The best Indian and South Asian restaurants in London

Run by husband-and-team Biju and Preeti Gopinath, this hub for London’s Malayali community has been plating classic Kerala comfort food and festive feasts (such as a 30-course vegetarian spread for the harvest festival of Onam) for over a decade. Each dish is prepared lovingly by Preeti, and given its unique flavour by spice blends crafted in-house. Standouts are the fish moilley, a creamy coconut curry where kingfish is simmered with fresh tomato, adding a tangy lightness to the broth. Try it with spongy appam to soak up all the flavourful gravy. Mussel fry is also excellent; mussels are dry-roasted with a mix of black pepper and fennel, coating them with a glorious golden crust. Netholi fry, small anchovies battered and fried, is a wonderful south Indian alternative to crispy whitebait and a perfect snack with cold beer. 

Time Out tip Call in advance and order the para pollichathu to share with a group. This stunning dish consists of a whole fish, slathered in spicy marinade and baked in a banana leaf until it falls apart in pearly white, succulent flakes.

Brigadiers brings a big, bold energy to Bloomberg Arcade, taking cues from colonial army messes in India, with a slick, modern twist. But forget about military minimalism: this space is all about indulgence. Flat screens showing live sports, an American pool room and a vending machine selling Scotch whisky bring a hedonistic playfulness. Known for their standout game meats and biryanis, the food means serious business. Smoky butter chicken wings, charred to perfection, are impossibly moreish, while achari beef ribs just melt off the bone. Goat belly vindaloo samosas and the tray of seven different poppadums make for ideal snacking while you enjoy one of their signature cocktails; espresso martinis and old fashioneds on tap, anyone?

Time Out tip With flowing beer towers and flat screens galore, settle in, order a mixed grill, and prepare for a full-on flavour blowout.

If you didn’t know it was there, this family-run restaurant nestled in Croydon’s South Park Hotel is easily missed. This would be a mistake, as it offers some of the capital’s best Desi-Chinese (also known as Indo-Chinese or Hakka-Chinese) dishes. The cuisine was born over 100 years ago when Hakka immigrants in Kolkata fused Indian spices with Chinese cooking techniques. Each dish is packed with generous amounts of ginger, garlic and pepper. The result is distinctive and delicious, with sweet and sour flavours tempered by smoky wok breath, the umami of soy and the fiery punch of chilli. Enjoy sizzling plates of chilli paneer (best ordered dry), crispy fried okra, and jeera chicken, alongside ginger rice and Singapore noodles. 

Time Out tip The Chinese-inspired vegetarian small plates shouldn’t be overlooked; go in a group and order as many as you can.

Dishoom has been capturing the hearts of Londoners since its first location opened back in 2010, paying whimsical tribute to the Irani cafés of old Mumbai. Its trademark mix of vintage Bollywood nostalgia, playful menus and historically-styled interiors has made it a London institution. Now, it's become a go-to for family outings, visiting tourists, and friend meetups, each location featuring a unique ‘café special’ dish to set it apart. Dishoom Canary Wharf, with its sprawling, 70s-inspired interior, offers a slight advantage over the other sites: fewer queues. Plus, the café special, Salli Botti, is an absolute must-order; this tart, aromatic lamb curry is spiced with cinnamon and topped with crispy ‘salli’ potato sticks, adding a wonderful crunch to each bite. The roomali roti, thin as its handkerchief namesake, is the perfect accompaniment. 

Time Out tip Dishoom recently updated its menu for the first time since it opened. As well as fan favourites such as lamb chops and house black daal, be sure to check out newer dishes, like the Chicken Berry Britannia, a warming one-pot combo of meat, herbs and rice. 

The star of the show at this Maharashtrian street-food spot, affectionately known as SKVP, is the iconic vada pav. The vada is a spicy potato filling, coated in gram flour batter, deep-fried, and served in a soft, humble white bread bun (the pav). You’ll find six different varieties, such as the cheese vada pav, loaded with gooey melted cheese, a trio of tangy chutneys, and topped off with a fried chilli for an extra kick. Beyond the vada pav, SKVP’s menu is packed with vegetarian options and the friendly, knowledgeable staff are keen to make recommendations. The pani puri and samosa chaat will transport you straight to the streets of Ahmedabad or Mumbai. Over the years, the café has grown impressively, now boasting 15 branches across the UK, with nine in London. Each branch captures a slice of India through vibrant wall art and a background playlist of Hindi songs. Our top pick? The Wembley branch consistently delivers fresh, flavourful bites, thanks to a steady stream of punters that keeps the kitchen bustling. 

