Ask anyone in London what the best Indian restaurant in town is, and folks will invariably respond with Dishoom. It's not the typical Northern Indian food you might be expecting (i.e. tons of curry options)--Dishoom's ambience and food replicate the Irani cafes and food of Bombay (now named Mumbai). Their menu is quite extensive, so it helps to have a bit of help in deciphering it. And although the menu is standard across the various London locations (Canary Wharf, Carnaby, King's Cross, Shoreditch, Kensington, and Covent Garden), each location has its own one unique dish. I've not tried any of those (yet), but here I dive into some of my favorite dishes. The description text comes straight from their all-day menu and breakfast menu. Although there are several items that count as mains, such as the biryani options and the chicken ruby, dishes are generally small plates for sharing. Prices are in pounds.
Chilli broccoli salad: A bowl of toasted pistachios and shredded mint leaves with finest, greenest broccoli, fresh red chillies, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dates, lime and honey. (V) (S) Full plate / Half plate: 11.90 / 6.50
Dishoom house chaat: Warm-cold, sweet-tangy, moreish. Golden-fried sweet potato covered with cool yoghurt, pomegranate, beetroot, radish and carrot. Tamarind drizzle and green chutney lift it nicely. (V) 8.50
Keema pau: A classic of Irani cafés: spiced minced lamb and peas with toasted, buttered, home-made buns. (S) 8.50
Chilli chicken: Some Irani cafés now aim to please with Indo-Chinese fare. A plate of crispy garlic-ginger-soy-chilli-chicken is a modern café staple. (S) 8.90
Chicken ruby: Tender chicken in a rich, silky makhani sauce. A good and proper curry redolent with spice and flavour. 15.50
My favorite breakfast item is their bacon naan roll:
Bacon naan roll: Ramsay of Carluke’s smoked streaky bacon is matured in the traditional Ayrshire way and then smoked over applewood and beechwood chips. A Dishoom signature dish, and deserving of all its accolades. 8.90
As Dishoom is so popular, be prepared to wait upwards of an hour should you be going after 5:45 pm (reservations are available up until then, and reservations of parties greater than six are available at specific times post-5:45 pm). And make sure to order the chai--refills are free.
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