King's Cross, Indian Restaurant Guide

“The new Covent Garden branch of Dishoom is spectacular and the food is still ace” – our poll’s most commented-on chain continues to win overwhelmingly rapturous reviews. It helps that the “very different” Indian menu is a winner: “super-tasty” and “excellent value”, with the “out-of-the-box” breakfast options a particular fave rave (“have a bacon naan and a cup of chai, and the world feels a better place”). But, actually, the stand-out feature is the “always buzzing and fun” atmosphere at its individually designed branches; and post-lockdown, WC2 took the wraps off a successful makeover, which mines the heritage of Bombay theatres and early Bollywood talkies. It helps that service is “slick”, from “courteous and attentive staff who never push what they want to sell”. The catch? “painful and lengthy queues” for walk-ins which have, if anything, worsened since they introduced reservations in all locations.

“Eating here is like being back in Sri Lanka”, say fans of this superbly “authentic” South Asian concept from JKS Restaurants, which now has branches in Soho, Marylebone and King’s Cross. But is the shine beginning to wear off a bit? – most reporters do still talk of “amazing spicing”, “Sri Lankan street food at its best” and “probably the tastiest food in London”, but, for a minority this year, the cooking “did not live up to the hype”.

“Top Indian food at reasonable prices, with plenty of vegan options” again wins praise for this Punjabi ‘dhaba’ (roadside food stall) in Islington’s Chapel Market.