Harden's survey result
Summary
“Superb, delicate and fragrant cuisine” from Kerala in southwest India, has been a top attraction for more than 20 years at this luxurious but muted hotel dining room in St James’s, run by the luxury Taj Group (and still under founding chef Sriram Aylur). Seafood dishes are particularly good, and there’s a tasting menu matched with beers. Top Tip – “weekend brunch is super value”.
Summary
“South Indian cuisine at its best” – with “coastal influences and high-quality ingredients” and notably “great seafood dishes” – has established this Westminster venue from the luxury Taj Group at the top of the capital’s dining scene for more than two decades. Founding chef Sriram Aylur is still at the helm, and champions Keralan cuisine for its lightness and multidimensional flavours. A few minutes’ walk from Parliament, it’s a known haunt of politicos. Top Tip: “the restaurant is more dark and gloomy at the back, so ask for a table at the front”.
Summary
“Consistently excellent” Keralan cuisine – “beautifully presented and served” – from chef Sriram Aylur ensures this 21-year-old, from the luxury Taj Group, remains at the summit of modern Indian gastronomy in the capital. Despite the swish hotel decor, though, it’s a decidedly low-key institution – if it wasn’t for such “friendly and thoughtful staff” the ambience could become stifling and leaden here. A short walk from Buckingham Palace, it’s close enough to Parliament to have its own division bell to summon MPs for a vote. Top Tip – “set lunch is tremendous value”.
Summary
“Consistently excellent” Keralan cuisine – “beautifully presented and served” – from chef Sriram Aylur ensures this 20-year-old, from the luxury Taj Group, remains at the summit of modern Indian gastronomy in the capital. Despite the swish hotel decor, though, it’s a decidedly low-key institution – if it wasn’t for such “friendly and thoughtful staff” the ambience could become stifling and leaden here. A short walk from Buckingham Palace, it’s close enough to Parliament to have its own division bell to summon MPs for a vote. Top Tip – “set lunch is tremendous value”.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
41 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm |
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