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BIBI, MAYFAIR
Best Indian restaurant for: Character-packed fine-dining
Dish to order: Buffalo-milk paneer
In the heart of Mayfair, BiBi¡¯s ethos is inspired by traditional Indian cuisine and the personal memories and family history of esteemed chef, Chet Sharma. Opulent decor ¨C think red-tiled kitchens, dark wooden countertops, chequerboard flooring and paisley-patterned chairs ¨C make the space a worthy opponent of the glamorous haunts nearby. The menu ¨C designed for sharing ¨C consists of three sections, with seven or eight small plates the ideal number for getting a real flavour of the food here. Order the oysters ¨C lightly poached in lime, coconut and fermented chilli ¨C for a zingy start, or the Orkney scallops for a creamier, more textured take on ceviche. From the main courses, go for the creamy, nutty buffalo-milk braised paneer, and the khatti meethi cod for sweet-and-sour style, melt-in-your-mouth fish. Olivia Morelli
Address: 42 N Audley St, London W1K 6ZP
Telephone: +44 20 3780 7310
Website: bibirestaurants.com
GYMKHANA, MAYFAIR
Best Indian restaurant for: Michelin-starred fine dining?
Dish to order: Muntjac biryani, pomegranate and mint raita
Gymkhana has an excellent reputation for fancy fare that leaves you feeling truly satisfied. Taking inspiration from the old gymkhana clubs of India, the polished dark timber and rich printed fabric transports you away from central London in an instant. The tasting menu is a gorgeous treat but will require an empty stomach; portions are generous and full of flavour, from the cull yaw mutton samosa to start, to the cardamom kheer, fresh mango and mango sorbet pudding. As with many memorable restaurants, it¡¯s the service that really sets Gymkhana apart from its competitors, so don¡¯t be shy when it comes to asking for advice on what to order. By Abigail Malbon
Address: Gymkhana, 42 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4JH
Telephone: +44 20 3011 5900
Website: gymkhanalondon.com
PALI HILL, FITZROVIA
Best Indian restaurant for: Seasonal regional dishes
Dish to order: Alphonso mango cheesecake
Named after one of Mumbai¡¯s oldest neighbourhoods, Pali Hill delves into some of the finest flavour-packed regional dishes from every corner of the country. Sit on the side-street terrace or cosy up among colourful cushions in the art deco-inspired interior, admiring the specially commissioned artworks from India adorning the walls. Kick things off with a boozy lassi, a smooth, refreshing drink of yogurt, honey and fresh mango blended with a shot of rum. Or perhaps the special Champagne lassi, a mix of lychee and apricot sorbet with sparkling 15 Mo?t & Chandon Imp¨¦rial Brut and Glenfiddich Grand Cru. Accompany your tipple with papadi chat ¨C crispy and crunchy and topped with spiced yogurt, red and yellow tomato, pomegranate, mint and tamarind chutney, it¡¯s a sophisticated upgrade on the classic poppadom with chutneys and pickles, deep in flavour and dangerously moreish. Another small plate to try is the hara kebab, a falafel-style combination of spring peas and spinach with a tamarind chutney for dipping.
Move on to the main event of big plates, tandoor and grills, all cooked following house recipes that use traditional techniques. The menu changes every few months to guarantee the freshest, in-season plates. We loved the sea bass steamed in banana leaf with raw mango, mint, coriander and lime ¨C it was the star of the show, paired perfectly with the seasonal grilled asparagus with pahadi bhaang jeera (hempseed) chutney and a glass of the Gr¨¹ner Veltliner. Meat eaters shouldn¡¯t miss the classic slow-cooked Suffolk lamb biryani, mopping it up with a soft but crispy ghee-striped sourdough roti. Finally, if you have a sweet tooth, finish with the mango cheesecake ¨C the light mousse topping the crumbly biscuit base is simply delicious. Or go for the passionfruit gola ¨C shaved ice with a sweet burst ¨C which is perfect for cleansing the palate. By Cordelia Aspinall
Address: Pali Hill, 79¨C81, Mortimer Street, London, England, W1W 7SJ
Telephone: +44 20 8130 0101
Website: palihill.co.uk
ATTAWA, DALSTON
Best Indian restaurant for: elevated Punjabi plates in a casual setting
Dish to order: lamb biryani (Mum¡¯s recipe)
The first thing to note about Attawa, aside from the cosy, gimmick-free interiors and rich, mouthwatering wafts of spices, freshly baked naan and coconut, is its location ¨C slap-bang in the middle of Dalston¡¯s main strip and mere steps away from its station. Owned by husband-and-wife team Ravinder and Amar Madhray, Attawa is housed in a building Ravinder¡¯s parents once ran as a shoe shop, where he spent a great deal of his childhood. They sold the store, and only years later was Ravinder able to buy it back, collaborating with MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalist Arbinder Dugal and his mother (his cooking guru) to create a simple yet elevated menu with a modern twist.
