The Great Indian is a neighbourhood gastropub and restaurant in Archway with a menu created by award-winning, Michelin star Surjan Singh. Also known colloquially as Chef Jolly, in reference to his restaurant group Jolly Good Hospitality, Singh is a well-known face in the industry. Alongside a career packed with accolades and awards, he has also appeared as a judge on MasterChef India.
It’s understandable then, that Chef Jolly has built quite the following on social media, and fans are eager to get through the doors of The Great Indian to try his latest creations. In the summer, guests can sit outside in the al fresco dining area, and enjoy a crisp pint, and delicious lunch, or pick at tasty bar snacks – forget cheap pork scratchings in foil packets, and think jackfruit croquettes or coastal prawn mini dosas.
The Great Indian is a restaurant focused on updating the classic authentic Indian flavours with modern twists for a modern audience. Interiors here are warm and welcoming, featuring deep green tones, foliage and casual but comfortable seating. It’s the type of restaurant suited to full meals out as well as nibbles and small plates.
The menu has star dishes of lamb ghee roast on Malabar bread tacos, along with cafreal tiger prawns cooked in the tandoor with cloves, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar. A whole section of the menu is dedicated to pao or pav, with fillings including tandoori fried chicken, and Goan Portuguese confit pork belly with pickled cabbage. The familiar classics are also available, so if you have a friend who will never stray from butter chicken, they’ll be well catered for. You’ll find all of your favourite beers on tap, including Guinness, Cobra and Beavertown. There’s also a fine selection of cocktails, blending ingredients like tamarind, chilli and curry leaves into more popular classics.