Veeraswamy

Featured reviews

• A

  Anooj Koushik

  ·1 month ago

  “London offers a plethora of elevated Indian dining experiences. Veeraswamy is easily among the handful that would take the pinnacle. Serving refined flavours for close to a century, this restaurant has served a rich cleintile from across the world. We had visited the restaurant for lunch for my father in laws 80th birthday. The elevator was out of order that day. That meant,.my elderly in laws had to climb the stairs to get to the first floor. We were served complimentary champagne to celebrate the occasion. We gorged through rounds of starters, main course of curries, breads and biryani. The food was succulent and perfectly balanced. The service was prompt and attentive. We ended the meal with complimentary dessert for my father in law and a round of decadent sweets for the table. Definitely an institution to visit. We understand, the restaurant is currently undergoing leasing challenges with the current landlord. Institutions like these should not be lost. We wish them the best and hope to dine soon.”

  Read more
• V

  Vikki Baker

  ·1 month ago

  “We went for the weekend lunch and it was a bargain. Appetizer was the lentil soup which was good but a little thin however the chaat was a pleasant surprise. We joked they were Indian nachos and we love nachos 😋 The butter chicken and Ceylon prawns with garlic naan were more than enough for the two of us and both delicious! The service was top notch! Oh and the Old fashion was devine. We will be dragging Mum there when she comes to visit.”

  Read more
• T

  Tenzin

  ·2 months ago

  “Our dining experience at this restaurant for my sister's farewell holiday trip was absolutely spectacular. Every dish, from the starters to the main course and dessert, was truly exceptional, with some dish demonstrating a creative flair not found elsewhere. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here at Veeraswami. Also, a thoughtful gesture to provide a special "Bon voyage" dessert for my sister's farewell. She was over the moon. Compliments to the head chef, Sanket. The service team equally good and attentive too. Keep going!”

  Read more
• B

  Brian Smooke

  ·2 months ago

  “Veeraswamy is considered England's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, having opened in 1926. At the outset I think it important to share that we spent over £100 per person. That's because we ate the tasting menu, which I’ve also posted. I think it’s possible to have a wonderful meal at Veeraswamy without exceeding £75 per person. Veeraswamy is a Michelin starred restaurant, and that’s the level of service we received from our server Drashti. She was personable, professional, and eager to make our meal memorable. We were brought a savory, delicious amuse bouche of mulligatawny lentil soup to start the meal. The meal began with a lovely thick, smoky, sweet chili prawn, which carried a little heat. That was followed by a moist, tender chicken breast, with edible silver leaf, stuffed with pistachios, cashews and golden raisins, served alongside a rose chutney, with a rosewater base. I don’t like rosewater. It may have virtues, but whenever I’ve encountered it, I’ve found it overly perfumed, lacking subtlety, and corrosive to the other tastes it was ostensibly meant to enhance. But mea culpa. This rosewater chutney was outstanding, a gentle sweetness coupled with a hint of spiciness. The four main dishes came next. They were all good, but the least interesting was the butter chicken, which tasted similar to other butter chickens I’ve had. The other three curries were superb. The Lobster Malabar Curry had sweet, delicious chunks of lobster; the Hyperabadi Lamb Salan Curry -- lamb, onions, garlic, green chillies -- melted in my mouth and finished with a nice jolt of heat that lingered on my upper palate; and the delightful Pineapple Curry, with coconut milk, turmeric and curry leaves was mildly sweet, but creamy and refreshing, cooling down my mouth from the curries that preceded. Dessert was a caramelized banana kulfi. I’ve never been a big fan of kulfi. It lacks the creaminess of western ice cream, and I’ve find it a little gritty and one-dimensional. But I must issue another mea culpa: Veeraswamy’s Caramelized Banana Kulfi was a home run — intense and delicious. The meal also came with lemon rice and naan.”

  Read more
• G

  Gabriel Chan

  ·2 months ago

  “We’ve dined in several London’s top-rated Indian establishments, it takes something truly exceptional to stand out—and Veeraswamy comfortably proves why it remains an absolute institution for classical Indian cuisine. The meal set an ambitious standard right from the start. The king prawn starter was an immediate standout, perfectly executed and full of bold flavor. Moving on to the mains, the lamb shank and lamb curry were stellar; the meat was effortlessly fork-tender and steeped in a rich, deeply aromatic sauce that delivered just the right level of heat. As a biryani enthusiast, the dish was wonderfully moist and rich while keeping the rice light, fluffy, and deeply flavorful. Paired with a cocktail program where the drinks are equally delicious, every element of the menu felt thoughtfully crafted. What elevates Veeraswamy from a great meal to a memorable experience, however, is the hospitality. Restaurant Manager Joseph made our evening with his warmth and charm. Having spent time in both Hong Kong and Singapore, he shared wonderful banter with our table, adding a genuinely personal touch to world-class service.”