Named after the Punjabi village the Madhray family originated from, Attawa serves basics done well, from the butter naan to the Cardamom Blush cocktails sprinkled with rose petals. There¡¯s a contrast of textures: creamy yogurt and potatoes with chickpeas and crispy baby spinach make the palak papdi chaat a stellar small-plate choice (go easy, it¡¯s filling), along with the khatte ladoo¨C indulgent fried lentil dumplings ¨C and the lighter soft-shell crab. Meat lovers should fix their gaze on the tandoor options ¨C the flavoursome lamb seekh with mint chutney is divine and the chicken tikka is a more elaborate riff on the classic, coated in a dhal marinade and balanced with cucumber salad. The lamb biryani (Mum¡¯s recipe) is a tasty tribute to the family¡¯s cooking prowess, while the tadka dhal topped with kale pakora packs a whole arsenal of comforting flavours and is mopped up exceptionally well with a warm tandori roti or chilli naan. This spot is a well-oiled (and high-octane) machine. By Rosalyn Wikeley
Address: Attawa, 6 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2JP
Telephone:+44 20 7254 1236
Website:attawa.co.uk
TRISHNA, MARYLEBONE
Best Indian restaurant for: A taste of coastal cooking?
Dish to order: Aloo tokri chaat and makai saag
Aloo tokri chaat is a well-known street-food staple in India: deep-fried potatoes are topped with spices, yogurt, tamarind sauce, mint and pomegranate, so it¡¯s sweet, sour, tangy, crunchy and spicy all at the same time. The Sethi siblings, who own Michelin-starred Trishna in the heart of Marylebone, know a good thing when they taste it, which is why they start their menu off with this popular roadside snack. What follows is an exploration of the country¡¯s coast ¨C moving from Mumbai to Tamil Nadu ¨C with a strong focus on vegetables and seafood that makes for a welcome change from the more common meat-heavy northern dishes found across London.
It¡¯s all done with creativity, in a space that is simple and contemporary ¨C whitewashed brick walls, wooden chairs and not a single tablecloth in sight. Waiters are attentive without being intrusive, recommending dishes and their favourite cocktails, while sommeliers guide guests through a wine list that showcases emerging regions and niche producers from England to the Czech Republic. Try the Gujarat Cosmo made with a home-brewed rose-petal tea or a gin and tonic garnished to perfection. Then embark on a voyage across southern India, opting for the Taste of Trishna¡¯s Koliwada with intricately decorated small plates that blend smoke and spice in impressive dishes such as stuffed soft-shell crab. Delicious curries include the Iyengar Aubergine Varuval made with coconut, dry red chilli, shallots and curry leaf, and the Makai Saag, a creamed spinach and sweetcorn, which is served with lentil dal and truffled mushroom pilau. By Emma Russell
Address: Trishna, 15-17 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London W1U 3DG
Telephone: +44 20 7935 5624
Website: trishnalondon.com
GUNPOWDER, SPITALFIELDS, TOWER BRIDGE
Best Indian restaurant for: Casual evening ambience?
