Best Indian restaurants in London have gained a lot of attention in recent years. Known for curry, Indian cuisine is usually cooked with various spices and herbs, and thus has a unique and distinctive smell. Indian food not only retains the original taste of the ingredients, but also adds a strong flavour from various spices. Indian food features rich and strong flavour, which is the opposite of local British food. People are often willing to try exotic dishes just around their homes. As a result, more and more Indian restaurants have become popular in London in recent years. Let’s look at the latest best Indian restaurants in London. I hope you will love this kind of cuisine, which is easy to cook, but rich in flavour.
Best Indian Restaurants in London: At a Glance
Here is a quick comparison of the best Indian restaurants in London based on location, vibe, and budget. Helping you have a brief overview about London’s well-known Indian restaurants like a insider.
| Restaurant Name | Location | Best For… | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tamil Prince | Islington | Trendy “Desi Pub” vibe & bold South Indian flavors | ££ |
| Kanishka by Atul Kochaar | Mayfair | Innovative fine dining from India’s North-East | £££ |
| Ganapati | Peckham | Authentic South Indian home-style cooking | £ |
| Gunpowder | Spitalfields | Modern, punchy small plates & casual dining | ££ |
| Trishna | Marylebone | Michelin-starred coastal seafood specialties | £££ |
| Punjab Restaurant | Covent Garden | Traditional North Indian classics & historic charm | £ |
| Bibi | Mayfair | High-end street food with a modern, artistic twist | £££ |
| Gymkhana | Mayfair | Iconic Michelin 2-star luxury & elite atmosphere | ££££ |
| Pali Hill | Fitzrovia | Regional Bombay dishes in a vibrant, stylish setting | ££ |
| Kutir | Chelsea | Sophisticated, nature-inspired modern Indian dining | £££ |
Best Indian Restaurants in London: Top 10
1. The Tamil Prince, Islington
- Neighbourhood: Islington
- Address: 115 Hemingford Road, London N1 1BZ England
- Special diets: Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan options
The Tamil Prince has the best Indian pub food in London, praised for its high-quality food and modern decor. This is the best Indian restaurant in London, serving authentic South Indian cuisine, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. Specialties include Chettinad lamb curry and channa bhatura; onion bhajis are the perfect snack to pair with beer; Ginger Chicken and King Prawns are trending on social media. The interior of the Tamil Prince retains the traditional English pub style. It’s the top choice for gathering friends to enjoy a glass of Indian Lager with curry on Friday night.
2. Kanishka by Atul Kochaar, Mayfair
- Neighbourhood: Mayfair
- Address: 17-19 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2QH, England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
- Price range: £32.00 – £112.00
With Michelin star certification, Kanishka by Atul Kochhar is one of the best Indian restaurants in London. The restaurant is known for its exquisite Indian cuisine and innovative cooking methods. In this restaurant, you can not only taste traditional Indian food, but also eat the chefs’ innovative new dishes. Dishes at the restaurant include beef tartare, thin slices of toast, lobster pie, Beef Wellington and more. Each dish is carefully cooked and designed to impress customers. In addition to the quality of the food, this best Indian restaurant in London also strives to provide perfect service. If you come to London, don’t miss this top-rated Indian restaurant in London.
3. Ganapati, Peckham
- Neighbourhood: Peckham
- Address: Peckham 38 Holly Grove, London SE15 5DF England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
- Price range: £42.00 – £42.00
Ganapathi is a renowned Indian restaurant London, beloved by diners for its fine cuisine and elegant environment. The restaurant’s decoration was designed by French artist Jean-Paul Gourdon, aiming to provide a comfortable dining atmosphere in a modern and sophisticated style. Ganapathi restaurant mainly serves traditional South Indian cuisine. But if you want to try something new, you can also find it here. Main dishes include chicken curry, lamb curry, gulab jamun, mango lassi, thaire vadai, etc.
4. Gunpowder, Spitalfields and London Bridge
- Neighbourhood: Spitalfields and London Bridge
- Address: One Tower Bridge estate, overlooking Tower Bridge, London SE1 2SD England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Gunpowder is another best Indian cuisine in London, known for its modern Indian dishes. The restaurant was founded by chef Anjali Pathak, who blends traditional Indian flavours with contemporary cooking methods to create a range of dishes that are both authentic and innovative. One of the specialties of Gunpowder is “Gunpowder Chicken”, which gives chicken a distinctive flavour with various spices and unique cooking methods. “Paan Ice Cream” is an impressive dessert, which cleverly integrates the traditional Indian betel nut flavour into the ice cream, bringing a new taste to customers.
