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Imli

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167-169 Wardour Street, W1F 8WR Full details & map

Restaurant: Modern Indian

Time Out says 1 Users say 4/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 20 2011

A more egalitarian offshoot of the upmarket Tamarind in Mayfair, Imli feels tailor-made for busy Soho lunchers. It's slick and modern without being overbearing; the food largely consists of small-plate Indian 'tapas', ideal for sharing; and only unprepared diners visit here and pay full price for a meal - there are usually discounts aplenty available from the website.

Even without the special offers, Imli is good value. The lunchtime sharing platters bring a selection of small dishes: mainly vegetarian curries and Indian snacks such as papdi chaat (crisp fried wafers with tamarind sauce, yoghurt and chickpeas), aloo tikka (fried potato cake) or tarka dal.

The à la carte menu offers a bit more variation, including pan-Indian street food and larger mains, sometimes with a welcome twist (see the samosa chaat, smothered in chickpeas, yoghurt and two vibrant chutneys).

We've had complaints ourselves about service in the past, noting indifferent staff not always prepared to engage with customers over menu queries, but are pleased to report that on our last visit all concerned were smiling, helpful and efficient.

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Tags: Asian, Indian, Modern Indian, Central, Soho, Budget, Restaurant

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Special offers

2 for 1

...on the set menu (priced at £34). Includes Vat, excludes service. Also 2 for 1 available on cocktails.
Offer available Everyday 12:00-23:00
Offer covers Min 1, Max 10 people
Offer valid until Mar 3 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

Buy one lunch platter get a second at half price

... from a set menu. Includes VAT, excludes service.
Offer available Everyday 12:00-15:00
Offer covers Min 2, Max 10 people
Offer valid until Mar 3 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

Pre-theatre: 3 Courses for £12.95 including a free cocktail of your choice

...from the set menu. Includes Vat, excludes service and drinks.
Offer available Everyday 12:00-19:00
Offer covers Min 1, Max 10 people
Offer valid until Mar 3 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

7 tapas and half a bottle of wine £19.95

...Includes Vat, excludes service
Offer available Everyday 12:00-23:00
Offer covers Min 1, Max 10 people
Offer valid until Mar 3 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

50% off food with Tastecard

Eat for less in this and 4,500 other UK restaurants by signing up to a month free trial of Tastecard here.

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Imli details

Address

Imli

167-169 Wardour Street W1F 8WR

Transport Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road tube

Telephone

020 7287 4243

Imli website

Meals served noon-11pm Mon-Sat; noon-10pm Sun

Tapas £3.95-£7.95. Set lunch £8.50-£9.95

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children welcome ( children's menu; high chairs ), Booking advisable ( Thur-Sat ), Separate room for parties ( seats 45 ), Disabled ( toilet ), Takeaway service; delivery service ( over £20 within half-mile radius )

Imli map

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Comments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 1 rating)

By Emily - Feb 1 2012

4/5

A thoroughly enjoyable meal and one of the best indian meals I've had out ever. Good value for money and excellent service

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By Sladja - Feb 21 2011

Amazing food palette. Superb service. Good wine.

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By preethi sahasranaman - Feb 7 2011

Me & my husband had lunch at Imli today, our first visit. Had booked 2 for 1 offer online for 3 PM, but finished our work in city early and wanted to come over early. Called to check and the staff agreed readily. Nice!

Well, we showed up and the restaurant was quite nice. Very friendly staff, not very crowded for the weekday lunchtime. The staff did mention about our reservation and helped us settle down quickly. We went for the vegetarian option and the food was very good. The four starters were particularly impressive with Dahi Papdi Chat being the best. The main course that followed was equally good, the Aubergine dish was divine. The portion sizes were just right, The dessert was a nice Mango & Basil sorbet with refreshing mint in a berry sauce (Raspberry?). The mocktails were very good, clearly the passionfruit & Lychee one was an outright winner! The lemon one was a bit strong though!

We leave the place after 60+minutes very satisfied - not just for the excellent food, not even for the affordable price but also for friendly "not-too-over-powering" staff and relaxed atmosphere.

One of the best places we have had authentic Indian food (North Indian style with emphasis on Indian Tapas or "Chat") in a long, long time! You will be seeing us come here more regularly!!!

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By Gabriella - Mar 25 2010

How disappointing finding out that the very easy online booking facility on Imli's website has been replaced with an unfriendly third parties booking form. It used to be so simple to book online, now they require you to register before making the reservation. I will call from now on. It is a real pity.

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By Becky - Mar 24 2010

You couldn't be more right about the irritating waiter, we've had the misfortune of being served by him on more than one occasion and he grates more each time. I'm sure he's a lovely person, just needs a bit of training on how to behave with customers...