For those who love a chicken tikka or a lamb rogan josh, Britain is a famously fulfilling destination, with some of the best Indian food you’ll find outside, well, India. The curryhouses on Brick Lane will ladle out masalas and rice until your belly’s ready to burst, but for a different take, try Dishoom, which operates in five different London locations (and Edinburgh) and specialises in the finger food of Mumbai’s Irani cafés: a fabulous array of grills and snacks, from the delicious lamb kebab to the moreish keema pav (minced lamb or chicken), served on a bun in an environment that recreates the décor of the colonial railways. If you can make it here for breakfast, the bacon naan roll or the spicy scrambled eggs are the perfect way to set up your day.
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Dishoom: From Bombay With Love
A Bombay breakfast? In London? Not to worry. Dishoom somehow manages to please everyone, no matter the time of day. A gorgeous omelette with chopped tomato, onion, coriander and green chili and a side of fire toast? Fresh mango, grapes, strawberries and honeydew topped with Keralan vanilla pod infused yoghurt. Yes, please. What a luscious start to a day in the Big Smoke. Dishoom’s lunch and dinner menus have a great small plate selection, so you can share and sample a little bit of everything. Alternatively, go for the main dish feasts like Chicken Berry Britannia or Black House Daal. Don’t forget to order from the bar menu (my favorite is Edwina’s Affair) to get the full experience. Dishoom has 3 locations and the décor and vibe differs in each. If noshing outside under twinkly lights is for you, head to the Shoreditch location (inside is nice there too). The relatively new King’s Cross venue is in a trendy warehouse conversion with a vintage Mumbai vibe. The Covent Garden location is busy, but the cozy downstairs nooks feel worlds away from the crowded streets outside the door. Dishoom warmly welcomes everyone, including children and offers vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options.
