Zaika

A Delightful Afternoon at Zaika After a leisurely stroll through Kensington Palace, my wife and I decided to stop by Zaika for lunch. While the restaurant is typically known for its dinner service, we had the rare pleasure of having the entire space to ourselves at noon—a quiet luxury that made the experience feel even more special. The ambiance is charmingly old-school, adorned with tasteful paintings that evoke a sense of elegance without feeling dated. Our server, Rahail, was warm and attentive, adding a personal touch that made us feel truly welcome. We began with the Raj Kachori, which pleasantly surprised us. Unlike the usual hot serving, Zaika’s version came chilled—refreshing and absolutely bursting with flavor. I paired it with a masala chai, which leaned toward the subtle side in terms of strength but was beautifully balanced and aromatic. My wife had the mango lassi, which was rich, smooth, and perfectly sweet. All in all, a lovely midday escape—delicious food, gracious service, and a serene setting. We’d gladly return, perhaps for dinner next time, to experience the place in its full glory.

We visited Restaurant Zaika for a birthday celebration after it came recommended by someone local. The experience, unfortunately, didn’t quite live up to expectations , though there were some highlights. The starter was genuinely delicious and gave a promising start to the meal. However, the main courses were quite underwhelming. The lobster, in particular, was overcooked while the flavour was there, the texture was tough and chewy. At £34, it really didn’t feel worth the price. The chicken biryani and the paneer dish were both average, not bad, but certainly not as good as what we’ve had in other nearby restaurants. What made the situation worse was the handling of our complaint. We mentioned the issue with the lobster, and while the waiter did apologise, no further gesture was offered, no adjustment to the bill or any goodwill token. That was disappointing and felt like a missed opportunity for good customer service. That said, I do want to highlight that the waiter who looked after our table was excellent, very polite, attentive, and genuinely helpful throughout the evening. The atmosphere in the restaurant was lovely, and the decor was outstanding and welcoming. As locals, we were hoping to add Zaika to our list of favourites, but unfortunately, the overall value for money just wasn’t there. For the prices charged, there are better options nearby. A disappointing experience overall.

This has got to be my favourite restaurant for Indian cuisine! Each and every dish as well as cocktail we had at Zaika was simply delicious, flawlessly presented, and nothing short of perfection. Especially the dessert not only looked like a little piece of art but also was a symphony for the palate with its refined combination of flavours. The staff were exceptionally hospitable, courteous, and dedicated to happily meeting every wish of their guests and giving them a seamless dining experience! The atmosphere is elegant, sophisticated, yet still cozy, and I cannot get over how gorgeous their dining room is. Zaika truly served a gem of a dining experience!

Zaika is my #1 go to for mouth watering Indian food. You’re greeted with the best smell upon walking in that makes your nostrils dance! I’ve been here 6/7 times now and it always hits the spot. The staff are super friendly, make great suggestions, and have always been very welcoming. The food is out of this world. Put simply, whatever you order, it will knock your socks off. I’ve had just about everything on the menu and I love it all. Can’t forget about the venue! This place has a great location and the inside is absolutely stunning. The vibe is 10/10, and such a good place to go with family, friends, business, you name it! This is the place to be!! It’s a premium place with top notch food so the prices reflect that. However, I don’t think anything is overpriced - you get what you pay for!

A 25-Year Celebration Worth Every Bite – and Every Moment! My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Zaika in South Kensington, and we were lucky enough to try their special 25-Year Celebration Menu – and let me tell you, the celebration is absolutely justified. From the moment we stepped in, the atmosphere was warm, elegant, and inviting – but what truly elevated the experience wasn’t just the food (which was phenomenal, by the way), it was the service. The team made us feel like old friends being welcomed back home – and in a world full of rushed dining experiences, that’s no small thing. A special shout-out goes to Rahuel, who was the star of the evening. Not only was he incredibly attentive and friendly, but he also went out of his way to ensure that both a vegetarian and a meat version of the menu were available for us – no fuss, no drama, just pure professionalism and flexibility. Honestly, if Michelin gave stars for kindness and charm, he’d already have three. We felt completely looked after from start to finish. The pacing was just right, the flavours rich and beautifully balanced, and the whole experience had that rare quality of making you want to stay just a little bit longer – or maybe come back tomorrow. Zaika is a gem – and with people like Rahuel on their team, it shines even brighter. We’ll definitely be back. Probably with friends. Possibly hungry. Most certainly smiling.

