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Gymkhana

Indian·
££££
·
Gold Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Gymkhana

Gold Award

“An incredible dining experience”; “unmissable”; “the finest Indian food I’ve ever eaten” …  readers regularly reach for the superlatives when talking about Gymkhana, and we’re also huge fans of this “hip” contemporary restaurant from the multi-talented Sethi family (Trishna, Bao, Lyle’s et al).

As a Michelin-starred Mayfair thriller, the venue channels colonial clubbiness over two floors on Albemarle Street, and readers love the fact that you can eat food of the highest quality in the atmospheric basement bar as well as the beautifully designed brasserie-style dining room.   

The kitchen happily accommodates all palates and preferences, whether your taste is for a gently spiced wild mushroom, asparagus, morel and truffle pilau or a fearsomely fiery pork cheek vindaloo.

Some of the best things are the nashta appetisers, from chettinad duck dosas to beetroot chop pao buns with sesame and peanut chutney, but you shouldn’t ignore Gymkhana’s celebrated game dishes – perhaps partridge pepper fry with Malabar paratha or wild muntjac biryani accompanied by a pomegranate and mint raita.

If you’re content to have a bar snack, the choice runs from venison keema naans to Amritsari shrimp and queenie scallops with dill raita, while creative desserts (‘meetha’) are often whizzed-up contemporary twists on the Indian classics – think rasmalai with pineapple chutney or black carrot halwa with white chocolate and rose-petal ice cream. 

Happy customers are treated to “great customer service”, while thoughtfully chosen wines and specially brewed Gymkhana lager get top marks from imbibers. There’s also praise for the east-west cocktails (anyone for a Quinine Sour infused with curry leaves?), while those in the know also single out the “inspired” saké pairings with some dishes. “Outstanding flavours, well worth the money!” declares one fan – and we concur.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Indian
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Dark and moody, Glamorous, Lively, Luxury, Romantic, Traditional
Awards
SquareMeal London Top 100, Two Michelin stars
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Special Features
Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celeb spotting, Celebrations, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Mayfair restaurant Gymkhana originally opened its doors in 2013, and the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star just a year later, which it retains to this day. In the summer of 2019, Gymkhana was struck by disaster when a fire in the restaurant forced the Mayfair hotspot to close down – luckily, no one was injured in the blaze. Gymkhana underwent a significant refurbishment and reopened in February 2019.

Restaurant guests can expect to find a striking dining room kitted out in tones of jade green and polished dark timber, matched with metallic accents and marble tabletops. The restaurant’s original booth seating has survived, and provides a degree of intimacy and privacy in the restaurant - no doubt a reason why it remains a popular celeb haunt. Head down the mirrored steps and you'll find the much-lauded bar area - a great place to enjoy a gin and tonic with some Indian snacks.

When it comes to the menu, the restaurant offers a range of menus from a daily a la carte to special lunch and tasting menus. It is inspired by the elite social clubs of colonial India, and the a la carte offers a range of snacks, kebabs, curries and game dishes to suit all comers. Dishes from the reinvigorated menu include the likes of quail seekh kebab with mustard and mint chutney, and kasoori chicken tikka with moong sprouts and kasundi kachumber. Curries may suit those who want something a little more familiar - pork cheek vindaloo, chicken butter masala and lamb shank rogan josh all make an appearance, all accompanied by a wide choice of sides, from perfect steamed basmati rice to channa masala and Rajasthani bhindi.

Desserts are equally luxurious - saffron pistachio kulfi, and cardamom and basmati rice kheer, for example - and come accompanied by a choice of digestifs, dessert wines or fine tea blends.


FAQs

Does the restaurant have a Michelin star?

Yes, it has one Michelin star.

Helpful? 1

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, there are vegetarian options.

Helpful? 1

Does the restaurant have a bar too?

Yes, the restaurant also has a bar.

Helpful? 1

Location

42 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4JH

020 3011 5900 020 3011 5900

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-14:45
Tue 12:00-14:45
Wed 12:00-14:45
Thu 12:00-14:45
Fri 12:00-14:45
Sat 12:00-14:45
Sun 12:00-14:45
Dinner
Mon 17:30-22:45
Tue 17:30-22:45
Wed 17:30-22:45
Thu 17:30-22:45
Fri 17:30-22:45
Sat 17:30-22:45
Sun 17:30-22:45

Reviews

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34 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Nicola T

28 September 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Anon

07 February 2023  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 1
Atmosphere 0.5
Value 0.5
Unimpressed with Customer Service

Disappointed with the lack of understanding towards customers.
Due to a work related situation I had to unfortunately reschedule our dinner one more time (annoying I know, but hey, that's life!)...
Apparently, even with a 48 hour notice, I was told I'd be charged and wouldn't be able to reschedule. I was very unimpressed to see they'd rather make £50 off a customer rather than retain a client ????
Needless to say I'll never be coming back and will make sure to share this experience via word of mouth, reviews and social media. Thank you for the bad taste in my mouth!! That's a taste I will NOT forget ????

Kate H

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

phenomenal food, service and atmosphere

Anon

08 July 2019  
The greatest!

Edward J

28 June 2019  
Consistently delicious food, wonderful spicing, charming service and great ambiance, particularly downstairs.

Harpreet C

28 June 2019  
Best Indian in town.

ROOZBEH S

29 March 2019  
Best indian food I have had in india or London--small cozy place;i did not mind paying top £ for very tasty indian food.

Anon

29 June 2018  
Innovative an great customer service. Unmissable.

Eloise M

28 June 2018  
Amazing Indian food with impeccable service. Love that you can sit at the bar and have a full dinner there.

Fi C

27 April 2018  
Absolutely spectacular the food is your finest dining the service is impeccable and the setting overlooking the lake is breath taking I love this place.
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