Harneet Baweja is an acclaimed chef and restaurateur known for his modern approach to Indian cuisine. He successfully expanded from a small kitchen in Spitalfields to establishing an international restaurant group,...
Gunpowder Spitalfields is a small, buzzing, and compact restaurant in East London, known for its elevated modern Indian sharing plates and vibrant flavors. It offers a sophisticated setting and is often praised for its exceptional cocktails.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise the food as exceptional, delicious, and full of incredible flavors, with specific mentions of the Poussin, tender lamb, and paneer being among the best in London. Service is generally described as efficient and friendly. Common feedback notes the restaurant's small and compact size, which can lead to tightly packed seating and a warm atmosphere, especially near the kitchen. Booking in advance is highly recommended due to limited space.
Gunpowder has multiple locations, including Soho and Spitalfields in London, and also a branch in Lisbon. The Spitalfields location is noted as the original spot that started it all.
It is highly recommended to book a table in advance, especially for groups, as the restaurant is small and seating is limited. This suggests it is often busy, particularly during peak lunch and dinner hours.
Awards & Recognition
MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand • 2026
5
The Booking and Vibe
I called on short notice without a reservation. They were highly accommodating and secured a table with a strict 75-minute limit. We agreed, and they delivered. The dining room is bit tight, but the staff navigates it well. Service is remarkably prompt and efficient.
The Food
I visited with a Dutch colleague to introduce him to Indian cuisine. The execution here is perfectly balanced. All the dishes we ordered hit the exact right notes. Btw, mains were accompanied only by rice (no naas) not sure if that was due to timing or its usual (I forgot to ask them, sharing here for you to ask as I know many folks prefer naan with mains)
The Verdict
This is an absolute safe bet. If you have international guests or want a guaranteed flawless introduction to Indian cuisine where you cannot order a bad dish, Gunpowder London is the exact place to go.
Personally, being an Indian vegetarian for me it is objectively steep. I am saying this because I know that I can find the exact same authentic flavor profiles at numerous other establishments for a fraction of the price. I cannot really say the same for meat as I couldnt try but my colleagues definitely loved it here.
I completely understand the pricing here given its location, quality, michelin rating and hence I highly recommend anyone to go and give it a try for the bulletproof experience and decide for yourself.
The food here was exceptional, great variety of dishes and we enjoyed each one of them. It was a particularly hot day in London and as a result the restaurant was extremely warm in such a small space (we were also seated right beside the kitchen which didn't help). A fan or an air conditioner would be a welcome addition. Service was efficient and friendly.
Gunpowder in Spitalfields is a small but nice place. It's pretty compact inside so seating is okay but not the most comfortable - though that's to be expected with the size.
Service was fine, nothing amazing but perfectly adequate. The food though? Lovely and really filling - we all left happy and satisfied!
Word of warning - definitely book in advance, especially if you're a big group. Space is limited so you don't want to risk turning up and not getting a table.
All in all we had a really good lunch and would go back 👍
Had a lovely meal, everything was delicious!! Shreya served us as she was absolutely brilliant, attentive just at the right times. Loved the Poussin especially. The lamb was also amazing, so tender and juicy. Chocolate dessert was lush !! We had a bottle of Chardonnay which married well with the meal.
Great dining experience, moderate spice levels and each dish bringing something slightly different. Paneer was possibly the best I’ve had in london. Went during the January 10-year anni so prices were a steal, definitely still worth the full price though!
