Thames Ditton, Indian Restaurant Guide

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.

“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”.

“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.

2024 Review: Former Tamarind and Dishoom chef Yousuf Mohammed has “a different take on traditional Indian cuisine, with tapas-style dishes and cocktails making it a great dining experience”. Fans acclaim it as “my type of Indian”, with a focus on “quality not quantity”. Look out for pre- and post-match specials when England or Harlequins are in action at nearby Twickenham or the Stoop.

2022 Review: “A real boon in Richmond”, run by exotically named founder Sudden Alberts, also behind Atithi in Twickenham. With its “delicious” Indian cuisine (“we particularly like the vegetarian side dishes”) and “prompt and perfect” service (“nothing is too much to make the customers happy”) it’s proclaimed something of a “hidden gem” by all who comment on it.

“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.

“Absolutely a step up from even good high street Indian restaurants” – this Twickenham two-year-old has an enthusiastic fanclub from the TW postcodes for its “fresh, bright flavours with depth” (and “the building shows little evidence of its former role as a pub”, the dog-themed ‘Wags ’n’ Tales’). It is led by an ex-Black Salt (East Sheen) duo, chef Manish Sharma & “front of house maestro Avi Patel”. Top Menu Tip – “particularly good pork vindaloo”.