Roop Partap Choudhary is an entrepreneur, hotelier, and restaurateur. He is recognized as a trailblazer in the hospitality industry and a prominent figure in the world of glitz and glam. He has a passion for life,...
Colonel Saab is a luxury Indian restaurant in London, offering an authentic Indian fine-dining experience with royal recipes and a modern twist. The ambiance is described as stunning, beautifully decorated with character, elegance, and a warm atmosphere, featuring a ceiling full of chandeliers. It aims to provide an unforgettable dining experience.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise Colonel Saab for its outstanding food, ambiance, and exceptional service. The butter chicken and dal makhani are frequently highlighted as authentic and delicious, reminiscent of dishes found in Delhi. The Indian Sunday Roast, lamp chops, and pistachio coconut lassi also receive high recommendations. Reviewers often mention the beautiful decor, the attention to detail (even in washrooms), and the warm, accommodating hospitality from staff members like Rony, Rajat, and Sagar. Some feedback on afternoon tea items (scones, payassam) was mixed, but overall, it's considered a top-tier Indian dining destination in London.
Additional Details
Colonel Saab has two locations in London: one in High Holborn and another near Trafalgar Square. The restaurant is known for its opulent decor, which contributes significantly to the overall dining experience.
The restaurant is suitable for both lunch and dinner, with mentions of a tiffin menu for lunch and an Indian Sunday Roast. Given its luxury and fine-dining appeal, evenings and weekends are likely popular for special occasions.
We chose Colonel Sahab for my husband’s birthday celebration, based on my sister’s recommendation and some online research — and it didn’t disappoint. Every dish was delicious, the cocktails were a great addition, and the ambiance was lovely, with our 5-month-old baby along. Last but not least, the service was outstanding.
I had one night in London and knew I wanted the best curry I could find. This food was SO good. I ordered the Baked Kashmiri Dum Aloo as a starter and Memsaab’s Chicken Curry for a main, plus rice and garlic naan. All excellent. The atmosphere and service were fantastic as well (shout out to my waiter, Kunal!)
5
We had a lovely dinner at Colonel Saab High Holborn after it was recommended by a bartender at Cidsin Bistro & Gin Bar in Pitlochry, Scotland. It turned out to be a great recommendation!
We shared the butter chicken with rice and butter naan, and everything was flavorful and well prepared. We also started with the poppadoms and chutneys, which were a great way to begin the meal.
The service was excellent…friendly, attentive, and never overbearing. Overall, a very enjoyable meal with great food and a welcoming atmosphere. We’d happily recommend Colonel Saab to anyone looking for quality Indian food in London.
5
What an absolutely wonderful experience at Colonel Saab!! The food, ambience, and service were all truly top-notch.
A special mention to Ronnie- such a fun personality and a delight to chat with. He really made the whole experience even more memorable and welcoming.
The butter chicken was incredibly creamy, and the dal makhani was so rich and flavourful. Every bite reminded us of being back in Delhi. I also really enjoyed the Kunwar cocktail and the Rasmalai cake.
Thank you for such an amazing experience- we’ll definitely be coming back!
3
Had quite high expectations for this restaurant, which were unfortunately not met. Keep in mind that you can book via The Fork for 50% off or use your points to redeem a £50 discount. I opted for the latter, and I wouldn’t recommend paying full price here.
We ordered butter chicken (£22.45), lamb biryani (£26.95), daal makhani (£11.95), two garlic naans (£11), and a mango kulfi falooda (£13.95) for dessert.
The butter chicken was tasty, but I expected it to be levels above your local curry house, or at least a step up from Dishoom’s ruby chicken but instead, it was fairly standard. The chicken itself was tender and not dry, but for the price, it felt quite ordinary.
The lamb biryani came in a generous portion with plenty of lamb chunks. It was well spiced and each grain of rice was nicely coated. However, the lamb itself was quite dry and lean - would’ve preferred more fattier and gelatinous cuts to make it more enjoyable.
Out of all the savoury dishes, the daal makhani was the standout - super creamy, rich, and full of flavour. Really yummy. The garlic naan was also delicious and made fresh - hot, fluffy with crisp edges, strong garlic aroma.
For dessert, the mango kulfi falooda was fun and delicious. I loved the mix of crunchy, chewy and creamy textures, and you can really appreciate the number of components that go into it. The rose flavour was subtle, while the pistachio really stood out. It’s quite expensive for a dessert, but worth sharing between two.
The staff were fine - efficient, but neither particularly friendly nor rude. There was no real personal touch.
But what is the £1 per person ambience fee? There was no mention or explanation for this and it was added onto the final bill very sneakily. I hate when restaurants do this - you’re already charging min 12.5% service charge anyway.
At around £50 per person (excluding drinks), you may leave feeling a bit underwhelmed. There are definitely better places to spend that kind of money.
