How to Find the Best Indian Restaurants in London
For food lovers, London is a marvel and it is home to some of the best Indian restaurants in the world. London’s Indian food scene — from Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to authentic Punjabi tandoori houses and flavour-bombing street food cafes — is as rich and diverse.
Whether you want a buttery chicken tikka masala, a fragrant biryani or a spicy tandoori dish, this guide to the best Indian restaurants in London will find you the perfect meal, whatever your taste or budget.
Gymkhana – The Best Mind-Blowing Michelin-Starred Fine Dining – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Location: Mayfair
⭐ Why Visit? Luxurious, Michelin-star setting, powerful flavors
Gymkhana has been the most acclaimed Indian fine dining restaurant in London, with a Michelin star for its exquisite dishes and refined setting. Its name was inspired by Indian gymkhana clubs, where well-to-do socialites congregated, and the restaurant specializes in tandoori-grilled meats, fragrant curries and perfectly spiced dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops — You know, charred and tender, a signature favorite.
🔥 Kid Goat Methi Keema — Minced goat served with buttered pao buns.
🔥 Butter Chicken Masala — A decadent and creamy take on the classic.
For a more premium Indian dining experience, Gymkhana is a must-visit.
The Cinnamon Club – Best For Modern Indian Food – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Location: Westminster
⭐ Why Visit? Michelin Guide-listed, historic venue, creative Indian-European fusion
Housed in the former Westminster Library, The Cinnamon Club is renowned for transforming Indian food with a modern take. The restaurant’s dishes mix British products and Indian spices for a unique fine-dining experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Tandoori Spencer Gulf King Prawns – Glowingly grilled and spice-rubbed.
🔥 Duck Breast, Lucknowi Style — An elegant dish with layers of flavor.
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The Cinnamon Club is an elegant Indian restaurant in London ideal for a romantic dinner or business lunch.
Dishoom – Best For Bombay-Inspired Street Food – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Where: Covent Garden, Shoreditch, King’s Cross etc
⭐ Why Visit? Nostalgic Bombay café vibes, tasty sharing plates
Inspired by the old Irani cafés of Bombay, Dishoom offers a slew of small plates, comforting curries and fascinating Indian drinks in a stylish but relaxed environment.
Must-Try Dishes:
🍛 House Black Daal – Cooked for 24 hours, creamy and rich.
🍛 Chicken Ruby Curry — This is a comforting tomato-based curry with very deep flavors.
🍛 Bacon Naan Roll – A popular fusion breakfast item that marries Indian spices with a British classic.
Dishoom: One of London’s best Indian restaurants for a casual but memorable meal.
Benares – Best Indian-European Fusion – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Location: Mayfair
⭐ Why Visit? Michelin-starred, innovative, creative fusion menu, upscale ambiance
Credit…David J. Bradley for The New York TimesBenaresMichelin-starred Indian restaurant Benares approaches Indian food in a modern way, marrying traditional Indian spices with European techniques.
Must-Try Dishes:
🍛 Tandoori Monkfish — A spiced-up, seafood delicacy.
🍛 Lamb Rogan Josh Shepherd’s Pie — A fun spin on not one, but two classics.
🍛 Saffron and Cardamom Cheesecake — An Indian-flavored cheesecake.
For an extremely high-end fine dining experience, Benares is among London’s finest.
Trishna – Best spot for south Indian coastal food – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Location: Marylebone
⭐ Why Visit? Michelin-starred, fresh seafood, airy, fragrant dishes
For those who can’t get enough of South Indian spices and fresh seafood, there’s Trishna. At this Michelin-starred restaurant, the menu takes cues from the coastal areas of India, resulting in fragrant, flavorful dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
🐟 Hariyali Bream – Herb-marinated and grilled to order.
🔥 Tandoori Lobster – A seafood delicacy packed with flavor.
🍛 Crab & Curry Leaf Fried Rice — A South Indian-inspired take on a classic.
For an authentic yet smart South Indian dining option, Trishna is the one to beat.
Brigadiers – Best for Indian BBQ & Cocktails – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Location: Bank
⭐ Why Visit? Lively atmosphere, good cocktails, high-end Indian barbecue
Inspired by Indian army mess halls, Brigadiers offers a rousing atmosphere, smoky barbecue dishes, and expertly crafted drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Butter Chicken Wings – Rich and flavorful take on traditional wings.
🔥 Lamb Biryani – Full of flavor and slow-cooked to perfection.
🔥 Achari Beef Short Ribs — A melt-in-your-mouth dish with deep Indian spices.
Brigadiers, for fun, raucous night out and great Indian food and cocktails
Hoppers – For Sri Lankan & South Indian Tastes – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Where to find it: Soho, Marylebone, King’s Cross
⭐ Why Visit? Sri Lankan & South Indian flavors, casual vibrant ambiance
Hoppers is known for its Sri Lankan-inspired menu that includes hoppers (fermented rice pancakes), spicy curries and coconut-based dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
🍛 Egg Hopper with Pol Sambol – A flavorful must-have dish.
🍛 Black Pork Kari (Curry) – A spicy and aromatic favourite.
🔥 Bone Marrow Varuval – An indulgent south Indian specialty.
If you want something a bit different from standard Indian, Hoppers is a great option.
Tayyabs – Best Authentic Punjabi Cuisine – best indian restaurants in london
📍 Location: Whitechapel
⭐ Why Visit? Sure, [linked] as always, but: Family-owned, iconic grilled meats, very low prices
A London landmark since 1972, Tayyabs is known for its assertively spiced Punjabi dishes in a bare-bones setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Lamb Chops – This is the signature dish here and they are perfectly grilled.
🔥 Karahi Chicken — A robust, spicy North Indian classic.
🔥 Daal Tarka – An inviting and spicy lentil dish.
For an authentic Punjabi meal that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag, Tayyabs is a must.
In Conclusion: The Best Indian Restaurants in London for Every Budget
Here’s our guide to the best Indian restaurants in London, whether you’re feeling fancy with Michelin-starred fine dining, casual street food or homestyle Indian cooking.
Best For Wrapped Nature – best indian restaurants in london
✔️ Best Fine Dining: Gymkhana, Benares, The Cinnamon Club
✔️ Best for Casual Dining: Dishoom, Tayyabs, Hoppers
✔️ Top Indian BBQ & Drinks: Brigadiers
✔️ Best South Indian & Seafood Trishna
Whether you’re saucing it up with a curry or going a bit more adventurous with a classic, any one of these best Indian restaurants in London will make it a meal to remember. 🍛🔥
