@THECHARLES Try Gunpowder, I guarantee you’ll love it! I was last there 5 years ago, but a peek at their web-site showed the menu offerings largely similar to when I ate there.
I was at their Spitalfields branch, but they also have outlets in Soho and Tower Bridge.
I rather miss Chowhound - all my reviews on Tayyabs, Needoo Grill, Dishoom, Gymkhana, Trishna, Amaya, Benares, Indian Zing, Quilon, Tamarind, Veeraswamy, Zaika and many others were lost when the database was decommissioned.
BTW, are any of the Curry houses in the Bricklane area any good? Is a place like the vastly ‘social-media’ covered ’ SHEBA’ ’ for real or over-rated?
Hello Chow-friend!
Fancy seeing you here! 
Yup! I miss the old chowhound as well! For me, all my ’ Hong Kong Chowmeets write-up and Won-Ton Noodles review! ’ Sigh! 
Anyways, for this upcoming short trip, I’m planning to have a few casual but one ’ higher-end ’ Indian Meals. I have identified a short list of ’ institution ’ candidates…Amaya, Gymkhana, Trishna, Chutney Mary…etc. Based on your recollection, any standouts from the aforementioned group? I’m more into dishes with great sauces rather than grills and tandooris!
Not Indian, but definitely casual.
Get a Banana Milkshake at McDonald’s.
It’s one of my first stops when I go to Wimbledon.
I’m a bit hesitant to rate anyone of them higher than the other now, as I’d not been back to any since the COVID pandemic nightmare years. Chefs may have changed, amongst others.
However, when I was doing a gourmet safari of London’s Michelin-starred Indian restaurants during the pre-COVID years, I remembered Trishna was a standout then, over Quilon, Benares, Gymkhana, etc. which I’d also tried within the same time period.
I was accompanied to Trishna and Benares by Limster (a prolific UK Chowhound) then. Another UK Chowhound, JFores, who’s absolutely crazy about Indian food, was with me at Gymkhana. Good times.
I’ve been to London only once back in 2017, but I did have meals at several South Asian restaurants and enjoyed them all.
Dishoom, which I believe is inspired by Mumbai Parsi cafes [London] Dishoom
Lahore Kebab House [London] Lahore Kebab House
Tayyabs [London] Tayyabs
Hoppers (Sri Lankan hoppers) Hoppers [London] - #6 by Mr_Happy
More upscale - Gymkhana [London] Gymkhana
Apologies if there is a paywall (I looked for a way to gift link and came up empty), but the Vittles Magazine Substack has a great series on South Asian dishes in London and the restaurants that you should go to for them, both Northern, Southern, and everywhere else. It was inspired by Jonathan Gold’s similar series for L.A. Weekly on Korean restaurants in Los Angeles. I am using this as the basis for places to eventually eat when I finally make it back to London.
While I tend to have concerns about Eater pieces, these two roundups might be worth checking out:
Edited to Add: ignore the dates, as both lists were updated in 2022.
I’ve not found any yet, Charles. They’re formulaic and use mother sauces as a rule. As I said, I head to Meraz which is off Brick Lane on Hanbury Street (not far from Truman Brewery for your reference). Love that street anyway for the street art. Otherwise, it’s always Needo and Shalamar - a mix.
Thank you for the heads-up. Last time I checked, apparently there are over 50 Indian curry houses…etc in the Bricklane area!..all claiming they are the best!! 
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Gunpowder is fancy but highly regarded. Good if you want a trendier experience and definitely more innovative. I still think Dishoom is a bit overrated but I love it there’s anyway for the decor/ambience, and a snack rather than meal with that delicious chai I now make at home.
Went back to London this May and ended up going to the Barbary and Barrafina which now both had reservations available online. Checked Dishoom but still standing in line and waiting situation and decided it just wasn’t worth it. Assuming that Covid years made some restaurants decide to take reservations. We went to Hoppers once and probably waited 90 minutes for our table. Has to be really good to justify that much time waiting. We did eat at Tandoor Chop House (think someone recommended on Chowhound) and had a decent meal but that was probably 4 years ago. I also mourn the loss of Chowhound and all the restaurant reviews I had written over the years (and all the places this aging memory of mine has forgotten!)
I like the original Shoreditch location and go off-hours (Dishoom). ALWAYS. I had that luxury though.
Others may disagree and maybe there’s a real gem on Brick Lane. I would NEVER go to London without a stroll there even so. Cheesecake at the Beigel Bakery every time (don’t care about the beigels) and then the lamb chops at Meraz. Then over to Needoo for their aubergine dhal, their really good naan and some mango lassi. Could never resist a lamb samosa, actually. (It must be lunch time.)
Yeah we stayed in Shoreditch a couple times and went to that Dishoom. Still had to stand in line though…
Thanks for pointing me towards Meraz. Looks good, and will visit hopefully next time I’m in London - which is usually every few months.
A hole in the wall Indian place I loved in London was Cafe Tiffin. Not that far from Brick Lane (taxi ride). And last week I had lunch at Brigadiers in the City. Very good lamp chops…
Sigh! Soooo many choices, so little time!
Anyways, based on menu offerings, recommendations, reviews, ratings, price and location…etc. We have decided on the following:
Our choices acceptable? Any preference to help narrow down to one choice per scenario?!
Thanks again!
I’ve not been to many high end Indian places in London but for your Sheba/ Meraz choice I would choose Meraz based on the menus and the recommendation from Jan @calam1ty , who I would trust. Personally for me the only thing I really have from Brick Lane is a salt beef beigel from Beigel Bake. More out of habit than anything else.
You really are so close to Whitechapel or a bit further east East Ham with some great places.But from your choices Meraz seems the best bet & I understand that not everyone wants to schlep too far east.
Meraz it is!! Guess the 4.6/5.0 Google rating is a pretty reliable indicator
On the other hand, I’m a bit perplexed to see only a 3.9/5.0 rating for Needo’s?!..wonder why?!
