A branch of the popular Dishoom Indian restaurant chain located in London's Carnaby area, known for its vibrant atmosphere and Bombay-inspired cuisine.
Dishoom Carnaby offers 'Bombay comfort food' in a vibrant 1960s Bombay-inspired setting, complete with a vinyl 'Slip Disc' theme. Located just off Carnaby Street in Soho, London, it's known for its lively atmosphere and is open all day, every day, making it suitable for groups and various meal times.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise Dishoom Carnaby for its delicious food, authentic traditional South Asian flavors, and excellent service. The ambiance is described as warm, vibrant, lively, and full of character, though it can be a bit noisy due to crowds and music. Many consider it a must-visit dining experience in London, despite being on the pricier side, noting it's well worth it. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, to avoid queues.
Additional Details
The restaurant's design and concept are inspired by the spirited 1960s Bombay beat scene, creating a unique and immersive dining experience.
Vegetarian options are available, including dishes like Okra Fries, House Chaat, Paratha, Cheese & Garlic Naan, and Mango Lassi.Serves vegan options (inferred from vegetarian focus and common Indian cuisine adaptability).
Best Times to Visit
The restaurant is open all day, every day, from breakfast until late. It can be very busy, especially on weekends, so making a reservation is highly recommended to avoid waiting in a queue.
This was my second time at Dishoom—I had previously visited the Shoreditch location—and once again it was a fantastic experience.
We had a wonderful lunch with delicious, flavorful food. Everything was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and full of taste. The salads were especially good, but honestly, everything at Dishoom is consistently excellent.
A special thank you to our waitress from Lithuania, who was incredibly kind and gave us great recommendations. She really made our visit even more enjoyable with her friendly and attentive service.
The atmosphere is vibrant, fun, and full of energy. It’s definitely a very cool place to eat. The only small downside for me is that it can be quite noisy, but that’s simply part of the lively atmosphere and clearly something many people enjoy.
We waited about 10 minutes for a table, which was absolutely fine. We grabbed a drink at the bar while we waited, so the time passed quickly and we didn’t mind at all.
The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the food and the overall experience. I highly recommend Dishoom and will definitely be back the next time I’m in London.
Dishoom Carnaby is an amazing place for authentic Indian food and easily one of the highlights of our London visit.
Be prepared for a wait though, we arrived around 6:30 PM and it took about 30 minutes to get seated. That said, Dishoom makes the experience pleasant by serving complimentary masala chai to guests waiting in the queue, a thoughtful touch that immediately makes you feel welcome.
The restaurant itself has a fantastic ambience, with beautifully designed interiors, plenty of seating, and a lively, bustling atmosphere. Despite being packed, it felt well organized, with tables suitable for everything from couples to larger groups.
What we particularly loved were the little touches that transport you straight to Mumbai. Water is served in stainless steel glasses, and the coffee comes in traditional glasses, evoking memories of old-school cafés and restaurants in Mumbai. These details add a wonderful sense of authenticity to the experience.
The menu is extensive and full of tempting choices. We especially loved the signature Black Daal, which was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious when paired with the Garlic Naan and Roomali Roti. The Pav Bhaji was also very good, while the Chilli Cheese Toast was a unique and flavorful dish that lived up to its reputation.
Service was efficient, friendly, and attentive despite the restaurant being extremely busy.
Overall, Dishoom Carnaby delivers excellent food, great service, and a vibrant dining experience. The wait can be long, but it's well worth it for some of the best Indian food we've had in London. The food, ambience, hospitality, and thoughtful nods to Mumbai's café culture make it a truly memorable dining experience.
5
Fantastic menu and wonderful service. We enjoyed the variety and flavour profiles of everything we tasted. It gets really, REALLY busy during lunch, even on weekdays, so would recommend booking ahead. Highly recommend the Okra Fries and Gunpowder Potatoes👌🏾
5
We had our team meet-up at Dishoom Carnaby, and it was the perfect choice. The ambience was warm, lively, and ideal for getting everyone together. The food was absolutely delicious, with something for everyone, and every dish was full of flavour. The service was excellent—friendly, attentive, and efficient throughout. Everyone had a great time, and we couldn’t have asked for a better venue. Highly recommend for both group gatherings and a great meal!
5
Honestly an impeccable experience - highly recommend this place especially if you’re a SOLO traveler looking for a place to dine alone. Not only is the food top notch, but what really stood out for me was the experience.
It’s just so well organized and very solo dining friendly. You’ll also probably get seated pretty quickly for a table for 1. For example I was able to walk up and was told it would be about a 20 mins wait, they then have you wait outside in a line with other guests where they serve you warm chai or herbal tea. I loved that!
From there once you reach the front of the line they provide you with a buzzer and allow you to take a seat at the bar. Think I only had to wait for about 15mins before being seated. The inside atmosphere is great - be aware it is a bit loud and you can hear everyone’s conversations (but that’s also what makes it a great solo dining spot :D)
And then the food of course was phenomenal - I had the house chat and I loved how they used almost tater tot like potatoes for the base , never seen that before and I loved it. And then I had the house lamb curry - also incredible. I think that was the perfect amount of food for 1.
Great job Dishoom!
