The best Indian restaurants in Mayfair

Gymkhana Is an elegant Indian restaurant in Mayfair inspired by the elite members' clubs of colonial India. Gymkhana became one of the first two Indian restaurants in the UK to receive two Michelin stars in 2024, which is a testament to their food. There's a main restaurant, bar, and two cosy vault areas for private dining experiences. The menu includes contemporary and classic Indian cuisine, with wine pairings available to add – they boast an international wine list with vintages available. Champagne and Japanese sake are also on the menu. 

Chourangi is all about bringing the historic cuisine of Calcutta to the heart of London. This restaurant is named after the buzzy city of Calcutta and serves a menu of modern fusion Chinese, Mogul, and European dishes, all inspired by the people and food of Bengal. Dishes are big and best-shared family-style in the stylish setting adorned with rattan seating, dark green leather booths, and shutter-style walls enhanced by a tall ceiling. There's also a handful of outside seats for al fresco dining.

Manthan is an Indian restaurant led by chef Rohit Ghai, created as an ode to his vibrant gastronomic-focused life. This is his second venture with fellow chef and friend Abhishake Sangwan, who both opened Kutir in Chelsea in 2018, nabbing a Michelin star. The menu pays homage to home-cooked food and professional techniques, including street food-style bar snacks and family-style sharing places made up of grilled meats, curries, family recipes and cocktails to complement each dish.

Benares is one of the leading restaurants in London for fine-dining Indian cuisine. It nabbed a Michelin star in 2007 and has since continued to impress with its vibrant menu of contemporary Indian dishes. The dimly lit dining room sets the scene for an intimate meal, and white tablecloths keep things classic. The menu is brimming with aromatic, colourful curries, appetisers, meat and seafood dishes, as well as over 400 exclusive wines from 17 different countries, including rare vintages.

Veeraswamy is the city's oldest Indian restaurant, clocking up almost 100 years. It's located on the prestigious Regent Street and offers a menu that's constantly changing based on what's in season. The interiors are luxurious and detailed, paying homage to its storied history. The menu is an ode to Hyderabadi and Mughal history, featuring fragrant dishes like lamb shank in flaky puff pastry and various slow-cooked dishes that have earned the restaurant its Michelin star.

Jamavar is an Indian restaurant in the heart of Mayfair that pays homage to the cuisine of the north and south. Pan-Indian dishes are crafted by Culinary Director and Executive Chef Surrender Mohan, who used the finest British produce paired with Indian cooking techniques, earning the restaurant a Michelin star in 2022. Expect classic, fragrant Indian dishes and a seafood menu that really excels. The striking interior is enhanced by rattan chairs and lots of dark, sleek marble.

If the interiors of Kanishka reflect the food, then you're right to expect elegant, refined Indian dishes crafted by Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar. Plates are packed with colour and fragrance and include highlights like chicken tikka pie and crab fritters, although the menu does occasionally change. The daal is known for being rich and creamy, paired perfectly with a spiced cocktail.

It's all about chaat and grills at chef Chet's modern Mayfair restaurant BiBi. This multi-award-winning contemporary Indian restaurant serves a la carte and tasting menus filled with fragrant dishes from the Indian subcontinent. The menu is constantly evolving but always includes dishes from both the UK and India inspired by Chet's personal life. Your food can be accompanied by a matching wine pairing if requested. The restaurant is sophisticated and dimly lit, setting the scene for a pleasant, intimate meal in one of the most prestigious parts of the city.

Bombay Bustle on Maddox Street perfectly captures the vibrant essence of Mumbai via home-style cooking and aromatic dishes. The space has been purposely designed in an Art Deco style paired with classic Mumbai features like an old railway coach and station signs. Their gin cocktail menu is extensive, best enjoyed alongside their range of tasty small plates. They have a separate tandoor menu chock full of meaty favourites as well as curries and other hearty Indian dishes. The bar gets buzzy, and you could easily swing by just for drinks.

Machu's is a modern Punjabi restaurant located inside the iconic Dilly Hotel in Mayfair. It serves authentic Punjabi cuisine with a Kenyan twist, focusing on recipes handed down over four generations. The highlight is the dishes cooked on the robata grill, but they also serve Indian afternoon tea and a dedicated pre-theatre menu. The interior is striking, with dangling chandeliers and ornate marble pillars.

Ambassadors Clubhouse is a restaurant and bar championing food, drink, and music from the Punjabi region. It's named after the founders' grandfather, who was a former Ambassador, taking inspiration from his residence in Northern India. It's another venture from JKS, which is also responsible for Gymkhana, BiBi, Trishna, Brigadiers, and more. The menu is filled with authentic recipes from Punjab, including both India and Pakistan, as well as cocktails capturing the essence of the region. There's also a music programme hosted on the lower ground floor, where DJs blend Punjabi music with modern UK genres.

Former beloved supper-club host Asthma Khan is responsible for this hearty Indian restaurant, The Darjeeling Express. It's run by a team of women who are known to cook from their own personal experience rather than having undergone formal chef training. The menu features dishes from traditional northern India and Bengal, as well as some Hyderabadi dishes. Walls are pasted with photos from Khan's upbringing with other decorative features that are an ode to her childhood home.

Roti Chai in Mayfair showcases traditional dishes and cooking techniques from across the Indian sub-continent. The restaurant is split into two sections: the Street Kitchen, which serves dishes inspired by street hawkers, roadside cafes and railway stations, and the Dining Room, where you'll find plates of food inspired by tandoor grills and regional specialities. The space is modern and classic, with dark wood, dangling lights, and plenty of room for groups.