The 10 best Indian restaurants in London
In the heart of Mayfair, the decadent interiors of the Michelin-starred Gymkhana transport diners back to ancient India. The a la carte and tasting menus include traditional tikkas and kebabs made with British produce such as venison and guinea fowl. The side dishes and spiced cocktails are equally delicious.
Head chef Sriram Aylur oversees Quilon's Michelin-starred restaurant, which serves delicately prepared yet traditional dishes from the southern Indian states of Goa and Kerala. The focus is on fresh seafood and sharing is key.
Marylebone's best Indian restaurant, with a menu full of flavours inspired by the southwest coast of India. The brown crab is a crowd favourite and each dish has a pre-selected wine pairing from both established and emerging regions.
The perfect blend of fine dining and home cooking, Benares' modern Indian cuisine, under the direction of Chef Sameer Taneja, continues to earn its Michelin star. The seasonal menu draws inspiration from all over India, using the finest British ingredients. The thali lunch is the best way to sample it, paired with one of over 400 wines from the cellar.
Now larger than when it first opened in 1995, Tamarind remains one of London's most sophisticated and popular Indian restaurants. Mixing rich tandoor flavours with sweet, sour and umami touches, Tamarind also has a long list of hand-picked wines to complement every dish.
Inspired by India's former military mess clubs, Brigadiers serves light Indian street food, grilled and tandoori meats in the City of London. Reminiscent of an old-world party, with designated areas for pool and card games, beer and whisky are encouraged, as is lively chit-chat.
The aptly named Gunpowder gives a hint of the fiery Indian dishes served daily to the ever-busy Spitalfields clientele. Small, shareable and feastable plates made from sustainable ingredients allow diners to try a little bit of everything. The signature cocktails are ideal for chilling out.
A deeply immersive dining experience based on the golden age of Bombay, Dishoom has an ever-present queue, a warm atmosphere and an outstanding cocktail list. The menu serves the classics and delivers them well - the 24-hour black daal is a sensation, as are the breakfast naan rolls.
Michelin-starred chef Peter Joseph puts a tasty, communal twist on Indian classics at this luxurious Chelsea restaurant. Seasonal British ingredients are used to create sharing dishes such as guinea fowl tikka and venison keema. Drinks range from classic cocktails with Indian spices to a wide selection of wines from around the world.