Dishoom is pretty much everyone’s idealised local curry house. The atmosphere is guaranteed to be buzzy, the menu authentic but varied enough to suit almost all tastes and it’s a great experience whether you’re alone or with the whole family. It’s styled after a post-colonial Bombay café – think retro Bollywood-style posters and homely framed photos – and the service is suitably relaxed, but always attentive. That friendly service might come in handy as you attempt to navigate the sprawling menu, which runs from crowd-pleasing chicken tikka to mutton pepper fry for the spice heads. Wash the latter down with a cooling lassi followed by a refreshing kulfi frozen ice cream. It’s an all-day dining spot too, open from breakast, through to lunch and dinner.
Locations
With the franchise having spread out to seven venues in London, from Shoreditch and Soho to Carnary Wharf, King’s Cross and Battersea, and several others across the country, Dishoom seems intent on becoming your actual local curry house.
Order this
The breakfasts at Dishoom are legendary and the bacon naan roll is the star of this early morning show. For lunch and dinner we love the bhel puffed rice starter dish, and chicken ruby curry. Vegetarian-friendly, if you want a meat-free meal, the makhmali paneer is a great option, and the tandoori chaat is vegan. All of Dishoom’s food is halal.
Time Out tip
It’s also a great restaurant to take kids – firstly for the children’s menu and secondly because it’s impossible to hear a baby crying over the buzz of the place.
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