Dishoom Kensington

The setting

Each Dishoom tells its own story, and here it is a night at an imagined 'Bombay Roxy' in the 1940s jazz age. Expect chandeliers, Art Deco details and, on certain weeknights, a live house band. There is a bar where you can wait for a table over a cocktail.

What to order

Mornings bring the well-known bacon naan roll, akuri (spiced scrambled egg) and the Parsi omelette. Later on, the house black daal, gunpowder potatoes, pau bhaji and the nalli nihari biryani, a lamb shank baked under a pastry lid and best shared, are the dishes most people come for. Vegetarian, vegan, halal-friendly and gluten-free options are available. Drinks include the India Gimlet, the Bombay Bellini and a turmeric-honey lassi margarita named after Cyrus Irani, the fictional host of the room.

Beating the queue

Breakfast and lunch rarely have much of a wait. After 6pm and at weekends, expect 30 minutes to an hour, with free chai while you queue. Daytime tables can be booked for any size of group, but after 6pm only groups of six or more can reserve. Afterwards, Kensington Gardens and the Royal Albert Hall are a short walk east.

Highlights

• 1940s Bombay jazz theme with Art Deco interior
• Open for breakfast through to late evening
• Black daal, gunpowder potatoes and nalli nihari biryani
• Live house band on some weeknights
• Wheelchair accessible

Good to know

• Mostly walk-in; after 6pm only groups of six or more can book.
• Expect 30-60 minute waits in the evening and at weekends, with free chai while you queue.
• Wheelchair-accessible entrance, lift and toilet.
• Vegetarian, vegan, halal-friendly and gluten-free options.

Frequently asked questions