The Curry Room Redefines How Londoners Eat A ‘Proper Curry’

If you’ve ever stayed at Rubens at the Palace Hotel, well done. Anyone would agree that its posh-feeling postcode near Victoria, well-dressed doormen, and plush interior boasts all of the chandelier decadence you’ll ever want to experience or ask for. But, if you’re not staying there (like most of us) and you’ve just popped in for an afterwork drink and thanks to its comfy and classy interior, stay a while longer and slink down the gilded, winding staircase to its lower-level library-turned-restaurant, you’re in for a treat – really.

Start off your experience with a strong, lush cocktail at the wartime-y decorated Cavalry Bar – decked in red velvet with a crackling fireplace and with ornately-framed portraits of redcoat soldiers on horseback, it’s a place that gives you that high-level 18th century feeling. Order a classic cocktail or glass of wine in a generously-sized wine glass and you’ll feel pretty regal soon, even if it’s just the alcohol talking. It’s got an old school charm but comes well equipped with our modern 21st century necessities (read: charging plugs and wifi). Service was impeccable and attentive, including offering yours truly bottomless ginger water for my perpetual sore throat – a natural remedy that not only saved me but helped as a palate cleanser for my many rounds of curry and wine.

For those of us who’ve been and done Brick Lane curries and Dishoom, The Curry Room offers an all-parts-of-India style menu that highlights the best curry styles from each region of India and parts of South Africa, a nod to that region’s high immigrant population.

We were wholeheartedly impressed with the gorgeous spicy and bold (yet not overpowering) infusions by Chef Arun Kumar that trip off the tongue in a way that tastes and feels authentic. And at £35 per person for a three course meal (not including alcohol beverages), it means there will be no regrets when the bill comes. The silky coconut Prawn Curry and Bengal Fish Curry were winners and we paired them with a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from the restaurant’s cellar of South African wines, directly from its sister vineyards.

In terms of decor it is dark and moody at The Curry Room with an obvious dash of old-world affluence: royal red tufted leather sofa booths welcome you to tables that shimmer with high level table prep and placement including proper heavy silverware glints in the low light and plates come in a brushed gold.

The only thing we didn’t love about the place was the music. The evening had a lovely singer performing her own live mix of jazzy-sounding covers, from Nora Jones (yay!) to Justin Timberlake (meh). We like you, we really like you but we want more classic jazz please!