Where to celebrate Diwali in London: Special menus, events and supper clubs

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a time of celebration for millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. This extraordinary festival lasts a full five days and celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, as well as new beginnings. Oil lamps and lights are lit across streets and homes, and emphasis is placed on the importance of family and of course, food.  

As Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar, the date changes every year. This year Diwali will last from 29 October to 3 November, with Friday 1 November being the main day of celebration.

London isn't afraid to go all out when celebrating the Festival of Lights. The Diwali festival at Trafalgar Square attracts around 35,000 people every year with its lively music and dance displays and market featuring vegetarian food, arts and crafts, and henna. Similar celebrations are found taking place at the National Maritime Museum and Wembley Park.  

Food is an important part of Diwali celebrations, a lot of which is made with dairy produce before being offered to both gods and guests. Savoury snacks tend to include the famous samosas and bhajis, as well as aloo tikki (griddle-cooked potato patties) and channa bhatura (spiced chickpeas and puffed bread). If you’re in the Gujarat, look out for the ‘farssam’ or ‘crunchy snacks.’ Traditional Indian dishes like meat-based and vegetable curries, dhals and pulses make up the main meal, while sweetmeats, known as ‘mithai’ are the real stars of the show during Diwali. If you don't fancy cooking for yourself this year, London has no shortage of fine Indian restaurants, many of which will offer special set menus for Diwali, featuring the food most commonly eaten during the Festival of Lights.  

With all that in mind, here’s our selection of the best restaurants to celebrate Diwali this November.  

Cinnamon Kitchen, City of London and Battersea

What: Cinnamon Kitchen needs no introduction. Vivek Singh's high end modern Indian cuisine is beloved throughout the city with its colourful nature, depth of flavour, and slight British influences. This year, it's celebrating the occasion with its ‘festival of flavours’ menu, which will run all the way from 28 October to 17 November, so you can continue the celebrations long after the festival is over. If that's not enough, Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea is hosting a special supper club with Vivek Singh and Nisha Parmar, who will be cooking up a storm for guests on the 24 October. Guests will be treated to six courses plus a welcome drink, with dishes such as chilli paneer dumplings, king prawn jol with string hoppers, and butter chicken chops. It's set to be a night to remember. 
Where: 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL; 4 Arches Lane, SW11 8AB
Book now: Cinnamon Kitchen City; Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea

Yaatra, Westminster

What: Residing in an old fire station, Yaatra offers a striking spot to enjoy some fine dining. Head chef Amit Bagyal's refined menus are a hit all year round, but come Diwali diners are in for a real treat with speciality, feasting menus. For just £60, you can enjoy five courses of delightful Indian cuisine, as well as a welcome Bellini on arrival. Dishes are set to include beetroot and coconut croquettes, kasundi mustard prawn and a buttermilk espuma chaat with samosa tartlet. Finish off the evening with saffron rose mousse or basil seed cardamom sorbet as well as some petit fours.
Where: 4 Greycoat Place, SW1P 1SB
Book now: Yaatra

Kanishka, Mayfair

What: Atul Kochhar's fine dining Indian restaurant is celebrating this year with a six-course feast, with the option to add an expertly-paired wine flight to accompany each dish. The menu showcases India's diverse regional cuisine, spanning Atul's signature chicken tikka pie with cumin berry chutney, to coconut marinated stone bass crab with a crab croquette, and fig-stuffed paneer tikka with cavolo nero and korma. The whole affair costs £95 per head, plus an additional £75 for the wine pairing. 
Where: 17-19 Maddox Street, W1S 2QH
Book now: Kanishka

Brigadiers, Bloomberg Arcade

What: Inspired by Indian army mess bars, BBQ restaurant Brigadiers is launching the ultimate Diwali feast! Executive chef Shanti Bhushan has thought up an array of creative dishes including Masala chicken skins, BBQ butter chicken wings and Maharaja chicken biryani, all of which can be enjoyed alongside pappadums, chutneys, daals and pilau rice.
Where: 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR
Book now: Brigadiers

