Well there are three alternative theories about this, but I find them literally heartbreaking to comprehend. So I leave that sort of thing to my personal friends.

Here is another fan of Noor Jahan on Bina Gardens.
When we are in London...we have at least two meals here......terrific!!!

Another vote for Redfort.

Yes Cardoman, but it's in Cardiff

Haandi's 136 Brompton Road, London, SW3 1HY

http://www.london-eating.co.uk/detail.asp?restid=3001

There are a few types of Indian restaurants in London, basically either haute/fusion Indian or more traditional/regional stuff.

For the former, Tamarind in Mayfair is
still my best. Haven't had a chance to dine at Mela or Chowki. Benares was nice, but it's been a while since I was there, and don't have much strong impression. Masala Zone is good for value, but I didn't find the food quality that exciting.

Another hidden gem is Woodland, a vegetarian southern Indian place near Marylebone, so long as you stick to their dosas. In general, I'd recommend staying away from buffet all-you-can-eat places. You'll have better value and culinery experiences with M&S take-aways. Agree Brick Lane is not the place to get good Indian meals.

Noor Jahan on Bina Gardens is a 10 minute or so walk from my hotel, judging by maps. Is this a place a solo diner could eat?

Chutney Mary was absolutely incredibly wonderful. We were in London two weeks & went twice. Then went to Paris (and even did Tour d'Argent), then came back & continued traveling in the UK. When we got back to Windsor, we took a train to London one night & went to Chutney Mary again, it was so good. I would recommend anything. But whatever you do, have the chocolate fondant w/ orange lassi for dessert. We literally ordered it to share, ate it, then ordered another. The servers were quite amused. So were we. ;)

The ambiance was really beautiful - very romantic & sophisticated, in a warm, comfortable, sultry way.

Service was excellent. They sort of got to know us by the time we went for the 3rd time. ;)

Bon Appetit!
(And have a fondant for us!)

Out of these options listed or any other Indian restaurant, which will not break the bank?

Since we are traveling from the U.S. a main course costing £30 would really cost us closer to $60. Any recommendations on something similar in price to Chowki?

ga9497:

the vast majority of indian restaurants in london cost about the same - about £10-12 per person without drink. expect to pay about £6-8 for a main plus rice and/or bread and starter.

there are a few upscale places that charge more and a couple places that are a bit cheaper (ymca, etc). but for the most part, just about every "normal" curry house in england will charge roughly the same prices.

Walk-I'm thinking I can't endorse that price point you're giving for London Indian restaurants, in general. I've always paid more-(and there is no nothing that is not outrageously expensive in London these days-nothing!) Doesn't matter if I'm eating in South Ken, Kennington or Notting Hill, much less "more central" London, shall we say-I still pay more than your price point for a simple Indian meal at an average restaurant.

Unless you're talking about some take-away curry joint, I think the average price point is more along the lines of 20 pounds on up without drinks.

I would agree with Walkinaround's price point - you shouldnt be paying much more than £20/£25 for a meal for 2 (2 starters, 2 mains and rice/naan) in a standard indian restaurant

most of the places recommended on this thread (Benares, Red Fort, Tamarind etc) are modern, fusion style Indian places which charge at least double the price of a standard/traditional curry house

chowki comes somewhere between the two and is a decent option to get something better than standard Brick Lane type fare at a resonable price

also if you want real Indian food (dosas, bhel puri etc) in Central London then you should head to Drummond Street near Euston - these are basic cafe type places but you are more likely to find an Indian person eating here than the other mentioned restaurants

Well, but roodboy, that's just the point. Most tourists to London AREN'T going to go to some "basic cafe places" as you state, or some standard no-name curry house-they ARE going to go to the recognized, upscale, fusion, name-any-Indian-restaurant-in-Soho-particularly-on-Dean St. Indian restaurants, and you will pay a LOT more than 10-12lbs a head without drinks or desserts-at least 20 per head without drinks, and that's a minimum.

Even the popular Khan's in Westbourne Grove, known for its inexpensive (some say good) Indian food, (I didn't think it was anything but mediocre) has a double set dinner for around 34-35lbs., without drinks.

So yes, for a basic, standard no-name curry house- 10-12 would be about right without drinks-but few people who come on this board to both ask and recommend Indian restaurants in London are going to refer to such basic establishments. Accordingly, if you're looking for good upscale Indian food in all categories, you're going to be paying considerably more, when all is said and done- Remember, most Indian restaurants charge a cover for condiments/pappadums and the like as well-so the price just keeps going up...

Girlspytravel "I'm eating in South Ken, Kennington or Notting Hill, much less "more central" London" - some of the poshest and most expensive areas in London then?

You can pay as much or as little as you want for curry in London - if you are really brassic go to a guduwara or temple and eat for free.


Or get a train to Birmingham and hit the Balti strip.

>>>>>
Unless you're talking about some take-away curry joint, I think the average price point is more along the lines of 20 pounds on up without drinks.
....
So yes, for a basic, standard no-name curry house- 10-12 would be about right without drinks-
>>>>>

so, we DO agree then...or do we, i'm confused?

to most londoners, a curry is a curry. most people have their favourite place that they frequent out of habit.

of course there are the relatively few well known places that charge more but you do NOT need to go to a "take-away joint" to get a decent curry for £10-12. even the modern, upscale place near my house charges 10-12 for a thali (a huge meal all in one - several small mains, rice, bread, etc). it has brand new flash decor and slick service.

the £10-12 curry meal is all over the place, even in central london, where the boozers and tourists hang out.

in england, people have a very rigid price expectation for a curry (the aforementioned £10 or so) and it is very difficult for a restaurant owner to differ from this. in fact, many curry houses are investing a lot in refurbishments just to remain competitive....prices often remain exactly the same after the face-lift.

famous places are a different story but most of us shy away from the famous curry houses.

On the subject of costs.
The main meal itself us usually quite reasonable £8-9 however the other bits n pieces are what adds up.

For example at the start you will be offered poppadoms, these will come with a various chutneys and stuff, and you will be charged around £1.60 for each ppdom. It soon mounts up. Also Indian beer is about £2.80 a bottle more than the usual beer so beware.

Muck

Ok so what do Fodorites recommend for normal Indian restaurants (not high end, fusion, etc) in central London

I think that the non-Brits on here may be getting a bit baffled by the difference between a curry and Indian food.

Going for a "ruby" (Ruby Murray - curry) is a regular thing for us to do, usually after a few pints. The places that we go to for these are pretty much the same the length and breadth of the country. They are decent enough places, but do tend to follow the same pattern:

They will all be called "The Star of India" or "The Taj Mahal" .

They will all have flock wallpaper.

They will all have a picture of the Taj Mahal. They will also have a tapestry of a tiger.

The menu will have over 100 choices on it - all amounting to meat in sauce. One person in your party will insist on eating chicken and chips.

They will bring you popadoms with onion salad, mango chutney, lime pickle and the bright red stuff that no knows what it is.

The first thing that you will order is beer.

The last thing you will order is beer.

In between you will eat a ruby. It is the mark of a man to eat a hot curry. The hotter the curry - the more manly the man.

You will regret this in the morning and complain about the dreadful effects that said ruby has had on your digestion, whilst failing to take account of the eight pints of stella you had as well. You will also regret not putting the toilet roll in the fridge the night before.

You will do it again in a week's time.

Then there are restaurants that actually serve good quality Indian food. A totally different thing entirely.

audere: LOL!!!!!! Been there sort of.

ga9497

I'd go with Marsala Zone in Soho.

It's good food for a great price.