Grand Cholan Indian Restaurant brings the flavours of South India to Canary Wharf, offering authentic Tamil cuisine inspired by the culinary traditions of the Chola dynasty. Open for lunch and dinner, the waterfront restaurant combines colourful, vibrant cooking with a relaxed dockside setting suited to everything from family meals and dinners with friends to corporate gatherings and celebrations.
Overlooking the water in Canary Wharf, the dining room feels bright, airy and contemporary thanks to the building’s curved floor-to-ceiling windows which flood the space with natural daylight. White tablecloths, cushioned seating, exposed brick walls and glossy neutral tiled flooring keep the look elegant, while dark wood panelling and a large botanical-style feature wall add warmth and colour throughout the restaurant.
Led by chef Ramesh Babu, who brings more than 30 years of experience to the kitchen, the menu recreates dishes rooted in Tamil heritage, from crisp dosas to richly spiced curries and traditional South Indian specialities. Starters include poppadoms, samosas, paneer tikka, samosa chaat and green chilli fish, before moving into a broad selection of curries such as bhindi masala, butter chicken, mango king prawn curry and Kerala fish curry.
Elsewhere, the menu features biryanis, South Indian rice dishes and an extensive dosa selection, alongside sides including Bombay aloo, yellow dal, naan breads and rice. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes feature heavily throughout the menu, making the restaurant well suited to groups with varying dietary requirements. Desserts continue the traditional influence with options including gulab jamun, fried dumplings soaked in sugar syrup flavoured with rose water and cardamom, alongside chocolate brownies with vanilla ice cream and a playful chocolate dosa.
Drinks range from champagne and wines by the glass or bottle to beers, ciders, spirits and cocktails. Classic serves such as Mojitos, Old Fashioneds and Espresso Martinis sit alongside mocktails, teas and coffees.