5. Trishna, Marylebone
- Neighbourhood: Marylebone
- Address: 15-17 Blandford Street Marylebone Village, London W1U 3DG England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
- Price range: £51.00 – £71.00
Located in Marylebone Village in central London, Trishna is known for its modern Indian coastal cuisine and extensive wine list. Trishna offers contemporary cuisine with Indian coastal flavours and its dishes are mainly seafood-focused. The restaurant has also been awarded a Michelin star. If you’re a wine lover, don’t miss this best Indian restaurant London. The restaurant focuses on emerging regions and premium wines from niche producers and boutique wineries all over the world. The overall decoration of the restaurant is retro. The terrace door can also be opened, giving direct access to Blandford Street.
6. Punjab Restaurant, Covent Garden
- Neighbourhood: Covent Garden
- Address: 80 Neal Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9PA England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
- Price range: £15.00 – £30.00
London’s Punjab Restaurant is known for its authentic Punjabi flavors, serving traditional Indian and Punjabi cuisine since 1946. It’s close to LSE and UCL, and offers student-friendly prices. Punjabi cuisine is known for its tandoori style, which uses conventional mud ovens (tandoor) to cook dishes such as tandoori chicken and tandoori breads. The restaurant also offers a variety of breakfast options, including Aloo Paratha, Gobi Paratha, and Halwa Puri. Desserts at Punjab Restaurant are also worth trying, including Gajar Ka Halwa, Kheer, Malpua, Barfi, etc.
7. Bibi, Mayfair
- Neighbourhood: Mayfair
- Address: 42 North Audley Street, London W1K 6ZP England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Bibi is known for its elegant, modern environment, providing diners with a high-end dining experience and a suitable setting for social media photos. This is one of London’s top Indian restaurants, and you must notify the restaurant of your dietary requirements at least one week in advance. Please note that the restaurant cannot serve a vegan or dairy-free diet without prior notice. However, to ensure they can serve other guests comfortably, small children and babies are not welcome at Bibi.
8. Gymkhana, Mayfair
- Neighbourhood: Mayfair
- Address: 42 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4JH England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
- Price range: £25.00 – £122.00
Known for its top-tier classic Indian cuisine, Gymkhana is one of only two Indian restaurants in London to retain two Michelin stars. India’s elite clubs inspire Gymkhana and offer two floors with different styles and atmospheres. One floor references the style of residential blocks in Calcutta and Pondicherry, while the other floor is decorated with elements of North Indian architecture. Gymkhana primarily serves North Indian cuisine; the 2025 must-try is Kid Goat Methi Keema. Although the reservation is tough (one month in advance), for that rich, apicy aroma and the nostalgic, cinematic atmosphere, it’s absolutely worth it.
9. Pali Hill, Fitzrovia
- Neighbourhood: Fitzrovia
- Address: 79-81 Mortimer Street, London, W1W 7SJ, England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan optionsVegetarian friendly, Vegan options
- Price range: £15.00 – £46.00
Gymkhana is a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant London. This best Indian restaurant London is inspired by the elite clubs of India and can be used for socializing, dining, drinking and sports for members. The restaurant has two floors, with booths on the ground floor suitable for lunch, while the brightly-coloured red basement creates a more intimate atmosphere. Gymkhana’s menu mainly priovides North Indian cuisine, including tandoori masala lamb chops and goat meat methi keema. Gymkhana’s bar is located on the ground floor. Cocktails served at the bar showcase Indian-inspired ingredients and flavour combinations that are modern Indian interpretations of classic cocktails.
10. Kutir, Chelsea
- Neighbourhood: Chelsea
- Address: 10 Lincoln Street Chelsea, London SW3 2TS, England
- Special diets: Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
- Price range: £36.00 – £76.00
Kutir is a high-end Indian restaurant in the Chelsea district of London, co-founded by Rohit Ghai and Abhishake Sangwan. Known for its elegant environment and traditional Indian cuisine, this restaurant has been voted one of the best Indian restaurants in London many times. Kutir was named “Restaurant of the Year” at the 2022 British Restaurant Awards, a recognition of its commitment to excellence as one of the top rated Indian restaurants in London.