Zaika Sister restaurant to Michelin-starred Tamarind of Mayfair. With 20 years’ standing on London’s high-end Indian dining scene. The food was well presented, some had a twist in shape like the samosas but still well balanced. All the dishes were a bit mild. Probably because they have a broader range of clientele to appeal to. The advantage of a milder version of Indian food is that you can enjoy the flavour of the food.

Zaika is a great restaurant and their food is on level with other great Indian restaurants in London. We visited to celebrate a graduation and opted for the tasting menu - which was incredible! Their service is fantastic and the waiters were very attentive.

We popped in here on our way to a concert at royal Albert hall. Food was amazing and staff were excellent. Could not fault it. Atmosphere was lovely, it was quiet as we went at 5.30 on a Tuesdays evening. Fabulous food

Fantastic Indian food - biryani and fish curry were insanely great - the Mumbai Old Fashioned was incredible

They shot a load in my burger and ksi thick of it was playing it was awful hshaahagagagahahahagwgwgwgegegegwhehegwhehrhegegegegegevegegegwgegegeggeehehehe

Amazing amazing food. Every bite was a treat. Stephen was an amazing waiter - gave great recommendations. Not too loud and we were able to talk to one another easily. Relaxing environment. Highly recommend.

We came on a weeknight and waited over 40 minutes for our first course. Hopefully that is not the norm but I read a few reviews where this happened as well. Food wise we enjoyed it. Great lamb chops! Overall 3.5.

Perfect way to finish off our day. The cocktails - Jaipur Bloom and Jasmine Collins - were refreshing, the food was beautifully presented and flavorful, and the service was wonderful. We shared a raj kachori, which was almost too lovely to eat. We ordered the butter chicken, lamb biryani, naan, and dal amritsari. Amazing. We could not fit dessert.

A FABULOUS RESTAURANT! The food at Zaika is amazing! They have a lovely range of dishes, from crowd favorites to exciting new finds. It does run on the pricier side, but it is well worth it. The space is also really nice! Lots of room, ambient lighting, and a stunning mid-century modern warm aesthetic. I think the cherry on top was the staff. Everyone was exceptionally kind, patient, and attentive. They took the time to give recommendations and explain dishes. As good as the food was, the next day, my partner and I found ourselves reminiscing about how lovely the people were! This is a must-try, and I will absolutely be coming back again!

We came back and I can confirm: this is the best Indian food I've ever had. Maybe the best FOOD I've ever had. Once again, we were served by the wonderful, Kartheek. Hard to find a better server. We ordered mostly the same meal to see if it would be as good. Believe it or not, it was better. We substituted in the Pistachio Chicken Korma for the Butter Chicken. Best decision ever! It was so light and delicious. I didn't know Chicken could be cooked so perfectly. We tried a few Indian restaurants on our visit and this blows everywhere else out of the water, including Dishoom. Zaika is both upscale and relaxed. A perfect combo. I'm just sad it's not in the USA!

This is not your local curry joint. Very good food and great service. A special room.

Exquisite!! I have never had butter chicken like this!! It had saffron and the chef used fresh tomatoes!! This place I have to come to whenever I'm in London, the waiter Mohd Akbar was brilliant!

We had a really delicious dinner here on our last rainy night in London - it was easily walkable from our hotel (The Gore, also great) and a worthy successor when we could not face waiting in the looonnnnggg line for Dishoom. My black lentil soup here was fantastic and my husband loved his fish curry. Service was prompt and friendly, and the space was beautiful. Glad we happened to walk by and then decided to double back here for dinner!

The food was delicious, service impeccable and I felt like it was so worth it. Great eat and random find on my trip to London last November. Will be returning again soon

My friend suggested this place and I can confidently say: her recommendation elevated her to friend hall of fame status. We stopped in on a Wednesday evening around 9 pm and were seated promptly. Throughout the evening, the staff were prompt and attentive in ensuring top notch service. The only downside was that we waited nearly 45 mins for our food; my friend assured me that this was not the norm so I won't hold it against them. We ordered: - Methi Butter Chicken (£26): So flavorful with the perfect amount of spice. The portion was good enough for just one person. - Yellow Dal (£9): So flavorful! - Butter Naan (£4): Only 2 half pieces of naan come in a singular serving so if you like naan, definitely order a bit more! - Steamed Rice (£5): Perfect serving size for one person but if you're looking to share, order more! I can't wait to return!

