unique and wonderful place for a lunch...away from the crowds
Fantastic piece of English history which is in danger of being redeveloped.
We went to this place for its historic importance and I quite liked it. Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the founder members of this little canteen style restaurant. Brilliant location and reasonable prices amongst any other Indian restaurants around. We had the chicken chilli for starters. It was very tasty and just like homemade. For the mains we ordered chapattis(they are quite big and 2 per person is good to fill you up), prawn bhuna, chicken Madras, and pilau rice. The portions are decent and prices even better. The service is quite slow, so be patient. The food is quite worth it. I would like this place to keep running and visit here once in a while. Oh and yes, the bar downstairs is also quite cool o hangout.
This place definitely has the feel of an old school Indian 'canteen', often found in hidden alleys in Indian cities, and the feeling was stronger when we climbed the narrow stairs to reach the dining rooms.
The place was pretty busy at 7.30pm on a Thursday evening, and looked friendly too. The food portions were generous, and although not particularly mind blowing, the prices weren't exorbitant.
We had a plate of mix bhajiyas which I would rate about 3/5, mix veggie curry - again about 3/5, bhindi fry - 4/5, and puri and roti. Mango lassi was a disappointment for me though, and I wouldn't recommend.
I will give this place another chance in all fairness, and mind you the food did feel pretty homely - definitely no overdose of butter and buckets of uncooked spices which many places confuse as Indian cooking.
I will be back.
I have been to this Indian canteen only once...would happily skip it the next time.
It is ideally located....very close to the Indian Embassy. The interiors could have been better.The service is good but the food is average.
A decent place for those who wish to have home-cooked Indian food.
I have been to the India Club a few times - its situated very close to the Indian Embassy and has the look and feel of those old Indian Government style buildings. No flashy ambiance here - this place is almost like an old canteen. The food is authentic - I specially love Chicken Bhuna with the chapatis. Egg Curry is also pretty good. They also have a decent south Indian selection.
I will miss India Club when it closes its doors. I’ve been coming here with my dad for a while now and so grateful for this home away from home. My last lunch there was for my dads birthday last week. We spotted a dear old friend of my dad the late Chandran Tharoor in the bar photos while having drinks and then headed up for our last lunch. It will always be my childhood favourite and I can’t thank the staff enough for making it a place I will always remember. The food always reminds me of my parents and just a home comfort.
I am so sorry that it took me until you were closing down to make a visit.
Well worth the wait though, honest good indian food in an amazing dining room.
Thank you for squeezing us into a busy lunch service on a Friday, it’s an experience I’ll never forget.
Well the place is closing in 2 days so this review feels a little pointless, but I might as well...
I arrived at 5.30 with my companion and we were able to get shown to a table by 5.40. We were allowed to order at 5.45 but the kitchen didn't start cooking until 6pm.
Dosa was ok, good sambhar and coconut chutney. Parathas are a highlight. Channa was decent.
Mango lassi was at least made on the premises and not out of a bottle.
My brother had recommended chicken 65.
Most of the patrons in the very packed dining room and bar were middle aged, middle class white people who had been coming for 40 years and wanting to relive their youth working at the BBC or studying at Kings or LSE.
Not that many brown people, probably because the food is only ok, and no longer as cheap as it used to be.
It is sad that the place is closing down because the history is so important, but life moves on. End of an era.
This is definitely worth a visit! And it's a marmite experience for sure! The front door is an old hotel, a very hidden doorway opposite the ME hotel. 1st floor is a bar, don't be expecting anything fancy but it's dripping in atmosphere and I'd gladly go back for the drink there, especially as there are views out over the Strand. The restaurant is up on the next floor. Food was tasty, a few menu items had run out. Waiter forgot our water a few times, but it was packed so that is understandable. But it's the intense NOISE in there that you'll either love or....not love!! It's great that everyone there wants to chat with friends and create a buzzing atmosphere, but for a chap who appreciates his hearing, it was impossible to hear what your friends are saying unless you lean in and get occasionally spat on accidentally. Was definitely glad I experienced it.
