Extremely well done Michelin starred Indian cuisine - I was very happy on almost every level. My girlfriend and I made a late arrival into London and were extremely fortunate that our reservation at Tamarind was held despite it being a Friday night reservation (and what we saw was a full house). The hostess (Natalia) was very kind and guided us to our table where we were served by what looks like Indian mafia bosses as waiters. We ordered the following: 1) Papdi Chaat - Surprisingly light for a street food appetizer dish like this and full of flavor 2) Lobster Masala - Lobster tail meat, surprisingly a good portion. For some reason, the sauce didn't do a whole lot for me but the meat was great. 3) Murgh Makhani - You can't go wrong with this butter chicken dish. Excellent curry. 4) Prawn with Coconut Curry (forgot the exact name for this curry) - Highly recommend this one. The curry was also very very VERY good. 5) Plain naan of course which was good 6) Kulfi (both pistachio and mango) - Surprisingly a bit let down by these BUT worth a shot. Maybe do the gulab jaman instead! With Indian food, I always do Old Fashioned cocktails as it pairs very well for me and I gotta say...they make an AWESOME Old Fashioned here. The space is great, service is class, and you walk away with a full stomach guaranteed. Highly recommend! read more

I'm really surprised by the good reviews as I didn't find this place very good. It's definitively over priced for what it is - an average Indian restaurant. I've had far better elsewhere. Having lived in California and worked with many Indians, I have had my share of great and tasty Indian food, for much less :))) I was really shocked to pay £80 per person for ok food. The dessert (gulab) was especially disappointing and a little ridiculously presented. Apart from the price, I also was a little puzzled by the cuisine style. We had told me it was a modern twist on Indian food. I didn't see that. But I would say that Tamarind is a nice place, quite dark but pleasant for a date. The staff is really nice and smiling. It is underground, so it all makes it a little claustrophobic to my taste ;) I wouldn't go back, and well prefer a small shabby place and get the full Indian experience at a far better price :) read more

This place is excellent. Had a wonderful dinner here. Was in a party of three. We got the group menu (£72 per person). Obviously that's not cheap, but the food was outstanding and the portions voluminous; we had quite a bit left over, and we were completely stuffed. What I liked about the food is that it wasn't over-engineered or anything. It was classic, hearty and delicious. I think the other set menu ('tasting menu') was more high-end and painstakingly presented, but the stuff we got was straightforward. There's an exhaustive wine list, but we just kept it to a couple rounds of Cobra (priced at a refreshing £5 per bottle). Very pleasant ambiance, not too stuffy. Stellar service. Absolutely worth a visit if you like Indian food and are willing to pay up a bit for a special experience. read more

My experience at Tamarind was very good, but that might be because I wasn't the one paying the bill. The atmosphere was inviting and very posh, and the service was out of this world. My wine glass was never any less than half full. Our server was very nice and answered all of our questions and provided many recommendations when asked. My brother asked what the spiciest thing on the menu was. Our server told him that while nothing was very spicy, he could certainly tell the chef to make his order extra spicy (which my brother later regretted, because the definition of spicy with Indian food is quite different). The food was very good. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, and definitely enjoyed it. Everyone in my group thoroughly enjoyed their food. All of that being said, I have had Indian food that was just as good, if not better at other Indian restaurants for a fraction of the price. You're paying more for the dining experience, I suppose. But I was extremely happy I wasn't paying the bill. My wallet cannot even comprehend spending that much money. The final bill was more than I spent on my bed and mattress...and is more money than I have in my bank account right now. I don't want to give them a negative review, by any means. It was a great dinner, experience wise it was my best meal in London. I'm just holding the food to a high standard because of the price. It wasn't as good as what we paid for it. The service was. read more

White table cloth Indian restaurant with an abundance of well dressed staff catering to a well healed crowd. The underground dining area is quite nice and decorated with style. We enjoyed seeing the kitchen through the glass window wall. Food is fine. Best to come looking for a nice experience rather than a traditional Indian food meal. The prices were a bit high considering the portions are served in small dishes (although, I appreciate the small size thus ability to try many different tastes). This is a nice alternative to what you find in the area. read more

