12 Very Best Curry Houses In London

London isn’t always just about famous attractions to see or the secret spots to find. Heck no, sometimes it’s just all about the delicious food with a whole heap of things from independent coffee shops, unique restaurants and some of the best curries houses in London to try (or do I mean gorge).

Now, I know us Brits haven’t always had the best reputation for having the best food, but honestly, I have to disagree with that long-held view.

Places like London are buzzing with tasty places to eat and it easily rivals spots like New York, Paris or Florence for some of their best dishes.

The same goes for curries, I’m almost certain you’ll find some of the tastiest, mouth-watering curries whilst in Great Britain. With London being no exception.

Things to see and do in Peckham, London (4)

Things to see and do in Peckham, London (16)

That being said, with the hundreds of curry houses in London to choose from, the time of selecting a place to eat can be pretty difficult. That’s why I wanted to show you some of my very favourite and best curry houses in London that I think you might like.

Take a look at some of the best curry houses in London you’ll want to try.

1.) Tayyabs

Perched in Whitechapel (the famous area for the Elephant Man and Jack the Ripper), Tayyabs is much less sad or scary!

Now, this is possibly one of my very favourite and best curry houses in London to gorge at… with all their yummy dishes made fresh-to-order. I used to live a few doors down from Tayyabs and it became my go-to spot for some of the tastiest curries (especially on a lazy weekend in East London).

Now, you can’t book a table for Tayyabs, so expect to either go a little earlier than usual or be prepared for a slight queue. Meals are pretty cheap too. You can have some of the best curries and zingy mango lassi for around £10 – £20.

2.) Hoppers

Now, I have a proper soft spot for Hopper’s, especially when travelling to Sri Lanka. I swear, they were my most favourite thing to eat and I always made sure to gorge on them at breakfast.

Now, the best thing about Hopper’s is that it really focuses on bringing some of that tasty Sri Lankan yumminess to central London. It really is one of the coolest and funkiest curry houses in London to try.

Based in Soho and on Wigmore Street, you’ve gotta make sure to try their runny egg hopper and masala dosa, too. Just be prepared that you’ll likely spend a little extra than some of the other curry houses in London. With a meal and drinks, you’re looking at around £30 each.

3.) Babur

Located at 119 Brockley Rise, Babur is one of those curry houses in London that has some tasty curries that’s fused with a gourmet twist (in other words, a little fancier).

Once you’re here, make sure to try the Chicken Chettinad which is one of their specialities. That being said, if you like rabbit, have a try of their Rabbit Soweta that mixes flavours from the UK and Asia.

Open Monday – Saturday for lunch from 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm and again for dinner from 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm. Sunday lunch goes from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and dinner from 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm. Just make sure to book a table if you’re going in the evening.

4.) Apollo Banana Leaf

There are a few neighbourhoods that are pretty well-known for having some of the tastiest curry houses in London. Places like Brick Lane for one, but also spots like Tooting that have some pretty amazing go to places to try, especially for South Asian cuisine.

Now, Apollo Banana Leaf (at 190 Tooting Street) is pretty unassuming from the outside, but it really does have some of the best curries in the area.

Focusing on traditional cuisine from South India and Sri Lanka, everything is prepared with pride and plenty of spice! The samosas here are out of this world as an appetizer or light meal, or if you’re looking for something more substantial, try the crab curry which is cooked to perfection and served within the shell. It really is one of the best curry houses in London for a crab curry.

Open times are; Monday – Thursday from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and dinner from 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm. Friday – Sunday is 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm.

5.) Dishoom Shoreditch

Located at 7 Boundary Street, Dishoom is a trendy curry house in London is a popular spot after work and when Shoreditch is buzzing on the weekends.

Not only does Dishoom have some yummy food, but the restaurant is also so cool too! If you come for breakfast, the Akuri is something you have to try. Combining spicy curried scrambled eggs with freshly baked bread and grilled tomato – it’s a proper pick-me-up feast.

Also, If you’re battling a dreaded hangover from all those cool Shoreditch bars, be sure to grab their signature Bloody Mary, which is deliciously smoky and naturally has a massive kick. This alone makes it one of the best curry houses in London to visit after a weekend ‘out on the town’.

Dishoom is open on; Monday – Wednesday 8:00 am- 11:00 pm. Thursday and Friday 8:00 am – midnight. Saturday 9:00 am – midnight. Sunday 9:00 am -11:00 pm. As with most spots in Shoreditch, it’s best to assume you will need to book in advance.

