Cuisine Guide

Cheap Eats — Best Indian in London

Discover handpicked Indian restaurants in London, with what to order first at each place.

Every place here is handpicked. Signal score shows how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

25 restaurants

1
Jaaneman Sweet Centre

Indian Sweets · £ · Arnos Grove

82Signal

Start with

Barfi

Dense, fudge-like squares made from milk, milk powder, and sugar syrup. The chocolate, pistachio, and almond flavors are legendary but sell out fast.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

2
Indian Veg

Indian Vegetarian Buffet · £ · Islington

78Signal

Start with

Chana Masala

The quintessential and comforting staple that anchors the all-you-can-eat spread.

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

3
Govinda's

Sattvic Indian Vegetarian · £ · Soho

72Signal

Start with

Thali

Described as the 'headline acts' of the restaurant, these 'pure' meat-free platters offer a regularly changing selection of curries, soups, and breads.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

4
Shree Krishna Vada Pav

Indian Street Food · £

70Signal

Start with

Vada Pav

The namesake 'star attraction' of the menu. Reviewers describe it as a 'notoriously famous street food' featuring a deep-fried potato dumpling inside a bread bun that captures the authentic taste of Mumbai.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

5
Mr Chillies indian

North Indian / Pakistani · £ · North Harrow

68Signal

Start with

Deigi Methi Chicken

Highlighted as one of the best dishes on the menu that truly sings with spices.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

6
Indian YMCA

Indian · £ · Fitzrovia

66Signal

Start with

Meat curries cooked on the bone

Regarded as "authentic home-style" fare, these dishes capture the essence of traditional Indian canteen dining.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

7
Saravana Bhavan Tooting

South Indian Vegetarian · £ · Tooting

64Signal

Start with

Hot Idly

Described as a 'favourite' with a 'spongy texture' that acts as the perfect vehicle for a 'range of chutnies and lentil and chili sambar'.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

8
The Kati Roll Company

Indian Street Food · £ · Soho

61Signal

Start with

Unda Roll

The benchmark egg paratha; crispy, comforting, and consistently praised as a breakfast staple or base layer.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

9
Royal Chef

Sri Lankan / South Indian · £ · East Ham

60Signal

Start with

Nethali Kothu Roti

Highlighted by critics as the 'winner' over the chicken version, featuring crispy anchovies and a green chilli kick.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

10
Vasantha Vilas

South Indian Vegetarian · £ · East Ham

60Signal

Start with

Masala Dosa

Consistently praised for being crispy and authentic; the benchmark dish here.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

11
Spice Hut

Fast Food / Indian · £ · Bow

60Signal

Start with

Grilled Chicken

Praised for its remarkable consistency and a flavor profile that remains reliable no matter the day you visit.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

12
Amol’s Vada Pav

Indian Street Food · £ · Wembley

60Signal
Hidden Gem

Start with

Vada Pav

This signature dish is described as a "testament to their passion," offering a "perfect balance of spicy potato filling and crisp outer coating" served inside soft pav bread.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

13
Bansuri Dabeli

Indian Street Food · £ · Kingsbury

60Signal

Start with

Toasted Dabeli

Famous for being the restaurant's signature dish, it is described as the 'most authentic and best dabeli' with a 'perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.'

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

14
Chennai Srilalitha

South Indian Vegetarian · £ · Harrow

60Signal

Start with

Maharaja Pesarattu

Highlighted by critics as a standout: paper-thin green moong bean dosa stuffed with snow-white upma.

Well-backed by reviews and repeat mentions.

15
MTR

South Indian · £ · Rayners Lane

55Signal

Start with

Benne Masala Dosa

MTR's most popular dish, made with generous amounts of fresh butter. It is smaller and thicker than a typical dosa and is described as being in a league of its own.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

16
Regency indian

North Indian · £ · Queensbury

55Signal

Start with

Naan Bread

Described as soft, supple, and particularly impressive.

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

17
Shree Sai Vada Pav

Indian Street Food · £ · Rayners Lane

54Signal

Start with

Vada Pav

The namesake dish is a benchmark specialty here, offering an 'authentic street food experience' with flavors 'reminiscent of Mumbai itself.'

Useful signal, but still lighter than the standouts.

18
Malabar Feast

South Indian · £ · East Dulwich

38Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Fish curry (sea bass fillets)

Described as "so yummy" and "absolutely fantastic," this dish is a standout that one reviewer ordered multiple times, calling it "stratospheres above" other local options.

Less written about, but enough signal to surface it.

19
Maru's Bhajia House

Indian (Kenyan-Gujarati) · £ · Wembley

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Maru Bhajia

The namesake dish: thin, crispy potato slices served with a legendary spicy tomato chutney.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

20
Jishal Goan

Indian · £ · Wembley

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Egg Ghotala

Endorsed by critics as a 'beast of a dish'—a muddle of omelette, curry, and cheese that rivals iconic London dishes.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

21
Jai Durga Mahal

Indo-Chinese / Indian Vegetarian · £ · North Harrow

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Chilli Paneer

Cited by Eater London as potentially the best in the city; the undisputed star of the menu.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

22
Royal Sandwich Bar

Indian Sandwich Bar · £ · Edgware

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Paneer Tikka Sandwich

A highly-rated customer favorite that defines the shop's fusion style, featuring spiced paneer, onions, cheese, and chutney.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

23
Mainland Madras

South Indian (Tamil) · £ · East Ham

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Pottalam Parotta

A frequently mentioned signature dish wrapping flaky parotta and curry in a banana leaf bundle.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

24
MTR1924

South Indian Vegetarian · £

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Rava Idli

MTR's legendary invention from WWII made from semolina, now a global favorite.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

25
Chai Kadai

South Indian / Kerala · £ · Upton Park

0Signal
Light Coverage

Start with

Vizhinjam Chicken Fry

A spicy, regional signature that perfectly captures the essence of Kerala cooking.

Light coverage. Worth knowing, but not heavily written about.

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