I've been to Tamarind a few times now and every time has been a wonderful Indian-dining experience. Their unique cuisine is the best Indian food I've tasted. It's full of rich, authentic flavours, traditionally and beautifully presented! Service from staff was excellent, they were all very friendly, efficient and helpful. Yes, it is pricey, but well worth the money. If you're looking for a restaurant to celebrate an event like a birthday or an anniversary, Tamarind is perfect. I'll definitely be going there for my next birthday! ;) Oh, and just a polite note to reviewers who complained it was expensive and not worth the money - You're dined in London's Mayfair, one of the City's most affluent areas! If you wanted a cheap curry you should have went to Tooting or Brixton ............. :P read more

Very delicious food from the set menu. Favorites were the lentils and chicken tikka masala. Lamb cutlet, marinated chicken and yogurt tiger prawn were also amazing. Great service and ambience. read more

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Summary: deserves the Michelin star for food and service, but the atmosphere feels dated and somewhat stale. We had the lunch prix fixe, which was a great deal. The game tikka and prawns were both tender and the sauces extremely well balanced. Great service. Just noticed little things like the stoneware being chipped/stained or lots of marks on the stairs/walls. We went at lunch on a Friday and it was pretty dead. All in all a fine experience but I wouldn't make a return visit. read more

Tamarind - Indian Near Me - London, XGL

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Great high end Indian. It's one of those places that just takes the usual up a few notches. I wouldn't say this was a life changing meal but everything was cooked well. The most memorable dish was the lamb shank, tender, good. The sea bass was very well cooked but definitely the least memorable in terms of something unique All in all a great meal. read more

Definately had better Indian food in London. Was he for a friends birthday and probably had the worst table in the restaurant. Persuaded to have a set menu by the waiter which was not that great and pretty run off the mill Indian fare Not worth the money read more

Upscale Indian is an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp. I am a salt of the earth type of food person. I don't mind nice while tablecloth, good service, austere room, etc... when it makes sense. I've had great meals in other high end Indian like Cinammon Club but I think Indian is better served in more homey type settings. The chicken tikka like dish was very good. The appetizer with chick peas and yogurt sauce was very lovely. I thought the jumbo prawn was ok, didn't have much flavor compared to the other dishes. Vegetable dishes were very nice. The amount of naan per order for 4 pounds was absurdly small. My 3 stars here is probably a little harsh but for the price I think I'd rather keep some extra pounds in my pocket and go somewhere a little more run down. read more

This is a really great experience in no small part due to our waiter, Joseph. First class food, liquor and service from the moment we walked in. My favorite was the lamb chop appetizer. But it all was great. It's not inexpensive, but it is value for the price. Try the yoghurt and chickpea appetizer - it was killer. read more

It was my first visit to a Michelin Starred restaurant in London, and Tamarind did not disappoint. It's in Mayfair, so of course expect a lot of suits and serious conversations, and make sure you book ahead on a weekday. They have a very reasonably priced 30£ lunch menu which comes with a starter, a main, and dessert. That's apart from the papadum that you're served before an amuse from the chef - in this case we got a warm winter soup in an espresso demi-tasse. The main is served with rice and naan and lentils so dessert will be a "stretch" in more ways than one, but eat slowly, savor the food and atmosphere, and enjoy your conversation. You'll want to return. read more

This is a place that I consistently return to with my family when we go to London. The space is incredible and the food is some of the best Indian food I've had (and London of course claims the best Indian food outside of India). We had a black lentil dish, a chickpea dish, a paneer dish, a spinach dish, garlic naan, and rice, and it was perfect for two people to split. The waiters were attentive to our dietary needs and were able to make fantastic recommendations from the menu. They're all super knowledgeable and reassuring, and very confident in the way that they guide customers through the menu. Everything came out quickly and it was all delicious. Anyone who likes Indian food should make an effort to check this place out when they're in London. read more

This is a restaurant we go to every time we are in London and it is consistently delicious. The space is very pretty and the gluten free and vegetarian options are plentiful. I would highly recommend a reservation. read more

Generally regarded as a must go...and I guess that's about right. This is not your local indian it is as far removed as you can get. I have been twice and both times thought that the food was good and the cocktails nice (okay I had a beer) and I left sated....and a little poorer. Very good if you want to impress a date or business clients. read more

We came here on our first night in town, at the suggestion of the concierge at our hotel. He named it as his favorite Indian restaurant in the area, and after dining at another more notable Indian place (coughVeeraswamycough) and having a less than stellar experience, I can see why. The staff was friendly, the atmosphere was really unique, and the food was great. The portions weren't as big as I expected for the price, but they were enough for me. We got the cheese stuffed naan (not enough cheesy stuffiness), the lamb chops (perfect), and the chicken masala (because I'm boring.) I really like the fact that you can see the chefs through the glass, but in a way that doesn't scream Chuck-E-Cheese. The place was empty when we came in (red flag) but packed by the time we left. I would go back. read more

