London's Posh Spice

The humble curry has long been Britain’s adopted national dish but now that the tandoori has turned chic. Nina Patel explores London’s gourmet restaurants.

- Nina Patel

The British love going for curry, and this is reflected in over 8,000 Indian restaurants dotted throughout the land, with London, in particular, being a mecca for connoisseurs of Indian cuisine. In recent years, many Indian restaurants have eschewed the traditional image of flock wallpaper, silver bowls of curry swimming in oil, and lager, in favour of designer interiors and fusion cuisine combining the best of sub-continental cooking with the qualities of European restaurant traditions. Now some Indian eateries are top-end Michelin-starred restaurants, here’s five favourites to spice up your next London visit. 

Brilliant

After more than 30 years, the Brilliant continues to accumulate accolades including The British Curry Award’s Best Indian Restaurant in the London Suburbs, and the only Indian restaurant in the United Kingdom to receive a special recognition in The Good Food Guide. Inside, the look is cool and tasteful; plasma screens show Bollywood fi lms, and turbaned waiters dressed in crisp black attire glide around with inimitable ease. Princess Diana dined here, so has Prince Charles, numerous prime ministers (Blair, Major, Heath) and a multitude of Bollywood stars.