Just okay. I first ordered their paloma-style cocktail and specifically asked our waiter if it was more of a martini (smaller, not a lot of grapefruit) or in a bigger glass. I told the waiter I like grapefruit but I like to taste the alcohol, and not just taste grapefruit. He assured me it was a well balanced drink. It was not. It tasted like pure grapefruit. He took it back and I asked for their old fashioned-style cocktail. It was good but very small for the price you're paying. Food wise I ordered the lamb kabobs and those were very good! I ordered the potatoes and daal as a side dish. And the pistachio chicken as my meal. The potatoes were the best part of my main course. The daal had absolutely zero spice to it and the pistachio chicken tasted sour. I've had much MUCH better Indian cuisine for a fraction of the cost.

Truly one of the best restaurants I have been to. Brought my parents here who are huge foodies and they were so delightfully surprised. Ambiance is beautiful, perfect for a group or romantic evening. The staff were some of the kindest people I have met in London! Adored the drinks (I enjoyed the lychee drink!!), tasty and unique flavors. Would come back in an instant.

Simply amazing.. tried the tasting menu for our first time. The Kashmiri Rogan Josh is the best I've had on this planet. It's got a slight kick

We went on our trip to London and tried the tasting menu paired with wine that they chose, what an absolute wonderful restaurant! Amazing flavors, great selection, service and very nice wine pairings. Also compared to our American equivalent it was very affordable about $100 a piece for an amazing dinner with wine included and tons of food!

Fine Indian Dining-with dishes that I was assured were true Indian nature. I have never experienced Indian food of this sort, and I have to say it was spectacular start to finish. We did a family style for a group of eight in a business setting with Indian host. Needless to say they do with the order and the experience was superb. Can't recommend this place enough

Excellent Indian restaurant, delicious food with creative approach and wonderful service! Atmosphere relaxing yet with the touch of luxury.

The food was fine.. however, giving one star because the wine we drank at the bar made us sick. Do not recommend!!! No one should feel "sick" after two sips of wine. Not a safe environment especially for two young tourists traveling.

hi! yes! first of all let me say that we are there on Christmas Day, and they did have a minimum for person which we easily met. It is an expensive restaurant but very nice with amazing service. They have delicious samosas and appetizers including chicken tikka. It's the most flavorful, tender chicken I have eaten thus far. Their butter chicken and their lamb biryani is to die for. Their naan very light and fluffy and amazing. We also had their deserts which are kind of fusion-ish and they were delicious without being super sweet. overall 5 stars. this was the first year they were open for Christmas and they seemed fairly booked the manage to fit us in for a table of two. I would definitely make reservations here and I would highly recommend it. It's the Zika's on Kensington. The drinks were delicious as well. Overall, an amazing experience. Great for groups, family or dates. I do believe they're open on New Year's, but I cannot confirm. go here!

My husband and I were in London for the first time 2 weeks ago and this restaurant is amazing! Probably the best Indian food we've ever had and the service was excellent!! If you're in London, I highly recommend this restaurant and make sure you make reservations as it does get booked quickly.

We found Zaika 6-7 years ago during a visit to London and come back every single trip ie at least annually because the food is amazing, great wine list, excellent cocktails and a staff that takes care of us! Check out their menu everything we've had is excellent!

A great one Was with boaz A nice set of small dishes Nice wine And large portions A great service

Wonderful food and drinks. Service was also wonderful. Beautiful old building with lots of charm.

Pros: excellent tasting food, excellent service, excellent ambiance... Cons: nothing at all. Our host, Akbor, made our dinner quite special and was the best part of an already-stellar visit. Will absolutely return!

Food is average but the price was not I was expected. It was expensive. Make up you mind before you plan to tryo

Affiliated with Tamarind of Mayfair, Zaika has very solid, classic Indian cuisine with a buzzy atmosphere. We found Zaika completely filled on a Saturday evening, but were able to get two bar seats as a walk-in after a failed attempt at nearby Dishoom. Reservations are ideal. The space is pretty neat, tall coffered ceilings and an elegant, classic design that feels upscale but approachable and relaxed. Eating at the bar was a nice experience, as one could take in the scene but still had decent personal space. In terms of food, the menu at Zaika is mostly comprised of the dishes you've come to know and love. The cuisine was well-prepared and of good quality, though certainly not the best we've ever tasted globally. That being said, we did enjoy everything that we ordered: -Murgh Handi Lazeez (chicken tikka in smoked tomato and garlic sauce - £19.5) -Laal Maas (boneless lamb simmered with whole spices, yoghurt and red chilli - £22) -Saag Paneer (paneer with spinach, garlic and cumin - £8) -Zaffrani Pulao (£4) -Butter Naan (£3.75) With our meal, we enjoyed a couple glasses of wine, which were quite reasonably priced at £9-13. Overall, Zaika is a great option for upscale Indian in the Kensington area. Appreciate that they stick to the classics, rather than being a 'modern take' on Indian. I would certainly consider returning for the reliable food and cool atmosphere, though would not make any particular trip of it.

