London's top 50 restaurants: Indian
London's curry culture no longer starts and ends with Brick Lane. Here's where to find the very best Indian grub in town
A sub-continent of spice – aromatic curries, sizzling grills and banquets fit for a Maharaja. London does Indian food better than any other city on the West, so discover the best places to experience it. Do you agree with the choices? Use the comments box below or tweet your suggestions.
Amaya Alys Tomlinson
Amaya
- Rated as: 4/5
- Price band: 3/4
- Critics choice
Much of the menu at this chic bar and grill is grilled on the tawa (a thick iron plate), sigri (coal grill) or in the more familiar tandoor (hot clay oven) right in front of diners, which adds a great sense of theatre to the sparkling surrounds. The biryanis are light and aromatic; and if you’ve ever wanted to try proper ‘Awadhi’ dishes, from Lucknow at the height of the Moghul empire, this is the place to go.
When to go: When you crave Indian food but are tired of ‘curry’.
What to have: Biryanis, kebabs, or ask for any of the Awadhi dishes.
- Halkin Arcade, (Motcomb Street), SW1X 8JT
Moti Mahal © Moti Mahal
Moti Mahal
- Rated as: 4/5
- Price band: 3/4
- Critics choice
- Offer
Its Covent Garden location and lots of online offers means a regular flow of slightly more adventurous tourists and theatregoers populate the room, but serious Indian food fans shouldn’t turn their noses up. While lacking the glam factor of other top-end Indian restaurants, the room is smart enough and the refined new-wave cooking more than makes up for the bland interiors. Careful spicing and flashes of creativity means the menu is peppered with classic dishes (a ‘pickling spice’ lamb curry) to please conservative diners, as well as more inspired interpretations of well-known recipes. The prices on the à la carte are not too kind, but we’d dare you find a menu more vibrant and wondrous than this in theatreland.
When to go: When the idea of a budget Ruby Murray has lost its sheen.
What to have: Skip the online set menu meal deals, which are cheaper, but they’re also duller; go à la carte.
- 45 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AA
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