DUM Biryani House

Delicious, scrumptious, mouth watering hot & spicy fresh food served here however a few things to consider, firstly if you can avoid driving to this place then do it as there is no parking and it's a bit difficult place to get to. Secondly it's extremely tucked away & difficult to spot & find as it's actually below ground level. Other than that the food is not cheap and be aware that they charge some Chef charge in top without letting you know. Another important thing to consider is that they do not have air conditioning or heating for that matter as I have been there before in winter time and it was very cold downstairs and since they are below the ground & in summer they become very hot, there was only 1 fan in there and the heat was getting unbearable. Other than that the food is actually very good appreciate the "Dum Biryani" which is nothing like I have had before, actually comes in a pot covered with puff pastry! See pictures, overall it's definitely worth visiting at least once.

This place is a little gem, serving select but authentic Indian cuisine. Their Dum Biryani is amazing in taste and presentation. The biryani comes with delicious raita with crunch okra in it and mirch based curry. Under the hood (you’ll know what I mean) there is long basmati rice with more than enough chicken cubes and a freshly boiled egg. A must visit if you’re in central London. The place is compact though It does get quite busy. They need to use more waiters cuz I found myself waiting quite long to order dessert and chai. Also WiFi is quite spotty and didn’t even connect for me.

The underground restaurants in soho are what the area is all about. And this is an absolute gem. A shining ruby of a restaurant. The kaleidoscope of colours and smells hits you as you walk in, leaving you in no doubt you’re about to have a good time. And you will, friendly fast service, mouth watering dishes and waiters who advise and guide you like true pros. I’m coming back. And eating it all again.

Good experience. Ordered the chicken biryani. It was quite spicy but extremely tasty and flavourful like it would be back home. Enjoyed every bit of the biryani and ate without a care in the world. Would highly recommend it. However, be careful with the spice levels as it's not for everyone.

A tiny place on Wardour street that's easy to miss! This is located in a basement with a small doorway that with stairs that leads you downstairs to the restaurant. The dining area is small but can fit a small crowd. We ordered a lamb shank and a small chicken buriyani with a mango lassi. The lassi was thick and creamy and had blended cardomom in it however was bitty and a bit overwhelming. The buriyani took about 20 mins to arrive, arriving in piping hot dishes sealed with puff pastry. Upon breaking the seal we were surprised with steaming hot rice and meat packed with spicy flavours, similar to the traditional tastes from home. The lamb shank had a lot of meat, with so much spicy flavours and aroma. Even though I was very hungry, I had trouble finishing it. The chicken was boneless, soft and moist and packed alot of flavour, spices and fragrances too. Service was great with the staff clearing up or replacing the water without asking. Thanks for a pleasurable experience which I will do again someday.

Pretty much just overpriced biryanis and Indian food, especially given the size of portions for the small plates. The biryani itself lacked any flavor and after a while I found myself having to drench it in the curry. Service was good but the food really fell below expectations. £6 for a pint of Cobra was a lot

Great food, good value and very nice staff! The weekday lunch biryani was fine, good value for money. I’m told the a la carte biryani is better. I was struggling to rate with the 5th star but the friendly, polite and efficient staff was reason enough! Right in the middle of the busy Oxford Circus-Soho area, ambience inside is nice and quirky

Two things that are uncommon about the biryani: the pastry coating that serves as the lid of the biryani pot, and the beetroot raita. Honestly, I haven't encountered this even in Hyderabad, when I was there. Food was piping hot, not very spicy by Indian standards, and portioning was adequate for one person. It was also hygienic, I was having a slight stomach problem, and the food did not worsen it at all. Serving was quick, you will have to wait for 15 mins, but that's because they are heating your pot separately. All in all, a good dining experience during a cold and rainy evening.