During a recent family trip to London, my In-Laws took us to Tamarind. They live in Orange County and have been to the Tamarind location there and thoroughly enjoyed it, in fact, the owner set up the reservation for them. Needless to say, we were all very excited for this Indian dining experience. After taking the tube to the nearest stop and locating the restaurant, we descended downstairs and entered this beautiful restaurant. I've been to many Indian restaurants, but this one by far is the classiest and nicest I've seen. It's beautifully decorated inside with an elegance and lighting that makes it special. After ordering drinks (I had a delightful champagne cocktail), we placed our order including a variety of appetizers and entrees to share. The appetizers, in my opinion, were the standouts. I especially enjoyed the lamb chops and aloo tikki (potato cake). In addition, we had chicken tikka masala and shrimp, along with a vegetarian dish and naan. The mains were alright, but nothing had flavors that blew me away (like the appetizers). The Hubs and I shared the dumpling dessert, which wasn't my favorite, but wasn't bad either. All in all, this was a memorable meal for all of us. The service was great and the food is beautifully presented. It is rather expensive, but the experience was unique and fun. We all had a good night and we were glad we went to Tamarind during our stay in London. read more

Oh man! An Indian w/ a Michelin Star ... What'll you expect? Perfect food? Perfect service? OK - all true!!! read more

Tamarind, which as far as I know is the world's only Michelin starred Indian restaurant, wants to change your perception of Indian dining. Okay. Before I ate at Tamarind my impression was that dining at a good Indian restaurant in London was a wonderful and affordable experience. After my visit to Tamarind, my perception was that dining at this particular restaurant was stupidly expensive, especially considering how mediocre the food was. Tamarind did manage to change my perception of what it takes to be a Michelin starred restaurant. It doesn't seem as such a reputable and exclusive club anymore. Service was phenomenal but the food was just okay. Really, I've had better Indian food at a tenth the price Tamarind charged. And the décor wasn't even all that. I mean, it was kinda nice-looking inside but not what I would expect from (or have seen at other) Michelin starred restaurants. Honestly, it was a bit tattered and in need of some touching up. Service was phenomenal, but ultimately who cares? There's no reason to eat here. It's star-status and astronomical prices are an enigma. read more

We came here on Tuesday night with a special offer from Keynoir, we got a £150 voucher for £75. The staff seemed really pleased to see us and were helpful and involved in choosing us pre-dinner cocktails. Popadoms came with three diferent dips, none of the usual stuff you get in curry places but they were all interesting and a change is always nice. Then we had a trio of starters, one lamb, one prawn and one vegetable. These were all excellent (and filling). For the main course, we had a lamb curry, a chicken curry (a lot like a masala), a couple of vegetable dishes, naans and rice. One of the naans was flavoured, I can't remember with what, but it was great. Of the other dishes I enjoyed them all, but the chicken was probably the best. I was pretty stuffed after that but there was still dessert to come, luckily this was quite small portions of a chocolate mousse, rice pudding and something else I couldn't identify. Rice pudding was especially tasty. Will definitely be going back here. read more

Very expensive Indian food! We started off with complimentary chips with some sweet sauce. We also ordered naan with chickpeas. Both were good but not out of the ordinary. I moved on to some fish dish that as you can tell was not memorable. The only reason I know I had fish was the picture I had taken. The only reason we tried this restaurant was due to the Michelin award. Not worth it! read more

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I had lunch at Tamarind recently. It was my third visit to the place (and the first without the wife, but I won't tell her if you won't) and my third excellent meal. I first visited about two weeks before it received its Michelin star, and last visited not long after Alfred Prassad had replaced Atul Kochhar in the kitchen. Maybe I've been lucky but what I found leaves me slightly bemused by the negative comments here and on other (obviously lesser) review sites. I've had three delicious meals, all with exemplary service and exquisite wines. Yes, it's expensive but you know what? Sometimes quality costs. You can certainly eat great Indian for much less in London - hello Tayyabs, Needoo, etc - but for formal but spicy dining? I'll take Tamarind over its rivals anyday. I'll also take Alfred's cooking over Atul's. That, admittedly, is a very close run thing but there's a lightness to Alfred's dishes that belies their depth of flavour. You'll come away, tingling at the heat-inspired joys but not reeling with a body that's now around 83% ghee. The prices mean this is probably one for special occasions only but that just makes me appreciate it more - and, with a little judicious bread ordering, you could happily share a few bits and pieces with your nearest and dearest and get out at around £35 a head. Just delicious. read more

