Waltham Abbey, Indian Restaurant Guide

This “enjoyable and good-value” family-run operation in an East Finchley shopping parade specialises in the regional cuisine of Hyderabad, and is one of the best bets for a decent cuzza in this part of north London.

“You nearly always have to queue for a table – often for at least an hour – but the atmosphere is amazing and the food is worth the wait” at Shamil & Kavi Thakrar’s unbelievably successful chain: again, the most commented-on business in our annual diners’ poll, which has stormed the capital since it first opened in Covent Garden in 2010. Outlets in Canary Wharf and Battersea Power Station opened in late 2024, bringing the total in London to seven, and each branch has its own intriguing character, with the unifying theme being a homage to the Irani cafés of post-war Bombay. “Very much a well-oiled machine, there is little sign of any drop-off in quality as the group expands”, while “for such large places the brilliant service is remarkably friendly and efficient”. Meanwhile, the “deeply flavoursome and satisfying” menu has introduced Londoners to “authentic and delicious dishes that aren’t just another copycat Indian selection”, with such “zingy and exciting flavours”. And morning-time in London will never be the same again, since the advent of their “great Anglo-Indian breakfasts”. All-in-all, “the whole approach is inclusive and exciting”, “it’s always buzzy and fun too”; and “overall and for the price point you can’t go wrong!”. Top Menu Tips: “the black dal is to die for!”; “superb okra fries”; “the roomali roti is sublime”; “the lamb chops are excellent”; “Chicken Ruby is dreamy”. In the mornings, “the unfailing Bacon naan is a thing of poetry”; “chilli cheese toast hits the spot every time”, and “drink the lemon ginger and honey chai”.

“We keep going back for more!” – this “lovely local Indian” has pleased the Hampstead crowd for more than 50 years with its “food to suit all tastes”, “good value” and “charismatic owner (the son of the founder) who carries the service”. No wonder it’s “often packed”.

“You nearly always have to queue for a table – often for at least an hour – but the atmosphere is amazing and the food is worth the wait” at Shamil & Kavi Thakrar’s unbelievably successful chain: again, the most commented-on business in our annual diners’ poll, which has stormed the capital since it first opened in Covent Garden in 2010. Outlets in Canary Wharf and Battersea Power Station opened in late 2024, bringing the total in London to seven, and each branch has its own intriguing character, with the unifying theme being a homage to the Irani cafés of post-war Bombay. “Very much a well-oiled machine, there is little sign of any drop-off in quality as the group expands”, while “for such large places the brilliant service is remarkably friendly and efficient”. Meanwhile, the “deeply flavoursome and satisfying” menu has introduced Londoners to “authentic and delicious dishes that aren’t just another copycat Indian selection”, with such “zingy and exciting flavours”. And morning-time in London will never be the same again, since the advent of their “great Anglo-Indian breakfasts”. All-in-all, “the whole approach is inclusive and exciting”, “it’s always buzzy and fun too”; and “overall and for the price point you can’t go wrong!”. Top Menu Tips: “the black dal is to die for!”; “superb okra fries”; “the roomali roti is sublime”; “the lamb chops are excellent”; “Chicken Ruby is dreamy”. In the mornings, “the unfailing Bacon naan is a thing of poetry”; “chilli cheese toast hits the spot every time”, and “drink the lemon ginger and honey chai”.

“Absolutely delicious Sri Lankan dishes” attract a “noisy, buzzy” crowd to this “squashed” Soho spot, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year (and whose owners, JKS Restaurants, have now opened spinoff branches in King’s Cross and Marylebone). “Staff work their socks off to get everyone fed” and the grub – “bone marrow vadhuvai + roti chennai, cabbage, aubergine, hopper etc” – is “tasty, and not shy on spice” (it’s also “particularly good for people on gluten-free or lactose-free diets as they supply separate menu cards”). All this said, the cooking no longer excites the adulation of the early days, with a suspicion in some quarters that it’s now “only slightly different to a ‘normal’ curry”.

“Heaving and occasionally rowdy” Punjabi “institution” in Whitechapel that provides “outstanding food year after year” and is a “must-go” even “in spite of the packed lobby to get in and lines out the door”. “It’s not fine dining, but you get the same tastes and authentic flavours here that you might pay double or triple the price for in the West End” – “amazing food that’s really worth it”. “All the favourites are served at reasonable prices, helped along by the fact that it’s BYO”. “It’s large and looks nicer than it did a few years ago (as it has had a ‘glow-up’ over the years)”. “At busy times, you feel a bit like you’re on the conveyor on the service front”, which can feel “brusque” but can also be “extremely friendly”. Top Menu Tips – “you come for the lamb chops and stay for the spectacular lentils and baby aubergine (or many other) dishes”.

“Novel dishes full of spice and intrigue” draw a “buzzy” crowd to this “refreshingly innovative” and hugely successful modern Indian trio: an “elevated street-food experience that’s really good fun”. The “tiny but perfectly formed” Spitalfields original is “still the best”, say fans, but the food also hits the spot at “tapas-style” venues in Soho and Tower Bridge.

“For over 30 years I’ve been turning up here and it always delivers!” – This legendary, ultra-no-frills Pakistani canteen in the East End is “always fun, authentic and consistent” and fans say it provides “the best curry in town… if you are prepared to forgive the service and ambiance”. And “with free BYO, it‘s as cheap as it gets”. Top Menu Tips – renowned for its lamb chops, “tandoori chicken is to die for” and “mango lassi is made with Alphonso mangoes so a much better taste and a much less sweet drink than you find elsewhere”.

By the side of Euston station, this “splendid, long-established” café – founded by Gopal and Renu Manandhar in 1982 and now run with their sons – is still “as good as ever”, with a menu featuring Nepalese specialities including momo dumplings.

“The food tastes fresh and is not heavy” at this “consistently great” Childs Hill operation, specialising in “Indian tapas-style street food”. That TripAdvisor have ranked it #1 out of 15,000+ London restaurants may be over-egging it a bit, but they must be doing something right as a Muswell Hill spin-off is on the cards.

“Fire-cooked” steaks, supplied from North Yorkshire, aged in-house and supplemented by “inventive” side dishes (tacos, parathas and more), are what put Neil Rankin’s BBQ group on the map, with its fifth site opening in Paddington Basin last winter followed by a smashburger spinoff in White City. But even fans can note that what “was once a firm favourite has declined” – service is often “a bit all over the place” and dishes can arrive “lacking genuine flavour”.

“Shame it’s now so out-of-the-way, but well worth a visit” – after 26 years on the fringe of the City, Cyrus & Pervin Todiwala relocated their famous Indian venue to this new unit on the Royal Docks in 2022. It’s a “light and airy setting” (not far from London Excel and City Airport) with bright views over the water and docks. “Cyrus continues to evolve his dishes, for all occasions”, and “the Todiwalas are excellent hosts too”: “staff are so passionate and personal to all who come and dine” on the “wonderful Indian food with a Portuguese twist”.

“It’s virtually impossible to spend more than £15 a head” at this “old-school Indian restaurant serving very high-quality vegetarian snacks”. Established in 1971 and “still going strong”, it’s a star of the Drummond Street enclave by Euston station known as ‘Little India’, and has shown major staying power over the decades (including “hanging on through HS2 works and the station redevelopment”). The dated interior is showing its age, but anyone interested in what the 1970s really looked like should pay it a visit.

This “good and very cheap” vegetarian in a “great location” is a 42-year fixture of the ‘Little India’ zone behind Euston station, serving a wide range of bhel puri, thali set meals and south Indian dosas. There’s also a “great buffet at weekends”.