came in with 2 without a reservation, they fit us in for about an hour but did not rush us at all. the presentation was perfect and just from the menu i was excited--there was a variety of interesting flavors. we got the lamb shank and kofti curry, both of which were amazing. the lamb was perfectly tender and melted in your mouth. we then got a berry tart and some tea--masala chai and assam tea. the chai is the only time i've ever bought chai and it's been as good as homemade. did not disappoint at all. the berry tart was small but rich and enough for us to share. service was very good and they made sure we had everything we needed

Absolutely the best Indian food I've ever had. Worth the trip. From the apps to the desserts, everything was incredible.

We got last minute lucky to get a table because of a no show. The place is beautiful and sophisticated. The food was amazing. Will definitely go back!

Excellent Indian food in an elegant but relaxed dining atmosphere. This spot is full of charm whether it's cause of the friendly staff or the great decor. Monkfish kebab (5/5) - incredibly flavorful with just the right spices make this one of the best pieces of monkfish I've ever had Chicken tikka (4/5) - the chicken was very moist and expertly cooked. The sauce was beautiful without being heavy. Dishoom may still do this better though Laal Maas Lamb (4/5) - good rendition of this dish. Meat wasn't gamey. Okra (4/5) - tasty and not slime-y at all. Good size portions especially for fine dining. Naan (3.5/5) - good but nothing memorable Signature Cocktails (5/5) - extremely well made and original in recipes that evoke something exotic

Came here for a birthday lunch. The service was good and the food was amazing. We had quite a selection from the menu.

best food ive ever ate! i cant wait to come back in the future (possibly this winter;) )

Fantastic Indian food! We were craving Indian food during our last night in London. We had heard of Dishoom - but their wait time was egregious (our second failed attempt). We stumbled upon this gem around the corner and stumpy had the best experience. Undoubtedly, the best meal we had in the United Kingdom. Highly recommend the preset menu in order to get a taste of the entire menu.

THE BEST meal in London. Beautiful restaurant, service and food. Make a reservation. The trio of fish is a must - you can share it but you won't want to...

Will be returning when we return to London. Incredible service, best service we had in all of our stay. Truly blew us away. The atmosphere was also so pleasant! So many plants and beautiful drawings on the walls. Fiance wasn't sure he would like Indian food, but was sold after the vegetarian trio appetizer from here! Also a tip: get a cocktail, they are boozy and tasty!

Delicious meal! It's a bit hard to take good photos, with the dark lighting, but everything was wonderful. The ambiance was fun, the service was impeccable, and the food was wonderful! If you like Indian cuisine, you can't order wrong. Everything had just enough kick to keep you wanting more!

Not my first time here but first time with a full meal for three so had a great selection of food. We had: 1. Strawberry cooler - mocktail 2. Sheek Kebab 3. Kadai Murgh (Chicken with tomatoe sauce) 4. Aloo Baigan (Aubergien and Potatoe) 5. Dal Makhni 6. Zaffrani Pulao 7. Sada Chawal (Plain rice) 8. Roti 9. Butter Nan 10. Trio of Veg (Selection of three veg dishes) There was enough food for all three and the bill came to around £115.00 which i think is reasonable for the location and quality of the food I must say i am especially surprised by the unique selection of three chutneys offered, one was a strawberry based one and other some sweet but spicy mix and last was a mango chutney but all seem freshly made and went down a treat. Everyone really enjoyed them. Service was prompt and all food arrived in good time but the restaurant was empty almost but we did arrive at the tail end of the lunch service. Strawberry cooler was refreshing and would highly recommend it. I also like the Vegetarian Trio and Kadai Murgh but all the dishes were great. The menu is not large but great selection of dishes for all including vegetarians and i like that you can select on some dishes if you want them as main size portions or side portions which really helps with cost and waste. Decor and architecture is excellent and inside temperature is perfect, not too hot or cold. Finally we could all hear each other so acoustics were perfect with light background (authentic Indian) music playing. I cannot say however how it fairs when the place is full so looks like i will have to go again and update you all. I highly recommend a visit and although not a fusion place you know what you will get and what you get is a great fresh meal you can fell full at the end of. One more nice touch was the free selection of sweets at the end of the meal, all tasted freshly made.