Mallow, Canary Wharf

What: Known as one of the best vegan restaurants in London, Mallow is bringing the festivities this year in their signature colourful style. It’s inspired by Indo-Chinese cuisine, melding the aromatic flavours of Hakka and Manchurian traditions to create a playful and innovative tasting menu. Think Chinese-inspired bhel puri and crispy cauliflower gobi on a soft rice dosa alongside carrot halwa and black sesame ladoo, and it’s one of the best ways to celebrate.
Where: 12 Park Drive, Wood Wharf, E14 9ZW
Book now: Mallow Canary Wharf

Gymkhana, Mayfair

What: Make sure to bag a spot at two Michelin-starred Gymkhana to try its Diwali tasting menu, comprising five rather spectacular courses. Kicking off with a selection of pappadums, guests can then choose from a selection of dishes ranging from Amritsari pink shrimps and Kid goat methi keema to chicken butter masala and wild deer biryani with pomegranate and mint raita. The menu is priced at £180 per person, with the option to add a wine pairing for an extra £105.
Where: 42 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JH
Book now: Gymkhana

Benares, Mayfair

What: Michelin-starred Benares offers an evening of glamour for those looking to celebrate in style this Diwali. In honour of the Festival of Lights, diners will be treated to an extravagant eight-course tasting menu from Chef Sameer Taneja, with an array of dishes such as Scottish halibut tikka, and hing-mutter shorba with cauliflower scallop followed by butter chicken samosa and lumina lamb pulao, with sparkling tea to act as a palate cleanser between courses. Each guest who orders the tasting menu will also receive an envelope, containing gifts of complimentary cocktails and desserts, and the chance to win a seat at chef's table for a tasting menu with wine pairings.
Where: 12a Berkeley Square House, W1J 6BS
Book now: Benares

Shiuli, Twickenham

What: This Twickenham restaurant sits on the outskirts of the capital, renowned for its selection of health-conscious Indian dishes. Hosting, perhaps, the most exclusive Diwali event in the capital, Shiuli is offering a one-off immersive event for just 20 guests. On Sunday 27 October, diners will be treated to a selection of traditional tales from Monisha Bharadwaj, with speciality dishes and nibbles to pair. Tickets are just £10, with proceeds to go to Shepherd’s Star Charity.
Where: 128-130 Heath Road, TW1 4BN
Book now: Shiuli

Dishoom, various locations

What: Dishoom still knows how to draw the crowds, with floods of people queuing each evening to get a taste of Bombay. For Diwali, the team at Dishoom are going all out with an extravagant, one-night-only, celebration at Big Penny Social. On Wednesday 30th October, attendees will be treated to a whole host of South Asian entertainment including live music from Qazi & Qazi and Jasmine Jethwa, and DJ sets by Rohan Rakhit and Kizzi. Expect the drinks to be flowing, alongside a vegetarian feast of Dishoom favourites! For those who are unable to make it, you can order a speciality Malai Kofta at all Dishoom Cafes!
Where: 12 Upper St Martins Lane, WC2H 9FB; 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB; 42 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8AL; 13 Water Street, E14 5GX
Book now: Dishoom Covent Garden; Dishoom Kings Cross; Dishoom Battersea; Dishoom Canary Wharf

Trishna, Marylebone

What: Nestled away in the heart of Marylebone, Michelin-starred Trishna is known for its contemporary take on Indian classics. This year, executive head chef Sajeev has created a six-course tasting menu for Diwali, where guests can enjoy candle-lit dining throughout the celebration. Dishes include coconut and curry leaf scallops with a chilli and coconut chutney, tandoori lamb chop with ginger and crushed onion, and Dorset brown crab with coconut oil and curry leaf. Guests will also be able to add a wine pairing with sommelier selected wines to go with each dish. Vegan and vegetarian menus are available as well, with all three running from 28 October to 3 November.
Where: 15-17 Blandford Street, W1U 3DG
Book now: Trishna

