Cuisine Guide

Mid Range — Best Indian in London

Discover handpicked Indian restaurants in London, with what to order first at each place.

Every place here is handpicked. Signal score shows how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

32 restaurants

1
KOKUM

Modern Indian · ££ · Southwark

94Signal

Start with

Raan Utthapam

Universally hailed as 'transcendent' by critics, this dish features kid lamb simmered for 12 hours and served on a fermented rice pancake.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

2
Black Salt

Indian · ££ · Sheen

88Signal

Start with

Tandoori Lamb Chops

Described as 'chunky beasts' and praised by local reviewers as the 'best I've ever tasted', these are a high-quality staple of the restaurant's tandoor menu.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

3
Kachori

Modern North Indian · ££ · Southwark

86Signal

Start with

Guinea Fowl Tikka

Described by critics as 'melt-in-your-mouth' and 'spice-infused', this dish is praised for its 'spot-on' spicing and unique accompaniment of tempered curd rice.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

4
The Tamil Prince

South Indian · ££ · Islington

86Signal

Start with

Channa Bhatura

Described as a 'giant's pillow of deep-fried dough,' this is the standout dish that Hot Dinners claims you 'won't be able to stop yourself from ordering' when you see it served to everyone else.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

5
Vijay

South Indian · ££ · Kilburn

86Signal

Start with

Masala Dosai

Critics rave about this dish, describing it as 'light and crispy with a lovely buttery flavour' that outperforms versions at other highly-regarded South Indian establishments.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

6
The Great Indian

Indian Gastropub · ££ · Archway

85Signal

Start with

Lamb Roti Tacos

Regarded as the 'undisputed star' of the menu by Jay Rayner and 'one-bite umami wonders' by Kentishtowner, these consist of flaky, buttery roti filled with a hot, dry lamb curry and topped with crispy fried curry leaves.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

7
Hoppers

Sri Lankan & South Indian · ££ · Soho

82Signal

Start with

Mutton Rolls

Universally praised across all reviews as the perfect crunchy, spicy starter; described as 'a thick but crisp spring roll heavily filled with grown-up spiced sheep'.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

8
Ganapati

South Indian · ££ · Peckham

82Signal

Start with

Paratha

Described as a dish of 'flaky, buttery moreishness' so good it prompted a critic to quote the M&S ads: 'This isn’t just a paratha. This is a Ganapati paratha.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

9
The Gladstone Arms

Anglo-Indian Gastropub · ££ · Southwark

78Signal

Start with

Chicken Tikka Masala Pie

Regarded as the definitive dish of the 'desi pub' genre, this pie is widely praised for its flaky pastry and authentic Anglo-Indian filling.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

10
East West

Indian-Italian Pizza · ££ · Tufnell Park

78Signal

Start with

C.T.M

Winner of 'Britain’s Top Takeaways', this reimagined classic is a 'perfectly balanced' mix of savory, smoky, and tangy flavors that manages to feel 'both familiar and exciting'.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

11
Colaba

Indian · ££ · West Hampstead

75Signal

Start with

Yellow Dal

Eater London describes this dish, made from split moong beans and bengal gram, as 'much superior' to the black dal, praising its 'austere, stripped-down flavours of onions, browned garlic, and cumin seeds.'

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

12
Tamila

South Indian · ££ · King's Cross

74Signal

Start with

Thanjavur Chicken Curry

Consistently praised as a knockout dish, it is described as being laced with turmeric, coriander, and coconut with 'just the right amount of heat.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

13
Gunpowder

Indian · ££ · Spitalfields

74Signal

Start with

Kashmiri Lamb Chops

Acclaimed by Andy Hayler as 'one of the best versions' he has tasted, these chops are so popular that CN Traveler notes guests often end up 'fighting over them and ordering more.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

14
Kricket

Modern Indian · ££

73Signal

Start with

Samphire Pakoras

A 'world away from stodgy' versions found elsewhere, these are 'super-crunchy' spears with a 'top-notch' level of crispiness, served with a tangy date and tamarind chutney.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

