Dastaan — Restaurant in Epsom and Ewell

Dastaan: A Masterpiece of Authentic Indian Cuisine in London

Dastaan stands as one of the most exceptional Indian dining experiences in London, offering an elevated journey through authentic, regional Indian flavors. Situated in the heart of London, this restaurant combines culinary mastery with an inviting, sophisticated atmosphere that makes it an absolute must-visit for any connoisseur of Indian cuisine.

From the moment you step through the doors of Dastaan, you are transported into an ambiance that beautifully reflects the rich heritage of India, with its modern, yet traditional design elements. The elegant interior, complete with warm lighting, comfortable seating, and subtle Indian influences, creates a perfect setting for both casual dining and special occasions.

The menu at Dastaan is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Every dish is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to authentic Indian cooking, with bold flavors, traditional techniques, and fresh ingredients at its core. The chefs at Dastaan masterfully blend time-honored recipes with a contemporary twist, creating an unforgettable experience for your taste buds.

To start, the Tandoori Lamb Chops are a standout—perfectly charred on the outside, tender on the inside, with just the right balance of spices. The Dastaan Murgh (chicken) is another must-try, with succulent pieces of chicken marinated in spices and slow-cooked to perfection, enveloped in rich, aromatic flavors.

One of the highlights of dining at Dastaan is the incredible Biryani, a fragrant, flavorful dish that takes you straight to the heart of Indian comfort food. The tender, aromatic rice, layered with juicy meat and served with a raita that complements the spice, is a true work of art.

The Dal Makhani is another showstopper. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with depth — a perfect representation of the slow-cooked, love-infused dishes that have been passed down through generations. Vegetarians and vegans will also find a delightful range of options, from spiced Lamb Biryani to Butter chicken, all bursting with authentic flavors and textures.

What sets Dastaan apart from many other Indian restaurants is its dedication to sustainability and sourcing the freshest, finest ingredients. The restaurant’s commitment to using locally sourced produce, combined with traditional Indian cooking techniques, allows each dish to shine with both freshness and complexity.

Service at Dastaan is impeccable. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about Indian cuisine, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring that every dining experience is seamless. Whether it's explaining the intricacies of a dish or ensuring that the level of spice suits your palate, the service is both professional and personable.

Dastaan's beverage menu, which includes a carefully curated list of wines, cocktails, and traditional Indian drinks like Lassi, offers the perfect accompaniment to any meal. The wine pairings are expertly selected to complement the rich and diverse flavors of Indian cuisine.

For anyone looking to elevate their dining experience, Dastaan offers more than just food — it offers a journey through the culinary heart of India. Whether you are a long-time fan of Indian food or a newcomer, Dastaan guarantees an unforgettable experience with every visit.

In conclusion, Dastaan is a restaurant that takes Indian cuisine to the next level. With its exquisite food, exceptional service, and inviting ambiance, it is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of authentic Indian dining in London. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a casual dinner, or exploring the depths of regional Indian flavors, Dastaan is the perfect destination for an exceptional culinary experience.

An undisputed gem in London’s vibrant dining scene — truly a...

I was excited to go to Dastaan given the reviews, rosette and michelin legacy proceeding the chefs. Unfortunately what we experienced was nowhere near up to the standard of even a local takeaway curry house.

Our group of 6 had a variety of starting items which for the most part were alright - specifically the lamb chop signature dish. I had a duck/quail kebab which was ok but completely dominated by a variety of spices which killed the actual flavour of the meat. The red prawn and fish starter was also nice but for around £12 a bowl it was again unbalanced and a bit overcooked. Another starter which I think was the Pani Puri looked very impressive but was so sweet it was more like a dessert than anything else.

Then we got onto the mains, I ordered the Venison Laal Maas which was so over-seasoned it somehow managed to completely kill the actual flavour of the venison, which was such a shame because the venison was so tender. The butter chicken was redeeming but other dishes like the Keema Matar were also over-seasoned or tasteless. The pilau rice was again so full of uncooked spices and herbs that it was making people in the restaurant cough - whatever was in it completely dried the back of the throat and we saw multiple people choking from it, with one person in our party being unable to eat any more at all. In terms of other sides the mustard potatoes were tasteless but I must say the Aubergine Masala was lovely I wish I had just ordered that.

The main problem I have is that the spices in the food weren't cooked through properly, it was such a confusion of flavours everything just ended up tasting pretty much the same. It wasn't even particularly spicy in terms of chilli heat - which was surprising given that my dish came with a whole crushed chilli laid across

The other problem I have now is that 2 people in our lunch party are now ill with upset stomachs and unfortunately diarrhoea, and this is a group that love curry and hot food. I'm a cook for an Asian restaurant/takeaway personally and I feel like I'm about to throw up. I don't know what it was but I have a feeling it was the rice, I don't think it's food poisoning because (as I said before) the quality of the meat was actually very nice but ruined by careless overspicing. I think its consumption of too many raw spices - and this is from someone who literally eats spicy food every day... If it is food poisoning (most likely the rice if so) it means I can't go back to work for probably 2 weeks.

In terms of value for money and the service provided, when you're paying a good £10-15 per dish for starters, mains and sides adding up to around £40pp incl a beer there were some slip ups in service - which was a shame because the managers and most waiters/waitresses were lovely but one obviously didn't want to be there (which I don't blame them, I was a silver service waiter before I turned to cooking) but was hurrying us too much, taking plates off the table before we were all finished and it kind of killed the mood a bit. Luckily I was the only one in my party to really notice this. Other than that the mood of the place is quite casual and homely which is complemented by the interior design of the place which is modern and welcoming.

For the price I wouldn't go back there given that a local takeaway place delivers far superior quality food for a fraction of the price. It's a real shame because Dastaan has so much going for it but is let down really where it matters, the food.

I'm praying I haven't, but, if I am unlucky and have contracted food poisoning I will be contacting them directly to make...

As a true 'foody' there are very few dining experiences that leave me craving for more and an Indian this cuisine flows through my blood.

Before Dastaan, there were only two Indian restaurants that I would rate on par with my wife's home made Indian cooking which is widely regarded as excellent. Dastaan just beat all three, YES, my wife included!

Dastaan is like a Ferrari engine disguised in the shell of a BMW. From the outside it looks like a normal suburban curry house frequented by locals whose idea of a good Indian is a chicken tikka masala, saag aloo and naan bread washed down by a pint of beer. From the inside however, Dastaan is a true example of excellence in Indian culinary cuisine. Do not be deceived, this is no Banaras, Jamavar or Gymkhana; there is no Mayfair postcode, no posh ambience, no flash menu and no fine art on the walls; all designed to inflate prices and hide the reality of why you were really there, YES, the food!.

The restaurant is owned by two Chefs Sanjay and Nand Kishan. Their love for the food they create is 'mind blowing' to see and the passion with which they speak about their culinary creations I have never seen before.

Every masala is made in house, every dish is prepared to perfection and Chef Nand Kishan presides over each and every dish that leaves his kitchen like a Swiss watchmaker creating a masterpiece; nothing short of perfection is acceptable!.

Try the lamb chops, rogan gosh, and pork vindaloo. You must leave space for dessert, the raas malai and faluda were 'to die for'!!

Dastaan is like master chef...