Tamila Clapham

Heading south of the river, the team behind The Tamil Prince and The Tamil Crown is back with Tamila, a fast-casual Indian dining spot that revives their original food hall concept that first launched in Hackney in 2021.

Taking up prime real estate on Northcote Road, Tamila captures the essence of its much-loved pub roots; it features the same minimalist design, whilst closely packed tables and bench seating create a similar sociable, communal atmosphere. Soft, ambient lighting from wall-mounted sconces and framed family photos add warmth, while fragrant aromas waft from the kitchen where a skilful brigade of chefs bustle about behind a large window.

Though rebranded, Tamila’s menu features many familiar favourites on its menu. A concise selection of curries, breads, and snacks is complemented by new specials fresh from the tandoori grill, drawing on co-founder Prince Durairaj’s Tamil heritage and bold flavours from across the subcontinent. Designed for sharing, dishes arrive as and when they’re ready and we quickly tuck into crispy fried baby sweetcorn, imperfectly shaped but boasting a satisfying crunch and a tangy hint of spice.

Dosas are a new addition, and the curry mutton dosa doesn’t disappoint, with a fluffy pancake base that comes smothered with a chunky layer of minced meat. Tamila’s speciality is prioritising flavour over heat, richly spiced meat packs just enough punch, whilst a creamy coconut dip is on hand for balancing coolness.

Fans of the original sites will be pleased to find the beloved roti still on the menu, as flaky, buttery as ever, giving authentic Sri Lankan breads a run for their money. It’s perfect for soaking up the fragrant sauce of a Chettinad lamb curry as we devour forkfuls of tender lamb. Whilst there are plenty of enjoyable dishes, this is where Tamila really shines; simple and precisely spiced sauces, no bells and whistles, just fragrant, flavour driven curries that we’d happily eat again and again.

The cocktail menu has undergone a makeover too, incorporating Indian spices into classic drinks. The Gunpowder Margarita offers a bold twist on the spicy marg, swapping chilli flakes with a cinnamon and cumin-spiced rim, bringing a pungent kick to the citrusy drink.

Having already solidified its place as a favourite amongst locals, Tamila brings hearty food, relaxed dining and reasonable prices to Clapham - a pretty good mix in our books.

Tamila is a modern, elevated approach to the curry house, serving exquisite Tamil-inspired cuisine from Battersea. Tamila is the South London jewel in the crown of The Tamil Prince and The Tamil Crown, the go-to favourites for quality curry in North London. Unlike its predecessors, Tamila doesn’t make a pub its home, but is the group’s first bricks-and-mortar curry house, harking back to their roots as a stall at Hackney Bridge Kitchens.

Tamila is housed in a sweet, cosy spot on the Northcote Road, where stepping inside will hit you with the buzz of excited diners who’ve managed to bag a table at the most hotly-anticipated spot south of the river. The buzzy atmosphere is thanks to the intimately packed tables inside, encouraging a kind of casual approach to dining. The interiors are clean, pared back, with a light touch of sleek Indian inspiration.

Tamil’s menu takes inspiration from chef-founder Prince Durairaj’s South Indian heritage, featuring the vibrant and utterly delicious food from the Tamil Nadu. Snacks get things off to a flying start, with fried baby sweetcorn, onion bhajis, and a chicken lollipop and sweet chilli chutney. Things then move along into a selection of dosa - there’s a choice of chilli cheese, mutton curry, or masala dosa - and bite-sized poori masala.

Then for the main event, which comes in the form of tandoori and curries. The tandoori is a choice between a half tandoori chicken with a cooling mint chutney, or a sweet and spicy paneer tikka and pineapple chutney. The choice of curries brings a difficult decision between a dhal, paneer butter masala and a Chettinad lamb curry, to name a few. To mop things up, there’s buttery roti, or chewy garlic and coriander or kulcha naan.

Dessert ends things on a sugary high, with gulab jamun dunked in a syrupy sauce, mango lassi, or an exciting mango soft serve. To wash things down, there’s an equally explosive drinks list, with a selection including, but not limited to, a gunpowder margarita, Tamil negroni, or a Tamila lager to cool off the spice.