15
Social Dhaba indian

Indian · ££ · Hatch End

72Signal

Start with

Tandoori King Prawns

A highly praised standout dish known for being exceptionally tender with an almost chicken-like texture.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

16
Kadiri’s

North Indian · ££ · Willesden

72Signal

Start with

Chicken Biryani

A staple at this biryani institution, traditionally cooked with fragrant saffron-laced rice and layers of flavor.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

17
Udaya Kerala

South Indian · ££ · East Ham

70Signal

Start with

Kerala Chicken Fry

Cited by Eater as potentially the best in London; crisp, light, tender, and fried with sweet onion slivers.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

18
Dishoom Carnaby

Indian · ££ · Soho

70Signal

Start with

Chicken Ruby

Consistently cited as a 'hit' that should be on your table; a rich and reliable curry option.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

19
Babuji

Indian Street Food · ££ · Kentish Town

70Signal

Start with

Vada Pau

Regarded by critics as the 'best dish' on the menu, this Mumbai street food classic is described as 'divine' with a soft yet crunchy texture and an 'electrifying bolt of complex spicing.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

20
Aroma Lounge

Indian · ££ · Wembley

68Signal

Start with

Minty Lamb Chops

A highly recommended, consistent crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with a pint.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

21
The Scotsman Southall

Indian · ££ · Southall

68Signal

Start with

Mixed Grill

The ultimate benchmark pub-grub dish packed with flavorful tandoori meats, frequently praised by regulars.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

22
Spice Rack Lounge

Indian & Indo-Chinese · ££ · Stanmore

68Signal

Start with

Saag Aloo

A perfectly executed, comforting classic that keeps locals coming back repeatedly.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

23
The Jolly Butchers

Pub Food / Indian · ££ · Stoke Newington

68Signal

Start with

Paneer Kathi Roll

Grilled cottage cheese and mango mint chutney wrapped in a warm, fluffy naan.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

24
Dishoom Battersea

Indian · ££ · Battersea

65Signal

Start with

House Black Daal

The restaurant's signature dish that people come specifically to eat; it is described as mild, rich, and incredibly warming.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

25
Spice Village Southall

Pakistani and Indian · ££ · Southall

65Signal

Start with

Lamb Chops Karahi

This 'no nonsense' dish hits all the right notes with a flavor profile of chilli, ginger, and garlic, featuring meat so soft it 'demands to be had with either rice or naan'.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

26
Dishoom

Indian (Bombay Café) · ££ · Covent Garden

54Signal

Start with

House Black Daal

Commonly regarded as the restaurant's signature, it represents what fans call an 'outstanding' and 'fresher take' on Indian classics that lives up to the hype.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

27
Brilliant Gastro

Contemporary Indian · ££ · Southall

54Signal

Start with

Jeera Chicken

A classic dish from the original Brilliant that maintains its quality here, featuring tender chicken on the bone with a 'punchy cumin flavor' and served on a sizzling iron tray.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

28
Durbar

Indian · ££ · Bayswater

53Signal

Start with

Jeera Chicken

This award-winning signature dish was specifically judged as a triumph for chef Shamin Syed when he was named International Indian Chef of the Year.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

29
Sakonis indian

Vegetarian Indian · ££ · Wembley

45Signal

Start with

Chilli Paneer

A crowd-pleasing signature Indo-Chinese dish tossed in green chillies, peppers, and spring onions.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

30
Hyderabadi Spice

Indian · ££ · East Ham

5Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Dum-Style Biryani

The fragrant and expertly spiced rice dish is king, cooked sealed with a pastry lid, though some recent diners have found it inconsistent.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

31
Sonargaon

Indian · ££ · Shoreditch

2Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Sabzi Nan

Described as a 'hallelujah!' moment in an otherwise dismal review, this nan is noted for being large, hot, and well-made.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

32
Jugad by Foodhak

Modern Indian · ££ · Camden

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Delhi-style Butter Chicken

A signature dish that perfectly showcases their healthy, dairy-free twist on an absolute classic.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

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