The best Indian fine dining restaurants to celebrate Diwali in London

Diwali is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. People dress up in their finest traditional clothes, light up candles and set off fireworks to celebrate light defeating darkness. However, the best part is always the incredible Indian food that comes with the celebrations.

With the Festival of Lights approaching on 31 October, we take a look at the many fine dining restaurants around London that are celebrating Diwali with specially curated menus, festive cocktails and limited edition dishes. From traditional to contemporary, there is truly something for everyone to experience.

Here, we compile some of the best Indian fine dining restaurants in London for you to celebrate Diwali in true Michelin fashion.Benares, Mayfair

Benares, the Michelin starred restaurant in Mayfair, is celebrating Diwali with a special eight course tasting menu that will be available in the restaurant from 28 October to 3 November. The menu includes contemporary treats like the Scottish halibut Ttkka and the hing-mutter shorba with cauliflower scallop, which is a dish inspired by the cultural heritage of the city of Benares. 

Sparkling tea acts as a palate cleanser before the feasting on butter chicken samosa, and lumina lamb pulao. Malai ghevar, an airy pastry filled with condensed milk and nuts, provides a sweet conclusion to the Diwali feast. There is also a carefully curated vegetarian menu which features dishes like arbi chaat; butter paneer samosa and kale & fig kofta korma. 

Additionally, in keeping with the Diwali tradition of gifting, every guest who opts for the tasting menu will receive special gifts or prizes like complimentary signature cocktails or desserts on the night, and a chance to win a tasting menu with wine pairings at the Chef’s Table.Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, Mayfair

Another Mayfair fine dining restaurant that is celebrating this Indian festival in style is Kanishka by Atul Kochhar. Executive chef Ashok Kumar, along with chef Atul has created a seven course tasting menu which includes the restaurant’s signature dishes like tomato chutney, scallops with chicken jus and crispy chicken skin, and their house speciality, the chicken tikka pie with berry chutney. They have also curated a special Diwali tasting menu which will run from 28 October to 3 November that features dishes like paneer hariyali tikka, slow cooked duck breast with a peanut and coconut sauce, tandoori lamb chops and more. You can also read our review of the restaurant here.The Cinnamon Club, Westminster

If you would like to ring in Diwali at a historic, Grade II listed building in London, you can’t go wrong with the fine dining sensation that is The Cinnamon Club in Westminster. Located at what was formerly the Westminster Library, enjoy a delectable Indian culinary experience surrounded by history and books everywhere. Chef Vivek Singh has curated a delicious five course Diwali tasting menu that features classic Indian snacks and canapes like dhokla and kachori as well as mains like the Hyderabadi style lamb biryani, Awadhi chicken malai khurchan curry and more. To end, the mouth watering desserts of saffron pistachio kulfi and carrot halwa tart will ensure your Diwali experience ends on a sweet note.Trishna, Marylebone

Trishna, the Indian fine dining restaurant located in Marylebone, is celebrating the Festival of Lights with a six course celebratory feast curated by executive chef Sajeev Nair that will run from 28 October to 3 November. The tasting menu includes highlights of half lobster ghee roast, coconut & curry leaf scallops and tandoori lamb chops, and vegetarian dishes such as tikka anardana and jackfruit pepper fry. Vegetarian and vegan tasting menus will also be available alongside wine pairings. The restaurant’s private dining room will also be available for those looking for a more intimate celebration with friends and family.Gymkhana, Mayfair

Gymkhana, the two Michelin starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair, will offer a premium five course Diwali tasting menu created by executive chef Sid Ahuja. Available from 28 October to 3 November, the limited-edition menu will start with a selection of pappadum and chutneys, followed by the restaurant’s signature dishes including the Chettinad prawn pepper masala, wild muntjac biryani and chicken butter masala. A vegetarian tasting menu will also be available alongside additional wine pairing options).Brigadiers, City of London

If you’re after something slightly different, you can’t go wrong with Brigadiers, the Indian barbeque restaurant located in the heart of the city. From 25 October to 2 November, the restaurant will be serving a Diwali tasting menu that features the restaurant’s most-favoured dishes, like the BBQ butter chicken wings and Sikandari kid goat shoulder, alongside sweet treats such as apple jalebi and gajar halwa pie. 

Read more food and drink stories with Tempus