LDNReview
Included In
The first thing you notice about Dishoom is just how busy it is. No matter which location you’re visiting, you’ll almost always a find a queue of people waiting for a table and a palpable energy of excitement in the room. Because Dishoom is more than just a restaurant - it’s a phenomenon.
The original Dishoom opened in Covent Garden in 2010, and it immediately changed Londoners’ expectations of what an Indian restaurant could and should be. The combination of homestyle cooking, vibey retro surroundings, and excellent cocktails proved to be a successful recipe for a young population looking for a good restaurant that could serve almost any need, from breakfast to brunch to big group dinners with fancy drinks.
Since then it’s become the go-to place for anyone who wants to eat Indian food in this city, both locals and tourists alike. There are now several Dishoom locations across London and they’re moving into other parts of England like a Led Zeppelin reunion tour.
Of all the Dishooms, this Shoreditch branch is by far our favourite, mostly because it has the best atmosphere. There’s a nice verandah with wicker chairs that’s made for warm days and nights, and the booths overlook the busy Shoreditch High Street and the skyscrapers of the City in the distance. It’s more spacious than the original Covent Garden location, it’s cooler than the Kings Cross, and the waits tend to be a bit shorter than in Soho.
As for the food, sticking to the regular curry and bread combos would be a mistake. Dishoom has a brilliant list of starters and snacks that are spot-on versions of things that you might actually eat in an Indian home kitchen, and the lamb chops and chicken ruby should be on your table. Follow our Food Rundown below for the hits, but know that it’s generally hard to go wrong. You don’t earn the title of “phenomenon” with a menu that’s hit and miss.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Bhel Puri
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Prawn Koliwada
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Pau Bhaji
Chicken Ruby Curry
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch