Dishoom

During a 20 min wait outside the restaurant, we were offered a cup of hot masala chai (and Sherry). The lady outside the front door was completely rude and lacked the basic ethos of customer empathy. We understand that the restaurant has created and maintains a buzz but they need to be aware at the end of the day they need to treat their customers right.
The wait is quite stretched, still lesser than the branch at Convent Garden. After entering we were informed since we were initially advised a 45 min wait and we had waited for only 20 mins we would have to wait for the remaining 25 mins and were given a buzzer and shown the bar.
Apart from the above, it was an overall nice experience.
We ordered two cocktails the Bombay Manhattan and the Old Viceroy’s and a mocktail called the Kala Kattah Sharbat. The drinks were nice and the bartender was extremely friendly and chatty. I must say the cocktails were pricey approximately £10/​drink.
After about 25 mins we were escorted to our table. And we ordered Bhel, Prawn koliwada, Channa Batura, Spicy Lamb Chops (which was very greasy and fatty), Paneer Tikka, Awadhi Lamb Biryani (which had a slight sweetness and not a lot of flavour of the spices) and Vada Pav. The food was good. This was the first time I have ever been served biryani without any accomplishments like raita (a yogurt dish with tomatoes and onions) or gravy. Lack of it left the biryani feeling very dry.
As we left the restaurant around 9pm the crowd reduced and there was hardly any waiting time. So if you want to eat here and do not want to wait in a long queue either get there before 6pm or after 9pm. I personally prefer their Kings Cross Branch.

This place is packed. My friend and I came here one day and it was over an hr wait time for 2 people so we decided to come back another day. We tried making reservations but they were booked. So we went back the next day with another friend, and the wait was just the same. Since the line waiting outside was significantly shorter we decided to put our names down. We were able to get inside and just chill at the bar there. We finally got seated at a small round table, but not the most convenient area. It was where the bus boys and waiters would cash out checks. We tried the chicken tikka, garlic naan, lamb briyani, and paneer tikka. Overall, food was really good and the price wasn’t too bad.

Lovely dining experience.
Food is great, atmospheres is friendly, young people will like it even better.
Indian cuisine at is finest (at least from a north american point of view)

The fabled Dishoom! You hear so much about its great ratings and see the long queues outside, makes you wonder if it’s worth it at all. Well, I can confidently say that it most definitely is!
Sure, there’s a bit of a wait if you don’t have a group booking, but the staff are amazing and they serve cocktails and snacks at the bar if that’s your thing.
We were seated in the courtyard, which is super colourful and comfortable with patio type furniture. Since it’s under a glass roof and it was still sunny outside, it was also much brighter than the rest of the restaurant. I loved the courtyard!
Our server was very helpful with recommendations and helping with our food selection. They really are very well trained and attentive here.
The food was phenomenal! Perfectly flavourful and lightly spicy, very well rounded and great quality.
I really enjoyed the entire experience very much, definitely worth the wait!

Atmosphere: 5 — probably one of our favorite places during our London stay. Very chill — the waiting protocol is sound and it works! They served us tea and munchies while we waited.
Food: 5 — Amazingggg The drinks were nice and strong — I had the Viceroy’s Old-​fashioned which was delicious. We also had the Bau Bhaji, Dishoom Calamari, Paneer Tikka and Chicken Ruby with a few sides of naan. Everything was perfect but my favorite was the calamari — cooked perfectly, didn’t even have room for dessert :(
Service: 4.5 — Quite slow but I was pretty sure our server was training and we also had nice drinks to hold us over so it was alright. Otherwise the manager (?) made his rounds and asked us how we were doing which is always nice.
Overall: 4.8 — Highly recommended. Very cool part of London — heard the breakfast was amazing as well.