I would give this place a 3.5. As a tourist, I chose Dum Biryani for its convenient location. I booked reservations ahead of time and waited a few minutes for our table to be ready. The place was packed and luckily, our table was in a semi-private space with two other tables. The main room seemed a bit cramped. There was definitely a hustle and bustle vibe to this restaurant. As for food, my friend and I split the chicken 65 and a chicken biryani. The main reason I chose this spot was for the pot-pie style crust on their biryanis and boy was it a flakey crust! The chicken 65 was tender and had a nice warm spice. The biryani was good and filling. Quite average IMO, but satisfying nonetheless. The flavors were quite mild and the rice was nicely cooked and piping hot under the flakey crust.

Really solid Chicken Biryani. The flavors were there, just the right amount of heat, chicken was well cooked. I've had Biryani a bunch in India and never seen anything like the pie crust on the top that they do, so I'm assuming that's a cool anglifying twist - the crust was nice and went well with the sauces on the side. Service was pleasant and food came pretty quick, but it did take a few tables a long time to flag them down for the check.

Great place and has excellent food. Dum biryani is delicious; the beer Cobra is very tasty and fresh. Excellent service, for sure We will go again

We went to DUM before theater to grab an early dinner. I'm a big fan of places that do one or two niche types of food--and do it really well--rather than casting an excessively wide menu net. DUM is just that!! For two people, we ordered: 1. King prawn pan fry--deliciously warm, coconut curry sauce in a cast iron skillet for a starter 2. Mushroom filo dough pockets--decadent, perhaps, but the mushrooms were well seasoned and the filo dough crispy (no soggy bottoms!) 3. Chicken biryani to share--we prefer chicken to lamb, and weren't disappointed. The pastry dough top is an excellent touch and best paired withh the accompanying dips. All in all, a great find at a bang up price at the top of Wardour street. (With 2 starters, 1 main, and no drinks in dry January, our total was £37.) Friendly staff and throwback hip hop too. Book your table online to avoid queues, but should you get stuck queuing for your biryani...just rest assured that it will be worth it!

Food: out of this world authentic tasting Service: Quick, friendly and helpful Atmosphere: upbeat good music and cozy basement restaurant Price: ££ This is a hole in the basement wall gem we stumbled upon in London. The food was so good, we had the vegetable Biryani, Dal Tadka and the mutton fry. The Biryani is pretty big 2 people could probably share a large with out anything else. We had a small, mutton snack and the dal and it was just the right amount. I don't think I need to say anymore I'll just let the picture do the talking.

This place gets PACKED but is totally worth the wait! We had a party of 10 ppl and we were a little worried if they could find space for us. But they seated us in one of their "underground" rooms - so it was pretty cool to have an alcove all to ourselves! If you're booking as a large group, see if you can ask to sit downstairs. Especially considering how loud the main dining area can be. Everything we tried was delicious! We ordered two lamb biryani platters because we saw how heavily recommended it was on Yelp. It was very very good but we all definitely wished there was more lamb meat included with that amount of rice. The rice to lamb proportion was about 80/20. My favorite dish ended up being the chicken curry Don't sleep on this dish! Even when all the chicken was gone, the curry sauce itself was so amazing that I kept mixing it with the biryani so I could keep eating it. Even if they don't have a huge menu, what they do offer is excellent!

This place is hands down AMAZING. Authentic biryani with spices at the original levels like my grandmother cooks. There is usual a curry and a veg special daily. Vibes here are good. Blue walls with gold accents and art by Hatecopy keeps the modern Indian theme fun. Price range per dish is £15 but lunch special dishes are around £5 - and they deliver via services.

This place came very close to a 5 star rating. It had nearly everything you could want in a restaurant but just fell short. Pros: - Food. Amazing biryani cooked to perfection and served in a bowl with crust on top. Tender lamb and flavourful rice. Fried prawns entree was yummy and a great starter. - Price. £16 for a full meal that could probably satisfy two if entrees are also ordered. - Menu is concise so they focus on what they do best. Signature cocktail menu also a nice selection. - Music. I love old skool hip hop. Cons: - Ambiance. If the crypts of Winterfell are your thing you might not mind eating in a basement and the close quarters with limited air circulation. This also extended to the leak or rain water pooling up even after it was mopped when we sat down. - Hot wings. The description said hot and sour so I thought they would be closer to mild in spice. It was more like burning your tongue with the spiciest chillies known to humans! Do not order the chicken wings unless you're up for the challenge. This advice comes from all three people at the table. Right in the middle was service. Friendly and helpful when able to get their attention. However if you're sitting in the secluded chambers/cave then be prepared to step out if you need anything. Overall a very delicious treat and somewhere I would gladly go back to anytime.