Time Out tip While the vada is the MVP, the versatility of the pav cannot be ignored. The modest bun is given all sorts of makeovers but we like it best stuffed with crispy onion bhajia or served with mashed potatoes, pomegranates and peanuts in a sandwich called a dabeli.

In Upton Park, Lahori Nihaari serves staples you would typically find in Pakistani homes, or cooked over open fire at Lahore market stalls. Come for the nihari, a slow-cooked meat stew that gives the restaurant its name, but stay for the homestyle specials like the daal moongi, a gravy of split yellow moong beans, or bindi gosht, tender lamb simmered with okra, which aren’t as easily found on London menus. If you’re in a rush, the £5 seekh kebab roll is a takeaway thing of beauty. Juicy minced meat, crunchy salad and creamy mint yoghurt are wrapped up in tandoori naan to make a portable flavour-bomb. Portions are generous, prices are affordable, and everything is served piping hot.

Time Out tip Try the Sunday breakfast, a weekend ritual for many Pakistani families. The signature paya (spelled paiye on the menu) is popular; a traditional spiced broth with collagen-rich trotters and aromatics.

Tandoor Chop House merges the communal vibe of a north Indian tandoor house with the hearty, robust cuts of a British chop house. This is where top-notch British meats and produce collide with Indian spices with fantastic results. Masala boti-rubbed ribeye is juicy and tender, sea bream is enhanced by a fragrant marinade, and the butter chicken naan has gained a ride-or-die following. The open kitchen adds dramatic flair; soak in the energy of the chefs at work while sipping a cocktail, like the fruity, zesty Punjabi sour. A favourite with regulars, tourists, and even celebs, it’s best to book in advance, although limited seats are reserved for walk-ins. 

Time Out tip Don’t miss the chickpea chaat. Its fresh combination of coriander and mint works as a perfect palate cleanser for the rich fried and grilled items.

Most Gujaratis have memories of being served a staple meal of daal, baath, rotli, shaak – shortened to DBRS if you wanted to be cool – either at home or when visiting family. The moniker refers to lentils, rice, roti and vegetable curry. The ‘Special Gujarati’ thali at Asher’s is as real as it gets, with five ghee-laden rotis, a choice of two vegetable curries, samosas, lassi, and yoghurt. The curries can change hourly, making every visit a surprise. There are also plenty of east African Gujarati snacks to indulge in; try the mogo (cassava) fries and the kichi, steamed patties of rice flour, green chilli and spices. 

Time Out tip Rotla, a traditional Gujarati bread, made with millet flour, and rarely found in restaurants, is served here. Swap your roti with these for a gluten-free, protein-packed alternative.

This neighbourhood favourite is known for its all-vegetarian, South Indian-inspired menu. The restaurant was born from founder Das Sreedharan’s childhood memories, growing up in a small village near Cochin, Kerala, where he helped his mother turn home-grown vegetables into nutritious and tasty meals. Flavours come through in dishes such as the banana boli – deep-fried plantains with black sesame – and rasa kayi, a spicy vegetable curry from Karnataka. With a striking pink frontage and interior, Rasa brings a pop of colour to Stoke Newington.

Time Out tip The vibrant beet cheera pachadi, usually reserved for weddings in Kerala, is worth trying. A blend of spinach and beetroot, with yoghurt and mustard seeds, this superfood dish is as pink as the decor and packed with flavour. 

Trailblazing Asma Khan has shattered culinary stereotypes, spotlighting the achievements of her all-female, immigrant-led kitchen. Darjeeling Express is run solely by women, who bring extraordinary life experience but no formal culinary training. Together, they’ve turned the operation from a humble supper club in Asma’s home to an internationally renowned destination that recreates dishes that blend Asma’s Mughlai heritage with her West Bengali upbringing. Dishes like tamatar gosht, prawn malaikari, and Calcutta lamb dum biryani, are presented in platters or thalis that evoke the warmth of a traditional Indian daawat, or special feast. The space is decorated like an Indian train station waiting room, with terracotta pots, ceiling fans, and greenery, symbolising the journeys of the South Asian diaspora. 

Time Out tip With so many greatest hits, it’s best to order the thali to sample a little bit of everything.

