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I’ve been a fan of the London food scene for years, especially the Indian food scene. While I have never been to India, but I truly believe London is one of the best places to eat Indian food outside of India (open to being corrected, so let me know!). So when the chance came up to finally try the iconic Gymkhana, I didn’t hesitate. Now, I am here to recount my experience and give an honest review of Gymkhana in London, so you can decide for yourself if its worth a visit.
I first heard of Gymkhana years ago when Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell posted a photo from their dinner there. Indian food, Michelin stars and celebrity approval? That is basically my trifecta.
If you are thinking that Gymkhana feels out of budget, you can still experience their food through their sister restaurants:
• Brigadiers: Indian BBQ with bro sports bar energy, but the wings make up for it. I had dinner here on a sweet little solo day in London, you can read about that here.
• Trishna: Elevated Indian cuisine without the Gymkhana price tag or deposit.
• Dishoom: My favorite restaurant on earth, always.
But if you want a full play-by-play of our night at Gymkhana, here is how it went.
Key Details
Type: Modern Indian fine dining (Michelin-starred)
Neighborhood: Mayfair, London
Best For: Special occasions, once-in-a-lifetime meals, elevated Indian cuisine
Price: ££££
Vibe: Luxurious, intimate, member’s-club energy with polished service
Good to Know: Two Michelin stars; requires a £100 deposit; tasting menu available; reservations book out far in advance
The Vibe and First Impressions
Our reservation was at 9 pm (woof), and walking up to the restaurant felt like arriving at a secret club. The dark, understated exterior on a quiet Mayfair street set the tone. Inside, the space is modeled after gentleman’s sporting clubs from colonial India. It felt warm, masculine and slightly mysterious, like a room full of old stories.
The staff greeted us kindly and brought us through the upstairs dining room, past the bar and down a mirrored hallway into a second dining room. Casual brag, I am fairly certain we sat in Dax and Kristen’s booth. We even heard a private room party wrapping up behind us and tried (unsuccessfully) to get the scoop. According to our waiter, no major celebrity that night, though he did mention that Ed Sheeran had been there twice that week. Good taste confirmed.
Drinks and Cocktails
If you love a gin and tonic, Gymkhana takes it to another level. Their gin menu is enormous and organized on a “gin map” that shows flavor profiles, which makes it easy to choose the perfect match. The “club cocktails” list also has some fun signature options.
I ordered the Masala Margarita because any drink with green chile immediately gets my attention. The masala-spiced rim gave it a nice kick. They also offer Indian whiskeys, reserve cocktails and a solid mocktail menu, so non-drinkers are covered.
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The Gymkhana Tasting Menu Experience
Since we wanted a full experience, we ordered the tasting menu with wine pairings. It was my first time doing wine pairings, and I was impressed by the variety. We tasted wine from the Willamette Valley (a proud moment as someone from Oregon), plus bottles from Austria, Germany, France, South America and New Zealand. The pairings kept the meal moving and each course felt more intentional because of them.
And of course, the Sommelier came over to explain the wine with each course. While my husband just nodded along, I personally love a back story on wine. What type of grapes? Which region did the wine originate? What is special about the winemaker? Write me a novel about how the grapes are pressed, seriously I love wine science and this guy delivered.
We went as a group of four, which I highly recommend when trying a restaurant like this. Being able to order essentially the entire menu was clutch.
Starters
These were the stand out starters the whole table ordered. We also were served a basket of sorts of different Indian crackers which were fun to try and compare. Imagine an Italian bread basket, but make it Indian.
Gol Guppas
I cannot stop thinking about these. Light, crisp and slightly puffed shells that you tap open to create a tiny bowl. You fill it with tangy, sharp and herb-packed sauces, then pop the whole thing in your mouth. It is a perfect bite: crunchy, bright and refreshing. Our waiter told us he can eat around forty of them, and honestly, I believe it.
Aloo Chaat
Next up were the potatoes, which were simple, flavorful and had that perfect mix of sweet, spicy and crunchy that good chaat should have. These made us even more excited for the mains.
Mains
I chose the salmon and the butter chicken masala, but our group also ordered the signature biryani. Everything was perfectly cooked. The salmon was coated in a fresh green herb sauce and flaked apart with the lightest touch of a fork. I usually overcook fish (accidentally, out of fear) and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it cooked properly and still tender.
The true standout was the biryani. The rice was aromatic and rich with herbs, and the muntjac was tender and flavorful. The presentation alone is an experience. The server cuts away the seed-crusted pastry top to reveal steam, fragrance and the warm spice of the dish inside. It felt theatrical in the best way.
It was a clutch decision that we all ordered different parts of the menu. Sharing small bites of everything let us get the full experience and not feel like we were missing out on something. Plus with each passing course it became more and more difficult to choose just one options when the entire menu sounded delicious.
Dessert
Despite the fact that we ordered and tried nearly the whole menu, we still had dessert to go. Let me be clear, this was not your average tasting menu. There wasn’t 14 one bite courses you may find on a French menu. The biryani alone could feed a family of four. We were really getting our moneys worth, so to speak.
For dessert, we did a 50/50 split of the Pistachio Kulfi Falooda and the Cardamom and Basmati Rice Kheer. Both were presented beautifully and tasted just as good, especially after a long meal. I could have skipped the dessert wine, but the desserts themselves were a lovely finish.
The Bottom Line
If you are in London and want a special meal, Gymkhana delivers. Whether you are celebrating something big or just want to splurge on a memorable dinner, it is the type of place that rises to the occasion. It met and exceeded every expectation.
Two Michelin stars and a £100 deposit? In my opinion, yes, it was worth it.
