• Diwana Bhel Poori House

     
  • Despite strong competition along a street thick with ethnic eateries beside Euston station, Diwana's adjoining twin rooms are almost permanently busy. The reason? Well turned out south Indian vegetarian cuisine at rock-bottom prices, swiftly delivered to your table by a neat, smiling staff. Dosas seem the way to go: the ‘famous dosas of the coral coast', according to the dog-eared laminated menu, c.1980. These are rich and hearty offerings, with smatterings of coconut sauce, nine in all. Traditional chaat starters, £3 each, combinations of yoghurt, pooris and chick peas, can be followed by a chef's daily special, such as Sunday's nourishing saag aloo. Alternatively, order an all-in-one thali, with rice, dahl, a vegetable curry and pooris. All standard stuff but it's the prices that bring people back. Desserts are superior, though: try malai of frozen milk and nuts.

  • Time Out Cheap Eats in London Guide 2007

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  1. Posted by lisa bryan (registered user) on 11 Jun 2008 18:57

    I've been a regular here for the past year but after the rude way I was treated today will not be going back again! This is certainly not the first time. I made the mistake of turning up before my friend as was interrogated when I asked for a table for two. The manager didn't seem to believe there was someone else coming and started asking me questions on where they were and was I sure there was someone else? They told me to wait even though the restaurant was empty - this is not the first time they have done this. They don't seem to care that many customers are regulars and treat nobody with respect.

  2. Posted by could be (registered user) on 31 Mar 2008 00:04

    RUDE RUDE!! MY gf and I went along to this old place and thought it would be much better than Imli and half the price.
    We were sat down, ordered and then told we HAD TO MOVE as we hadn't ordered enough (we had already ordered around £13s worth of food and said we would like to order more as and when we liked). To be honest I didn't mind moving but we were told so RUDELY that I got really angry.
    I told the manager, he said he was sorry and that he had other complaints about the same guy. Then why keep him?
    Any way we went a couple of doors up to Ravi Shanker...much..much better.

  3. Posted by vishal divadkar (registered user) on 25 Mar 2008 21:55

    I would term the service as appauling and completely disgusting. I went there along with my husband on my birthday and it was one that i will never forget but for all the wrong reasons. After entering we stodd at the door without being attended to for almost 7-8 minutes. When we were shown to a table that we dint want, we were very rudely taken to another table. After ordering the starters and mains, we were served very swiftly but with food that tasted quite bland. I am Indian and can vouch that the food is far from authentic and completely tasteless. Hardly had we finished the mains, were presented with the bill, without asking for it. Neither were we asked if we would like desserts. When questioned about why we were not informed about the closing of that section, staff rudely said we could shift if we wanted or else leave the restaurant! I have never experienced more humiliation and would never go back or allow anyone i know to visit the restaurant.
    Bad food and terribly arrogant, inhospitable staff.

  4. Posted by heather penny-larter (registered user) on 21 Aug 2007 13:54

    We love Diwana!
    What's not to love?
    It's cheap, the food is great and the waiters are friendly and efficient enough.
    We all had a thali. The pooris are supreme and the chapatis are fine. The rice is fluffy and all the curries and dhals are always flavoursome and different. I like the spicier ones.
    The yoghurt is very different, flavoured with mild mustard and adds a tang.
    The dosas are brilliant.
    Good, cheap and bustling. Its always got other people in, no matter what time you arrive. This is always a good sign.

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  • Details

  • 121 Drummond Street, Euston, NW1 2HL
  • Tel: 020 7387 5556
  • Category: Indian & Pakistani
  • Travel: Euston Square or Warren Street tube/Euston tube/rail
  • Times: Meals served noon-11pm daily.
  • Price: £14-£17
  • Credit cards: MC, V
  • Licenced: Unlicensed
  • Map


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