Another fantastic breakfast from Dishoom!
The newest Dishoom on Carnaby Street has the same authentic (I actually have no idea but it feels it!) feel as the other branches. Some darker areas with moody yellow lighting along with a beautiful glass ceilinged area which is kitted out with sofas and a fire place making it feel like you’ve walked in to a retro flat.
We went as a group of six and booked (did you know they take bookings for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!) a table just before breakfast service finishes at 11.45.
Tbh I thought the service was a little slow and they weren’t overly attentive but the food came out in a reasonable time so that’s the main thing!
This time I opted for their house granola, fruit and yoghurt with fire toast, breakfast lassi and chocolate chai (just a small breakfast!). I’ve had the granola before and absolutely love it! It’s full of nuts and sugary oats and the vanilla yoghurt and tasty fresh fruit that accompanies it is always the best quality. The fire toast was an impulse as I really wanted to try the pineapple and peppercorn jam and unfortunately the jam was a little disappointing. The toast itself is nice but would be even better with some bacon or egg (not that I could have fitted that in). Both drinks were very filling so be warned… But also so worth it. The chocolate chai is such a treat and the lassi is so refreshing with a lovely oaty texture.
Again getting the bill took a little while but overall a lovely breakfast out which is a little different to the usual pancakes or eggs benedict.
P. s. On the way to the toilets you are able to see the chefs at work :)!

OMG this place is awesome. Greatest service I have had in a long time. Amazing specialty drinks Chai Mojito, 1948 Sour and others, gotta try them.
Menu should be sampled like tapas; get something from each section. We followed the advice of our waiter and loved it all.
Great prices to for everything

Read reviews on it and then finally tried it when I arrived in London. Delicious naan and the Chai Tea was awesome not to say the service was also very good. The restaurant had a very nice environment and layout. Price was not that bad either.

As a long-​time fan of Dishoom, I was very excited to hear they’d opened a new branch. They’re expanding at a fair pace right now, and it’s impressive to see the quality is just as high in their newer spots.
Came here with some Unilocalers for a brunch treat and ordered a fair amount of food between us. Everything was top-​notch and I was particularly impressed with the naan and cheesy toast. None of the flavours are overwhelming and the chocolate chai is yummy — though it could be more chocolatey for my taste!
Friendly staff, comfy booths and a stellar location. Still top of my London list!

Some restaurants just have it all. Branding, atmosphere, value and quality of the food– all unite to create an unparalleled dining experience. Sometimes it’s because of authenticity, sometimes it’s expertise in one style of dish, but then there are some restaurants are constantly pleasurable, no matter what the dish or what time of day. Dishoom exemplifies this perfectly– their take on Indian cuisine is contemporary, hybrid and fun. Purists might sneer, but what comes out of the kitchen is fresh, vibrant and flavoursome. And although their brunch naan rolls are genuinely worth trekking across town for, their standard menu is just as satisfying. The food speaks for itself, but the environs and service at Dishoom truly never disappoint– and this is true across all of their London branches.
The newest addition to the Dishoom franchise recently opened in Carnaby, offering a fuel stop that straddles Oxford Street and Soho. I visited with a group and we squeezed in just before the 11:45 brunch cut-​off time on a Saturday morning. Staff greeted me immediately with friendly banter and I was taken through the bar to our cozy booth. The restaurant is spread across two levels– the main floor is open, spacious and there’s ample seating that spills out into a veranda area. Here, diners sit an airy space, underneath a skylight and encircled by retro fittings. Electric fireplace, mahogany touches and that brown/​orange colour combination that was hallmark of the 60s, this level of attention to detail is perhaps Dishoom’s most endearing element.
The entire restaurant is designed to emulate a Bombay café circa 1968 and this is achieved right down to the minutia– it’s so seamlessly accomplished that it doesn’t feel kitschy. Everything is casual and the continuous din of other tables makes Dishoom a buzzy hotspot– and then you get to the menu. My staple is the egg naan roll and masala beans, which I immediately settled upon given our time constraint.
As always, it was perfectly rendered: a warm, pillowy naan bread made to order in the open kitchen downstairs– it came filled with two oozing fried eggs, freshly chopped coriander and an indulgent lashing of soft, creamy cheese. It’s paired with a tomato chili jam– which is a worthy of its own praise– balancing savoury with sweetness and singing with a fistful of chewy naan. The masala beans are always stewed to perfection, a tangy and complex side to mop up with gummy fingers after naan has been dunked into the sticky jam. This is the apex of brunch and has never disappointed.
Every dish ordered in our group seemed to provoke envy– from the house granola, an aesthetic feat with wholesome oats, chopped nuts and bursting with ripe fruit, a hearty dollop of yogurt and a fat drizzle of golden honey– to the Big Bombay, a smörgåsbord of breakfast fare with an Indian twist. One diner was compelled to order a second dish after eyeing up my naan roll, which was cheerfully organised despite the fact that the kitchen had moved on to the standard menu.
The food at Dishoom Carnaby won’t disappoint those who frequent other Dishoom branches. The service was in line with what I’ve come to expect and the décor, ambiance and experience also lived up to my lofty expectations. Servers are occasionally bouncing between tables and need to be flagged down, but their good humour never wanes.
Provided that Dishoom can continue to replicate this winning formula, I’m happy to see more of the franchise around London. After all, they are both killer and naan roll filler– so the faster I can locate a Dishoom in a bleary weekend haze, the better.