Babur, Brockley

What: South East London gem Babur is going all out on the day itself, with a special celebratory menu available throughout the festival. Expect dazzling decorations and subtle lighting by way of candlelight, while you enjoy a five-course tasting menu. Each course is set to reflect a different aspect of the festival, embodying the essence of prosperity, anticipation, gratitude and affection. Dishes include aloo tikki chaat with tamarind and yoghurt sauce, chargrilled Kandhari chicken tikka with beetroot yoghurt and roti, and lamb bhuna.
Where: 119 Brockley Rise, SE23 1JP
Book now: Babur

Th@51, Westminster

What: St. James' Court, A Taj Hotel, is celebrating the season of Diwali with a wealth of special offerings, from culinary experiences to luxurious accommodation and gift hampers. At Th@51, diners can indulge in an array of regional thali menus, with specific west, north and south Indian-inspired offerings. If you opt for the northern menu, for example, you'll be treated to dishes including chicken tikka makhanwala, or paneer butter masala, served with black lentil daal, butter naan and papad and pickled. For dessert, there's saffron rice pudding with flaked almonds, or gulab jamun milk dumplings.
Where: 51 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6AF
Book now: Th@51

Sopwell House, St Albans

What: Ok, this one’s located a tiny stretch outside of London, but they go all out for the Diwali festivities, so we thought it was worth a mention. This year, the team at Sopwell House is hosting a one-night-only celebration on 8 November with a celebratory menu, live entertainment and a knockout firework display. Naturally, we’re most excited for the meal, which features gobi manchurian, awadhi chicken and malabar prawns. Promising to be even bigger and better than last year, we reckon this is one you won’t want to miss.
Where: Cottonmill Lane, AL1 2HQ
Book now: Sopwell House

InterContinental, Green Park

What: Dining at InterContinental is a rather spectacular affair all year round, offering a luxurious backdrop and several high-class dining options. For this year's Diwali celebrations, join executive chef Lalit Humar, and special guest, MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalist, Arbinder Singh Dugal on 24 October for a one-off collaboration dinner. Expect a five-course feast, promising elevated takes on traditional cuisine such as malai paneer pie or kashmiri chilli lamb with black garlic chutney and mint espuma.
Where: 1 Hamilton Place, W1J 7QY
Book now: InterContinental

Ambassadors Clubhouse, Mayfair

What: A rather swanky spot to celebrate Diwali, surround yourself in the eye-catching glamour of Ambassador’s Clubhouse. This new Diwali menu offers four courses of traditional Punjabi recipes, with papads and chaat to begin, followed by methi gobhi and channa biryani, or ranjit shahi lobster curry. Finish off with an indulgent mango mousse or kesari kulfi falooda. For something more personal, why not book out one of the private dining rooms, and tuck into this four-course feasting menu.
Where: 25 Heddon Street, W1B 4BH
Book now: Ambassadors Clubhouse

Kahani, Belgravia

What: Kahani, or 'story' in Hindi, invigorates seasonal British ingredients with fragrant Indian spices and traditional cooking methods. Indulge yourself with dishes such as chicken makhani, tandoori aubergine, and paneer masala. Located opposite Cadogan Hall, Kahani's beautiful Peacock Room is ideal for those seeking a more intimate location for their Diwali meal.
Where: 1 Wilbraham Place, SW1X 9AE
Book now: Kahani

Copper Chimney, White City

What: With a name inspired by traditional Indian copper cooking vessels, Copper Chimney established its first European outpost on Westfield Shepherd's Bush's iconic restaurant street. It occupies a stylish contemporary space filled with greenery and natural light, and enjoys huge popularity with shoppers in the nearby shopping centre. If you don't fancy cooking this Diwali, swing by for some tandoor grills, curries and biryani, washed down with one of the many options on the extensive chai menu.
Where: Southern Terrace, Ariel Way, W12 7GA
Book now: Copper Chimney

In the mood for some spice? Check out our list of the best Indian restaurants in London.