“Dishoom pays homage to the Irani cafés and the food of all Bombay.” Dishoom
The effects of Covid-19 on the British high street’s shops and restaurants is plain to see and nowhere is it more obvious than in London’s usually busiest areas. If you are out and about in the city nows the time to support those high street favourites, go to all those places that were notoriously hard to just pop into at the last minute.
Dishoom Carnaby is one such place. It’s the first time I’ve passed one of these venues and there wasn’t a queue snaking around the building. They are operating a virtual queuing system but even that’s not full these days and we wandered straight in with no prior reservation.
The old school kitsch vibe starts right as you step inside the door. Dishoom’s concept is paying homage to the old Irani cafes and street food of Bombay. The extensive menu is particularly popular with the breakfast/brunch crowd as much as those looking for lunch and dinner. The restaurant’s bacon and eggs served in naan rolls accompanied by hot chai is a favourite of many Londoners. We were there for an impromptu late lunch from the all-day dining menu that offers home style Indian cuisine in the form of small plates, grilled biryanis and curries aplenty. Traditional lassis and coolers are also available along with desserts.
We ordered a selection of sharing dishes. Vegetable samosas with a pea and potato filling spiced with cinnamon and cloves, chicken ruby with a makhani curry sauce, a spicy and tender mutton pepper fry accompanied by a bowl of greens of broccoli, snow peas and kale tumbled with chilli and lime. Sides of plain buttery naan baked in the tandoor and a bowl of fragrant steamed basmati rice complemented our selection. Really tasty food and worth the many years wait.
Dishoom caters for everyone with separate vegan, dairy free, gluten intolerance and children’s menus. The usual takeaway menu can currently only be delivered to London dwellers due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The large restaurant is an eclectic mix of retro styles, where dark colonial touches and old school posters transport you back to a different era. The large bar area is elegant but something is amiss without the heaving crowd swigging Dishoom’s Indian Pale Ale and prohibition cocktails. The staff are attentive, almost too much so, but at least the food comes quickly and is piping hot.
Dishoom Carnaby
Location: 22 Kingly Street, London. W1B 5QP
Telephone: 020 7420 9322
Website: www.dishoom.com/carnaby/
Opening Times: Monday – Friday 8am to 10pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am to 10pm
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All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page © Jo Brett 2020. All rights reserved. Additional photos used with courtesy of Dishoom.