Ahhhhh Dishoom! You have been a constant wonder for so long but finally I was able to taste your wonder and spice!
Yes, Dishoom is the top rated restaurant in London, yes it’s rumoured to be fantastic but it’s only when you actually try their fantastic food you realise why!
We went for breakfast/​brunch and just made it in time (breakfast finishes at 11:45 so don’t be late). We were all giddy, even Dan who has been many a time!
As I am still on my health kick so I opted for the omelette with a side of masala beans and mushrooms! The food arrived quickly and was presented and served on a large tray — perfect for taking some Unilocaly photo shots!
And what can I say, the food was fantastic. The omelette was cooked to perfection and probably the best I’ve ever had. It was spiced beautifully and there wasn’t a bit without a hint of something wonderful. The beans were the standout for me though — they have a kick, that’s for sure, but they complimented the omelette and it truly was a taste sensation!
The mushrooms were good, nothing amazing, just large fresh grilled mushrooms. Still yummy.
The service, on point. The décor, a really bright and colourful array of shadows and shapes — exactly what I imagine an uptown restaurant in India to be like. I cannot fault this place and cannot wait to come back for dinner!

Really enjoyed this restaurant. Came to London for vacation and was told that I must try Indian food and this was really a great meal. Love the favors of all the dishes. Restaurant décor was 70’s, there was something interesting to see in each direction. They have a shelf in the center of one room with old photos and books, giving it a real homey feel. We had the paneer, rice, okra chips, calamari cheese nan and prawns. It was a blast of favors in my mouth, enjoyed every bite. Although Indian food is quite heavy the plates aren’t huge so you can certainly try a few things.

We had an amazing breakfast here. My husband loved the Kejriwal (eggs on toast) and I loved the egg naan roll. I also really enjoyed the side of beans, they were super flavorful.
I also highly recommend the chocolate chai.

Did not live up to the hype.
The amount of praise this place has gotten, and the many attempts I’ve made to get a table. Finally we were seated for lunch at the Carnaby branch.
The restaurant is beautiful, and is large enough to accommodate larger groups. There is a very calming and pleasant ambience. Service is good, although we waited a long time for the food, and the staff feel professional. Ordered extra naan just after receiving our mains, and it didn’t arrive until we were nearly finished.
Off the extensive menu, we ordered the Mahi Tikka which was delicate and cooked well but nothing spectacular. The Chicken Ruby was a nice curry, with the chicken being moist and tender. But again, nothing that made us very excited.
We of course ordered a celebrated menu staple — the Black House Daal — which was rich and spicy. It was great to dip the Naan bread in.
The okra fries were very soggy and tasted like they had been sitting around for a while.
I do not want to write this place off yet, as I have heard great things about their brunch (which annoyingly ends at noon!). But I am yet to be convinced.

I love Dishoom. I’ve been to all four of them now and I still don’t have a favourite! But they’re great!
For breakfast I’ve had the sausage in naan and the full breakfast. Both were delicious and filling! I also really like the carrot and ginger juice and an added bonus is that the chai is refillable for free!
For dinner I think I’ve had most of the menu — a particular highlight being the Sali Boti and the Murgh masala chicken. The meat in both the dishes were so tender and tasty, literally melted in my mouth when I ate it!
The service is always great and the atmosphere and décor are exquisite! Love it!

