Mayfair, Indian Restaurant Guide

“An exceptional Indian restaurant” – nothing but rave reviews this year for Samyukta & Dinesh Nair’s grand subcontinental in Mayfair, whose “high levels” of attention to detail won it all-round excellent ratings this year. The interior is inspired by the Viceroy’s House in New Delhi and the high-quality cuisine is the work of chef Surender Mohan.

“Tamarind never disappoints”, with the “consistently fabulous food” that made it one of the earliest of the new wave of modern upscale Indians in London when it opened 30 years ago (and the first to bag a star from the French tyre men six years later). It remains “a real find for quality Indian food among its plutocratic competitors in Mayfair” – with “an innovative and wide selection of wonderful dishes, always getting the balance between spice and flavour just right”. Top Tip – “very reasonably priced lunch set menu”.

“A perennial winner and rightly so” – JKS Restaurants’ flagship opened in 2013 and delivers a “terrific” experience with Sid Ahuja’s “exciting and stunning looking” Indian dishes helping to mark out this colonial-style Mayfair subcontinental as one of the most commented-on destinations in our annual diners’ poll. In their February 2024 awards, however, Michelin arguably did the place a disservice by doubling its rating, leaving a significant minority of diners of the view that “it’s great… but it’s not two star”; or worse, that “they’ve now gone overboard with the prices” leaving an “overhyped” and “really undwhelming” impression as a result. (New cocktail lounge and private room on the first floor, called ‘42’.) Top Menu Tips – “sensational Kid Goat Methi Keema, and the Aloo Chat with tamarind is to die for!”

“It’s always uplifting to be in the Bustle!”, say fans of this “high-quality, fun Indian restaurant close to Oxford Circus” – the bubbly younger sibling of Jamavar from Samyukta Nair. “Prices are not so daunting as others have become in Mayfair” (note the “excellent value Express Lunch/Early Dinner”), and there’s “fast and professional service in the spacious and well-designed dining room”, which some find “noisy and unconducive to conversation”. Top Menu Tips – “love the prawn starter and the lamb curry with soft bao buns”.

“A little gem tucked away in a side street of Mayfair, with some top Indian flavours” – chef Rohit Ghai wins solid praise for a menu that includes the pick of his mother’s recipes. Top Tip – “the Express Lunch Thali is stunning value” at £22 (vegetarian) or £24 (meat or fish).

In the new Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hanover Square, this spring 2025 newcomer is the most high-profile of four venues branded by US-based Korean chef Akira Back. Meaning ’expert’ in Korean, Dosa is a showcase for Japanese-inspired Korean cuisine led by executive chef Jihun Kim, who has worked with Back for 10 years; and who also helped on launches in Dubai and Paris. The meal – accompanied by either wines or sake – is served at a single 7pm sitting to no more than 14 guests seated at a counter fronting an open kitchen, and dishes include the likes of Brill and Sea Urchin with Seaweed Soup, and Red Bean and Black Sesame Soufflé. Reports so far are few in number but rate the food as exceptional. (Other Akira Back venues in the hotel include the ABar rooftop and ‘Akira Back’ – featuring a triple-height sky roof and dishes such as AB Tuna Pizza and the Perfect Storm signature roll).