The definitive guide to London’s best curries

Mayfair hotspot Bombay Bustle was inspired by the incredible work of the dabbawalas of Mumbai, who deliver hot lunches to city workers in special metal containers called tiffins via bicycle or train. This theme can be witnessed all through the restaurant, from its decor to its food presentation. The sumptuous interiors are inspired by railways carriages and feature intimate, lowlit booths with luxurious leather upholstery in elegant shades of pink and green, as well as art deco finishes.

The restaurant’s indulgent and moreish curries—including highlights such as creamy paneer butter masala, a keralan fish curry and a black lentil dahl—are served delightfully in metal tiffins. In true dabbawala style, you can also grab an express lunch from £29 for two courses. Not bad for a top Mayfair eatery!

Founded in 1972, Tayyabs is a family-owned and run business in London’s East End that has rightly earned cult status in recent years—some of its recent diners include actor Pedro Pascal! Its legendary spicy, smokey and oh-so tender lamb chops are the star attraction, and this same high quality of cooking and seasoning can be found throughout the menu; we recommend the signature dry meat lamb curry if you’re a fan of the chops… Unpretentious and lively (plus you can BYOB!), Tayyabs makes for a seriously impressive meal for a very wallet-friendly price.

Mayura can be found nestled in the heart of Barbican near the London Museum, and its glam interiors are in keeping with its sleek city location. You’ll find jewel tones, sultry lighting and crushed velvet upholstery, all of which create the ambience of an extra special evening. The menu focuses on grill and Tandoor cooking methods and its don’t miss dishes include the gunpowder dosa and fish fritters. Meanwhile, the main menu offers classics cooked excellently, from comforting butter chicken to an aromatic lamb shank rogan josh. You’ll find some interesting twists on your favourite sides too, including indulgent truffle and smoked cheese naans.

Babur, a culinary gem since its establishment in 1985, can be found in a relatively quiet corner of Honor Oak in South East London. Despite its neighbourhood locale, this Indian eatery offers a high end and experimental menu, featuring dishes such as juicy crab meat dumplings, goat shoulder tikka, slow cooked venison hunter curry and a coconutty coastal mutton masala. Make sure you take a look at the cocktail list too, which offers signature concoctions infused with Indian flavors, including four different kinds of margaritas and a Mumbai negroni made with homemade Indian spiced sweet vermouth and pink clove bitters.

This newly-opened eatery on a leafy corner of East Dulwich has some impressive credentials behind it. The co-founders Sanjay Gour and Simeron Lily Patel are also the people behind the Michelin-rated restaurants Dastaan and Black Salt Sheen, plus Gour used to be head chef at Mayfair institution Gymkhana.

Meanwhile, the executive head chef Manmeet Singh Bali has previously worked in esteemed kitchens including the Turnberry Hotel in Scotland and the Ritz Carlton in Dubai. The spacious venue features decking at the front where you can enjoy a cocktail or two, as well as plenty of tables inside. In addition to well-loved favourites such as lamb chops, butter chicken and vindaloo, you’ll find a soft and succulent short rib nihari and a decadent paneer makhani on the tempting menu. Word is already spreading rapidly about this neighbourhood spot, so it might be worth a special trip!

For those unfamiliar with Dishoom (firstly, where have you been hiding!?), it’s an insanely popular Indian eatery with locations across London. We love this one, found in the heart of Shoreditch – from the rustic, relaxed setting to the incredible flavours. Originating from Bombay, the menu here is killer, featuring amazing curries as well as a super vegan menu. Dishoom is ideal for special occasions and groups, as well as date night if you want to share a number of plates. Daytime bookings are possible, but don’t be put off if there is a queue outside the door during the evening, as most tables are served on a walk-in basis. Well worth the wait, this is definitely a cracking London curry spot to visit.

Brick lane is famous for its curry houses and Indian eateries. However, The Famous Curry Bazaar really is the place to visit. With super friendly staff and an extensive menu for meat eaters, veggies and vegans alike, this is another great venue for large group bookings. There is a great vibe here, as well as a spicy food challenge that the team goes wild for if you are brave enough to give it a go! An award-winning curry house with indoor and outdoor seating – great for those long summer evenings – in the heart of Brick Lane, it is an ideal venue for a bar crawl dinner stop. There’s also a chance for BYOB at the beginning of the week, which is handy if you are on a little bit of a budget!

Flora Indica is a gorgeous venue on Old Brompton Road serving stunning cocktails as well as a cracking combination of English and Indian flavours in its botanical themed eatery. The menu is fab here, from Poppy Seed and Red Leicester Naan Bread to Okra Fries and Slow Cooked Venison Biryani. Flora Indica is also a gin lover’s dream as it has its own separate extensive gin menu. Open seven days a week, this is an ideal date night spot for both delicious food and brilliant cocktails.

We love this glamorous West End basement venue! Bringing stunning authentic Indian flavours to London’s Fitzrovia, this is a great place to get dressed up and go out on the town after. Serving sophisticated cocktails in the sexy bar setting, 1947 London is the perfect Friday night venue. The menu is incredible, from A Cup of Butter Chicken to Pan Fried Sea Bream Moilee; you HAVE to try the Prawn Curry served in a coconut – it’s our favourite! This really is a stunning restaurant, found a short walk from Goodge Street station.

With a daily cocktail happy hour (ideal for a pre-dinner drink), we love this South West London venue. Offering classic dishes as well as Chocolate and Almond Samosas – yes please! – Roz Ana is certain to satisfy the hungriest of us all. It’s got a good vegan and vegetarian menu, as well as a cracking party menu, meaning you can’t go wrong here for both small intimate dinners and larger special events. Throw in an award-winning, fantastic team, and Roz Ana is a Kingston hit!