
The Tamil Prince
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Quick info
About The Tamil Prince
On Hemingford Rd in Islington, The Tamil Prince is a South Indian restaurant set up as a desi gastropub, pairing an Indian menu with a bar. The 19-dish menu includes okra fries and gulab jamun, and dosa here is served without sambar. Seating combines shared tables with indoor and outdoor bar spots, and a terrace adds further outdoor seating for those who want to eat in the open air. Dogs are welcome throughout. Reservations are recommended, since tables can book up weeks ahead, and a wait is common for anyone arriving without one. The room itself is small, set on a quiet street rather than a busy strip. The restaurant opens daily, and a 12.5% service charge is added to the bill.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Paid street parking · Plenty of parking
- AccessibilityDoes not have assistive hearing loop
- DietaryServes vegetarian dishes
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Menu & Prices
19 dishes- Okra Fries
- Gulab Jamun
- Onion Bhaji
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Mango Lassi
- Beer
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention dosa, okra fries, lamb chops and parotta.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention dosa, okra fries, lamb chops and parotta.
Customer Review Summary
Lamb chops emerge as the dish most reviewers single out, repeatedly called the standout or "show stopper," alongside a strong showing for the okra fries and crispy dosa, with the gulab jamun and gunpowder idly also drawing praise as highlights of the South Indian menu. Many describe the reservation system as tight, with tables booking up nearly a month out and one diner logging on exactly 28 days ahead only to find indoor seating already gone. Portion size and pricing form the most consistent complaint: reviewers cite a £14 dosa served without sambar, rice under half a cup for £6.50, and a £16 lamb curry called "a little short on meat," with one diner also objecting to a 12.5% service charge paired with slow attention and a missing charcoal-infused element in an Old Fashioned. Service is described unevenly, from "warm and attentive" to "dismissive," though one visitor notes staff corrected a rushed start after being told. The experience closes, for several, on staff quickly fixing an order or a service hiccup once flagged, rather than on lingering complaint.
Customer Review Summary
Lamb chops emerge as the dish most reviewers single out, repeatedly called the standout or "show stopper," alongside a strong showing for the okra fries and crispy dosa, with the gulab jamun and gunpowder idly also drawing praise as highlights of the South Indian menu. Many describe the reservation system as tight, with tables booking up nearly a month out and one diner logging on exactly 28 days ahead only to find indoor seating already gone. Portion size and pricing form the most consistent complaint: reviewers cite a £14 dosa served without sambar, rice under half a cup for £6.50, and a £16 lamb curry called "a little short on meat," with one diner also objecting to a 12.5% service charge paired with slow attention and a missing charcoal-infused element in an Old Fashioned. Service is described unevenly, from "warm and attentive" to "dismissive," though one visitor notes staff corrected a rushed start after being told. The experience closes, for several, on staff quickly fixing an order or a service hiccup once flagged, rather than on lingering complaint.
Featured reviews
- Hasan Uygurer
“Everything was amazing. Definitely worth nearly an hour’s trip. Their dosa was phenomenal, and the okra fries are a must. I’d also highly recommend trying their cocktails. The Tamil Prince fully lived up to the journey. The only downside was that the counter seating was a bit uncomfortable, but the food more than made up for it.”
- Kuljit singh
“Place is just hype and no substance.ent around 1130, couldn't get a cup of tea while around others were being served. Food is presented nicely but portions are tiny. As a foodie I say this place has no flavour and just socials hyped. Had the chaat for 14£, expecting a flavor explosion. But all the food is very bland(by design?). Dosa has no sambhar(it's a staple guys). Bhatura massive but you run out of peas in 2 bites. Overpriced, hyped, underflavoured, poor service and no to much. Good food doesn't need hype”
- Kalina P
“Delicious food and friendly staff. The one down side I could say is that the some of the currys portions were quite small if you were to order it just for yourself. We went as a group of 4 and took things to try and share which was a brilliant idea.”
- Manish Sengupta
“If it’s some solid Indian pub food you’re after , Tamil Prince never disappoints. The lamb chops and mango lassi are a must try . The bhature with Chole is visual and gastronomic delight . onion bhaaji is top of the rack. Dosas were decent . Service is always on point and friendly .”
- mel
“- roti £3.50 - coconut rice £5.50 - masala dosa £11.50 …”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Indian small plates, entrees & desserts in a laid-back corner hangout with a bar & a terrace.”
- Has great beer selection
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for popular for lunch
- Popular for popular for dinner
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Serves dine-in
- Serves vegetarian dishes
Show more amenities
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Serves late-night food
- Dining options· 9
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Crowd· 1
- Good for groups
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Plenty of parking
- Offerings· 6
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves healthy options
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 1
- Does not have assistive hearing loop
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 1
- Has great beer selection
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Planning· 5
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Usually has a wait
Location
Indian restaurants near The Tamil Prince
- Hillmarton Tandoori4.52070.9 mi£1–15
lamb rogan josh, chicken curry, garlic pilau rice
- 1.4 mi
samosas, samosa chaat, jalebis
- Masala King4.61,4281.4 mi
vegetarian thali, poppadom extra charges, lunch offer
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Tamil Prince | 4.52,320 | — | £30–60 | dosa, okra fries, lamb chops |
| Hillmarton Tandoori | 4.5207 | 0.9 mi | £1–15 | lamb rogan josh, chicken curry, garlic pilau rice |
| Gupta's - Indian Sweets and Savouries | 3.9326 | 1.4 mi | — | samosas, samosa chaat, jalebis |
| Masala King | 4.61,428 | 1.4 mi | — | vegetarian thali, poppadom extra charges, lunch offer |
The 3 nearest indian restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Indian restaurants nearby
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1.4 miShah Tandoori
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1.8 miMowgli Street Food Charlotte Street
1.9 miKeep Chaating Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
2 miOorja Indian Dining
2 miGunpowder Soho
2 miDishoom Covent Garden
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