How to Find the Best Indian Restaurants London
No other city is home to the most diverse and exciting culinary scenes than London, and Indian cuisine is central to the greater city’s food culture. Whether a Michelin-star fine dining experience, warm and hospitable home-style curries, or delicious street food is what you seek, London has it.
This guide delves into the best Indian restaurants London has to offer, detailing signature dishes, unusual touches and signposting what distinguishes them.
Gymkhana – Best Michelin Star Indian Fine Dining – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Location: Mayfair
⭐ Why Visit? Refined North Indian fare, Michelin-starred, opulent ambience
Gymkhana – Michelin-starred Indian, one of London’s best restaurantes. A nod to Indian gymkhana clubs that catered to high society, this restaurant serves sumptuous tandoori offerings, intense curries and perfectly spiced plates in a sumptuous setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Kid Goat Methi Keema – Spiced minced goat accompanied by soft pao buns.
🔥 Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops — juicy, tender and flavorful.
🔥 Butter Chicken Masala — a rich, creamy version.
If you want an unforgettable experience of Indian fine dining in London, then Gymkhana is a place where you must go.
The Cinnamon Club — Best For Modern Indian Food In a Historic Setting – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Location: Westminster
⭐ Why Visit? Michelin Guide recognition innovative dishes unique venue
Located in the former Westminster Library, The Cinnamon Club serves modern Indian with British ingredients and strong Indian spices. It’s a hit with politicians, business leaders and foodies, alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Tandoori Spencer Gulf King Prawns – Marinated and grilled tender.
🔥 How To Make Slow-Braised Herdwick Lamb Shank Rogan Josh – A Kashmiri classic that’s rich in flavor.
🔥 Seared Scallops with Carom Seed & Pink Peppercorns – Marvelously plated dish with balanced spices.
The Cinnamon Club is the place for high-class Indian cuisine in London — perfect for a special occasion.
Scaramouche — Best for a Proper French Restaurant – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Locations: Covent Garden, Shoreditch, King’s Cross etc
⭐ Why Visit? Bombay café vibes, terrific sharing plates
Dishoom has become one of London’s most iconic Indian restaurants with its glam Irani café-inspired interiors and menu of Bombay street food classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
🍛 House Black Daal — Aged for 24 hours slow-cooked, creamy, rich.
🍛 Chicken Ruby Curry – A hearty tomato-based curry loaded with flavourful spices.
🍛 Bacon Naan Roll – A hybrid breakfast dish that has grown into a cult favorite.
If you’d like a more relaxed, casual but still flavorful Indian meal, Dishoom is always a solid option.
Benares – For Indian-European Fusion Food – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Location: Mayfair
⭐ Why Visit? Indian–European fusion, Michelin star
Another Michelin-starred Indian eatery to sample in London is Benares, recognized for its progressive approach to Indian fine dining. The menu includes inventive dishes that meld European nuances with classic Indian idioms.
Must-Try Dishes:
🍛 Tandoori Monkfish – Well spiced, cooked en pointe.
🍛Lamb Rogan Josh Shepherd’s Pie — A brilliant mashup of British and Indian classics.
🍛 Saffron and Cardamom Cheesecake — An Indian-inspired dessert.
Benares is a great choice for a more sophisticated and modern approach to Indian food.
Trishna – For Coastal Indian Cuisine & Seafood – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Location: Marylebone
⭐ Why Visit? Michelin-starred, fresh seafood, clean and aromatic dishes
Trishna introduces the flavors of South Indian coastal cuisine to London, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and lighter fare.
Must-Try Dishes:
🐟 Hariyali Bream – Marinated with fresh herbs and grilled to perfection.
🔥 Tandoori Lobster – Pretty indulgent dish with deep, smoky flavour.
🍛 Crab & Curry Leaf Fried Rice — Aromatic and full of flavor.
If you like seafood, one of the best Indian restaurants in London must be Trishna.
Brigadiers – Best for Indian BBQ & Cocktails – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Location: Bank
⭐ Why Visit? best known for its Indian barbecue, lively atmosphere and great drinks
Brigadiers, inspired by Indian army mess halls, is a fun, vibrant spot serving Indian barbecue, sharing plates and beautifully crafted cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Butter Chicken Wings – A spicy, flavourable twist on a traditional wing.
🔥 Lamb Biryani – Luscious, fragrant, just right.
🔥 Achari Beef Short Ribs – Fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with bold spices.
For a fun night out (with great Indian food and drinks), this one’s the one.
Hoppers – Best Sri Lankan & South Indian Cuisine – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Where: Soho, Marylebone, King’s Cross
⭐ Why Visit? Distinctive Sri Lankan and South Indian flavors, colorful setting
Hoppers serves up the tastes of Sri Lanka and South India in London, known for hoppers (fermented rice pancakes), spicy curries, and fragrant spices.
Must-Try Dishes:
🍛 Egg Hopper with Pol Sambol – A signature dish that is packed with flavor.
🍛 Black Pork Kari (Curry) – A favorite for spice lovers.
🔥 மச்சம் மரவுக்கு varuval – A spice and flavourful South Indian treat.
If you want a break from traditional Indian food, Hoppers is a great option.
Tayyabs – Best Punjabi cuisine in London – Best Indian Restaurants London
📍 Location: Whitechapel
⭐ Why Visit? Legendary grilled meats, family-run, no-frills authentic experience
Tayyabs, a London institution since 1972, serves big, spicy Punjabi flavors in an unfussy, no-frills space.
Must-Try Dishes:
🔥 Lamb Chops – The most famous item on the menu, grilled to perfection.
🔥हरु Karahi Chicken – North Indian, rich, bold, spicy.
🍛 Daal Tarka — A hearty lentil dish bursting with flavors.
For an authentic Indian meal at a reasonable price, Tayyabs is a top pick.
Conclusion: The Best Indian Restaurants in London for Every Mood – Best Indian Restaurants London
From luxurious fine-dining and casual street food, to home-style Indian cooking, London boasts a great number of excellent Indian restaurants.
Best of All Time:
✔️ Best Fine Dining: Gymkhana, Benares, The Cinnamon Club ✔️ Best Affordable: Dishoom, Brindisa, Flat Iron ✔️ Best Modern British: St. John, Dabboo’s, the Ivy ✔️ Best Other: Spinate, The River Café, Kaya
✔️ Best Casual Dining: Dishoom, Tayyabs, Hoppers
✔️ Best Indian BBQ & Drinks: Brigadiers
✔️ Best South Indian & Seafood: Trishna
Whatever your budget, these are among the best Indian restaurants in London, where an incredible meal of fragrant spices and bold flavors awaits. 🍛🔥