Saravana Bhavan has established itself as a cornerstone of south Indian cuisine in London, serving traditional Chettinad food across the capital. With its roots in Chennai, where the first location opened in 1981, Saravana Bhavan now boasts over 90 branches worldwide, making it a popular haunt for expats seeking a taste of home. The London outposts (in East Ham, Ilford, Leicester Square, Tooting, Harrow, Wembley and Southall) deliver the same inclusive, canteen-like atmosphere and lightning-quick service the chain is known for. We rate the East Ham location; repeat visits over the years have demonstrated consistently good food. The extensive menu is a celebration of vegetarianism. Feast on crispy masala dosa with sambar, a thin rice-lentil batter pancake stuffed with mashed potato, accompanied with a lentil gravy and coconut chutney, or podi idly, steamed rice cakes sprinkled with spices.

Time Out tip Saravana Bhavan opens at 9am, making it the perfect spot for breakfast. Start your day with channa batura, a huge fluffy fried bread served with a chickpea curry or, for a lighter option, the medu vada (a lentil-based doughnut). Wash it all down with a warming masala chai.

In 2014, Sailaja Nakarmi, affectionately known as ‘Maya-auntie’ by her patrons, opened Maya DD’s, offering her own take on the burgeoning Nepali restaurant community in Woolwich and Plumstead. This is the place for some of the best momo in town. Originally Tibetan, but now a staple of Nepali cuisine, these round dumplings are stuffed with various fillings, including minced chicken, mutton, and vegetables. Served with golbheda ko achar, a tangy tomato-based chutney, each juicy bite is heaven. Grab some friends, and a Gurkha beer, and order the buff sukuti, house buffalo jerky with onions, chillies and spices, and sekuwa – grilled meat skewers. The warming thukpa, a lightly spiced noodle soup, is just the ticket on colder days. 

Time Out tip Momo in London is usually filled with chicken, lamb or veg. Here, the succulent pork versions are a great choice.

Trust us: Indian-Irish fusion is the collab you didn’t know you needed. Run by family friends Sacha Henry and Eoghan Shankey, it marries Punjabi-inspired plates with Irish cocktails, such as Spuds and Butter, which features poitín, a potent Irish moonshine. It’s washed in Kerrygold butter and seasoned with salt and lime to lip-smacking effect. Food features other artful pairings thought up by Sacha, which pay homage to his Punjabi heritage; Irish oysters are dressed in Indian spice and a ‘disco’ wasabi mignonette. The cauli cheese is a soft paratha, stuffed with melted cheese and dressed with cauliflower curry and mango achar. There’s also a rich venison nihari, finished with bitter chocolate and preserved lemon yoghurt. The atmosphere honours the pair’s commitment to hospitality, with both Eoghan and Sacha regularly on hand to chat to diners about the menu. 

Time Out tip Dishes are always evolving so ask what’s popular that day. You’ll end up with something delicious and seasonal such as tandoori partridge, a special for game season.

For fine dining that showcases technique, texture and nuanced taste, look no further than executive chef Chet Sharma. The high-end Bibi opened in 2021, a culmination of Chet’s journey from a PhD in physics at the University of Oxford to a full-time career in food. He brings inspiration from his grandmothers and experience at Locanda Locatelli and Benares to a tasting menu which changes monthly with the seasons. Expect dishes like galouti kebab with roomali roti, tuna otoro and rasam, or scallop ceviche with lime-infused nimbu pani, plus unique snacks and surprises scattered throughout. Bar seating puts couples and solo diners at the heart of the action, with a front-row view of the kitchen.

Time Out tip At Bibi, dining alone at the bar is anything but lonely; it’s an opportunity to engage with Chet and his team for insight into the meticulous care involved in crafting each dish.

Brick Lane has been associated with the Bangladeshi community since the 1970s. Despite this, Graam Bangla is one of only a handful of restaurants here offering food from Bangladesh’s Sylhet region, where many London Bangladeshis have roots. Its closure in 2016 felt like a huge loss, but its 2019 reopening under Bangladeshi TV chef Atikur Rahman and owner Shanur Ali felt even more surreal in a city where restaurants often shutter, then vanish forever. Today, Graam Bangla is better than ever; diners are greeted by a cardboard cutout of King Charles, a reminder of his royal visit in 2023. Instead of a menu, waiters guide customers through a glass display of river fish, vegetable and meat curries. Specials could include delicacies like brain masala, or the signature shutki satni, a pungent claret paste of chilli and fermented fish, which adds life to plain white rice. Start your meal with a selection of bhortha, preparations of aubergine, potatoes and other vegetables, rolled into balls, before moving on to heartier fare. Beef and shatkora (a type of South Asian citrus) curry and chingri maas, small shell-on prawns with creamy spinach, are standouts. 