Lunch today at Dum biryani Hous - Oxford Street London deserves a special mention Chicken dum biryani which is sublime and presented in a rustic way in a handi Perfectly cooked chicken along wit long grain basmati rice and then served with some papad topped with masala and mirchi ka Salan which is apt and some curd The biryani is just done right - reminds me of palatable hyderabad biryani Foodie in me is quite contended A big thanks to my friend who suggested to try this one COE : 56 pounds with drinks Do try folks when you are in London it's a sure shot recco Food taste -4/5 Pricing - 3/5 it's on higher side for the ambiance and service ! There are other fine dine restaurants , felt prices are a bit on higher side VFM -3.5/5 The prices are high Ambiance is in basement with cozy decor Food is tasty

A new hyderbadi biryani house in London, authentic food from India just the way it should be, Dhruv who owns it is a really good friend of mine, we met at Cordon Bleu. His background in hospitality speaks wonders, having trained and worked for some of the best chefs. The name of the restaurant comes from the cooking of the dish - kept on "Dum" which means it is steamed on a low heat for a few hours until the rice and meat is cooked together to perfection. It may look small from the outside, Press the bell, and the door will open, descend down the steps, its spacious, open, and comfy. The decor is one of a kind, true authentic Indian ways, pictures of his uncle, grandfather, how indian parents portray their children, in the hopes of what they "should" become when they grow up. It is a small menu, which in my own opinion is better, pick the best dishes, put them on a menu. Better as theres no confusion on what to get, and you're filling up on the main course. As it was the soft launch I attended, I pretty much tried the entire food menu as well as the drinks menu, and by the time I left, not only was my stomach the size of an elephant but so were my alcohol levels! I LOVE LOVED the Andhra Prawn Fry - Stir fried king prawns in red chilli and coconut. Fresh prawns cooked to perfection, the balance of coconut to chilli is perfect, if you like spicy food, then this is the one, shreds of coconut mixed in with the garlic. There is plenty of it for your 5 prawns! Dahi Kebab - fried yoghurt dumplin served with and andhra tomato and curry leaf chutney. The best vegetarian dish! The chicken wings are also very good, juicy, succulent, fell off the bone so easily. Tossed in a spicy sour masala. Was my least favourite. But will try again. The mains are huge!! For £12 you are getting your monies worth!! When you read the menu, you almost get a sense of what will be on your plate, but then not really! I wasn't sure what the accompaniments were with the biryani, when the plate was brought out, i was so shocked! It was a "thali" but done very differently. I ordered the lamb shank - mirch unda salan (spicy curry with padron chilli and half boiled egg) and baigan raita (smoked subergine dip). My other half got the Seasona Veg Biryani, which by the way he loved so much. Each biryani is seved with a raita, kuchumber (salad of cucumber, onion and tomato), and a spicy curry accompaniment. The roti is made from pastry, and then on the side pappad. As you unravel the pastry, fragrance of saffron, spices come alluring out. I've eaten biryani at a lot of places and nothing has come far fetched as Dum, probably the best in London. The biryanis are recommended as a sharing dish! if you are feeling brave, then eat alone! The lamb was so tender, flavoursome, melts in your mouth. The rabdi, I hated! Not a fan of indian desserts. Lets move onto cocktails, considering I drank everything, my favourite was the Desi Barbaadi - ophir gin, fever tree med tonic, raspberries and shatkora zest. It was strong, it was gentle and went down quite well. The old monk rum is definitely the one to try, I highly recommend drinking it neat with ice, its mellow, packed full of flavour, and just melts in your mouth. Their spirits are made in house, the rum is infused with saffron. Also the champagne is highly recommended. Most standard champers are dry, leaves this weird texture in your mouth. However the Thiernot Brut at Dum is by far the best! Many bubbles, not dry, one glass is simply not enough. It beats the most expensive champers by far! The indian favourite soft drinks such as thums up and limca are also served, and chaas (lassi) Overall Dum London is a pleasant place, service is on point, the owner, restaurant manager, staff, are all very nice. Prices are exceptionally good for Soho and London area, cocktails are priced at £8 which is cheaper than most places. Beer on tap I think is roughly £4 a pint. Starters are priced at £4.50 onwards. They will be officially open from 1st November! Go check it out :)