Best London Indian Restaurants by Category: Find the Perfect Spot
Michelin-Starred & Fine Dining (For Special Occasions)
For those seeking an upscale experience with impeccable service and world-class flavors:
Gymkhana (Mayfair): Iconic 2-star Michelin dining.
Benares (Mayfair): Sophisticated fusion of British ingredients and Indian spices.
Amaya (Belgravia): Famous for its open kitchen and incredible grilled dishes.
Iconic Local Favorites (The "Must-Visits")
These are the legendary spots that every Londoner and traveler should try at least once:
Dishoom (Various Locations): Famous for its 1920s Bombay cafe vibe and legendary breakfast naan.
Tayyabs (Whitechapel): A bustling, no-nonsense Punjabi institution famous for its lamb chops.
Best for Street Food & Casual Dining (Budget-Friendly)
Perfect for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner with friends without breaking the bank:
Hoppers (Soho/Marylebone): Specializing in Sri Lankan and South Indian hoppers and karis.
Kricket (Brixton/Soho): Modern Indian small plates combining British seasonal ingredients.
Authentic Regional Specialties (Deep Dives)
Explore the diverse culinary map of India through these regional experts:
Chourangi (Marble Arch): Bringing the unique, unexplored flavors of Calcutta to London.
Ganapati (Peckham): A colorful tribute to the traditional home cooking of Kerala.
Final thoughts on best Indian cuisine in London
The growing popularity of best Indian restaurants in London reflects the inclusiveness and diversity of this cosmopolitan city. From classic curries to spicy Tandoori, Indian restaurants in London offer a variety of options to suit the needs of different diners. And these restaurants are everywhere. Whether you live in busy Soho or vibrant Brixton, you’ll find Indian food tucked away on street corners. These are the best Indian restaurants in London, which also witness a mix of cultures. Many restaurants combine Indian cuisine with traditional British flavours to create unique dishes. Visit these top Indian restaurants in London, and I believe you will not be disappointed!
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FAQs on Best Indian Restaurants in London
Which area of London is best for Indian food?
Indian cuisine has become increasingly popular in London in recent years. Soho and Mayfair are two of the most famous areas for Indian food. Besides, Brick Lane in East London is historically famous for its curry houses. For a more local and authentic experience, Drummond Street (near Euston) and Tooting are renowned for regional vegetarian and South Indian specialties.
Which Indian restaurant in London is best for a first-timer?
For a first-timer, Dishoom is the bestentry point. It captures the vibrant atmosphere of Bombay’s old Irani cafés and offers a menu that is approachable, affordable, and consistently delicious. Their House Black Daal is a must-try.
Which street in London is famous for Indian food?
Situated in east London, Brick Lane is celebrated for its vibrant array of Indian, Bengali, and Bangladeshi restaurants.
How many Indian restaurants in London have Michelin stars?
In total, eight Indian restaurants London city have been awarded Michelin stars.
Michelin stars represent the highest standards of restaurants in the world. And the star rating also inspires chefs and restaurants to strive for excellence and continuously improve their culinary skills and service quality. Therefore, many consumers will choose to eat at Michelin-starred restaurants.
Where do Bollywood stars eat in London?
When travelling or working in London, Bollywood stars may miss the taste of their homeland. Here are several restaurants that are popular with Bollywood celebrities.
- Annabel’s
- MiMi Mei Fair
- Chucs
- L’ETO
- Sexy Fish
- Quilon
- Bombay Bustle
Are there Michelin-starred Indian restaurants in London?
Yes, there are 6 Michelin-starred Indian restaurants in London. Gymkhana (2 stars) is currently the most prestigious. Other Michelin-starred icons include Trishna, Benares, Amaya, Veeraswamy, and Jamavar.
Is Indian food in London expensive?
London offers Indian food options for every budget. You can find excellent street food or family-run cafes like Ganapati or Punjab Restaurant for under £20 per person, while Michelin-starred tasting menus in Mayfair can exceed £150 per person.
