The 10 Best Indian Restaurants in London (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best Indian restaurants and curry houses in London in 2026 include Tayyabs and Needoo Grill in Whitechapel for Punjabi grills, Lahore Karahi in Tooting, Rasa in Stoke Newington for South Indian vegetarian, Gunpowder and Hoppers for modern cooking, and Veeraswamy and Jamavar for a formal evening.

London's curry scene stretches well beyond Brick Lane: Whitechapel for Punjabi grills, Tooting for Pakistani and South Indian cooking, Drummond Street near Euston for vegetarian food, Southall for Punjabi, and Mayfair and Soho for refined modern Indian. Several of the cheaper places below are BYO, which keeps bills down, but check the current policy before you go. For the city's broader dining scene, see our best restaurants in London, which includes Dishoom and Gymkhana.

1. Tayyabs — Whitechapel, Shoreditch & East London

A family-run Punjabi institution in Whitechapel, famous for sizzling lamb chops and its BYO bill.

$$ Mid-range

Tayyabs is a family-owned Punjabi restaurant on Fieldgate Street in Whitechapel, founded in 1972, and one of the most famous curry houses in London. The lamb chops, dry meat, mixed grill and karahi dishes are what most people come for.

It is open seven days a week from midday, loud and crowded, and the BYO policy keeps bills down. It suits groups, so book ahead for evenings and weekends.

Good to know: Book ahead for evenings; go early or late to avoid the heaviest crowds.

83-89 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1JU

Google Maps Website

2. Needoo Grill — Whitechapel, Shoreditch & East London

A no-frills Punjabi grill on New Road, known for its mix grill, lamb chops and seekh kebabs.

$$ Mid-range

Needoo Grill, on New Road in Whitechapel, opened in 2009 and serves Punjabi food centred on the grill: mixed grill, lamb chops, seekh kebabs, tikka and king prawns, with vegetarian dishes and desserts such as kulfi.

It is open daily from midday until late and is a good alternative if Tayyabs is full. Best for hungry groups on a budget.

Good to know: Open daily from noon; check whether you can bring your own drinks before you go.

85-87 New Road, Whitechapel, London E1 1HH

Google Maps Website

3. Lahore Karahi — Tooting

A Tooting Pakistani BYO curry house open since 1995, serving food from morning to midnight.

$$ Mid-range

Lahore Karahi describes itself as an authentic Pakistani BYO curry house and takeaway on Tooting High Street, and it has been open since 1995. The menu is built around karahi dishes, grills and breads, with appetisers and desserts.

It is open daily from 10am until midnight, which makes it handy for a late dinner. A good starting point for exploring Tooting's food scene.

Good to know: Check the current BYO and corkage policy when booking.

1 Tooting High Street, Tooting, London SW17 0SN

Google Maps Website

4. Brilliant Gastro — Southall

Dipna Anand's Punjabi gastropub in Southall's Green Quarter, successor to the family's Brilliant restaurant.

$$ Mid-range

Brilliant Gastro by Dipna Anand opened in April 2025 at Parkside Yard in Southall's Green Quarter, after the family's original Brilliant restaurant on Western Road closed following about 50 years. It blends Punjabi roots with modern influences.

The menu has included dishes such as crazy corn chilli ribs, chicken biryani arancini and robata chops. It is the best-known way to eat Anand-family cooking in Southall now, and a good reason to take the Elizabeth line out west.

Good to know: Check the website for current opening hours and booking details.

Parkside Yard, 1 Seva Drive, The Green Quarter, Southall UB1 1GH

Google Maps Website

5. Rasa — Stoke Newington, Hampstead & North London

South Indian vegetarian cooking on Stoke Newington Church Street, in the original Rasa restaurant.

$$ Mid-range

Rasa N16 is the first of the Rasa restaurants and serves vegetarian South Indian food, with a founder who grew up in Kerala. It is on Stoke Newington Church Street.

It is open for dinner every night and for lunch at weekends. Best for vegetarians, vegans and anyone who wants curries beyond the usual menu.

Good to know: Weekday lunch is not served; check the website for current hours.

55 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0AR

Google Maps Website

6. Ravi Shankar Bhelpoori House — Euston, Camden & King's Cross

A vegetarian Indian street food spot on Drummond Street, near Euston, named after its bhel poori.

$ Budget

Ravi Shankar Bhelpoori House describes itself as authentic vegetarian Indian street food, on Drummond Street near Euston, a street long known for vegetarian restaurants. The bhel poori that gives the restaurant its name is the signature dish.

