Caterham, Indian Restaurant Guide

“Breathtakingly outstanding dishes” have put this “top-notch Indian” in the outer southwestern ’burbs firmly on every curry-hound’s map over the past nine years – it justifies a “long drive”, or “makes a bumpy ride on the 406 bus worthwhile”. Ignore the modest Ewell shop front off the A3 Tolworth turn-off, you’ll find cooking of “the highest standard” that rivals the best in the West End – and “at a truly affordable price”.

“A real winner” – “fine, inventive dishes” make it worth knowing about Dayashakar Sharmer’s Indian in the ’burbs of West Dulwich: a cut-above, both for its location and by the standards of modern local curry houses.

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).

“Very popular locally” for its “well-priced, high-quality food”, this old-school family-run curry house near Wandsworth Common has stood the test of time.

“Brilliant, innovative and constantly changing” – Will Bowlby & Rik Campbell’s “unfailingly interesting” street-food cafés provide “real Indian food… cooked by Brits” and inspire a large army of fans for this small group, which added a fourth Canary Wharf outlet in early 2024 (and has announced a fifth branch will be coming to Shoreditch at the end of the year). They have achieved an all-round success story: “super-friendly service” scores incredibly highly as does the “buzzy environment”. And in Soho, “the restaurant is now supplemented by the Soma Bar next door” with an array of funky cocktails.

After 20 years, Peckham pioneer Claire Fisher’s “refectory-style” venue “keeps on delivering wonderful South Indian food”, including “some cracking veg dishes, though it’s not all vegan by any means”. “We first went 16 years ago and it has remained consistent through all this time – the difference is that then it was a lone star in an area short of places to eat, now it’s one of many”. Top Menu Tip – “homemade paratha is a must”.

“The food never disappoints” at this better-than-standard Nepalese and Indian specialist on the edge of Blackheath Common. Notwithstanding the choices of artworks and wall hangings, the contemporary interior avoids the classic curry house look.

“A clear cut above your standard Curry House (without attempting anything Michelin-chasing)” – this first UK outpost of a family-owned Indian group occupies the simple Putney premises that were, for years, Ma Goa (RIP). It aims for a “delicious, healthy take on Indian cuisine”. Everyone agrees the food is yummy. But while some reports say “their claims to be ‘healthy’ appear to play out with lovely dishes lacking an oily, ghee-laden feel to them”; others “totally don’t understand its billing – it all tasted good-to-very good, but was not remotely advisable for my waistline or blood pressure!”

“If you’re in the mood for some delicious Indian cuisine”, this duo from Vivek Singh make a more affordable alternative to his flagship Cinnamon Club, pleasing both vegetarians (“great- tasting paneer butter masala”) and omnivores (“the chicken 65 is a particular favourite”). The cavernous City branch can get “incredibly noisy”, but the newer Battersea Power Station branch earns a lot of positive feedback, and is seen as a “viable competitor to Dishoom”, its near neighbour.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, this well-established fixture serves “decent food that’s just a little smarter than average”. It has attracted plenty of useful publicity over the years thanks to high-profile patronage by politicians from both sides of nearby Parliament (Brown, Prescott, Cameron, BoJo), who refer to it as ‘the KT’. Keen Westminster-watchers will be interested to note how many newbie MPs beat a path to its door this year...

This “enjoyable” if “typical local curry house” in Kennington was opened by Zalal Uddin in 1982 and is still family-owned. It makes the most of its proximity to the Oval – offering “very good service in trying, post-cricket, circumstances” – and to Parliament, which makes it a “good bet for MP-spotting”.

“Excellent high-end Indian cooking” from chef-patron Rohit Ghai makes this “Chelsea gem, with a lovely ambience spread across rooms in a beautifully decorated townhouse” a real contender for “the best Indian in London” – “expensive, but worth every penny”. Top Tip – cute first-floor roof terrace for either a meal or cocktails.

“A heady mix of cocktails and curry, with friendly and informative staff” – this contemporary Indian on the site of former Balham favourite Lamberts (RIP) operates as a café by day but is “noisily popular in the evening”, when it serves for “very good dishes with a modern and innovative twist on Indian favourites” in “an attractively decorated setting”.

“Definitely better than your average Indian” – this East Dulwich yearling opened in August 2023 and is the work of Sanjay Gour and Simeron Lily Patel, who have other outlying hits in the form of Ewell’s Dastaan and Sheen’s Black Salt (see also). According to one SE22 resident “it’s certainly the best (and most lauded, rightfully) suburban launch we can think of in the SE postcodes” and generated a large volume of feedback in our annual diners’ poll. “If you’re looking for a bland korma you won’t find it here” – Chef Manmeet Singh Bali’s food is “unusual, if not necessarily hugely authentic, and deliciously spicy. Meanwhile the cocktails are phenomenal for Zone 2!”

Review: “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”.

“A non-typical local Indian restaurant serving Putney with high-quality, authentic Indian food” – in “huge, freshly cooked, super-tasty portions and with interesting sundries”. The “railway carriage theme is a bit of a stretch” for some, but “the food quality and quick service make it worth a detour”.