The Vogue tip: Whichever restaurant you choose, always kick off proceedings with the irresistible, spicy gunpowder margarita.
Multiple locations
Between the bhel puri with raw mango and the addictive samphire pakoras with tamarind chutney – and, of course, not forgetting the Jerusalem artichoke samosas, Goan sausage croquettes, Keralan Fried Chicken, Hyderabadi aubergine, the grilled squash with paneer, hazelnuts and puffed wild rice, the Mangalorean chicken gassi, and Chettinad duck leg – it’s basically impossible to go wrong at Kricket, the distinctly modern, vaguely South Indian-inflected chain which now has outposts in Soho, White City, Brixton and Canary Wharf. Even more mouthwatering than the endlessly creative à la carte menu, however, is the recently introduced Sunday lunch, currently available at the latter two locations. Start with a light-as-air tomato rasam pani puri, before slicing into a half charcoal grilled tandoori chicken on a bed of rich, musallam sauce, with a berry pulao, chicken seekh kebabs, laccha parathas and pink fir potatoes, polished off with an indulgent bread and butter pudding with pear and pistachios – a verified knockout. The industrial interiors – clean lines, exposed concrete, cherry red accents – only add to the allure.
The Vogue tip: If you’re visiting the Soho or Canary Wharf branches, drop by Kricket’s adjacent cocktail bar, Soma, for a tipple first – both drinking dens are moodily lit, deeply sexy and feel like a well-kept secret, with inventive, ever-changing menus which ensure they remain among the best cocktail bars in London. Order the Chaat (Tapatio Blanco, Mezcal Verde, chaat masala, gooseberry, kumquat), the Mango (Toki whisky, green mango, honey, Ancho Reyes Verde) or the Carrot (vodka, charred carrot, dill, caraway vermouth).
Multiple locations
Best Indian restaurant in London for: a spectacular tasting menu
Another Marylebone hideaway with a well earned Michelin star, this lavish fine dining concept focuses on creating gorgeous plates which reimagine zingy flavours from India’s lush south coast. The nandu varuval, a delicately spiced, fried soft shell crab with a smear of tomato chutney, is exceptional, as are the succulent mustard prawns, and the coconut and curry leaf scallops, all designed to be shared at your candlelit table in the wonderfully low-key dining room, with its exposed brickwork, antique mirrors and polished dark wood. If you’re in the mood for more, though, try the sublime six-course tasting menu, featuring Hariyali bream, a Goan lobster cafreal and the juiciest tandoori lamb chops you’ll ever eat.
