The Best Curry in London for Every Budget

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London Food

Thanks to London’s multicultural population it’s no wonder that you can find so many international restaurants across the capital. Indian eateries in particular provide an authentically rich experience.

Navigate London’s spice route with our guide to finding the best curry restaurants in the capital, to suit your budget. Opt for a cheerfully cheap curry house, or, if you’ve scored a spectacular special offer on your London hotel and splash out.

Wallet-friendly wonders £

The Atlantic Restaurant

1-2 Queen’s Gardens, Bayswater W2 3BA

The Atlantic Restaurant at the Park Grand Hotel London serves a tempting menu of exotic curries to satisfy all your spicy cravings. Favourites include their saag aloo, kauai paneer and Goan fish curry. With an inspired design and a welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant is the perfect place to unwind for a post-sightseeing dinner. Prices are low but flavours and ingredients are quality. Pair yours with fluffy rice or freshly baked roti and naan and some delectable appetisers.

Tayyabs  

83-89 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, E1 1JU

If you feel like deviating from Indian, try some cuisine from their neighbour, Pakistan. Tayyabs serve aromatic, spicy Punjabi dishes in a no-frills, contemporary setting which is well worth the journey east. Options are simple and jaw-droopingly low for London. Choose from a selection of masalas, or if you fancy a taste of the exotic try their coconut-based Dhal Baingun which is loaded with veggies. You can even bring your own alcohol – there’s no charge for corkage.

The Angel Curry Centre

5 Chapel Market, The Angel N1 9EZ

This small, family-run restaurant will welcome you indoors with stellar service, although you can order takeaway if you feel like staying in for the night at the Park Grand Hotel. This restaurant is the perfect choice if you want your favourite curry. They have extensive menus for masala and karahi styles, as well as the classics with your choice of meat – madras, korma and even the vindaloo if you dare. It’s reasonably priced, and if you eat in you can take your own alcohol with no corkage charges.

Happily affordable ££

Cinnamon Kitchen City

9 Devonshire Square, Spitalfields, EC2M 4YL

This chic and contemporary joint in the City of London serves innovative modern Indian fare. Choose between Chettinadu Style Mutton Curry, Kerala Boatman’s Haddock Curry or opt for something grilled. Their vegan range of light curries is prepared using cauliflower, potatoes, aubergine and fragrant spices.

Dishoom Covent Garden

12 Upper St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden WC2H 9FB

There’s always a queue at this popular hang-out which channels the old Irani cafés of Bombay. At their peak during the 1960s, now less than 30 of these cafés remain although you can still get a sense of the culture at Dishoom, who also have restaurants in King’s Cross, Carnaby Street, Kensington and Shoreditch. Their curries evoke the tastes you can expect to find in typical Indian roadside restaurants. Top dishes include the tender Chicken Ruby and scrumptious, chickpea-based Chloe Puri. Their biryani menu captures the age-old flavours of Iran. Wash it all down with a refreshing cup of chai or lassi. Prices are lower than you might expect!

Dhaba@49

49 Chippenham Road, Maida Vale W9 2AH

Bringing all the flavours of North India, Dhaba@49 has an extensive menu of both vegetarian and meat and curries, plus they cater very well for vegans. You can eat very well here for the price, service is exceptional and the presentation is meticulous but the vibe is casual. The Dhaba Chicken and Dhaba Dal are their signature dishes, and you can feast on chaats (Indian snacks) whilst your curry marinates!

Splash the cash £££

Ooty

66 Baker Street, Marylebone, W1U 7DJ

Named for a hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu, Ooty rustles up authentic flavours of South India, which means plenty of seafood. Their prawn based Malabar Jhinga Biryani, Seabass Moilee and Keralan Lime Lobster will transport you to the warm shores of the Asian before you take your first bite. The restaurant hasn’t been open for long, but it has stormed London to become one of the best restaurants near Paddington. It’s the product of two close friends, Pooja Nayak and Aseela Goenka, recreating the nostalgia of their childhoods in India.

Jamavar

8 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 3NF

Jamavar is named after the intricate shawls of 16th century Kashmir. Its decor is modelled on the Viceroy’s house of New Delhi, with delicate colonial flourishes combined with the patterns and vibrant colours from the shawls. The sixth restaurant within its Indian-originated family, the Mayfair outpost is the first venture outside the majestic sub-continent. Jamavar was awarded its first Michelin star within a year of its opening. Try their delicious Old Delhi Butter Chicken or Achaari Baingan (pickling spices, purple aubergines and potato curry) to see why!

Big spender ££££

Indian Accent

16 Albemarle Street, Mayfair W1S 4HW 

This opulent restaurant screams high end from the moment you step into its marble, Rajasthan palace inspired lobby. Originating in New Delhi, the restaurant travelled to New York before making its grand entrance on the London culinary scene. High-quality British meats and fresh veggies form the basis of their curries which are best enjoyed paired with one of their expertly made kulcha breads. For a truly lavish experience, order the Chef’s Tasting Menu; £80/ £85 per person (meat/vegetarian) for 7 courses with the option to add wine or whiskey.

Trishna

15-17 Blandford Street, Marylebone W1U 3DG 

Located in the heart of Marylebone Village, Trishna musters up Indian coastal cuisine which is well worthy of its Michelin star. The delectable Iyengar Aubergine Varuval is made with coconut, dry red chilli, shallots and curry leaf, whilst the Meen Manga Curry is a fusion of hake, mango and tamarind. Dress up your dinner by pairing your plates with a tipple from their extensive wine list. Your wallet will be lighter, but your stomach will love you after a dining experience at Trishna.