Fetcham, Indian Restaurant Guide

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.

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).

“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”.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“Always delicious”, this well-known Pakistani canteen on Tooting’s ‘curry corridor’ offers the “same fun and good-value food as it has for years”. A favourite of local boy-made-mayor Sadiq Khan (so come on foot or by public transport), it has an offshoot in Coulsdon, on London’s southern fringe.

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!”.

“Very popular locally” for its “well-priced, high-quality food”, this old-school family-run curry house near Wandsworth Common has stood the test of time.

The Kashmiri cuisine is “deliciously different and always most enjoyable”, say fans of this interesting “modern Indian restaurant” in Putney. It was opened in 2016 by Kashmiri-born chef-patron Rohit Razdan and his wife Shweta,who arrived in London via New Delhi and Singapore.

2023 Review: “Very helpful staff” add to the appeal of this Balham High Street Indian, of over 15 years’ standing. Whether it should be a perennial inclusion in TripAdvisor’s top 10 London restaurants is debatable, but the (limited) feedback we receive says it’s worth a visit.

2023 Review: This “smart, modern-style Indian” has established itself as a “really good-quality neighbourhood curry house” in its 20 years in Battersea. “Yes, it’s a little cramped and can be noisy at its busiest times, but the food is always good and the fact it’s BYOB helps keep the cost down” (£1.95 corkage fee).

“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”.

“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.

“Top-class cooking” has earned a strong reputation for this three-year-old Indian in East Sheen – a spinoff from the brilliant Dastaan in Ewell, and similarly belying its “pedestrian” interior. A few reports this year, though, suggest success risks going to their heads a little (“a return visit and still worth the trip, but bills have risen – please don’t price yourself out of the game!”). Top Tip – “the pork cheek vindaloo and the soft-shell crab remain things of beauty”.

“A non-typical local Indian restaurant serving Putney with high-quality, authentic Indian food” – in “huge, freshly cooked, super-tasty portions and with interesting sundries”. The “railway carriage theme is a bit of a stretch” for some, but “the food quality and quick service make it worth a detour”.