Reigate, Indian Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: In a village near Leatherhead, this well-established Indian (opened in 1983) – nowadays run by the son of the founder – is strongly applauded by its local fans.

“Outrageous value” is not the only reward of a journey to the outer-limits of the metropolis and this “small”, “top-notch Indian” in a trafficky parade of shops in Ewell. You will also discover “Indian food the likes of which you have not previously experienced, full of such a variety of delicious flavours that it’s hard to limit your choices” – “rich but so tasty”. (Food commentator, Andy Hayler, who has visited every Michelin three-star on the planet, is a major fan – he’s reviewed the place 13 times!). Top Menu Tips – “best are the starters”: “super pani puri”.

There’s “always a cheery welcome and super-courteous service at this distinctive and cut-above restaurant” from ex-Oberoi/Cinnamon Club chef-patron Awanish Roy – the first in a now two-strong chain, with a younger spin-off in Reigate. Its “sophisticated and delicate culinary style” is “superior to any other Indian restaurants in the area”, showcased in everything from the “tiny” and “delicious” poppadoms to “tender and flavoursome” chef’s specials, which feature on a menu spanning street food, British favourites and far more exotic fare (grilled guinea fowl, say, or wild boar vindaloo).

2024 Review: Set in a parade of shops, Deepinder Sondhi’s subcontinental (with smarter dining room upstairs) is a fixture in these parts for its high-quality cooking, including some more adventurous dishes (think chocolate samosas, or chicken tikka with Laphroaig masala). If you wish, you can kick things off in style in the cocktail bar.

“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.

2024 Review: This suburban subcontinental offers an unusual take on Indian street food, having been set up by three brothers keen to pay homage to their grandmother’s cooking, inflected by her travels in Africa and Saudi Arabia; its “authentic” recipes attract nothing but positive reports.

“Tasty! very tasty” – the scoff at this old-school curry house near Wandsworth Common, whose steady standards make it one of the longest-running entries in the guide.

2023 Review: “Very helpful staff” add to the appeal of this Balham High Street Indian, of over 15 years’ standing. Whether it should be a perennial inclusion in TripAdvisor’s top 10 London restaurants is debatable, but the (limited) feedback we receive says it’s worth a visit.

“Amazing food, full of flavours” is on the menu at Bhanu Prataps “interesting” colonial-style establishment, a fixture for 17 years close to the Thames on the outer fringe of southwest London in a smart venue just back from the Thames.

“Delicious fresh cooking – lamb biryani in particular is fantastic” – justifies the trip to this high-quality Indian in the boonies of West Dulwich. It’s run by Rajasthan-born chef-patron Dayashankar Sharma (who first won renown at the now-defunct Grand Trunk Road in South Woodford).

“Authentic dosas”, idlis, vadas and uttapams are on the menu at this “welcoming” three-year-old South Indian vegetarian restaurant with a “lovely local feel and super food”. A spin-off branch opened in Milton Keynes branch in late 2025.

“Simply great cooking” has quickly won a fan club for Mayur Nagarale’s modern Indian in leafy Teddington, where classics such as Old Delhi butter chicken share space on the menu with some more unusual dishes – Chennai-style frog’s legs sautéed in garlic; jackfruit, paneer & mushroom biyani; Asian black truffle and ghee naan.

“Very ‘now’ venue”, serving up an “interesting and unusual take on Indian food” on the former site of Balham favourite Lamberts (RIP). It is absolutely the place for “under-30s fulfilling their weekend curry vibes” – so “if you want a decent relaxed curry with a difference, then mid-week is your best bet”.