Dish to order: Gunpowder Aloo Chaat
The tiny, homey restaurant run by Harneet and Devina Baweja has been serving Indian small plates in Spitalfields since 2015. New this year is their second spot, a much bigger restaurant, in a development that has views of Tower Bridge. The best bit? The new space means you can finally book for large groups. Other than the size, the two joints are satisfyingly similar ¨C though this one swaps the original¡¯s brick-and-wood aesthetic with polished concrete interiors, zinc surfaces and terracotta tones. Plus, they both dish up the very popular spice-encrusted Kashmiri lamb chops and spicy venison with a vermicelli doughnut. Also delicious is the succulent Chettinad pulled duck. But it's one of the simplest plates on the menu that is our favourite: the signature aloo chaat, a mound of potatoes piled with yogurt and spiced-tamarind-and-date chutney ¨C a perfect complement to the rest of the sharing plates. You won¡¯t find naan on the menu at Gunpowder, and you might not even need to order rice, but we find it hard to believe there's anyone that won't be won over by this inventive and flavour-packed menu. By Tabitha Joyce
Address: Gunpowder, 11 White's Row, Spitalfields, London E1 7NF; 4 Duchess Walk, London SE1 2SD
Telephone: +44 20 7426 0542 (Spitalfields); +44 20 3598 7946 (Tower Bridge)
Website: gunpowderlondon.com
KUTIR, CHELSEA
Best Indian restaurant for: an Indian tasting menu
Dish to order: Signature Expedition
Kutir is the first solo venture by chef Rohit Ghai and front-of-house Abhishake Sangwan, both previously at Gymkhana and Jamavar, so expectations were pretty high when it opened at the end of 2018. The name means 'small cottage in the middle of nowhere' in Sanskrit ¨C in this case a very exclusive one, and certainly not off-the-map remote.
Set in a townhouse across the road from the Saatchi Gallery, it takes its theme from hunting expeditions in the Indian countryside. You ring the bell before being guided into a dining space of pistachio-green walls with mirrors and prints of elephants and tigers ¨C the nature theme extends to vibrant bird-print panels on the bar, and flower-branch lights and hypnotic tree wallpaper elsewhere. For the full showcase of Ghai's skills, the Signature Expedition (one of three tasting menus) is packed with satisfyingly rich meat dishes and just-right spicy seafood ¨C standouts among them were the crunchy prawn masala and velvety coconut seabass with mussels. There's also stone bass with squid, hot and cold partridge with beetroot, and lamb with cumin, all expertly paired with wines from a globe-spanning list, and when you feel certain you cannot fit in pudding, a tempting Valrhona-chocolate and banana square appears. By Katharina Hahn
Address: Kutir, 10 Lincoln Street, London SW3 2TS
Telephone: +44 20 7581 1144
Website: kutir.co.uk
TAMARIND MAYFAIR
Best Indian restaurant for:? lighter and more sophisticated take on traditional Indian cooking
Dish to order: Chargrilled lamb chops
Tamarind¡¯s been a steadfast fixture on London¡¯s Indian fine-dining scene for 24 years: old-school, elegant and the first restaurant of its kind to win a Michelin star. And after an eight-month, multi-million-pound overhaul, it¡¯s just thrown open the doors again, relaunched, box-fresh, and with not a starchy white tablecloth in sight. The space has doubled in size and the team behind Dover Street¡¯s The Arts Club sent in; interiors have been pared-back, adding long squishy sofas, stripped wooden tables and two all-action open kitchens. There¡¯s top talent in the kitchen too: Karunesh Khanna, swiped from Belgravia¡¯s Amaya and Manav Tuli from Chutney Mary. The new menu focuses on small plates and light tandoor grills; start with huge plump scallops swimming in a red lentil and curry sauce, meaty coconut and chili sea bass, or sensational lamb cutlets sealed with a gently spiced pistachio crumb. Mains are designed for sharing: chicken biryani with a pastry lid that¡¯s ceremoniously cracked open at the table, tender lamb osso bucco, and a Keralan prawn curry mopped up with slithers of fluffy garlic naan and dollops of hot-pink raita. There¡¯s plenty for vegetarians too, or those who fancy something a bit healthier and fresher (making this a popular lunchtime spot) ¨C brightly coloured kale and papaya salads, and ¨C a must-order ¨C caramelised Brussels sprouts in a chestnut and mustard-seed sauce. Come for a special occasion ¨C the Michelin star may have been rescinded during the closure, but we¡¯ve no doubt it¡¯ll be won back in no time. By Teddy Wolstenholme
Address: Tamarind Mayfair, 20 Queen Street, London W1J 5PR
Telephone: +44 20 7629 3561
Website: tamarindrestaurant.com
SOHO WALA
Best Indian restaurant for: a taste of India¡¯s off-beat charm?
