Dishoom: Bringing Smart And Spicy Indian Street Food To London

Pick a time and be adventurous with your drinks

As Dishoom offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, you will firstly need to decide which meal you fancy. I would definitely recommend the lunch and dinner; however, if unlike myself, you have not experienced Indian breakfast, you absolutely must try it out and the best place to do so is, of course, at Dishoom.

For breakfast, brunch and lunch, it is possible to make a reservation through the Dishoom website, although make sure that you do so early as the restaurant can be fully booked up a week in advance! If you decide to visit Dishoom later on into the evening (such as for dinner), be mindful that the restaurant does not take reservations and you will be waiting in a queue for at least thirty minutes. Whilst I have never waited in the queue, I have noticed the rather delightful staff at Dishoom handing out umbrellas to potential diners in the queue as well as hot cups of Indian tea, known as chai. Now I am sure that you can tell from this information that Dishoom cares about you, even before you’ve stepped inside!

Once, you’re inside Dishoom, you will be amazed by the very Indian, newspaper style menu, which includes not only tantalizing street food options but also drinks that will satisfy any thirst that you have. For example, there is a delightful Mango & Fennel drink, which is made of yoghurt, fresh mango pulp and fennel seeds (3.90 GBP/approximately 5 USD); it is wonderful. There is also a drink called, “Nimbu Pani” which translated is “Lemonade Water”. This is a lemonade made with fresh lemon juice, salt, sugar and soda (2.90 GBP/approximately 4 USD). My favourite, however, has to be the Rose & Cardamom Lassi, which is a sweet milkshake (3.90 GBP/approximately 5 USD).

Now if you’re having breakfast and you have a real sweet tooth (sweeter than what the Rose & Cardamom Lassi can offer you), I would recommend having the Chocolate Chai, which is a charming combination of dark chocolate and spicy chai. Although, if you want to have breakfast like a true Indian, then you absolutely must experience Dishoom’s House Chai, which is made in the proper Indian way: in a pan with water, milk and plenty of spices (2.50 GBP/approximately 3 USD). Dishoom’s House Chai is a sweetened black tea mixed with milk and includes cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper, fennel and star anise.

Verandah chilling time...begin...now #verandah #carnaby #dishoom #frombombaywithlove

A photo posted by Dishoom (@dishoom) on Jun 24, 2016 at 10:15am PDT

Eat like a king any time of day

Dishoom is most popular for its culinary rung and famous Bombay soul food that will make a real impact on your tastebuds and not only its gorgeous drinks. The fresh street food is like hearty tapas that will fill you up and it will be brought to your table quickly and piping hot. With winter soon arriving in the London, you know you need some good spicy comfort food and Dishoom will certainly give you that in abundance. Now, I am sure that you have heard the phrase,* “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper!” *and I’m now here to tell you that whatever meal you eat at Dishoom, it should be the time that you are eating like a “king” and well, quite frankly that should be either breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner!

The heavenly street food menu is only challenging and difficult to work through because there are so many items that you will want to pick. Having visited the Covent Garden and Carnaby Dishoom on a few occasions, I have to recommend that you try the one-in-a-million crispy okra fries, which have a real spicy kick to them (and accompanied with the chutneys are certainly to fight over with your fellow diners; 4.20 GBP/approximately 6 USD). The Frankie’s & Roomali Rolls are also delicious and as a lover of Indian cheese, the paneer roll is the one that I had to opt for when at Dishoom (7.20 GBP/approximately 10 USD). The paneer is combined with green leaves and a mint chutney and is wrapped within a soft handkerchief-thin bread, thrown, stretched and griddled to order. My favourite dish and one of the most well-known at Dishoom is Pau Bhaji, which is a bowl of mashed vegetables with hot buttered buns (4.50 GBP/approximately 6 USD) and dare I say it, it is actually as tasty as my father’s version. It is a hearty, nourishing dish and a fun way to eat your fragrant and well spiced vegetables.

The decor within all of the Dishoom restaurants that I have experienced is lovely and is coupled with helpful, enthusiastic and ultra-friendly service. I feel that Dishoom provides real authentic Indian food within a contemporary ambiance and a tingling twist.

Kejriwal and a side of masala beans...it was that kind of morning #dishoom #breakfast #kejriwal #coventgarden #frombombaywithlove

A photo posted by Dishoom (@dishoom) on Jun 14, 2016 at 3:09am PDT

Sweet, creamy, cold and hot desserts

Sipping sensational Indian drinks and munching Indian street food can only be followed by embracing authentic Indian desserts.

I would have to recommend that you try the Kulfi on a stick, which is one of the most loved Indian desserts. It originated during the Mughal Empire in the 16th century and is denser and creamier than traditional ice cream; it is also delicately fragrant too, so all your senses will be heightened. There are different flavoured Kulfis including mango, pistachio and malai (3.50 GBP/approximately 5 USD ). If you like caramel, then the sinfully-rich malai Kulfi, which is extra creamy, is the one for you.

Now if you would prefer to have a hot dessert then the pineapple and black pepper crumble (5.50 GBP/approximately 7 USD ) will be a real treat for you. The pineapple is tangy and the black pepper gives it a kick; the sweetener is the crumble topping coupled with the warm custard that is served on the side.

And for afters, our Eid special dessert of Gadbad Mitha. A traditional Indian dessert made with fresh fruits layered with custard, and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Try it from 6th July for one week #special #gadbadmitha #dishoom #frombombaywithlove #eid

A photo posted by Dishoom (@dishoom) on Jul 5, 2016 at 10:57am PDT