I love nothing more than a restaurant that specializes in a meal and does it best! I was craving a biryani and my friend recommended we try this place and it was absolutely worth it. Mr. H and I tried their mutton fry pav along with a large chicken biriyani. The Mutton Fry Pav was to die for with no compromise on spice and flavour, the large biryani was the perfect size for a small meal although I could have eaten more varieties of the pav for sure (it was too good). The Dum Biriyani is served without being opened so you get the joy of cracking open the dough crust and being engulfed in the aroma. The rice was cooked to perfection and the chicken was extremely tender. They serve the biriyani with three sauces, sweet yogurt, spicy gravy and some pickle on the side. I would highly recommend this place for a true DUM biriyani experience.

I had a great time here. The owner was present and involved, the staff was wonderful, and the food was just awesome. I was hesitant because it's in such a tourist area, but it's worth the trek. The chorizo burger appetizer thing is really good. The lamb shank biryani dish is amazing. And the house beer is tasty. Please show these people some love, this place was fantastic.

Walked by this place and was amused by the clever street sign. A few hours later decided to check it out. Ended up being the best biryani I have ever had. Had the lamb shank biryani. Served in a little pot with puff pastry on it that gives it the "dum". Again, it's just awesome Dhruv, the owner is a pleasant fun guy and will try to over feed you. Amazing find. Will certainly be back

I like going underground on a hot summer day. Not sure if Indian food was the best choice on a hot day, but it was what our bellies were demanding. I'm glad they did. Some of the best biryani I have ever had. Nice and crusty with loads of spices. The curry leaf chicken was well balanced between the smooth mint and the flavorful curry.

The food is absolutely outstanding. As a group of 8, we got a separate cubby hole to ourselves where we could talk as loudly as we wanted. The cocktails were fantastic. The biryanis some of the best I have had at a restaurant in London. The snacks were also great. Service staff didn't seem very aware of the menu and lots of time lags between food and drinks coming in to our table. Ordered together, but delivered with large intervals. When I ordered a particular brand of single malt at the bar, I was told that was the last they had of that brand, but when he came to the table to take the order, the server insisted they had another bottle. Took him 20 minutes to return and admit that they didn't. The staff just needs a bit more training to get comfortable with the menu. Fortunately we were a group of Indians, who didn't need the menu to be explained or clarified, nor did we get confused when they announced the wrong names of the dishes when they arrived.

Walked in on a Sunday night right after we finished our long day in british museum. We were planning to have Indian food and unfortunately the closet and famous Dishroom was packed. We couldn't stand and wait for 40 minutes as we were exhausted. So we searched for another place, happily we found Dum Biryani house. It is located in a basement, so if you walk too fast, you might miss it. This place is fun and chic. I love their painting and decorations. The best interior design in a Indian restaurant I have ever seen. We ordered the chicken biryani and the lamb curry. Both are wonderful. Lambs are so juicy and tender, go well with the phatata. I wish I could finish the whole plate if the curry isn't that oily. P.s. warning for people who expect a variety of option on the menu. They don't. It's minimalist! They just offer a few items for you to pick. Well, minimalist is the trend now on fashion. Why not adapting it on food?

If you're a Biryani fan this is good stuff. I'm not terribly crazy about it, but I liked this a-ok.