Dish to order: Bhelpuri with pomegranate and sev
Before you¡¯ve even had time to order a gin and tonic at Soho Wala, fresh, miniature poppadoms with parmesan appear on your table alongside a bus-shaped napkin holder with the rather unexpected ¨C but charming ¨C message ¡®For use in any kind of crisis¡¯ printed along the side. The only crisis is how quickly the poppadoms vanish, but you¡¯ll soon forget when fragrant plates start to arrive. Head chef Rajesh Parmar produces good, easy-to-order food that is comforting to its core and confidently fuss-free. The kali daal has an earthy texture with a good kick of heat that will bring a flush to your cheeks, and comes with discs of light, buttery choor choor naan to scoop it up (those napkins come in handy). The bhelpuri, meanwhile ¨C puffed rice and vegetables topped with pomegranate seeds, crunchy gram flour sev and tamarind sauce ¨C displays Parmar¡¯s aptitude at balancing flavours and textures from Northern India (bhelpuri is often associated with Mumbai). Despite its location opposite one of London¡¯s landmarks on Great Marlborough Street (grand dame department store, Liberty), Soho Wala¡¯s quiet, unassuming presence makes you feel like you¡¯re not in London at all; perhaps not quite India, either, but somewhere peaceful suspended in between the two, and happily away from the manic shoppers of Soho. By Anna Prendergast
Address: Soho Wala, 21 Great Marlborough Street, Soho, London W1F 7HL
Telephone: +44 20 7297 5568
Website: sohowala.com
KAHANI, CHELSEA
Best Indian restaurant for: Indian small plates
Dish to order: marinated tandoori broccoli with nigella seeds and wheat crisps
Kahani, which means 'story' in Urdu, is the first restaurant from chef Peter Joseph, who had been at Michelin-starred Tamarind for 14 years. Its elegant location, just off Sloane Street, has been reflected in the interiors: velvet chairs, low lighting and marble tables. And the menu is refined too. Joseph serves up traditional Indian dishes using seasonal, British ingredients with a little influence, he says, from Spanish tapas culture. Menu highlights include the soft-shell crab with Mangalorean spices, smoked Malabar prawns with turmeric and coconut and ¨C the chef¡¯s personal favourite ¨C marinated tandoori broccoli, served on an artistic splatter of honey and crumbled poppadums. The venison bhuna (black cardamom, peppers and shallots) on paratha is delicately spiced, but with a chilli kick. For those who have a sweet tooth, the medley of kulfis is a must ¨C an Indian take on ice cream, in which eggs are replaced with evaporated milk to get a softer, creamier taste. And do try the special JCB No. 47 Brut from Mah¨¡r¨¡shtra, an Indian sparkling wine named in honour of the country¡¯s independence from Britain in 1947. By Luzrezia Worthington
Address: Kahani, 1 Wilbraham Place, Belgravia, London SW1X 9AE
Telephone: +44 20 7730 7634
Website: kahinilondon.com
TAMARIND KITCHEN, SOHO
Best Indian restaurant for: sharing small plates
Dish to order: lotus-root kebab with dates and plum chutney
There¡¯s something pleasingly jewel-box about the interior of Soho¡¯s Tamarind Kitchen (the little sister to Michelin-starred Tamarind) with its dark wood panels, blue-striped banquettes and pomegranate-red walls hung with shiny brass plates. A new menu focuses on three grills ¨C the tandoor, hot griddle and charcoal ¨C and all the wonderful things you can flame on them (ask the brilliant manager Arvind Chavhan for his recommendations). Order small plates of smoked spicy chicken tikka, watercress seekh filed with onion raita, super-tasty chargrilled seabass with coconut and chilli, meaty (and yet meat-free) lotus-root kebab and tangerine-bright Kerala prawn curry as good as any you¡¯ll taste in Fort Cochin. Accompanying it all are rotis hot off the heat with a trio of chutneys: tomato, fiery aubergine and peach. And to finish, go for a rich and sticky gulab jamun with ginger kulfi and a colourful tropical trifle with pistachio sponge and mango jelly. By Gr¨¢inne McBride
Address: Tamarind Kitchen, 167-169 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WR
Telephone: +44 20 7287 4243
