Indian restaurants in London, Edinburgh & York

Mark Drummond Street is near Euston and is a good place to try Indian food. I like the Diwana Bhel Poori which is vegetarian http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/diwana-bhel-poori-house and Drummond Villa is also nice. http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/52/563232/restaurant/London/Camden-Town/Drummond-Villa-Camden There are other options in the street but I've not tried any of them for a while. Have a good trip. Alan

Alan - I just had a look at Drummond Street on Google Street View - very interesting. Mark, I can't make an specific recommendations, but here are a couple of thoughts that might help you. The UK has over 8,000 Indian restaurants, with a combined turnover exceeding that of our coal and steel industries (or what little remains of them). Around 80% of those are not really Indian at all, but Bangladeshi, and of those around 80% of the owners come from the Silhet region of Bangladesh. However, what they sell isn't really Bengali food, or Indian food, but a kind of British Indian cuisine that clearly has its feet firmly planted in India, but which has developed here in the UK over the last 50 or 60 years into something unique. For example, a survey of British people's favourite food a few years ago came up with Chicken Tikka Masala as the winner, but that is a completely British Indian invention. Some Indian colleagues of mine went into a Bengali restaurant and asked for butter chicken, but said that what they were given was nothing like they were expecting, even though they could order the same dish back home in Delhi. Just because it isn't 100% authentic doesn't mean it isn't good, and generally all of that type of restaurant sell the same wide range of south Asian dishes, where all that changes from one place to another is the quality and the price. The other 20% of restaurants are a mixture of more authentic and/or regional Indian places, many vegetarian, and high end, expensive restaurants with an executive chef and write-ups in the style magazines. Google Maps shows 10 Indian restaurants within a mile of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. They have reviews, lots of them, and that's probably a good place to start.

We really like Masala Zone in London and have eaten at the Soho location a number of times since they opened in 2001. They now have additional locations but I wouldn't call it a " chain" as each one is different in decor. The food is fresh, authentic, and beautifully presented, and represents a diversity of cuisines offered on the Indian subcontinent, from Punjabi to Goan to Hyderadadi. They people are kind and welcoming. They offer a tasting menu called Thali which my husband has enjoyed. It would be a good choice for " beginners" at Indian cuisine. There is one in Covent Garden which would be closest to you. You can sign up on their website to get various discount offers, and also to see the decor at the individual locations.

Another vote for the Indian restuarants on Drummond Street (which is near Euston). Dont be put off if they look a bit down at heel, they're often the best. Look for the queues outside the doors. Also many are vegetarian, I'm a meat eater, but the vegetarian options are often terrific.

Whenever we visit London we eat at as many Indian restaurants as possible, because we love Indian food (husband's parents are from India), and enjoy it more than some other cuisines. I agree that Indian food in London is no more "authentic Indian," for the most part, than Indian food in the U.S. I find it interesting to see regional variations of ethnic cuisine. For example, in England, you'll see categories of dishes called "curries." In the U.S., we would usually just call them main courses, whether they are meat or vegetable dishes, and are generally a main item served in some sort of sauce. For the most part, you'll see many of the same dishes on most Indian restaurants, which is more northern Indian dishes, unless you specifically seek out, for example, southern Indian. Masala Zone, I agree, would be a good choice for a first experience of Indian food. We've eaten at Mela too. Dishoom is less traditional, and more like trendy food in any culture, but we had a good time there. A thali (that word means "plate") is a metal plate on which is served a number of vegetable and meat dishes (unless you order vegetarian), each in their own small metal bowl, mostly also with rice or naan or chapatis (common breads).

We love Indian food, and consider it the best food bargain in London. You have already gotten some great suggestions; I love Masala Zone, which has already been mentioned. I suggest Soho Spice Indian, at 124 Wardour St., just 5 blocks north of Piccadilly Circus. They have a 7 pound lunch special. Dinner entrees are about 10 pounds, and come with dal, naan (bread), rice and vegetables. Many Indian restaurants charge extra for the side dishes. Try the Chicken Tikka Masala. Fantastic! Also delicious is The Woodlands Southern Indian Vegetarian restaurant, 2 blocks south of Piccadilly Circus. I think it is on Panton Street. Beware the high-priced Indian restaurants that are Michelin 4 star; the prices are out the roof (40 pounds for one person) unless that is what you are looking for. Veeraswamy is a good one if you want high priced stuff. The upscale Indian restaurants are, in my opinion, no better than the sensibly priced ones already mentioned.

Thank you all for the great advise! It will come in handy.

I like Punjab, at the Shaftesbury Ave. end of Neal St. in Covent Garden. Fantastic pumpkin curry. I was taken there by an Indian friend who called it the best in London.

In Edinburgh, I recommend Pataka Indian Restaurant; 190 Causewayside; tel. 0131/668-1167. From your hotel, walk east about a dozen blocks to the east side of University of Edinburgh campus. Turn south onto Buccleuch Street; walk about 7 blocks; the street name will change to Causewayside; continue south about 3 blocks; you will be at the restaurant. In York, The Viceroy Of India (just outside Monk Bar in the Old Town Center)26 Monkgate; tel. 01904/622-370. It is northeast of York Minster about 3 or 4 blocks. Both restaurants are good prices for really good food. Congratulations on choosing a really good hotel in Edinburgh that is well located.

My wife and I got back from London last night, and ate at the Masala Zone in Bayswater on April 5th. Acting on Lola's recommendation, we ordered the Thali, but found the food to be watery and tasteless, and the service to be less than satisfactory. We go to London every year, and have found a number of good restaurants in Bayswater (particularly on Queensway), but we won't be going back to Masala Zone.

That is is appointing to hear, but thank you for the feedback. We haven't been to Masala Zone for several years, and in the meantime they have grown to have seven locations. The quality control may have become lost in the process. Maybe our favorite in Soho is still good, but I think we'll try one of these other recommendations next time we are in London.