Ewell, Pakistani Restaurant Guide

“Reliable curries. Quite spicy!” – This stalwart Pakistani restaurant has played a leading role in Tooting’s development as a destination for curry-lovers over the past three decades, under founder Zahid Iqbal and now his son Numan.

2024 Review: “Always delicious”, this well-known Pakistani canteen on Tooting’s ‘curry corridor’ offers the “same fun and good-value food as it has for years”. A favourite of local boy-made-mayor Sadiq Khan (so come on foot or by public transport), it has an offshoot in Coulsdon, on London’s southern fringe.

2023 Review: Tucked away in a mews townhouse, this “dependable” Belgravia haunt has served upscale Pakistani cuisine to a wealthy crowd for 45 years. It particularly hits the spot for “meat-lovers” – “the lamb chops are seriously loveable” – while “the friendliness of the staff makes up for the rather boring Gulf and Russian clientele”.

“A real staple of the East End curry fraternity” – this legendary no-frills Pakistani canteen is now in its fourth decade and “always a joy” – “the place keeps getting bigger but the food is always spot-on” with “authentic and ultra-tasty dishes” that “never fail”. Top Tip – “don’t forget to bring your own bottle!”.

“You’re hard-pressed to spend more than 30-odd pounds per head, and the lamb chops are legendary” at this long-running Punjabi institution in Whitechapel, whose BYOB policy helps the wallet (“still the best value among all restaurants – not just South Asian – in London”). And it’s not just about the “filthy-good grilled meats” – “the aubergine and other vegetarian dishes really shine”. It does get “too busy”, though, and even some fans feel “you do now get hustled in and out” – so “don’t expect good service and you won’t be disappointed”.

“This nightclub-style, Pakistani/Afghan grill specialist in Tooting is packed night after night – especially after prayers on a Friday” – for “terrific spicy meats, grilled or curried”, in “extremely generous portions”. So “book ahead to avoid queuing” – and note: it is a “dry restaurant, not even BYOB”. Top Tip – “whole lamb grilled at nearby tables generates jealousy: take a big team” (to be ordered 24 hours ahead).