In my previous review, I gave the restaurant a one star because they were closed due to tube strikes. And I was annoyed at Ubering over not to find it closed. However, I went there again, and I think after having eaten there, I have to update my review. The menu is simple and I had the Chicken Biryani. It comes in a hot pot covered with a naan bread. From presentation to taste, it is impressive! And not too expensive either. Loved it and I plan to make it a monthly treat.

The interior looked nice and I'm sure dining in is enjoyable. I myself have tried the lamb biryani and the chicken biryani takeaway. The lamb biryani is better, with the lamb itself tender and tasty and the biryani rice also lovely, however, spicy is an understatement. I am lucky I can take it, but I'm not sure anyone who isn't used to it would be able to manage, even with the lovely yoghurt raita it comes with to take the edge off. I think it is actually spicy to the point where it interferes with the flavour, otherwise I would rate it higher. The portion size was okay, but for the high price I'm not sure I would get it again. I might come back to try the rabdi dessert though, as that is a dish that I don't see too often on a menu. I'm glad Soho has a biryani house though and it's halal to boot, so I might be back to see if it's different eating in.

A hidden gem within Central London. Great minimalist menu with only 3/4 mains to choose from which is perfect when your out with fussy company. Excellent service and lamb shank biryani is great, plus it's all halal.

Highlight of our trip to London. My wife and I had never had Indian food before and were blown away. The flavors were amazing and the staff was friendly. Definitely took advantage of the unlimited punch offered. Now I just need to find a place equal back in the states.

Dum biryani house in Soho is a well-hidden gem. On arrival we were given a playing card, which once we'd gone downstairs into the restaurant, we handed over and we're shown to our table. The staff were warm and friendly. They talked us though the menu and drinks about which they were very knowledgeable and gave us some good recommendations. The menu lists 5 snacks and 2 biryanis. However there was also a 3rd biryani special. There was plenty of choice. The food was very fresh and clearly cooked to order. The menu suggests one snack and one biryani per person. However having seen the size of the couples next to us we decided to share a biryani. We had two snacks for our starters the first was Andhra prawn fry, which are prawns stir-fried with red chilli and coconut. The prawns were delicious spicy and with a satisfying crunch from the coconut on top. The second dish was Dahi Kebab, Fried yogurt patties served with an Andhra tomato chutney, which really packed a punch. We chose the lamb biryani that is served with mirch unda salan (curry with green chilli and half boiled egg) smoked aubergine raita. The dish itself is very impressive and beautifully presented. When cracking the perfect pasty shell a great waft of steam breaks free with a gorgeous smell of spice. The dish does not disappoint. The lamb is soft and falls apart the dish has the perfect amount of heat and flavour. For dessert we had a beautiful milk based dessert called Rabdi, which took the heat away from our meal it was sweet and creamy with crunchy pistachio sprinkled on top and a sweet pinch of candied rose petals. The atmosphere was warm and inviting with good music. The staff were lovely, welcoming and great at explaining what each dish was and gave great insights into the drinks flavours. Overall a very enjoyable experience with great food. By contributor: Miss Soya

The place claims it is authentic Biryani and that I can't verify. I'm guessing in India they don't do a crust and they don't do it in individual portions. My impression is Biryani is more communal and a simple crust is used... In any case, having said that what they do is genius. I love this idea and it makes it a perfect serving for one or two persons. The side items are also very good. My only complaint is that the rice on top when you crack the crust is bland. I had to learn that you have to mix it since the flavors really sink in the bottom. Might be pricier conpared to other places but portions can be shared. It is big enough.

Absolutely one of my favourites! I love Hyderabadi biryani and this place serves exactly the same. Each and every food is an experience here, and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening. Would love to come here again.

Do not go with high expectations. Biryani is ordinary and not truly "Hyderabadi Dum Biryani." The food is ordinary. Please be sure because the bill includes 12% service charge, which is discretionary. You are forced to pay the service charge. In our case, the waiter did not remove it from the bill when questioned. I do not think the food or service deserves 12% service charge!