  Read more

• L

  Lalu Ganesh

  ·3 months ago

  “A wonderful dining experience with excellent food, elegant surroundings, and outstanding service. Every dish was beautifully presented, with authentic flavours and perfectly balanced spices. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, making the evening feel special from start to finish. While it's a premium-priced restaurant, the quality and overall experience make it well worth it. Highly recommended for a special occasion or fine Indian dining in London.”

  Read more
• A

  A

  ·3 months ago

  “Veeraswamy is one of the best and oldest surviving Indian restaurants in London, and indeed in the world. Founded in 1926, it is currently celebrating its centenary, which is an extraordinary achievement for any restaurant, let alone one with such a rich culinary legacy. Over the decades, it has welcomed prominent figures including Mahatma Gandhi, Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, and Jawaharlal Nehru, which only adds to its sense of history and prestige . The restaurant itself is beautiful. You enter through the narrow doorway on Swallow Street rather than Regent Street, and then take a lift up to the first floor, where the space opens into a lavishly adorned dining room. It feels elegant and atmospheric from the outset, and the setting immediately makes you understand why Veeraswamy has remained such a landmark for so long. The private dining rooms also looked majestic, and the overall decor pays fitting homage to its long and glamorous history. I was there for lunch and chose the three-course menu from the lunch options, which are either à la carte or a two- or three-course set menu. The food was delicious overall, with the lamb dish standing out as absolutely exceptional. The mango lassi was less memorable and could have been better, but the meal still delivered where it mattered most. The restrooms were extremely clean, which is always appreciated in a restaurant of this calibre. That said, the service was inconsistent in a few important areas. My waiter did not introduce himself, and I was not offered papadoms or water unless I specifically asked, even though those seemed to be offered to the adjoining table. That was disappointing, especially at a Michelin-starred restaurant where you expect a higher level of attentiveness and consistency. I cannot say exactly what went wrong that day, but it did not feel quite in line with what one expects from a restaurant of this reputation. Even with those shortcomings, the food was good and the setting was memorable. Veeraswamy remains a truly special place, and its history, centenary status, and enduring Michelin-starred standing make it worth visiting at least once. I would hope the service improves, because the underlying experience has all the ingredients of something exceptional.”

  Read more
• R

  Ranisha

  ·3 months ago

  “My wife and I visited Veeraswamy last night to celebrate her birthday, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel so welcome, and the service throughout the evening was warm, attentive and professional without ever feeling rushed. We started with cocktails before enjoying the Gilafi Lamb Seekh Kebab and Raj Kachori. Both starters were phenomenal. The seekh kebab was incredibly tender, smoky and packed with flavour, while the Raj Kachori was a beautiful explosion of textures and spices—one of the best we’ve ever had. For our mains, we chose the Hyderabadi Lamb Salan and the Butter Chicken Au Vin with butter naan. Every single bite was outstanding. The lamb was melt-in-the-mouth with a wonderfully rich, aromatic sauce, and the Butter Chicken Au Vin was simply sensational—creamy, perfectly balanced and unlike any butter chicken we’ve had before. The butter naan was fresh, soft and perfect for soaking up every last bit of the sauces. We finished with the Jalebi and Rabri, which was the perfect ending to an exceptional meal. The food was genuinely out of this world and made even more special by the wonderful atmosphere and impeccable service. It was the perfect place to celebrate my wife’s birthday, and it’s a meal we’ll remember for a long time. Thank you to everyone at Veeraswamy for making the evening so memorable. We can’t wait to come back!”

  Read more
• F

  Fine Dining Auditor

  ·3 months ago

  “Having lunch at Veeraswamy was easily one of the best Indian meals I've had in London. The whole experience starts right at the entrance on Swallow Street, where you're greeted by their legendary doorman in a traditional royal uniform. Once you head inside, the place is beautiful—tons of art deco details, rich jewel tones, and cool chandeliers that give it an upscale, vibrant feel without being stuffy. The service was spot-on—super professional but genuinely warm and relaxed. As for the food, it completely makes sense why this place has a Michelin star. The butter chicken came out in a branded silver bowl and was incredibly rich and comforting, especially when you scoop it up with their fresh, blistered tandoori naan. Even the side of spiced roasted potatoes was packed with flavor. For dessert, the rasmalai served with rasmalai ice cream was exceptional—perfectly light, milky, and not overly sweet. The Indian rice pudding with apples, rhubarb, and gold leaf was a total showstopper too. It’s definitely a premium splurge for lunch in Mayfair, but between the history of the space and how flawless the food was, it’s a definitive 5-star spot.”

  Read more
• D

  Derrick Dupré

  ·4 months ago

  “Amazing give stars all around. This place has been open for over 100 years in the same location. Situated smack in the middle of London's premier shopping district, this place does not disappoint. We had the tasting menu and highly recommend it. The lobster was delicious as was the chicken, but the lamb took the show. So many different spices and curries all prepared to perfection. The drink menu was also stellar with a variety of beers and spirits as well as non alcoholic options. Very well appointed and decorated. There was a gentleman at the door who appeared to be dressed in some sort of classic British uniform. Great experience! Definitely deserves that Michelin Star.”

  Read more