Est India

A recent addition to pedestrianised Flat Iron Square, Est India’s self-proclaimed ‘modern urban feel’ translates as bare walls, wooden furniture, long tables and cosy booths for intimate get-togethers. The cooking shows its debt to the subcontinent’s street food with dosas, naan rolls, puffs, utthapam and small plates (perhaps deep-fried corn and potato tikki), before offering various tandooris, biryanis and regional specialities such as Bengali prawn curry, Kashmiri palak lamb with spinach or a desi burger. There are some genuine desserts too, including keer (rice pudding), syrupy gulab jamon dumplings and gajjar halwa (carrot cake) – plus kulfi on a stick. All-in tiffin menus (£7.95) are ideal for relaxed business lunches, and there are some fragrant and spicy teas if the short international wine list doesn’t appeal.

Est India is a relaxed Indian restaurant on Union Street, between London Bridge and Borough stations, serving a wide selection of regional Indian dishes, from sharing plates to items cooked over the tandoor and grill. With its cosy décor, please-all menu and welcoming staff, it’s just as suited for a quick chai with a mate as it is a romantic meal with a date!

In the centre of the dining room stands a large bar showcasing its extensive spirit selection, while warm tones of gold, yellow and natural wood create a soft, mellow aesthetic. A collection of framed artworks cover the walls, while hanging lanterns illuminate the space with a soft golden glow. During the summer months, there’s a small alfresco terrace at the front of the restaurant, where diners can watch the comings and goings of Flat Iron Square, while they tuck into a selection of tasty dishes.

Est India is open for lunch and dinner throughout the week, and offers an array of small and large dishes suited to laid-back, family-style dining. If you’re dining for lunch, enjoy a range of tasty plates spanning everything from masala dosas, a potato-filled rice pancake, to stir-fried prawns, veggie samosas and dum biryani, which sees rice served in a sealed pot with raitha.

For dinner, there are a selection of tandoor dishes, grill items and signature mains. Examples include tandoor broccoli cooked in spices and cream cheese, Kasundi salmon tikka, and lamb kebabs. While a host of classic dishes hail from across the continent, be it a Goan prawn curry, Keralan chicken curry or a north Indian fish kari.

A visit to Est India wouldn't be complete without trying one of its classic cocktails - Margaritas, Whisky Sours, Mojitos and Pina Coladas are just a handful of the creations on offer.