Babuji — Restaurant in London

My husband and I stumbled across Babuji on a very wet and windy Sunday night on the way to the O2 for a gig. The establishment has a very large window, and we could instantly see how warm and bright it was inside, with many enthusiastic diners. On entering, we were instantly welcomed and shown to a table. The decor is really cool, and prompted memories for my husband who has been to India multiple times. The atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. The restaurant has an authentic menu offering, but don’t expect to order papadoms. Instead Babuji do Chaat, and oh my raita! This starter dish beats papadoms hands down. I’m not going to spoil the surprise, but it is a taste explosion and we wished we ordered two! We washed this down with ice cold Kingfisher until our mains arrived. For mains, we ordered the chicken bhuna, butter paneer, and mattar paneer, accompanied with the most fragrant rice and cheesy naan. A word of advice, get more bread, you are encouraged to eat with your hands here and I was actually disappointed when I ran out of bread and had to use a knife and fork. It really provides an authentic immersive dinning experience. Another couple of beers and finally, following these real show stoppers, ended the meal with a pistachio kulfi lolly. Cream, pistachio, saffron, rose water and a gentle hint of cardamom. The owner is such a lovely man, and took time to not just welcome diners like old friends, but engaged in bright and engaging conversation, genuinely interested in his diners. This place is 11/10, dining experience, cuisine, atmosphere, cleanliness, and all round gem. Hugely recommend and can’t...

My wife and I recently visited Babuji near Kentish Town tube station, and we were absolutely thrilled with our experience. The moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of the vibrant street food scenes of South Asia.

The food at Babuji was nothing short of spectacular. We started with the Shingara Chaat, which was a delightful mix of textures and flavors, with the crisp samosa-like shingara perfectly complemented by yogurt, sev, and chutney. For our mains, we shared the Paneer Butter Masala, which was creamy, rich, and packed with flavor, alongside a hearty Dahl Makhni that was comforting and full of depth. The portions were generous, and the quality of the ingredients shone through in every bite.

Service was friendly and attentive, with the staff offering insightful recommendations that made our dining experience even more enjoyable. The ambiance was casual yet stylish, with decor that paid homage to South Asian culture, making it an ideal spot for both a quick bite or a more leisurely meal.

What stood out was not just the authenticity of the dishes but how each one was a homage to the street vendors of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. Eating with our hands, as encouraged by the restaurant, added a fun, traditional touch to the meal.

Babuji is a gem in Kentish Town, offering delicious food at reasonable prices, with an atmosphere that makes you feel like you've momentarily escaped to South Asia. We can't wait to go back and try more from their extensive menu. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a true taste of South Asian street...

Babuji, or father in English, is a lovely restaurant situated on the high street of Kentish Town and serves up an array of Indian dishes, enveloped with what feels like homely love as their intent would be. This place encourages customers to eat with their hands, following cultural customs and even going as far as providing instructions with how to do so - but only if you wish to.

I love restaurants that incorporate their backstory and they did exactly that with their creative and somewhat witty menu. I went for the bangla bhuna with garlic & coriander naan, masala dossa and mango lassi. Naan could be stronger in garlic taste, but delivered a slight crispy crunch and it was mostly soft. The curry was delicious, well flavoured and seasoned, as well as delivering a bearable kick. Dossa was lovely and crisp. The gunpowder paste was what escalated the spice levels as I progressed through the meal. Mango lassi delivered a good balance of the yoghurt and mango taste with the mango tasting authentic. Very smooth and creamy. A drink that I always default in ordering whenever I’m eating at a south Asian restaurant.

It wasn’t busy when I went on a Tuesday afternoon. Food does take a while to arrive, so that should be noted. But the food didn’t disappoint. The guy who was on the floor was lovely and welcoming and seemed passionate about sharing the love of India, which was well articulated within the place with the display of terms on the wall. A local spot that I’d come back to...