Chai Thali is serving up some of London’s best Indian street food

The first thing you’ll notice when you step foot in Chai Thali (besides the suckerpunch of mouthwatering aromas coming from the kitchen) is the homely atmosphere. Warmly lit, welcoming staff, and cosy nooks throughout the restaurant, pull up a chair and feel instantly settled knowing you’re about to be well taken care of.

Inside, the booths and high tops offer an intimate setting with hanging bulbs and plushy seats to sink yourself into. The restaurant is bustling with hot plates and drinks being served left and right, and memorabilia of Indian pop culture taking up real estate on the surrounding restaurant walls.

Outside, you’ll find a dainty patio setting with a couple of street-facing tabes – a perfect place to people-watch the eclectic community that is Fulham. On a particularly sunny London day, we like to head outside and bask in the sunshine with a cocktail or two and a round of Indian dishes tapas-style.

Chai Thali’s menu is extensive. So much so that we can only highly recommend sharing, since there is simply so much to try. The menu starts with small plates, a section full of classic Indian starters such as a poppadum basket, onion bhaji, samosas and samosa chaat, paani poori, chicken lollipops, and steamed momos. As well as a few more contemporary twists like Chai Thali’s crispy okra, masala wedges, and crispy kale chaat.

It’s important to note, Chai Thali takes inspiration from a number of regions across India, which means you’ll be getting to try dishes across a range of cooking techniques and flavour palates – making it all the more exciting.

If in doubt, the sharing platter is our pick. Grab one for the table and get to try their lamb samosa, prawn tempura, veggie samosa, onion bhaji, and aloo tikki served with a variety of chutneys. Just don’t fill up too soon! There’s much more to come.

Here’s where things get serious – and when we say, come on an empty stomach, this is why. Chai Thali’s menu splits off into Indian Grill, Thali (a traditional square meal for one), Biryani, Seafood, Meat Curries, Veggie Curries, and Accompaniments, all with unmissable standout dishes in each section.

There are the undeniably popular classics such as their chicken tikka masala, chicken hyderabadi biryani, saag prawn, butter chicken, lamb chops, saag aloo, and chickpea masala. All executed perfectly and satisfying any craving you have. Additionally, some must-tries from the lesser known side of the menu include Chai Thali’s tarka daal with lentils and cumin, banarasi koftas (vegetable koftas), jalfrezi lamb, dhaaba murg with a smooth spicy gravy, the decadent kerala fish curry made with tiapila and coconut milk, and the Dehli kebabs with skewered minced lamb using an old recipe from the streets of Chandni Chowk.

Of course no Indian meal is complete without naan. Plain, buttered, garlic, cheesy, peshwari, or cheese and garlic are all on the menu, as well as a flaky tandoori roti and kachumber raita to elevate your meal that little bit extra.

If you’ve managed to save room for dessert, firstly we applaud you. Chai Thali has yet again an extensive number of desserts to peruse. Some of our favourite standouts are the chocolate fudge cake, the rass malai cheesecake with a milky syrup made from cardamom, almond and pistachio, and the gulab jamun, a traditional Indian dessert made up of soft and spongey balls soaked in a sweet rose-flavoured syrup.

Otherwise, if it’s just a light palate cleanser you need, you can’t go wrong with kulfi – traditional Indian dessert that comes in mango, malai, or pistachio.

Grab a dessert and nightcap before heading out and revel in the meal that was. We’d say you’re probably already thinking about your next meal back at Chai Thali sometime again soon.

Your meal at Chai Thali is what you make it. If you’re in need of a Sunday recovery with all your favourite curries, this is the place. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a lighter but still flavourful meal, Chai Thali’s sharing plates and seafood and veggie options are the one for you. Family dinner or date night, the vibes are flexible and accomodating for any kind of get-together.

The Fulham branch is located at 146 Wandsworth Bridge Road, London, SW6 2UH. Open every day except Tuesdays, from 1:30pm til late. You can book your table for Chai Thali right here.