Moti Mahal

Restaurants

Restaurants and cafés

Covent Garden

Expensive

Special Offer

Moti Mahal002_credit Ming Tang-Evans.jpg

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Time Out says

Wed Oct 17 2012

The London outlet of Delhi’s Moti Mahal restaurant group, extending over a ground floor and basement, is elegantly furnished with cream banquettes, chandeliers and white napery. Although a magnet for business types, it’s also popular with tourists, romancing couples and families.

The extensive menu covers pan-Indian classics, but also gives an imaginative nod to such gems as stuffed aubergine slices partnered with pear and clove chutney. Cooking is in the fine-dining league; highlights include distinctive curries – we recommend the aromatic warmth of Kashmiri rogan josh with its toasted fennel spicing, and the tartness of Goan fish curry, redolent with coconut, red chillies and tamarind.

Kebabs are top-drawer too. Gilafi seekhs – pounded minced lamb, seasoned with cardamom and mace before being shaped around skewers and grilled over coals – worked well with lime-drenched cucumber wedges. Equally impressive was Amritsari tilapia, for its crisp gram-flour batter, seasoned with astringent carom seeds. Buttery black lentils are the real deal, crammed with rustic garlicky flavour that would win approval from a Punjabi trucker.

Service is spot-on: attentive without being overbearing. The set dinner is an affordable taster of what’s on offer; it’s also worth checking the website for special deals.

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Special Offers

Tiffin Lunch & bottle of King Fisher: £15

from a set menu (choice of 5 dishes). Includes Vat, excludes service.

Offer valid until May 31 2013
2 courses and a glass of Moti Royale: £19

Get 2 course set menu with a glass of Moti Royale for £19, or 3 courses £23. Offer applies to Set Menu. Maximum of 6 diners. Includes VAT, excludes service.

Offer valid until May 31 2013

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Venue location

Address:
Moti Mahal 45 Great Queen Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2B 5AA

Phone:
020 7240 9329
Website:
www.motimahal-uk.com
Opening hours:
Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Fri. Dinner served 5.30-11pm Mon-Sat
Transport:
Tube: Covent Garden or Holborn tube
Price:
Main courses £9-£28. Set lunch £15 2 courses incl drink. Set dinner (5.30-11pm Mon-Thur; 5.30-6.45pm, 10-11pm Fri, Sat) £23 3 courses. Set meal £43 vegetarian (£63 incl wine); £49 tasting menu (£69 incl wine)
Map
1. Moti Mahal
  - 45 Great Queen Street
    Covent Garden
    London
    WC2B 5AA
  - 020 7240 9329
  - www.motimahal-uk.com
  - 51.514722,-0.121459

Categories:
Food and drink
Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. Restaurant and bar facilities. Take away. Reservations required. Dinner. Vegetarian dishes. General facilities. Private rooms. Available for hire. Outdoor facilities. Tables outdoors
Occasions:
Meal times. Best for dinner. Eating out. Creative cooking. Unique. Unique London
Type of event:
Parties

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Comments & ratings

(7 ratings)

Amazing food. Only issue was service. There seemed to be 5 managers all of whom obviously thought it below their pay grade to take orders, serve food or clean up. The overworked waiters were great though.

Peter Tue Jul 10 2012
Rated as: 3/5
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The best indian I have had so far in London. Excellent choices and service. It might be pricey but it's worth it.

Theo T Sat May 12 2012
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Excellent food , by far the best Indian in London - quite expensive but worthy every penny

TT Sat May 12 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Eaten here several times - mostly on special occasions or when someone else was paying. Fabulous place to go as a group with adventurous eaters. The chop your-own-salad complete with an array of spices will throw off anyone unwilling to get their hands a bit dirty. Dig in, roll up your sleeves and sample as many items as your palate can muster

Lauren M-C Sat Apr 14 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Dined here a couple of weeks ago. It clearly wants to establish itself as "up-market": impeccably dressed waitresses who unfold your napkin for you. The two of us opted for their "taster menu", which is a selection of six or seven dishes in a row. This isn't cheap - £49 per person, not including drinks or tip - but it was quite possibly the best Indian meal I've ever tasted, and with pleasantly generous portions - someone with a normal appetite would likely be unable to finish (but luckily I can eat for two!). It's not the quietest restaurant you'll find - certainly not a place for a romantic, candle-lit dinner - but the service was fine and the food really can't be recommended highly enough: just fabulous!

Nicolas B Mon Mar 26 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Ate here last night and had the jaipur menu which was really tasty and extremely good value with 50% off (bill was £70 for two with drinks). Add that to a lovely restaurant and excellent service and it's a winner!

Dan B Fri Oct 22 2010
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We ate there last weekend,it was beyond doubt the best Indian food we've ever eaten (and i work in Bradford!). The prune stuffed dough balls in a spiced cream sauce was superb. The staff were lovely, just on the right side of attentive, making the atmosphere very friendly for their customers. The wine wasn't cheap but the iced water was constantly topped up. They even agreed to have us back, despite not understanding our accent!

Rhona Welsh Thu Aug 26 2010
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Completely disagree with Adam. One of the best Indian meals I have ever eaten, compared with all the Michelin starred Indian eateries, Moti Mahal is streets ahead in terms of quality of food and balance of flavours. Highly recommended.

stuart ross Wed Aug 4 2010
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Moti Mahal

Time Out rating:

User ratings:

Time Out says

Special Offers

Tiffin Lunch & bottle of King Fisher: £15

2 courses and a glass of Moti Royale: £19

Book now

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