Tamarind Kitchen

"Walk down Wardour Street and you’ll find yourself being drawn to this Indian restaurant by the warm and inviting glow it emits. A more relaxed sister to Tamarind in Mayfair, this elegant spot is run by an endearingly willing team and the atmosphere is always equally infectious. The menu traverses India and offers something for everyone, from an excellent biryani to a creamy lobster Malabar curry. Equal care goes into the cocktails; the 'Passion Chilli Sour' will brighten any day." - Michelin Inspector

London’s Best Modern Indian Restaurants | Eater London

"A cheaper, more casual offshoot of the famous Tamarind, the best thing about this restaurant is that it welcomes walk-ins with open arms. It’s a dimly lit space, with dark wood, ornate artwork, and an extravagant display of fresh flowers. Although the menus at the two venues are different, some items overlap and are less expensive here than at the Mayfair original. Mini raj kachori is vigorously spiced and over-stuffed with sev, pomegranate seeds and sweetened yoghurt, just as it should be; and there’s wonderfully nuanced Hyderabadi kofta in almond and white poppy seed gravy. Hot, sweet pickled prawn balchao has been reimagined as a tandoori grill; and Chettinad chicken reimagined as biryani — but it all works beautifully. A simple side dish of ‘Jaipuri’ fried baby potatoes with a light dusting of chaat masala steals the limelight from some of the fancier items." - Sejal Sukhadwala

Tamarind Restaurant Denies Using Knorr Chicken Stock in Vegan Dishes in Soho | Eater London

"At the group's casual Soho location, an employment tribunal set out allegations that the executive head chef used Knorr chicken stock cubes in dishes—including ones advertised as vegetarian and vegan—and in meals served to halal guests, raising concerns about misleading customers and allergen information. A former assistant manager raised these concerns internally and was dismissed shortly afterwards; the tribunal found his dismissal automatically unfair for making protected disclosures and concluded he genuinely believed the chicken stock was being used across menus. Company directors denied that chicken stock was used in vegetarian or vegan meals while not denying that chicken stock had been present in the kitchen, and stressed the restaurant is not halal. The tribunal also reported that the chef refused to disclose the use of the chicken powder to front-of-house staff and that at least one other employee resigned after the issue." - Adam Coghlan

Michelin-Starred Mayfair Indian Restaurant Tamarind is Closed for Refurbishment | Eater London

"Presented as a more casual Soho sibling to the Mayfair Michelin-starred venue, this outpost is being promoted as the temporary destination for diners while the flagship closes for refurbishment; the report offers no additional detail on its menu or interiors." - Andrew Leitch