Dishoom earned its reputation, but the queue is part of the price. If you would rather book a table, turn up on time and eat brilliantly, London has a deep bench of Indian and South Asian restaurants that match the vibe and, in several cases, beat the food.
The trio most Londoners start with: Gunpowder (Spitalfields and beyond) for punchy home-style small plates, Kricket (Soho, Brixton and more) for modern Indian with a cult following, and Hoppers (Soho, Marylebone, King's Cross) for Sri Lankan and South Indian hoppers and dosas. If you have done those, these are the next ones to book.
Key takeaways
- Every pick here takes reservations — book a week or two ahead for Friday and Saturday nights.
- Prices are rough guides per head including a drink; check current menus before you go.
- Big group? Book the table and the ride home together and nobody gets stranded.
01 / TOP TIERThe top-tier alternatives
The Tamil Prince
A brilliant reinvention of the British boozer: a neighbourhood pub serving spice-forward Tamil cooking. Lamb chops, flaky roti and rich curries with chef-level execution in a relaxed pub setting. Its sister pub, The Tamil Crown, is also in north London.
Fatt Pundit
The same small-plates energy as Dishoom with a completely different flavour profile. Indo-Chinese street food — crackling spinach, momos and keema pao — packed with depth. Very popular, but fully bookable.
Pali Hill
Named after the Mumbai neighbourhood, with sharing plates inspired by regional home cooking and street food in a bright, contemporary room. Arguably fresher than the Bombay-café formula it is often compared to.
Brigadiers
Spend a little more for a lively sports-bar-meets-army-mess atmosphere. Rich, smoky food, famous butter chicken wings and a house black dal that stands up to anyone's. Easy to book online.
02 / REGIONALGreat regional and neighbourhood picks
Darjeeling Express
Asma Khan's cult favourite cooks Calcutta-rooted family recipes with an all-female kitchen team. Warm, soulful and focused on authentic spicing rather than commercial appeal.
Chourangi
Just off the shopping rush, Chourangi specialises in heritage Bengali cooking from Calcutta. Subtle, complex flavours far removed from the high-street curry house, in a spacious room where tables are easy to book.
03 / LOGISTICSPlanning the evening
If you are coordinating a group dinner across town, sort the transport when you book the table. Ride-hailing after a late sitting — especially in rain or at weekends — is when surge pricing bites. Rushxo offers fixed-price private hire journeys anywhere in London: the fare is agreed at booking with no surge, even at closing time on a wet Saturday. For bigger groups there are 7-seat MPVs and V Class minibuses to keep everyone together.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dishoom alternatives in London take bookings?
All of the restaurants in this guide take reservations, including The Tamil Prince, Fatt Pundit, Pali Hill, Brigadiers, Darjeeling Express and Chourangi.
What is the closest thing to Dishoom in London?
For the same buzzy sharing-plates format, try Fatt Pundit or Pali Hill. For a cosier, pub-style night, The Tamil Prince is a local favourite.
How do I get a group home after dinner without surge pricing?
Pre-book a fixed-fare car or minibus for your finish time. The price is agreed in advance, so a late finish or a downpour does not change it.
Fixed Price, No Surge
Dinner booked? Book the ride home too.
One fixed price per vehicle, door to door, agreed before you travel. TfL-licensed operator, DBS-checked drivers, MPVs and minibuses for groups.
Restaurant details, locations and price ranges change. Check each restaurant's own website before booking. Rushxo has no commercial relationship with the restaurants listed.