Stumbled upon this fantastic find! Best chicken tandoori of our lives! Service from Stephen was the top!

Fantastic, authentic Indian food. Lovely ambience directly across from Hyde Park. This was close to our hotel so we popped in and were not disappointed. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options and the food was truly delicious. They provide dishes in small or regular sized portions which is also nice. Service could have been a little quicker but the food was so good, that it makes up for it.

Very good food...I had the Chicken Marsala w/butter nunn and a special own concocted ice tea...amazing! Their meaning of ice tea consists of fruits...pineapple, orange, lemon, simply refreshing n tasty. The chicken Marsala had chicken w/a plethora of different spices and flavors (couldn't tell u exactly what spices) but, it was a simple dish w/chicken in a tomato based curry, nothing else. The nunn was a little burnt but, it was still quite yummy. The restaurant is beautiful, the crown moldings in the ceiling was like everything in London, full of character. The servers were fabulous, absolutely attentive, kind and ready to please. Loved everything about this place.

A group of us visiting London for work showed up right when they open for dinner and the host staff was kind enough to seat us without a reservation. The food and service were phenomenal, and the atmosphere lovely. Truly a gem, and definitely recommended for anyone with a love of Indian cuisine.

Beautiful restaurant with great food and good value. I had the set menu for one, and with two beers and tips it came at 73 pounds. Well worth it! Highly recommend if you like Indian food. Ps: a good sign is that there are a lot of Indian guests :-)

Amazing! First time eating Indian food, the server recommended some great dishes to try-delicious! Great polite service, nice atmosphere, great for a date. Beautiful desserts also- I recommend the chocolate bomb.

Had a fantastic lunch at Zaika this past week. Ambiance: The restaurant is beautiful, serene, and spotless. Service: I don't think I've had better service ANYWHERE ELSE. Our main server, who also seemed to be a manager, was so friendly and accommodating. He noticed we didn't eat 1/3 of one of our many dishes and took it off the bill without us even saying a word. Amazing. Food: Top notch. -Vegetarian Trio is delicious. I didn't eat the lentil dumpling because I can't have yogurt but I can say the rest of this appetizer is fantastic. -Seared Scallops are beautiful and delicious. -Zaika Salad didn't below me away - might be the only thing I wouldn't recommend. -Kadai Murgh was devoured by my husband and his picky self never devours anything. -Butter Naan was also devoured by my selfish husband, who didn't leave even a piece for me. -Zaffrani Pulao was delicious. I think I ate almost the entire bowl. Overall this place is fantastic and very reasonably priced considering the quantity and quality of the food. I wouldn't hesitate to return and highly recommend giving Zaika a try.

For an upscale restaurant serving Indian food this place does not live up to the expectation. London has a host of Indian restaurants that serve better food and do not break the bank. The service was subpar, the food was good but not exceptional. I ordered the tandoori chicken, laal maas and naan. The tandoori chicken was good but the laal Maas no so much.

Came here for lunch while in Kensington. Might be the best decorated Indian restaurant we've been too. Seriously, loved the ambiance. It was empty so we got seated right away. We ordered a couple of different things and everything was pretty decent. Overall, a cool place. Would definitely return.

Ever walk into a fancy restaurant and get that dreaded feeling that you'll be ripped off with overpriced, small dishes? It started out this way, with an alternative ending. Granted, I fulfilled an American stereotype and went for my go-tos: Palak paneer and chicken tikka. Even went for the appetizer dish (aka fatty fat fat fried goodie platter). What I got was a NOMPLOSION. Now, let me say this - I've had a ton of Indian food in multiple college towns, Indian neighborhoods and San Francisco. I thought I'd had it all. Nothing like this. It was incredibly fresh, tender and flavorful. Cheaper places usually throw a ton of spices at their dishes to hide the fact they may not be fresh, but Zaika had no need to cover up. It was perfect. Btw, service was rad. RAD. Look at me, the englishness is rubbing off.

Maybe my taste in food is just different (American palate and all), but I was expecting more. Zaika is the Japanese equivalent of Indian food. Delicate, subtle flavors, which is fine. For Japanese food. I expect the Indian flavors to explode at me. The lamb gosht and the saag paneer had no pop. They were good, but I was looking for more. Excellent service and the space was beautiful. The chutneys were delicious!