10 top restaurants for a spicy feast
The perfect way to spice up your evenings… These are the restaurants to visit for vibrant flavours in SW London and Surrey
Img credit: J. W. Howard Photography
1
Bombay Delight
Wimbledon
This delicious Wimbledon-based curry house is a delight of Indian cuisine. Their team of expertly-skilled chefs prepare a wide range of dishes, including an absolutely amazing seafood samundri khazana, with salmon, monkfish, tiger prawn’s mousse stuffed in calamari, with garlic tomato sauce and raw mango. Be sure to try their exquisite appetiser of a samosa chat, cooked with chickpeas, fresh onion and tomato in a mint, tamarind sauce.
2
Colombo Kitchen
Putney
Fancy spice the Sri Lankan way? Look no further than Colombo Kitchen, the multiple award-winning Sri Lankan restaurant helmed by Head Chef Sylvia Perera. Try their deliciously authentic dishes, including Lamprais: a wondrously authentic and aromatic delicacy consisting of a selection of delicious rice and curries wrapped and baked in banana leaves.
3
Dalchini
Wimbledon
Dalchini in Wimbledon serves up something truly unique: they were the first ever Indo-Chinese fusion restaurant in the UK! With deliciously authentic Indo-Chinese dishes, like a Chicken Manchurian (boneless chicken in soy sauce, flavoured with minced garlic, onions and green chilli), crispy aromatic duck, lamb pak choy and so much more, it’s definitely one to check out if you’re looking for spice with a little something different! You can also book an afternoon tea featuring delish Indo-Chinese bites, sweet treats and a choice of tea from around the world.
4
Cinnamon Kitchen
Battersea
This stylish, contemporary restaurant is surrounded by impressive industrial décor, but it’s the food that really blows you away. The restaurant specialises in modern-Indian cuisine with British influences, the stand-outs of which being a gorgeous paneer butter masala and a Lucknowi chicken biryani. Try some of the delicious and unique desserts, like the Bengali sweet coconut rolls, or the Royal Punjabi malai kulfi with cardamom and cinnamon.
Middle image credit: Johnny Stephens Photography
5
Roz Ana
Kingston
Roz Ana – in Hindi it literally means “come every day” – and it is tempting. With a charming and eye-catching exterior, and a cosy, warm interior, the atmosphere is perfect before you’ve already taken your first bite. Highlights of the menu include the appetiser of Adraki lamb chops with ginger, hung yoghurt marinade, mint chutney and pickled Bombay onion, and an amazing chicken tikka masala cooked in in a smooth Kasoori methi flavoured sauce with butter, cream and smoky Laphroaig.
6
Le Raj
Epsom
Le Raj has been a mainstay of Epsom for over three decades, and it’s easy to see why. Described as ‘an institution’ by the Michelin Guide, their menu of authentic curry is widely beloved and ever changing, and to keep the magic alive they retain a policy of never circulating the menu in the public domain – so you’re always sure to be treated with a surprise! You can be sure to expect authentic cuisine made with the best products and spices from sustainable sources, as well as home-grown herbs. They also have an extensive selection of wines on offer, including Champagnes, white, rose, red and sweet wines, as well as a list of cocktails and mocktails to sip.
7
Swagat
Richmond
Swagat is a cosy and rosy-lit Indian restaurant serving excellent food. They offer a tempting variety of delicious curries, with a hugely extensive selection of prawn and chicken dishes, and the veggie options are stacked too: we recommend the pindi chole, made from chickpeas tempered with ginger, green chilli and raw mango powder.
8
Yaadein
Epsom
Yaadein won the 2022 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award, and it’s easy to see why. You can choose from their selection of biryanis serviced with cucumber raita – the vegetarian jackfruit and peas biryani is a stand out. From their Tandoor selection, the Tandoor murgh tikka, made from boneless chicken pieces in a spicy marinade until slightly charred is a must-try. Be sure to try their authentic desserts too, which include ‘jamun e gul’ – deep fried balls made with khoya, soaked in a sugar syrup flavoured with rose water, cardamom and saffron.
9
Cilantro
Putney
A charming and elegant Indian restaurant in Putney. You can choose form their small plates selection, which includes succulent hand-dived Nariyal scallops in coconut milk and turmeric, and 24-hours marinated Pondicherry lamb chops with mint chutney. Their larger plates selection features a delicious Bengal fisherman’s curry with fresh water prawns, scallops and monkfish. Cilantro is definitely one to add to the list if you’re a fan of seafood curries.
10
Koyal
Surbiton
Having received two AA rosettes in the last 5 months, Koyal – the product of the mind of Dastaan’s head chef – is on an absolute roll. They serve up gorgeous Indian food, from a street food inspired selection of pani puri, dahi puri, koliwada fish and more, to gorgeous mains of BhangJeera chicken, Kashmiri rogan josh, wild boar curry and more.
