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.)
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Yeah we stayed in Shoreditch a couple times and went to that Dishoom. Still had to stand in line though…
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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…
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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:
- One casual Indian meal at either Sheba or Meraz ( 4.6/5.0 Google rating )
- One high end Michelin Indian tasting menu at either Trishna or Gymkhana ( 4.5/5.0 Google rating )
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.
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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?!
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Now I’m scared you won’t like it, Charles. Their naan isn’t the greatest considering how nice their tandoori lamb chops are. Not sure why needoo scores low but as I said I go for two vegetarian dishes - the aubergine dhal and Punjabi tinda. Their naan is excellent. Anyway see how it goes. You decided against Dishoom? That black dhal is magic and people love their bacon naan at breakfast. It’s iconic.
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Still early! Most probably finalize in a couple of months?!
As for Dishoom. Besides their grills, I found they only offer two non-vegetarian main dishes and one of them is Mutton ( which my daughter does not eat ). Hence, not enough attractive offerings to please our palates.
I found the a-la-carte menu of both Trishna and Gymkhana more diverse and interesting. Chutney Mary too. But the place looks a bit stuffy and too formal. Prices are a bit steep too for a non-star establishment!
Thanks for your valuable feedback to date!
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I used to be a big fan of Cafe Spice Namaste when it was in Whitechapel (?). Not tried it since it relocated to Docklands but I doubt it’s gone downhill.
Looking at the menu, it seems Cyrus Todiwala continues to merge British ingredients with his Goan and Parsi background. That includes what was an outstanding lamb dhansaak which Mrs Todiwala described to me as important a dish to Parsi families as a Sunday roast is to British ones.
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To those who have recommended Dishoom: do you know if they’re able (or willing) to make dishes not-spicy? I’m trying to fit a visit to the Kensington location into our itinerary for an upcoming trip, but my teenager doesn’t tolerate spicy food, and is already a bit nervous about trying a new cuisine. (I know there were a ton of other restaurant recommendations earlier in this discussion, but Dishoom has a gluten-free menu, which is a must.)
Everything will be well-spiced, but that does not equate to spicy. There are 3 sources of “spicy” in Indian food: green chillies, red chillies, and garam masala.
I just scanned the menu, and there are definitely dishes on the menu that are not spicy, or can be adjusted if additional chillies or chutneys or spice powders are mentioned.
Fair to assume that any dishes that require long cooking are pre-made and cannot be adjusted. But many dishes don’t involve chillies as a main source of flavor, so that won’t matter.
You can email or call them if you were wondering about specific dishes.
(Re gluten free menu: the gluten in Indian food is typically distinct – ie it’s in the breads, or if a dish has dumplings (which is rare on restaurant menus). It’s not snuck in as a sauce thickener or coating. So most of most Indian restaurant menus will naturally be gluten free (and for higher end places you can ask in case it’s somewhere non-obvious, they should be used to the accommodation).
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Thanks, I appreciate the analysis and tips about long-cooked dishes vs. shorter cooked ones. When you layer celiac disease + a cuisine I like but I’m not super familiar with + travel stress + a teenager and spouse who are not the most adventurous eaters on a good day… I just worry this might all be too much. That being said, I looked at the regular menu at Dishoom and they have chicken tikka and a chicken biryani, which should be right up their alleys. That leaves all the spicy and lamb dishes for me! Problem solved!
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The chicken tikka says it has green chilli — the Malai kabab is likely milder (ditto the Malai mushroom, and you can ask about the paneer tikka).
The Chicken berry Pulao isn’t really a biryani (it’s an adaptation of Persian zereshk polo) but it is likely mild.
The Bhel & Chaat can probably be made mild (less green chutney, no garlic chutney). Okra fries ditto (spices sprinkled on top, not mixed in). Khichiya is a better papad, mild on its own, and the chhunda is a slightly spicy marmalade on the side.
Matar paneer and chicken makhani are unlikely to be spicy, as they’re crowd pleasers. Awadhi biryani is mild by design, but I doubt your son will eat jackfruit 
You’d likely enjoy the Pav bhaji, ask them if it’s spicy, it may not be.
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Possibly not. With its branches now in three major UK cities, as well as its outlets in the capital, I’d regard it now very much as a chain restaurant, so may be tied to how “head office” determines the food.
I’ve no personal experience with the restaurant - partly because my area is already well served by independent places specialising in Mumbai street food, and partly because it doesnt take reservations in the evening (an important factor for us, as we’re not going to have the best part of an hour’s schlep into the city on the off chance of getting a table at a reasonable hour.)
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@THECHARLES when are you going? Really add gunpowder to your list. I’m thinking about this more and more. Also if you hate meraz, this one would be a make up bonus
Yeah but then you’ve got all of the magnificent City at your feet instead and other places like Gunpowder. (Can you smell the homesickness? ) Besides, always stay in the east end, John. It’s foodie heaven and only ten mins from the city. Not that I’m biased 
I’ll recommend Kip hotel Hackney Central.
Middle to late April.
So far we have booked ’ Tamarind Kitchen - more casual sister of the 1* Tamarind ’ and the 1* Trishna
Decision based on convenience and menu offerings. Might do an impromptu ’ walk-in ’ on two?
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You must, Charles! But then I’m not a fan of the * places, preferring local or hole in the wall finds. There are bad places everywhere, of course, but I’m most happy with seeing how the locals enjoy life.
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Take a look at Darjeeling Express.
Her Biryani Supper Club still has spots for April (and might be a better / completely different experience than your usual Michelin * spots), but there are also a set menu (thali) dinner and a la carte lunch that look fabulous.
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