Englefield Green, Indian Restaurant Guide

“Not your typical Indian restaurant” – this inviting colonial-style villa is a beacon of the outer southwest ’burbs sitting just back from the Thames. The “lovely food” from a menu offering a “good range of choices” wins a very positive thumbs-up in this year’s survey. It was founded by owner Bhanu Pratap 16 years ago.

Former Tamarind and Dishoom chef Yousuf Mohammed has “a different take on traditional Indian cuisine, with tapas-style dishes and cocktails making it a great dining experience”. Fans acclaim it as “my type of Indian”, with a focus on “quality not quantity”. Look out for pre- and post-match specials when England or Harlequins are in action at nearby Twickenham or the Stoop.

2023 Review: “Every dish is fresh and authentic” at this comfortable curry house which occupies a half-timbered building on the high street, and which has become well-known over many years for its superior Indian cuisine. Heston is a fan.

Malik Ahmed’s traditional but “exceptional” curry house has achieved consistently high ratings for more than 20 years. Part of a trio with siblings in Cookham and Marlow, it’s run hands-on by a family with 150 years in the business – the restaurant Malik’s great-great-grandfather founded in what is now Bangladesh is still going strong!

2022 Review: “A real boon in Richmond”, run by exotically named founder Sudden Alberts, also behind Atithi in Twickenham. With its “delicious” Indian cuisine (“we particularly like the vegetarian side dishes”) and “prompt and perfect” service (“nothing is too much to make the customers happy”) it’s proclaimed something of a “hidden gem” by all who comment on it.

“The food is different and good” – inspired by the street food sold on Indian railways – at these funkily decorated canteens, in a nondescript Ealing parade of shops and a somewhat cuter one on Hammersmith Grove. Top Menu Tip – “sharing Thalis are a must, with great flavour combinations and excellent value”.

There’s “always a cheery welcome and super-courteous service at this distinctive and cut-above restaurant” from ex-Oberoi/Cinnamon Club chef-patron Awanish Roy – the first in a now two-strong chain, with a younger spin-off in Reigate. Its “sophisticated and delicate culinary style” is “superior to any other Indian restaurants in the area”, showcased in everything from the “tiny” and “delicious” poppadoms to “tender and flavoursome” chef’s specials, which feature on a menu spanning street food, British favourites and far more exotic fare (grilled guinea fowl, say, or wild boar vindaloo).

Set in a parade of shops, Deepinder Sondhi’s subcontinental (with smarter dining room upstairs) is a fixture in these parts for its high-quality cooking, including some more adventurous dishes (think chocolate samosas, or chicken tikka with Laphroaig masala). If you wish, you can kick things off in style in the cocktail bar.

“The food is different and good” – inspired by the street food sold on Indian railways – at these funkily decorated canteens, in a nondescript Ealing parade of shops and a somewhat cuter one on Hammersmith Grove. Top Menu Tip – “sharing Thalis are a must, with great flavour combinations and excellent value”.

2021 Review: Out in the boonies of New Malden, first class ratings again – if on slightly limited feedback – for Arjun Singh Rawat and Rajeev Danga’s North Indian three-year-old.

2022 Review: In a village near Leatherhead, this well-established Indian (opened in 1983) – nowadays run by the son of the founder – is strongly applauded by its local fans.

“An excellent take on Indian cuisine with a blend of classic dishes and spiced modern British versions” – Atul Kochhar’s “interesting” cuisine at this four-year-old venture is inspired by the cuisines of Punjab and Rajasthan. Some fans still suggest it “just edges Sindhu, its nearby sister in Marlow” but its ratings were undercut this year by a couple of mixed reports.

“Breathtakingly outstanding dishes” have put this “top-notch Indian” in the outer southwestern ’burbs firmly on every curry-hound’s map over the past nine years – it justifies a “long drive”, or “makes a bumpy ride on the 406 bus worthwhile”. Ignore the modest Ewell shop front off the A3 Tolworth turn-off, you’ll find cooking of “the highest standard” that rivals the best in the West End – and “at a truly affordable price”.

“If you like dosas, idlis and uttapams”, these “cheap and cheerful” but “spotless and well-run” canteens in the West End (plus Hammersmith and Harrow) are “an excellent choice for very good South Indian vegetarian food” – they’re also “a top option to take a crowd because they’re not fazed by large tables”, and “even carnivores don’t complain” when they try the “tasty food”.

This Wembley fixture (with spinoffs in Hatch End and Kingsbury) is best known for its all-you-can-eat Indian vegetarian buffet with a choice of 45 items, including an Indo-Chinese selection with dishes such as chilli paneer. The family-owned business started out 40 years ago as a market stall.

2023 Review: This “great-value local Indian” is a landmark on the South Circular near Putney which has built a sterling reputation over 32 years for its classic north Indian dishes supplemented by interesting Nepalese specialities such as momo steamed dumplings – all served in “huge portion sizes!”.

“The food, from all corners of India, is packed with so much flavour” at this popular restaurant on the strip of eateries near the entrance to Ravenscourt Park. Welcoming service and a cosy, comfy and colourful interior rounds off an experience that remains well-rated all-round.