Great service and really good food and presentation. Indian food in Toronto (where I live) is usually a miss rather than a hit, but places like Tamarind in UK bring in the good stuff. The kebabs were fantastic and the mushroom appetizer was good. The mains were good too. Service was stellar and the ambience was good. But this place doesn't come cheap. read more

Tried to get a reservation for Zaika last night but was informed they were closed for remodeling and on their suggestion decided on Tamarind. Overall good service, nice decor and atmosphere and good but not stand out food. Started out with the scallop appetizer and the chicken kabob. The scallops were cooked perfectly but under seasoned for my taste and barely warm when brought to the table. The chicken kabob was made up of ground chicken, green peppers and spices and had a slight kick to it. It was good but not something I'd go back specifically for. None of the chicken main dishes stood out to me so after describing what I typically enjoy (lots of heat and cardamom, star anise) the waiter recommended a dish that was not on the menu. I also ordered the bread basket. The chicken dish was seasoned excellent and had plenty of heat but unfortunately I failed to ask for chicken breast which I prefer and it definitely needed more sauce. The best part for me is dipping my naan bread in the sauce and unfortunately there wasn't much to dip in! The bread basket consisted of regular naan which was bland, a stuffed naan which I was really excited to try but again tasted bland to me and one that I think was garlic which was decent but not the best I've had. I would give this 3.5 stars (if I could). Good but no comparison to my favorites Zaika and Tamarind in NYC! Forgot to mention the white chocolate dipped mint leaves at the end of the meal....yummy. read more

Tamarind - Chicken kabob appetizer - Indian Near Me - London, XGL

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This is how Indian food should be. I only wish we had someplace like this in New York, as flying to London makes a expensive meal even more expensive. Perfectly flavored, and the right heat level combined with impeccable service and a truly upscale restaurant, made for a very memorable meal. read more

Our first dinner out in London and it really was amazing. This restaurant knows how to spice their food. I love Indian food because it is both flavorful and often packed with heat. Tamarind checks both boxes. The ambiance is lovely here. Definitely a place to come for a romantic dinner or a dinner to catch up with an old friend. I hope to come back here. read more

Really not sure why Qype redirects a search for 'Tamarind' to the results page for the spice itself, but regardless, I thought this was really good. Not cheap, by any means, but probably the best curry I've had outside India itself: nicely spiced (fairly mild but enough to add a bit of heat to the dishes) and the amount of food we had with the pre-theatre early evening dinner menu (3 courses for £25 + service) was pretty good too. Having to be in and out within 90 minutes was a pity, but the meal didn't feel hugely rushed, despite the waiter taking our orders for all 3 courses at once. Given how much I've paid for similarly high-end indian meals in far less glamorous places, none of which have come close to this, I'd definitely favour Tamarind. read more

Tamarind - Oh my what good food! Any thing from the tandoor is amazing the jumbo shrimp "wow" mouthwatering!!! The atmosphere is elegant and the service is impeccable. If you are searching for high quality Indian food that is delish then this is a place you must try. read more

Food was incredible and cocktails were tasty and beautiful. The atmosphere inside is gorgeous and staff is very friendly. I recommend the potatoes, lentils, naan and mango cocktail. read more

Tamarind - Indian Near Me - London, XGL

Why are the best Indian restaurants in central London such clandestine affairs? First La Porte des Indes, which I must have walked past several times before actually recognising its existence, and now Tamarind. Well not really 'and now' because it has been there for ages, with a Michelin-star no less. While the dining room is typically lavish, for some reason it reminds me of a 20s Chicago speakeasy, the sort of place high society went at night to kick back with some swing music and a bathtub mint julep. With hints of the exotic in its decoration, there is still something disconcerting about a room without windows. While I'm sure there are plenty of exits, it just seems to me to have a tomb feel to it. which isn't ideal for a relaxing meal. The food is of course inspiring, with delicate spices coaxing sensual moans from the taster, rather than the usual cacophony coaxing gasps for water. The taster menu is a particularly good choice is you enjoy the eclectic tastes of the subcontinent. All in all, I would definitely check this place out, particularly at the moment, when the capital's finest eateries are gasping for custom and real deals can be found (I believe their set menu is currently at 1999 prices). read more

