott's. Executive Chef Nikesh Sawant (ex-Mildreds) fires punchy wok dishes laced with Indian spice: honey chilli waffle fries with garlic achar mayo, scallion ginger paneer, and garlic aubergine with hoisin and pak choi. Neon accents, retro laminates and hand-painted signage match the menu's energy, and the kitchen keeps going until midnight Thursday-Saturday.
Where: 17 Frith Street, W1D 4RG
Book now: TANGRA

Chook Chook Indian Railway Kitchen, Putney

What: Styled on a vintage Indian train carriage, with dark wood walls, emerald leather booths and tin plates, this Putney favourite takes you north to south through India's regional cooking. Begin at 'Chaat Junction' with dahi sev puri, then order the Railway Chicken curry, studded with new potatoes, and the signature lamb karahi. Save room for the chocolate samosas. Curries hover around £12, which explains why the room fills with locals midweek, and a private space seats up to 24.
Where: 137 Lower Richmond Road, SW15 1EZ
Book now: Chook Chook Indian Railway Kitchen

Chourangi, Marble Arch

What: Named after a historic district of Kolkata, Chourangi is restaurateur Anjan Chatterjee's showcase for the city's cooking, just a minute from Marble Arch station. A wide glass frontage opens onto a high-ceilinged room of dark marble tables and a long bar. Order the chingri cutlet (prawn cutlet with mustard dip), kosha mangsho (slow-cooked lamb rich with cardamom) and the mango mustard aubergine, then finish with mango bhapa doi, a steamed yoghurt pudding. Calcutta's five-spice blend runs through much of the menu.
Where: 3 Old Quebec Street, W1H 7AF
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Chourangi
Book now: Chourangi

Darjeeling Express, Soho

What: After a star-making turn on Netflix's Chef's Table series, Asma Khan can count herself among London's most famous, recognisable chefs. She heads up Darjeeling Express in Soho, serving up some of the best Indian food London has to offer, and Khan fans will be glad to know that she is often in the restaurant doing the rounds. What started as a supperclub for a table of 12, using family recipes that go back generations, has since snowballed into a hugely admired restaurant with a bit of a cult following. Better yet? It’s an all women team. Expect chilli cheese toasties, paneer korma, and spiced beetroot croquettes.
Where: 36-40 Rupert Street, W1D 6DW
Book now: Darjeeling Express

Tayyabs, Whitechapel

What: Legendary among Londoners, this Whitechapel institution has been going strong since the early seventies and, judging by the huge queues out the door each night, shows no signs of slowing down. As popular with families and students as it is with rowdy City parties and mates on the town, Tayyabs remains one of London’s favourite low-budget eateries thanks to its famous lamb chops and BYOB policy. Quick service is guaranteed, which is just what you want when you’ve waited an hour for a table.
Where: 83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU
Book now: Tayyabs

Rasa, Stoke Newington

What: Once a hidden gem on Stoke Newington Church Street, Rasa has long since been discovered. Its bright pink frontage has been a local landmark since the 1990s, and Londoners far and wide know the fabulous restaurant of Keralan chef Das Sreedharan. Rasa specialises in the meatless cooking of India's Nair community, and the dosas are the stars: thin, crisp rice-and-lentil pancakes, typically filled with spiced potato and served with sambar. Round things out with a hearty lentil curry, a warming dal, springy parathas and crunchy poppadoms with house-made pickles and chutneys, or order the vegetarian feast to sample a bit of everything. Prices are friendly and the atmosphere is homely and family-friendly, so you can eat your fill with zero guilt.
Where: 55 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AR
Book now: Rasa

If you love Indian food and you're planning a private dinner, we've got the perfect guide for you - a round-up of our favourite Indian private dining rooms in London. We’ve scoured the city to bring you a curated selection, from luxurious fine-dining to intimate, family-run restaurants, all with private areas for hire.