Dishoom is an all-day cafe inspired by the Irani cafes of Bombay, now with locations across England and Scotland. The signature Black Daal has been slow-cooked for 24 hours; the bacon naan roll at breakfast is legendary. The atmospheric interiors, reasonable prices, and consistent quality have made Dishoom one of England's best-loved restaurant groups.
Dishoom is a group of all-day cafes inspired by the old Irani cafes of Bombay, a style of establishment that once flourished throughout the city and has largely disappeared since. The founders — cousins Shamil and Kavi Thakrar — opened the first Dishoom in Covent Garden in 2010 and have since expanded across England and Scotland, with locations in London (Covent Garden, Shoreditch, King's Cross, Carnaby, Kensington), Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Brighton. The design in each branch is richly detailed: ceiling fans, sepia photographs, marble-topped tables, and the low hum of old Hindi film music recreate a specific mid-twentieth-century Bombay feeling with great care. The food is Bombay cafe cooking: the Black Daal has been slow-cooked for 24 hours and is consistently cited as the single best thing on the menu; the Bacon Naan Roll at breakfast — streaky bacon, cream cheese, chilli tomato jam — has genuine cult status; the Chicken Ruby, Keema per Eedu (minced meat with fried eggs), and the house black chai complete the picture. Prices are reasonable and the quality is consistent across all branches. Groups of six or more cannot book; everyone else joins the queue or arrives before opening to get seated quickly.
Location
51.5112, -0.1237 View on map
Highlights
- Black Daal: slow-cooked for 24 hours and considered the restaurant's defining dish
- Bacon Naan Roll at breakfast — one of the most talked-about dishes in England
- Richly atmospheric Bombay Irani cafe interiors recreated with meticulous detail
- Multiple locations across England and Scotland, each with consistent quality
- All-day service from breakfast through to late dinner
Tips for visiting
- Arrive 15 minutes before opening to be seated quickly — queues form fast at all branches.
- Groups over six cannot book; for larger parties, arrive as a group before doors open.
- The breakfast and brunch menu is available until midday and is among the best value meals in London.
- The Irani chai and the cold coffee are excellent alternatives to standard hot drinks.
- Dishoom Shoreditch and King's Cross have some of the most dramatic interiors of all the branches.
Accessibility
Dishoom branches vary in layout; most London locations are accessible at street level or via lift. The Covent Garden and King's Cross branches have confirmed step-free access. Visitors with mobility requirements should check the specific branch's accessibility before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dishoom take reservations?
Dishoom accepts reservations for groups of up to five people. Groups of six or more are walk-in only. At peak times, even smaller groups should expect a short wait, but the queue moves steadily and is managed professionally.
What are Dishoom's best dishes?
The Black Daal and the Bacon Naan Roll (breakfast) are the standout orders. For lunch or dinner, the Chicken Ruby, Lamb Raan, and Nalli Nihari are consistently excellent. The Chilli Cheese Toast is a popular snack.
Is Dishoom suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
Dishoom has a strong vegetarian tradition drawn from its Irani cafe inspiration. Many of the best dishes — the daal, the paneer dishes, the vegetable biryani — are vegetarian. Vegan options are clearly marked on the menu.