Website: tamarindkitchen.co.uk
DISHOOM, SOHO
Best Indian restaurant for: Breakfast
Dish to order: The Big Bombay
First things first: expect a queue. And if you can stick it out, you'll be met with a bustling space styled on a Bombay caf¨¦ complete with spinning ceiling fans and vintage magazine prints on the walls. From the menu we like the lamb biriani, the bhel (puffed rice with a tangy tamarind chutney) and the black dal. But, best of all, we like Dishoom at breakfast, not only because you can book ¨C but also because the sticky char-striped streaky bacon naan is excellent. If you're really hungry, go for The Big Bombay which comes with peppery Shropshire pork sausages, masala baked beans, grilled field mushrooms and buttered, home-made buns. Dishoom has multiplied since it arrived in Covent Garden in 2010, but it's doing so at a steady rate ¨C with five restaurants in London and one in Edinburgh. While this joint, off Soho's Carnaby Street is our favourite, the Shoreditch courtyard is particularly lovely too. By Tabitha Joyce
Address: Dishoom, 2 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5QB
Telephone: + 44 20 7420 9320
Website: dishoom.com
BRIGADIERS, THE CITY
Best Indian restaurant for: ?Dining in the city
Dish to order: Indo Chinese chilli chicken lettuce cups
Bank has never been a dining destination. And then, all of a sudden, there are burgers from Bleecker Street, great coffee from Caravan, enormous pizzas at Homeslice and Koya's hard-to-beat noodles, all within one block. But the stand-out has to be Brigadiers. Unlike it's neighbours, it's not a chain, but it is from the same team behind Gymkhana in Mayfair so you know you're in excellent hands. Unlike Brigadiers' fine-dining sibling, their City spot is themed as an Indian gastropub. But ignore the fact they're promising to show the football and settle down in a booth (in a room without a screen) because their barbecue take on Indian is sizzling. Small-plate starters include skewers of Afghani lamb, smoked aubergine rotis and the must-order chilli chicken lettuce cups. Even the pappadums are amazing – with four different recipes on display. Mains include plates of perfectly-grilled meats ¨C from guinea fowl reshmi kebabs to tandori lamb. Almost everything packs a fiery punch so order plenty of the sesame and cucumber raita to pile on everything. As well as the two main dining rooms there are a handful of private rooms making this a great spot for a party. By Tabitha Joyce
Address: Brigadiers, 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
Telephone: +44 20 3319 8140
Website: brigadierslondon.com
BENARES, MAYFAIR
Best Indian restaurant for: ?A Michelin-star feast
Dish to order: Baked Malabar Scallop
This is one of the stalwarts of upscale Indian cooking in London. It first gained a star under Atul Kochhar in 2007 and it¡¯s been impressing with its generous servings of traditional-meets-modern dishes ever since. Now under the leadership of Exec Chef Sameer Taneja, who successfully regained Benares¡¯ Star in 2021, come here and make an evening of it, kicking off with a Passion Fruit Chutney Martini in the red-and-black bar. Mini poppadoms arrive at your table in the low-lit mirrored dining room to be slathered in apricot, gooseberry and pickled-carrot dips. Next up is a delicious Samosa Ragda Tartlet ¨C crushed warm potato on Carom seed Tartlet. The scallops are a standout starter, baked in a coconut curry to keep in the flavour; balance it out with a mineraly-nosed Joh Jos Riesling, all the while taking in the happy-making buzz of the room. For mains there¡¯s smoked chilli marinated tandoori lamb cutlets with a spiced spinach pur¨¦e and a hearty dish of roasted duck with crispy semolina bread. Keep it light (sort of) for pudding, with with tangy mango and raspberry kulfi and rose bhapa doi (baked yogurt) with hibiscus-tea jelly. Well, we did say to make an evening of it. By Gr¨¢inne McBride
Address: Benares, 12a Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6BS
Telephone: +44 20 7629 8886
Website: benaresrestaurant.com
DARJEELING EXPRESS, SOHO
Best Indian restaurant for: ?Proper home-style cooking?
