Stop Press!
October 2018: Tamarind has been closed for much of 2018 for a refurbishment. It is re-opening in November with two new head chefs: Karunesh Khanna (of Amaya) and Manav Tuli (from Chutney Mary). The new-look Tamarind will have a contemporary design (with a new first-floor dining room), reworked dishes and a more relaxed style.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“The food speaks volumes” – “sensational grills, exquisite curries and traditional biryanis” – for most (if not all) who report on this pioneering Mayfair venture, which helped validate the whole concept of posh Indian restaurants in the UK. It’s “a pity about the basement location” though, and the 2018 refurb designed to give a “light and airy modern” interior has proved “OK, but not really an improvement… if anything noise levels are higher”.
Summary
“A consistent pleasure”, this Mayfair pioneer of Indian fine dining (in 2001, the first Indian to bag a Michelin star) closed for six months in early 2018 for a complete revamp – and not before time, with reporters critical of the “passé fit-out”. The October relaunch promises a ‘private club atmosphere’ with ‘lighter’ dishes and sharing plates under new head chefs Karunesh Khanna (ex-Amaya) and Manav Tuli (ex-Chutney Mary).
Summary
The “subtle and fully-flavoured” modern cuisine of this “flamboyantly decorated” Mayfair basement has returned to “exceptional” form – “it hits a perfect balance between being authentically Indian, with Western modernisations” and “even standard dishes are a revelation”. “Caring staff” (“it’s like they arrive by magic carpet”) further add to the experience.
Summary
“A class act!” This stalwart Mayfair basement put in a particularly strong showing this year, with many reports of “truly outstanding” cuisine. The location? – “pleasant but underwhelming”, it’s “time for a makeover”.
Restaurant details
Tamarind Restaurant Diner Reviews
"1st time at the new Tamarind. Very impressed."
"Whilst the basement restaurant by the kitchen has the buzz the food here is so wonderful it must lay claim to the best Indian restaurant in London. Every visit is a treat and the refurbishment is settling in well as is their newer menu. Have the tasting menu, take the advice of the sommelier and sit back to enjoy."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £25.00 | £30.00 |  |
|
|
| Pretheatre | £25.00 | £30.00 | |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 69.00 | Always Available | 11 |
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £4.00 | £26.00 | £8.00 | £8.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
20 Queen St, London, W1J 5PR
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
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-2:30 pm, 6 pm-10 pm |
Best Indian restaurants nearby
Indian restaurant in Mayfair
Indian restaurant in Mayfair
Indian restaurant in Mayfair
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Peruvian restaurant in Mayfair
Chinese restaurant in Mayfair
British, Modern restaurant in St James's