A lovely little place well hidden from view is this gem of a restaurant
Place claims to be the oldest curry house and was a meeting point for the Indian diaspora.
I nearly missed the entrance but found it wnd climbed the 39 steps to the restaurant
Did book a table just in case if it is busy
We went for lunch and ordered some starters like Samosa, papadam and masala dosa and had mains like biryani
The furniture in the place is quite old and is cool to sit in.
Service was very good and fast
The chef I enquired is from Kerala and hence the food and way it is cooked is vey traditional Kerala style
The sambar and coconut chutney with the dosa was nice
I also noticed that the paratha was done Kerala style and if I had known I would have ordered this
Enjoyed the food, price is reasonable. There is also take away boxes they do for lunch for circa 8 to 7 pounds and for me that is brilliant if I worked locally
All in all a very lovely place to visit and food tastes sublime
This is a London hidden gem and one of our favourite places. It's old worldly and authentic. The dining room style venue dates back fifty years and I'm sure that little has changed in that time.
The food is authentic and delicious. On this occasion we had the Lamb Keema Masala Dosa and King Prawn Curry. Always delicious.
It's a unique experience! In the heart of London there's smack bam an authentic Indian restaurant. It's incredible.
What takes the rating down is that it's not exactly a cheap eat nor filling for people 6 foot upwards. I had the Paneer Dosa and it lacked flavour and I could have devoured another one.
I'd definitely recommend it to my friends as it is indeed special.
Probably the best curry place in London, the fact it's hidden away does service to its quality. Authentic experience with fantastic history, good portion sizes, excellent for the price, and incredible quality food. Service can be leisurely but sometimes that's exactly what you want. Travesty that it is closing down due to redevelopment, hope to see them again wherever they end up.
Really nice quirky place with very nice food at reasonable prices considering the location. Staff very accommodating and friendly. Not 5 star but a good place to grab a pre-theatre bite.
First went to eat here in 1981 and it’s still as amazing. Went this Tuesday 12th Best authentic Indian food and atmosphere I’ve experienced. Want to say thank to the staff especially the head waiter who help us get a table at 19.00 so quickly. All guests so friendly especially a lovely couple next to our table. Shame won’t be able to go again but would be great if it was opened in a new venue. Happy memories
It's been 12 years since I last visited, and very little has changed. Very, very busy on a Thursday evening in June, the food was delicious. The atmosphere was loud..
I found this place in Time Out and I am so glad I did! It's not salubrious surroundings but you appreciate the history behind it. The food was tasty and the spice was warming which was excellent for me, it was good food at a good price and not pretentious and for a Tuesday all the tables were taken. The staff were excellent and helpful. Would definitely recommend a visit and booking and would go back again.
Thank you for being there, I've been coming for 53 years. My last visit was wonderful with much loved former colleagues from BBC World Service. My 1st desk there overlooked the Strand - just 5 minutes away. What a haven The India Club has been, it's a travesty that this amazing haven is being forced to close.
Would never have known about this place - came here for a book launch - and it was some of the tastiest Indian food we’ve eaten in a long time. The dhal, the dosa, the sambar - everything was on point, with layered subtle flavours and just a tremendous sensory experience, all for a really reasonable price.
Nighean McConnell Walker
+5
Had what may be our last visit to The India Club yesterday. Heartening to see it so busy on a Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere was buzzy as usual as diners sat with strangers and discussed how much we all love and appreciate this amazing space.
Of course, this is all to be taken away in September 2023 when Marston Developments force the owners to leave and take with them over 70 years of Indian history and culture.
The food, as ever is traditional, tasty and the lamb remains the most tender I’ve ever eaten.
I hope the family and staff are able to find somewhere to reopen and I am sure many will follow them, but it is a travesty that this building and restaurant will not be preserved for future generations.
A hidden gem at the Strand, so writing this review reluctantly as don't want to spread the word :). It's an absolutely fabulous place to visit either for a drink for some deliciously cooked Indian food in their upstairs restaurant. The only downside is that portions are quite small, which I guess is something you'd expect as the prices are low too. I haven't stayed in their hotel though.
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