Harden's survey result
Summary
“Real Indian cuisine” – “exquisite flavours from top-quality ingredients and stunning preparation” – have won a major reputation for this “top-class Indian”, founded by Samyukta Nair, whose family own India’s luxurious Leela Palace group. It occupies a “fantastic”, tastefully decorated Mayfair site, near Berkeley Square: “quiet enough for conversation whilst busy enough to create a reassuring hum”.
Summary
“Cracking and very consistent cuisine”, full of “subtle and innovative flavours”, wins nothing but the highest praise for this Mayfair Indian – the highest rated in town this year – which occupies a “beautiful”, colonial-themed dining room. Naturally it’s not cheap, but by general agreement the experience is definitely “worthy of the prices”. Founder Samyukta Nair is the London-educated scion of an Indian dynasty until recently involved with India’s ultra-luxe Leela Palace group.
Summary
“Boldly flavoured” nouvelle Indian cuisine served in a “dark and clubby”, colonial-theme setting puts Leela Palace’s Mayfair three-year-old in London’s premier league, if not perhaps quite at the top of the table: “not as memorable as some top names, but definitely a favourite”. But while it’s “a good attempt at taking Indian cuisine to the next level”, it lacks the stunning verve fans recall from when it first opened: “a fun evening out, but it will need to do better again to match the best of the best”.
Summary
“Boldly flavoured” nouvelle Indian cuisine served in a “dark and clubby”, colonial-theme setting puts Leela Palace’s Mayfair two-year-old in London’s premier league, if not perhaps quite at the top of the table: “not as memorable as some top names, but definitely a favourite”. But while it’s “a good attempt at taking Indian cuisine to the next level”, it lacks the stunning verve fans recall from when it first opened: “a fun evening out, but it will need to do better again to match the best of the best”.
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).
Have you eaten at Jamavar?
Restaurant details
Jamavar Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Surprising rudeness & disinterest from the maitre d' or manager. Aside the food & the surroundings the hospitality, or lack of promise of it, are key features of any dining offering. Having taken an interest to read the menus of Jamavar before visiting to view the dining room in the evening with a view to perhaps eating there in the future, I was confronted with a manager who was rude, off-hand, & tried to walk away from me twice when I was talking to him, & delegated the task of showing the lower floor dining room to a youngster. A disinterested host unconcerned about alienating custom. It says on the Jamavar website, 'Celebrated for its gracious hospitality, inviting atmosphere, & beautiful surroundings inspired by the Viceroy's House in New Delhi, the acclaimed restaurant is a rendition of a palatial Indian dining experience in the heart of Mayfair.' That is hardly what you will find in the Mayfair restaurant. The surroundings on the ground floor are fairly standard & the lower ground restaurant is worse. It seems being Michelin starred, if that is what it is, is no guarantee of a good mannerly or gracious greeting. And the business card thrust into my hand by the youngster as I left, who spoke not with an Indian accent but with an Eastern European accent, was worn & crumpled not even pristine. I hope I have not spoiled too much any imaginings you may have of dining in a place reminiscent of the Viveroy's House in New Delhi."
"Posh Indian. Was very nice. Is it any different to many others that have sprung up to justify the price? "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
8 Mount Street, London, W1K 3NF
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
Best Indian restaurants nearby
Indian restaurant in Mayfair
Indian restaurant in Mayfair
Indian restaurant in Westminster
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Mayfair
Pan-Asian restaurant in Mayfair
Indian restaurant in Mayfair
