Heritage Dulwich

Neatly tucked away in row of shops on a friendly suburban street, you’d be easily forgiven for overlooking Heritage Dulwich. The brainchild of executive chef Dayashankar Sharma (previously of Michelin-starred kitchens Tamarind and Zaika), Heritage Dulwich has burst onto the Indian fine-dining scene with a menu of modern interpretations of authentic dishes that have been passed down through the generations.

The dining room itself is a warm and welcoming space, with gold accents, Indian-inspired artwork and wood panelling creating a glossy but understated environment – a taste of what to expect from the menu.

If you’re unsure of what to pick the accomplished waiting team are on hand to advise. From retelling Chef Sharma’s inspiration for the ingredients, identifying complementary courses or recommending the perfect cocktail, they really know their stuff.

Of the main courses our top picks include the Lamb and Prune Kofta (prune stuffed lamb dumplings with tomato, brown garlic & star anise) and the popular Murgh Makhani (smoked chicken supreme cooked in creamy fresh tomato & fenugreek sauce) - which we can confidently say is one of the best butter chicken curries we've ever had. For veggies, the Paneer aur Mirch Ka salan – featuring herb marinated cottage cheese in melon seeds & tomato gravy – is a great choice. Make sure to leave room for sides too, with the Sundried Tomato and Truffle Naan as rich as its ingredients allude, and the Tadka Dal featuring a mellifluous blend of garlic, chilli and tomato that offers just the right kick.

Chef Sharma came out twice throughout our sitting to greet diners, answer questions and share nostalgic tales of the inspiration behind his most complex recipes. It’s clear from the whole team here that the story behind each dish is integral and being educated on the process behind the plates we enjoyed made the whole experience even more special.

Go with your partner, bring a group of friends, treat your parents – if they like Indian food created with soul, they will love Heritage Dulwich.

London is hardly short of high-end Indian restaurants, but the popularity of such establishments proves there is an unwavering demand for the rich complexities of Indian cuisine. Heritage Dulwich has now added to the capital’s fabric of luxury Indians, but had a unique start in the restaurant business, initially opening as a takeaway only venue due to lockdown measures imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The dining room is understated but well thought out, featuring grey stone floors, brown leather banquettes and artworks inspired by India. Taking the helm of the kitchen is chef patron Dayashankar Sharma, who previously worked for the Tamarind group and oversees a variety of menus, including a multi-course tasting menu and a set lunch on weekends. The aim of the food offering at Heritage Dulwich is to provide authentic Indian dishes, but also to champion the more unusual and less common dishes from lesser known Indian regions and communities.

To begin your meal, order a selection of small plates such as potato and quinoa cake or goan stuffed fish. For your main course, enjoy Murgh Makhani (smoked chicken supreme cooked in a creamy tomato and fenugreek sauce) or sea bass fillet in a mustard and poppyseed sauce served with stem broccoli. There are vegetarian options too, including spiced okra with tomato and green chilli and roasted aubergine served with a spiced kolhapuri masala. Pad out your meal with the usual naans, poppadoms and accompaniments such as a spicy onion salad, before rounding things off with tempting desserts - think rice pudding topped with Thandai and mixed berries.

As for the drinks menu, Heritage Dulwich offers a selection of house cocktails, including the Indian Jewel (Amaretto with citrus, orange, sugar dusting and gold leaf), alongside international wines by the glass, Champagnes and botanical non-alcoholic tipples.