Dish to order: Darjeeling steamed dumplings
Owner Asma Khan is a self-taught cook and previously a much-loved supper-club host. The open-plan kitchen inside Darjeeling Express, her first restaurant, is run by a team of ladies who, similarly, have no formal training – they cook from the heart, showcasing Khan's passion for traditional North Indian, Bengali and Hyderabadi dishes. Aromatic mutton kebabs are stuffed with hung yogurt and fresh mint; a slow-cooked Bengali-style goat curry is strewn with spice-soaked potatoes. The restaurant's steel-blue walls display a storyboard of pictures from Khan's childhood and the slatted wood benches, concrete tables and Victorian tile patches are inspired by her childhood home. This is a personal project from an exceptional chef.
Address: Darjeeling Express, Top Floor, Kingly Court, Soho, London W1B 5PW
Telephone: +44 20 7287 2828
Website: darjeeling-express.com
JIKONI, MARYLEBONE
Best Indian restaurant for: A spicy brunch?
Dish to order:? Prawn toast Scotch egg with banana ketchup and pickled cucumbers
A homely spot with a menu that draws upon East Africa and the Middle East as well as Asia, Jikoni has the look of an arty aunt's house with its mix of Indian printed tablecloths, wicker chairs and mismatched china. Sit back, get cosy and enjoy reinvented brunch classics such as tamarind and pineapple glazed bacon with fenugreek waffles and fennel slaw, or poached egg and chilli pickled cauliflower on caramelised pineapple pi?a colada pancakes. Also worth ordering are the lobster khichdee with a spicy moolie broth and coconut chutney, a green bean and cashew nut thoran and the Pondicherry prawn puffs. To finish, indulge in childhood treats including peanut brittle and a light banana cake with miso butterscotch. By Amandip Uppal
Address: Jikoni, 19-21 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London W1U 3DH
Telephone: +44 20 7034 1988
Website: jikonilondon.com
KRICKET, SOHO
Best Indian restaurant for:? Cool, creative Indian cooking?
Dish to order:? Pumpkin, makhani sauce, fresh paneer, hazelnut crumble, puffed rice
This incredible restaurant began as a pop-up in a 20ft shipping container in Brixton. It wasn't long before all of London wanted a chair at chef Will Bowlby's mini kitchen table. Less than two years later, Kricket opened its first bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Soho. The design is a modern memoir to Mumbai, with bare walls and rough plastering and large communal tables in a dimly lit basement. The menu brings together the flavours of Mumbai and London, with British ingredients used to make the most of authentic flavours, aromas and spices, inspired by Bowlby's first-hand experience of working in India's largest city. Guests are smitten with moreish dishes such as crispy samphire pakoras, Keralan fried chicken, curry-leaf mayonnaise, pickled mouli and tandoori monkfish. But if you order just one thing, make it the roast pumpkin plopped in a sweet spicy makhani sauce. It's worth noting that parties of four can book – useful in Soho. By Amandip Uppal
Address: Kricket, 12 Denman Street, Soho, London W1D 7HH
Telephone: +44 20 7734 5612
Website: kricket.co.uk
BOMBAY BUSTLE, MAYFAIR
Best Indian restaurant for:? Cocktails to match your curry?
