Marylebone, Indian Restaurant Guide

Inspired by its famous namesake in Mumbai, this Marylebone venture was the initial launchpad from which JKS Restaurants started to take the capital by storm. Occupying quirky, U-shaped premises, it’s quite “small and packed” and how “atmospheric” it appears slightly depends on where you are sat. Billing itself as ‘Indian coastal cuisine’, the menu is strong on fish and seafood, but by no means dominated by it: “classy” dishes with “knock-out” flavours.

A ‘no-borders kitchen’ philosophy informs the “funky mixture of Middle Eastern, Indian and African food” at chef and food-writer Ravinder Bhogul’s “busy and buzzing” Marylebone venue: it serves “combinations of ingredients you might think won’t work but really do”, and these “are matched by the equally unusual spice cocktails”. Top Tip – “the set lunch is a steal and the caramelised aubergine is amazing”.

“It needs to be talked about way more”, say fans of this high-quality Indian venture near Selfridges – the first London outpost of New Delhi’s Azure Hospitality (and named for one of Mumbai’s posher ’burbs). Head chef, Avinash Shashidhara “spent 10 years at the River Café and the quality of cooking shows through with some of the tastiest Indian food you can imagine”: “mind-blowing” flavours and “spot-on spicing that’s perfectly balanced and in no way overpowering”. Top Menu Tip – “food from the tandoor is a highlight”.

“Delicious Indian street food” is served on the ground floor of this fixture in a side alley off Oxford Street, near Selfridges, where “service is fast and friendly” too. Downstairs in the basement, it’s a more formal and traditional restaurant set-up. “Tried both floors as they have different menus – both great, but definitely favour the upstairs”.

A fixture near Marble Arch for 15 years, this smart operation is “more than a local curry house”. Punjab-born founder Riz Dar spent many years working in California, and has bagged testimonials from the late Paul Allen of Microsoft and Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham FC.

“Sitting at the highly stylish open-kitchen counter of this Mayfair Indian is a wonderful experience” and often recommended as the best way to enjoy the “aromatic, exciting and intricate tasting menu” here, from chef Chet Sharma (the Chef’s Selection is the only option in the evening; at lunchtimes there is also an à la carte menu). It’s yet another hit from the formidable JKS Restaurants stable, and provides arguably “the best sophisticated Indian dining in town”, outscoring both its stablemates Gymkhana and Trishna in our annual diners’ poll… so “how it doesn’t have a Michelin star, we just don’t know”. Top Tip – “The music and buzz made it impossible to hear the dishes being introduced, so please note that this isn’t a romantic spot!”

It’s “always a pleasure to eat the tasty, well-spiced and reliably classy Keralan food” at this “very good value” veteran in a basement near the Telecom Tower. There’s “friendly service in the compact dining area”, although the interior is not going to win design awards any time soon. Top Menu Tips – “love the fritters!”; dosas here are a perennial favourite too.

This three-year-old near Marble Arch is worth a visit for its “very interesting menu” of regional Bengali food, named after a district of Calcutta where an amalgam of Mogul, Chinese and European cuisines developed 300 years ago. “Order the signature tasting menu to try most of it” say fans of the project, from chef-restaurateur Anjan Chatterjee and airline entrepreneur Aditya Ghosh.

2022 Review: After winning a mentorship in a pop-up competition at Westfield White City Shopping Centre in 2018, Mehak Kansal brought this bricks-and-mortar operation to Mayfair in October 2020. ‘Bindas’ – Punjabi for without limitations and inhibitions – here translates into eclectic decor and a varied selection of street food. No feedback as yet, but they must be doing something right, as a second site is on the cards.