Leatherhead, 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).

“Outrageous value” is not the only reward of a journey to the outer-limits of the metropolis and this “small”, “top-notch Indian” in a trafficky parade of shops in Ewell. You will also discover “Indian food the likes of which you have not previously experienced, full of such a variety of delicious flavours that it’s hard to limit your choices” – “rich but so tasty”. (Food commentator, Andy Hayler, who has visited every Michelin three-star on the planet, is a major fan – he’s reviewed the place 13 times!). Top Menu Tips – “best are the starters”: “super pani puri”.

“Amazing food, full of flavours” is on the menu at Bhanu Prataps “interesting” colonial-style establishment, a fixture for 17 years close to the Thames on the outer fringe of southwest London in a smart venue just back from the Thames.

2024 Review: 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.

2024 Review: 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.

“Reliable curries. Quite spicy!” – This stalwart Pakistani restaurant has played a leading role in Tooting’s development as a destination for curry-lovers over the past three decades, under founder Zahid Iqbal and now his son Numan.

2024 Review: “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!”.

“Tasty! very tasty” – the scoff at this old-school curry house near Wandsworth Common, whose steady standards make it one of the longest-running entries in the guide.

For a “delicious, healthy tasting curry”, fans recommend this “solidly-good Indian” in Putney: the first UK outpost of a family-owned group, whose premises are still remembered by some as the site of Ma Goa (long RIP).

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).

“Delicious fresh cooking – lamb biryani in particular is fantastic” – justifies the trip to this high-quality Indian in the boonies of West Dulwich. It’s run by Rajasthan-born chef-patron Dayashankar Sharma (who first won renown at the now-defunct Grand Trunk Road in South Woodford).

“An always delicious Indian with a great variety of vegetarian options” – Uttam Tripathy’s festive Hammersmith fixture is approaching its 15th year near the entrance to Ravenscourt Park, and offers “market-style food from across the subcontinent”, with some unusual dishes not seen elsewhere. All reports are upbeat on the quality of the cuisine and welcome, and it’s good value too.

2023 Review: Limited but good all-round feedback on this family-run Punjabi stalwart, which has long been a feature of the restaurant strip just to the south of Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo (and which sometimes only serves a restricted menu in the early evening during events there). It also has a branch in Ealing (not listed).

2024 Review: A short step from Hammersmith Town Hall and its ongoing surrounding property developments – this “spacious” and stylish pub was taken over by an Indian restaurant during the pandemic (although you can still just drop in for a pint). The food is fair value and “very good” from “an extensive menu with some unusual dishes”; and the owners have invested heavily in the large and comfortable garden.