Dish to order: Duck Chettinad dosas
From the brains behind Jamavar this is an exciting new Maddox Street opening. Interiors are styled on inspired by the bustling streets, and famed railways – with booth seating that mirrors an old first-class railway coach, and station-style signage to differentiate between the bar (the spot is so buzzy that you could happily just visit for drinks) and dining areas. Come for the collection of gin cocktails, but stay for the small plates – our favourites were the green chilli and red onion bahji fritters, and the trio of spicy duck dosas. Then, there¡¯s a tandoor menu featuring chaat masala chicken, as well as a tasty Cornwall lamb chop. For those that prefer curry the Keralan fish is made with coconut milk and tamarind; and the paneer butter masala comes with charred cottage cheese, peppers, fresh tomatoes and fenugreek. By Tabitha Joyce
Address: Bombay Bustle, 29 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2PA
Telephone: +44 20 7290 4470
Website: bombaybustle.com
TANDOOR CHOP HOUSE, CHARING CROSS
Best Indian restaurant for: Excellent meat cuts and naans?
Dish to order:? Dexter Beef Naan and House Tandoor Chicken
This is where a classic Brit chop house meets traditional smoky North Indian eatery. Interiors are stripped-back but offset by a stunning mosaic-tiled floor and three large brass tandoor ovens. Order from the select cuts of meat, including a moist masala-boti-rubbed rib-eye, Amritsari lamb chops and fiery black-pepper chicken tikka, as well as a classic British masala chicken, in a marinade of hung curd, fresh, garlic, ginger, chilli and smoky spices. As an alternative to meat there's also a whole tandoor-roasted caulifower and delicious fish specials to choose from. The simple butter naans are pillowy soft, but the bone-marrow butter naan is the one to try. Be sure to end your meal with the sweet br?l¨¦e made from BBQ pineapple and chai. By Amandip Uppal
Address: Tandoor Chop House, 8 Adelaide Street, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4HZ
Telephone: +44 20 3096 0359
Website: tandoorchophouse.com
CINNAMON BAZAAR, COVENT GARDEN
Best Indian restaurant for: A portable hand-painted chaat cart and bespoke cocktails?
Dish to order: Grilled aubergine with sesame peanut crumble and labna-toasted buckwheat
A familiar face in the national media, Vivek Singh is a master of top-end feasting and is constantly exposing us to new tastes. Cinnamon Bazaar is his fourth restaurant (The Cinnamon Club is probably his best-known), and draws inspiration and interpretation from the colours, food and energetic atmosphere of India's old spice markets. Interior doors are parrot-green and a statement ceiling is hung with baskets and panels of hot-pink silk draped to create an awning. While you're persuing the menu, order a Bazaar Old Fashioned cocktail made with Indian scotch, coconut sugar and burnt cinnamon. Main courses include Indo-Chinese chicken wings with burnt chillies, and double-cooked pork belly with curried yogurt, barley, pomegranate and a broccoli smoked raita. The best bit about the Cinnamon Bazaar is its roaming chaat cart, which allows guests a chance to pick ingredients and spices to create their own bespoke chaat, a crispy-crunchy-spicy-tangy Indian street food. By Amandip Uppal
Address: Cinnamon Bazaar, 28 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7JS
Telephone: +44 20 7395 1400
Website: cinnamon-bazaar.com
CALCUTTA STREET, FITZROVIA
Best Indian restaurant for:: East Indian flavours?
Dish to order:: Prawn malai kari (king prawns cooked in a creamy coconut and mustard sauce)
It wasn't until Shrimoyee Chakraborty left her motherland to study that she truly missed the Bengali home cooking she was used to. Longing for her favourite street snacks and sweets, she launched the vibrant Calcutta Street in Fitzrovia, and more recently in Brixton. Walk through the main doors – a pair of bespoke shutters that mirror Calcutta's most familiar sights – and you'll find chandeliers made from hath-pakha fans and antique furniture that conjures the colonial capital of British India. The joint is particularly popular for its lunch menu: try the Calcutta Kati Rolls, a fresh, flaky paratha rolled with egg, paneer or chicken served with salad and house chutneys. Other classics on offer from the
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