The food is passable, but good reviews are probably skewed by the fact that it's a novel and fun place to go. Completely not stuffy the way many 'good' Indian places are. The Lichenstein-style Indian posters cracked me up to no end. "I can't believe I burnt the rotis" or how about "Never trust an aunty". We ordered an array of appetizers and a cocktail as well as the trademark chicken biriyani and some curries. The Gobi Cauliflower and Chicken 'lollipops' were inexpensive foods covered heavily in breading and curry spice. The Desi gin and tonic featuring the top shelf items were pretty but there was hardly any top shelf gin in there. I'm a lightweight drinker (really people, I'm from New York - can't even keep up with the lightest Londoner) and I didn't even FEEL any alcohol in here. The trademark Chicken Biriyani made everyone feel so happy that they thought they were getting an authentic British pub pie but inside was Surprise! Indian Food. Actually the flavor of the aforementioned pie was the best of all the lot. The Chicken Curry and the Lamb Curry was un-notable but for the Lack of Chicken and Lamb. Honestly I combed the Chicken Curry like I was Watching the Detective, but only came up with 2 pieces. I also enjoyed the Mango Lassi - the roses on top very nice. It was my last night in London and thought I could get by without a reservation but only this was available. I'm sorry I went to London and this was the only Indian I had, when London is famous for good Indian (sob). Back to NYC and 6th street...

OMG, what a good place and what a great intro. This is a Biryani house, exactly what it says on the tin. Dhruv the owner and the rest of the team were very welcoming and it was great to be welcomed to old school hip hop music. The vibe is chilled and relaxed with retro comic strips on the wall, with an Asian twist, which are very funny. The food is great and on to the point. A few starters of which we tried the amazing chicken wings and the chana masala (chick peas). Both had good heat but the different spices and textures were great too. The main show is the Biryani, with amazing and over generous portions, my wife and I were absolutely stuffed. Food = great, vibe and service = great. biryani with the side sauces = GREAT

Hole in the wall kinda Restaurant, food was alright. Ordered Shahi Paneer- paneer was fresh but the gravy (barely any) was ok, not much taste just spicy. Gobi Manchuria's texture and taste was good but not enough quantity.

I come from the city of biryani. I know what true dum biryani tastes like. This chicken biryani was very mild, it was just ok and over priced £14.50 is insane. Phatata was a joke, thats the smallest I have seen in my life. Great ambiance and staff. They charged us £4.50 discretionary charges I believe for a birthday candle. We had one birthday in our group.

We ordered the lamb biryani. Very expensive with little meat and extremely spicy. You can hardly taste any flavour from the food. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

This restaurant, tucked away in the basement of this small building in Soho London, was a really big surprise. We were desperate looking for a good halal place to eat at and we stumbled across this gem. First of all the lamb shank and chicken biryani they have is amazing. Also I found it really interesting the way it was served inside of a puff pastry. It was seasoned very well and the spice was on point. The only problem I had with the restaurant was that the portions for the other dishes like the fish and the mutton, though very good, were way to small and did not fill us up. One thing to beware of is that it gets really busy at this establishment so try to go on a time that is not considered a peak time. All in all, I would highly recommend this restaurant.

I had hosted a lunch for around 20 people at DUM Briyani. Dhruv was very helpful in accommodating our requests. We were a noisy bunch! The food was absolutely brilliant, the best biryani in town. The starters are amazing too.

They ran out of paneer at 6pm, and not because of demand. The biryani is average at best. They substituted our paneer order with some chicken curry that tasted AWFUL. It was essentially pea soup with chunks of chicken in it. Just an awful experience with the food, their decor is great though.

I'd never had Biryani before, and it was DELICIOUS. We ordered the lamb and chicken Biryani, and both were excellent, and very generous portions. Did not expect the cocktails to be so good for such a small restaurant. As others mentioned, the chicken wing appetizers are extremely spicy (though delicious), even for my Korean tongue.