6.) Surma Curry House

Perched on Lordship Lane in the up and coming East Dulwich area of London. Surma is one of the best curry houses in London if you’re fancying a stuffed naan or a tikka masala.

From the outside, it’s actually quite easy to miss Surma and it’s one of those places that really is best for their food, rather than focusing on decor alone.

Surma Curry House is open every day from; 5:30 pm – 11:30 pm.

7.) The Rajdoot

The Raidoot is a pretty unpretentious curry house in London that’s nestled on Paddington Street. Now, the thing that makes Raidoot so special is that they most definitely make some of the best Indian cuisines in the area.

Now, I love a good spicy curry, but I made the biggest mistake of saying I want the spiciest curry they could make! I was obviously too cocky for my own good! Just be warned, spiciness is relative… as I quickly learned!

The Raidoot is open every day from; 12:00 pm – 12:00 am. They’ve also got a takeout option if you don’t fancy leaving your hotel or house.

8.) Gymkhana

Located at 42 Albemarle Street. As the name implies, this restaurant’s mission is to emulate the Gymkhana Clubs of India.

Traditionally, these were drinking and socialising spots for more prestigious populations in India. Whilst the atmosphere has certainly evolved in London to include everyone, its elegant appearance belies its laid-back charm and has easily become one of the best curry houses in London.

Best of all, you can come to Gymkhana and not have a clue about anything curry related! They offer set menus that range from two to three courses and the team is really great at finding out the flavours you’ll like. Honestly, this is the best way to sample the various dishes until you find one you really love.

Lunch hours are Monday – Saturday 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm with dinner from 5:30 pm – 10:15 pm. Oh, and just remember that Gymkhana is closed on a Sunday.

9.) Café Spice Namaste

One of the things that Cafe Spice Namaste does so well is to fuse a tasty mix of Indian and European cuisine all in one spot! Located at 16 Prescot Street, it’s one of the best curry houses in London if you’re wanting a proper sit-down meal that really embraces bold flavours.

One of my favourite things to eat here is their seafood curry (it’s so good). If that doesn’t tickle-your-fancy, there’s also the option of sampling the Table D’Hote, which offers a tasty three-course lunch that changes almost every week.

Lunch is served Monday-Friday from noon to 3:00 pm, and dinner from 6:15 – 10:30 pm. On Friday and Saturday, they are open from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Café Spice Namaste is closed on Sundays.

10.) Booma

Located at 224 Brixton Road, Booma offers some epic Indian food paired with an impressive craft beer selection that seems to perfect on a hot summer evening!

Now, the great thing about Booma is that they’ve actually won awards for their craft beer too, it’s something they’re most certainly passionate about.

Now, if you’re in the dark about beer or you’re not usually a beer drinker, then fear not as Booma has you totally covered. Each menu selection offers a suggested beer pairing that you’ll love. Now, I have to recommend gorging on the Booma Chicken (or Vegetarian) Curry paired with the classic Booma Lager that is so refreshing and crisp.

Booma is open on; Monday – Thursday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Friday 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm, Saturday 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm and Sunday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

11.) The Angel Curry Centre

The Angel Curry Centre is a cosy, family-owned curry house in London with some of the most flavourful curries in the city.

Perched at 5 Chapel Market, the butter chicken is an out-of-this-world. Though, If you’re a veggie, then make sure to try their fighty vegetable madras (I say fighty as it has a proper big kick that’ll knock your socks off. Ha!).

The Angel Curry Centre is open on; Sunday – Thursday 5:30 pm – 11:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday 5:30 pm-midnight.

12.) Bengal Curry House

Located at 24 St. James Street, the Bengal Curry House in London is a pretty popular spot with locals and visitors to gorge. Now, don’t go expecting some wall to ceiling windows and moonlighting, the Bengal Curry House isn’t that place but what it does have is some of the best curries to try.

Once you’re here, make sure to try the king prawn curry which is so good! This alone makes it one of the best curry houses in London to gorge at! Prices for main dishes are pretty reasonable for London.

Usually, the Bengal Curry House is open; Monday – Thursday 5:00 pm – 10:30, pm and Friday -Sunday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm. If you’re visiting on a weekend, make sure to be patient – it does get busy.