Harden's survey result
Summary
“Delicate flavours” from dishes rooted in southwest Indian coastal cuisine establish this blandly luxurious hotel venue, near Buckingham Palace, as “the most interesting of London’s Indians” for some of its fans. You wouldn’t go there for riotous ambience though, particularly in the “gloomy back of the dining room”. Top Tip – “the set lunch menu is great value considering its location” and there’s also a “great weekend brunch”.
Summary
“Superb, delicate and fragrant cuisine” from Kerala in southwest India, has been a top attraction for more than 20 years at this luxurious but muted hotel dining room in St James’s, run by the luxury Taj Group (and still under founding chef Sriram Aylur). Seafood dishes are particularly good, and there’s a tasting menu matched with beers. Top Tip – “weekend brunch is super value”.
Summary
“South Indian cuisine at its best” – with “coastal influences and high-quality ingredients” and notably “great seafood dishes” – has established this Westminster venue from the luxury Taj Group at the top of the capital’s dining scene for more than two decades. Founding chef Sriram Aylur is still at the helm, and champions Keralan cuisine for its lightness and multidimensional flavours. A few minutes’ walk from Parliament, it’s a known haunt of politicos. Top Tip: “the restaurant is more dark and gloomy at the back, so ask for a table at the front”.
Summary
“Consistently excellent” Keralan cuisine – “beautifully presented and served” – from chef Sriram Aylur ensures this 21-year-old, from the luxury Taj Group, remains at the summit of modern Indian gastronomy in the capital. Despite the swish hotel decor, though, it’s a decidedly low-key institution – if it wasn’t for such “friendly and thoughtful staff” the ambience could become stifling and leaden here. A short walk from Buckingham Palace, it’s close enough to Parliament to have its own division bell to summon MPs for a vote. Top Tip – “set lunch is tremendous value”.
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41 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
41 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:45 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:45 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:45 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:45 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:45 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:45 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:45 pm‑10:30 pm |
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