Harden's survey result
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”.
Summary
Sriram Aylur’s “amazingly light and delicate Keralan cuisine” is twinned with “impeccable service” at the Taj Group’s formidably good Indian, which “maintains the great standards it’s set for the last decade or so” (and which was the highest rated posh Indian in the survey this year). Even fans acknowledge the space looks “drab”, which “takes away the feeling of a special occasion”, “but hey, you don’t eat the decor”.
For 31 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
Quilon Restaurant Diner Reviews

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"Delightful Kerala based food. Attentive staff, including the wonderful chef himself. Atmosphere actually very nice for a quiet family or even business dinner."
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
41 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | CLOSED |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
Saturday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
Sunday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
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