It is handy for a meal before or after a train from Euston or St Pancras, and it is good for vegetarians and vegans. Check the website for the current menu and hours.

Good to know: Combine with a stroll along Drummond Street to compare menus.

133-135 Drummond Street, London NW1 2HL

Google Maps Website

7. Gunpowder Spitalfields — Spitalfields, Shoreditch & East London

A small Spitalfields restaurant serving modern Indian small plates with bold flavours.

$$$ Upmarket

Gunpowder is a modern Indian restaurant on White's Row in Spitalfields, with a second site on Greek Street in Soho. The Spitalfields restaurant is small and informal, serving shareable dishes.

Lunch and dinner are served Monday to Friday, with all-day service on Saturdays, and it is closed on Sundays. Reserve through the website, and order several dishes to share.

Good to know: Closed Sundays; booking through the website is recommended.

11 White's Row, Spitalfields, London E1 7NF

Google Maps Website

8. Hoppers Soho — Soho

Sri Lankan and South Indian cooking in Soho, built around hoppers, dosas and kothu.

$$$ Upmarket

Hoppers, on Frith Street in Soho, serves hoppers, dosas, rice, roast, kothu and arrack inspired by Sri Lanka and South India. It has additional London restaurants in Marylebone and King's Cross.

The menu is made for sharing, with a pleasantly noisy room. It is good for a first taste of Sri Lankan cooking and for a pre-theatre meal in the West End.

Good to know: Reserve via the website and check the current booking policy for walk-ins.

49 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4SG

Google Maps Website

9. Veeraswamy — Regent Street, Soho & the West End

London's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, open since 1926 on Regent Street.

$$$$ Splurge

Veeraswamy opened in 1926 and describes itself as the city's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, now in its 100th year. It is on the mezzanine floor of Victory House on Regent Street and holds a Michelin star in the 2026 guide.

It suits formal dinners and special occasions; it lists a minimum spend of £60 per guest for dinner service, excluding pre-theatre, so check the current terms when you book.

Good to know: Check the website for the minimum spend and pre-theatre menu.

Mezzanine Floor, Victory House, 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS

Google Maps Website

10. Jamavar — Mayfair, Soho & the West End

A Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant serving regional Indian cooking inspired by royal kitchens.

$$$$ Splurge

Jamavar, on Mount Street in Mayfair, serves regional Indian cuisine inspired by India's royal kitchens, using British seasonal ingredients. It holds a Michelin star in the 2026 guide.

Lunch and dinner are served daily. It suits celebrations and business dinners, and is a good choice if you want a smart Indian dining room without Mayfair's most expensive tasting menus.

Good to know: Check the website for current menus, which change with the season.

8 Mount Street, Mayfair, London W1K 3NF

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Indian restaurant in London?

It depends on the occasion. For a lively, affordable Punjabi dinner, Tayyabs in Whitechapel is the classic; for an elegant night out, Veeraswamy on Regent Street and Jamavar in Mayfair are both Michelin-starred; for a fine-dining blow-out, see Gymkhana in our best restaurants guide.

Is Brick Lane still the best place for a curry in London?

Brick Lane is famous, but many Londoners now look elsewhere for better value, such as Whitechapel for Punjabi grills, Tooting for Pakistani and South Indian food, and Drummond Street for vegetarian. Brick Lane is still worth a visit for the street life.

Can you bring your own alcohol to Indian restaurants in London?

Some, such as Tayyabs and Lahore Karahi, describe themselves as BYO and may charge a small corkage fee. Policies change, so check the restaurant's website or phone before you go.

Where can I find vegetarian Indian food in London?

Rasa in Stoke Newington serves South Indian vegetarian food, and Ravi Shankar Bhelpoori House on Drummond Street near Euston serves vegetarian Indian street food. Many other places on the list have good vegetarian dishes.

What is the oldest Indian restaurant in London?

Veeraswamy on Regent Street describes itself as the city's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, opened in 1926.

1. Tayyabs — Whitechapel, Shoreditch & East London

2. Needoo Grill — Whitechapel, Shoreditch & East London

3. Lahore Karahi — Tooting

4. Brilliant Gastro — Southall

5. Rasa — Stoke Newington, Hampstead & North London

6. Ravi Shankar Bhelpoori House — Euston, Camden & King's Cross

7. Gunpowder Spitalfields — Spitalfields, Shoreditch & East London

8. Hoppers Soho — Soho

9. Veeraswamy — Regent Street, Soho & the West End

10. Jamavar — Mayfair, Soho & the West End

Frequently asked questions

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