Wow! I have never associated Indian restaurants and fine dining, but Tamarind has re-written the rule book. The food was delicately spiced and packed a punch of flavour. Lamb that was so tender my fork went through it like a hot knife through butter. The portions were perfect - not too much to overface, but enough to make sure that every last morsel was savoured. The staff are quiet and attentive, and the decor absolutely beautiful. I will have no hesitation in visiting again next time that I am in London. read more

The Tamarind restaurant is a lovely place to enjoy a great meal in a pleasant ambience. Food was outstanding and the service was close to perfect. read more

I took my partner here for his birthday and we really loved it. The service from the beginning was amazing. We were shown to our table and given our menu shortly after. The sommelier came by with the wine list. We asked for his help in recommending a good wine to go with our choice of food and were not disappointed. For the starters, we had the Gilafi Reshmi and Grilled Scallops which were very good. These were followed by the mains of the Murgh Tikka Masala and the Hyderabadi Shank with sides of pilau rice and dark lentils. Both meat dishes were soft and well seasoned to the taste. All in all it was a good experience. The restaurant wasn't too noisy but still had a lovely atmosphere under the customers chatter. read more

I was very impressed with the food and service at Tamarind. Probably the best lamb I have ever had anywhere. The monkfish appetizer was equally sublime. Our waiter Hasan was helpful in offering selections of food and very well paced in his service, allowing us time to enjoy our courses. read more

You don't get awarded a Michelin star for making average food. U don't retain it unless you can manta in the highest standards. I have been to many Michelin star restaurants and tamarind is no disappointment. This is not home style cooking that your mama makes. The level of cooking skill and complexity is very high and takes years at the highest level to develop. The food is simply amazing. No wonder the sultan of Brunei often comes here. read more

not sure what the rave is about...the food is pretty good but at that level in mayfair, i expected better service and organization. super disappointing after recommendations from colleagues. for starters, we were introduced to this restaurant through the london festival and thought it was a good way to check it out. made reservations through bookatable for which the email reservation confirmation clearly stated the offer. upon arrival at the restaurant, they had no idea what i was talking about and instead, tried to offer a 90/ or 50/ person menu. not wanting to make a fuss, we just order a la carte. the server had very little patience for some reason. and when asked, "what do you recommend?" - just wanting him to order for me, he threw me this look, "can you read?" the food was good. wine list was good. just really unorganized and not helpful. the restaurant did call to apologize for their festival offer error...but that was it. the consumer is always the one out of pocket. they didn't even have the business savvy to honor their advertisement. i definitely prefer cinnamon club or noorjahan2 over tamarind. read more

I took an African friend here in hopes of convincing them that Indian cuisine is great. Unfortunately they don't serve it here. What they do produce is something which has had all of the distinctive flavours of India removed (and obviously any heat) so that smart Italian or American socialite ladies can eat here with without the worry that the food will in any way be noticeable (during and after). Mayfair at its considerable worst - hopelessly bad food at astronomical prices for rich people who really couldn't care less about food. read more

Worth the Michelin star! I have been coming here every trip to London since 1995 never falls to disappoint! I have referred countless people here and all loved it. Menu changes with season but is always rich and delicious the saag paneer is the best ive ever had. Whats nice is jeans are ok although the setting is very chic. While it is pricey it's well worth. They now have several locations but i prefer the Mayfair location. read more

Tamarind is one of the more famous Indian restaurants in London ... one of the few which had been awarded a Michelin star ... and praised by most people i knew who had been there. So it was definitely a "must go" for me. It took us quite a while to find Tamarind, having got lost in the alleys of Mayfair while on our way there. The place was disappointing ... wasn't worth the effort we had made to reserve a table and get there. The vegetarian dishes were ok ... the lamb portion that i had ordered was somewhat dry and below par. The service was good. It was pricey, but at ~£35 a head, less so than i had imagined. Normally i would have described the entire experience as enjoyable ... had it not been for the immensely high expectations that i had from this place. My fault entirely i suppose. Now that they have recently regained their lost Michelin star, i am assuming that the levels would have improved significantly. I will go back once at least to check it out again. read more