Great place for a business brunch although dinner is absolutely difficult to get in. I like the Covent Garden location more because it truly evokes the Irani restaurant feel. Back in the day, post colonial India and especially in Bombay, Iranian immigrants to India would setup and run these cafes with amazing food and atmosphere. Dishoom Covent Garden is throw-​back to this. The Carnaby St. one is a more chic. I think the food is quite good and a moddish take on Indian staples not found in most Indian restaurants, and is reasonably priced. Would highly recommend this.
Get the bun-​maska with masala chai. Its the best version of bread, butter and tea on this planet.
And if you are a foodie, watch this video on Irani Cafes for a nostalgic trip down memory lane

We went for breakfast on a Sunday morning. I didn’t know that they had a breakfast menu — it was a very pleasant surprise.
Food was spot on. I ordered the omelette with a side of sausage, and everything hit the spot for me. I also had the breakfast lassi, which was quite filling. Everything was very reasonably priced as well — including service, my meal cost £13, which was very good for the quality and location of the restaurant.
Service was very good. Our waiter was kind and prompt in responding to our requests.
Lastly, ambience was lovely. Although I’ve never been to India, it felt like what a local restaurant might feel like. Also a bit reminiscent of Hawksmoor but with Indian influence. I could have stayed drinking another cup of tea, just to enjoy my surroundings.

One of the most interesting Indian meals I have had, and by interesting I still mean good. To take advantage of Dishoom, ordered several small plates with a colleague. Started with three snacks, all good. Far Far, which were almost like prawn crackers but a different shape, were nice, particularly with chutneys. Okra fries were great, not overly fried but very tender and perfectly cooked. And you definitely need to order Pau Bhaji, mashed vegetables you eat on accompanying buns.
For the mains, the sali boti, the chef’s special lamb dish, is definitely worth ordering. Great sauce and flavorful lamb. Black house daal is a great lentil dish. Paneer tikka was great, grilled chunks of paneer cheese. And i was pleasantly surprised with Murgh Malai, a chicken dish with big tender pieces of chicken recommended by our server.
A great and interesting Indian meal.

Woah.
Let me start off with the décor because it’s absolutely exquisite. I felt as though I was transported into Mumbai in the 70s, or should I say Bombay…
The little ceiling fans, the sepia photos on the wall and the steel tumblers for our water were the type of details that made the whole interior perfect.
The menu is unique and they have your standard fare but also more typical bombay snack foods like pav bhaji and chole bhatura which is really exciting. Their romali roti is a must try — light and really a unique treat.
The service is wonderful and we had a bit of a wait but the hostess was sweet and even gave us a small glass of chai as we waited. I can’t wait to go back and try more of their dishes!

Dishroom Carnaby in Kingly Street delivers great, bold flavours in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, just as you would expect if you have ever been to one of their other branches before.
I know Dishroom for quite some time already, yet I had only managed to go there once since moving to London five years ago. Finally, when walking around Kingly Street in Soho before Christmas, I decided to have a quick dinner at the latest Dishroom restaurant.
The place is huge, much bigger than it looks from the outside. The interior is cleverly designed with different rooms with distinct colours and features. Overall, Dishroom Carnaby is a modern, colourful restaurant hat blends a classy style of tables, chairs and couches with modern elements and bit of fun. I was sitting in the room where mirrors mimic windows. I really liked the tone of the light, and the window-​mirrors added something oddly comforting and weird to the atmosphere.
I was warmly welcomed, and then after a very short wait, a lovely girl quickly showed me my table. Staff are really friendly, one waiter in particular was very professional and funny. However, at times there was a bit of a wait until I got the attention of the staff around me.
What surprised my was how quickly my food arrived. After a brief conversation with my waiter, I ordered a lamb samosa. It was a palatable parcel that I enhanced slightly in flavour with the various chutneys. Without a question, following my waiter’s recommendation was a great start to my dinner.
As main, I went for the Carnaby special, Sali Boti. While I am not always the biggest fan of lamb, this dish was a triumph. The meat was tasty and tender, the sauce was a beautifully rich gravy and there were also different textures that made the plate more interesting to eat. The pancake-​thin buttered roomali roti bread on the side was perfect to finish off the sauce.
I decided to add a rose and cardamom lassi and also a tap water. The lassi was surprisingly nice and great to balance the slightly spicy food.
This was a brilliant and delicious dinner, and I did not have to think much about what I wanted, as all the plates and drinks were recommended by the funny and knowledgeable waiter.
For dessert, I treated myself go the Dishroom Chocolate Pudding. I must admit, I thought it was an absurdly spicy warm chocolate, but it was also absolutely delicious. The strong chocolate taste in combination with the spicyness confused me a little bit, but I did indulge in it and the ice cream also complemented the chocolate well.
To sum it up, my dinner was quick and very tasty. I enjoyed every minute at Dishroom Carnaby, the only detail that did begin to annoy me more and more was the background music…