Time Out tip If you’re a vegetarian, remember to ask if any of the veg dishes contain fish, as this is a common preparation of Sylheti cuisine. Also, order the daal – its mild garlicky flavour balances the robust spiciness of the other dishes.

Dishes at Charsi Karahi hail primarily from northwestern Pakistan and southern Afghanistan, and favour generous portions of succulent meats, aromatic spices, and hearty grains. This is food that reflects the regions’ rugged landscapes. You must try the eponymous charsi karahi, where tender meat is cooked in a karahi pot, with a focus on simplicity, relying on just a few key ingredients that highlight the freshness of the meat and the spices. Unlike the more heavily spiced traditional karahi, charsi karahi leans on black pepper and green chillies for its heat, creating a distinct, flavorful profile. The cooking method is equally important; the meat is slow-cooked over low flames, allowing the flavours to deepen and meld together beautifully. The atmosphere at Charsi Karahi enhances the experience. Guests can enjoy their meal while seated cross-legged on the floor in specially designed function rooms, fostering a sense of community and celebration. Planning a party? Charsi Karahi will also prepare a whole stuffed lamb for you if you order a few days in advance. 

Time Out tip While the menu is as lamb-heavy as they come, the vegetarian dishes are also noteworthy. The rajma karahi (kidney beans) and the saag (spinach) are both delicious.

Casa de Goa is one of several Goan businesses around Hounslow Central. Drawing inspiration from the coastal Indian state, renowned for its diverse seafood, the restaurant’s focus is on ingredients rich with fragrance, from aromatic rice and seasonal seafood to distinctive spices, coconut, and toddy vinegar. Influences from India and Portugal can be found in Goan staples such as pork aad mass, a sweet and tangy curry of pork on the bone, and chicken xacuti, a rich gravy with white poppy seeds, star anise and grated coconut. Snacks like the crispy chicken lollipops, croquettes and beef tongue roast are a great shout, while the redhead mackerel or kingfish thalis offer a complete meal.

Time Out tip Grab some rissois to takeaway: finger-licking turnovers filled with creamy prawn and cheese then coated in golden breadcrumbs.

Chef Cynthia Shanmugalingam’s debut is a heartfelt tribute to her Tamil roots, drawing upon family recipes and techniques shared by home cooks across Sri Lanka. Rambutan, named after a sweet, tropical fruit that tastes like a lychee but looks like a neon sea urchin, opened in March 2023, following Cynthia’s bestselling cookbook. A large open kitchen is the focal point, inspired by outdoor, village kitchens, where dishes such as black pork curry, slow-braised with roasted spices, and the chicken pongal, capture the nuances of Tamil cuisine. Rambutan’s interior, filled with hand-crafted Ceylon teak furniture and ceramics by artist Gayi Soori, also celebrate Sri Lankan artistry. 

Time Out tip Look out for supper clubs from Rambutan & Cousins, a series of collaborative dinners with top chefs, serving limited edition menus at the restaurant.

Prince Durairaj, formerly at the much-loved Roti King, has created a space in an old pub in leaft Islington to spotlight the flavours of Tamil Nadu. The menu is a roster of greatest hits; start with okra fries, king prawn and curry leaf varuval and the chicken lollipop. Larger plates are made for sharing; we recommend the Thanjavur chicken curry and the paneer butter masala with fragrant coconut pilau rice. A window to the kitchen shows it all being made to order. The Tamil Prince embodies the same cosy desi pub atmosphere it shares with its younger sibling, The Tamil Crown in nearby Angel. Booking in advance is strongly advised. 

Time Out tip The drinks menu is as thoughtful as the food; try the pear and tequila-based serafin or their riff on a piña colada, featuring cinnamon, toasted coconut and lime zest.

Taste of Pakistan is pretty much always at capacity, and its popularity is well deserved. As you step inside, the two-sided dining room buzzes with diners, just like the karahis simmering over open flames. Tables groan under various circular-shaped meaty things: discus-sized chapli kebabs, popping with coriander seeds and onion, sizzling mixed grills, and giant kulcha naans swinging enticingly from hooks. Portions are generous and, more likely than not, there will be enough to pack up for a second meal at home. A warning: at risk of being laughed out of the restaurant for having no reservation, make sure you book in advance. 

Time Out tip Round your meal off with something sweet; the extensive dessert menu features some of South Asia’s most beloved treats. Try walnut halwa and the chickpea-based moti choor laddu with a cup of the house pink chai.