CILANTRO - PUTNEY (Authentic Indian Restaurant) — Restaurant in London

If you’re searching for a standout Indian dining experience in Putney, Cilantro is a must-visit. My recent meal there was nothing short of exceptional, with a menu that celebrates both the depth and diversity of Indian regional cuisine.

Food The culinary highlight was the Rajasthani Laal Maas-tender Welsh lamb, slow-cooked in a fiery Mathania red chilli gravy. The dish was robust, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, delivering the traditional heat and depth you’d expect from this Rajasthani classic. Equally impressive was the Tamil Nadu Chicken (Koli Varutha Curry), which showcased southern spices and coconut, resulting in a rich, complex curry that was both comforting and exciting. The Dal Makhni was a creamy, slow-cooked delight, with the lentils and kidney beans simmered to perfection in a buttery, tomato-rich sauce-exactly as a North Indian dal makhni should be. The naans were fresh and pillowy, ideal for mopping up every last bit of sauce. To finish, the Ras Malai was a revelation-soft, spongy cheese dumplings in a fragrant, lightly sweetened milk, providing a cool and elegant end to the meal.

Service Service at Cilantro is consistently praised, and my experience was no exception. Arun was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu and ensuring our meal was seamless and enjoyable. The staff’s genuine warmth and professionalism added to the welcoming atmosphere, making the evening feel special.

Ambience Cilantro offers a relaxed yet stylish setting, perfect for anything from a casual dinner to a celebratory meal. The restaurant’s commitment to fresh, organic ingredients and a “healthy Indian” ethos is evident throughout the menu, but never at the expense of flavour.

Final Thoughts Cilantro stands out not only for its inventive and authentic food but also for its impeccable service. The Rajasthani Laal Maas and Tamil Nadu Chicken are must-tries, and the Dal Makhni and Ras Malai round out a meal that is both memorable and satisfying. With staff like Anup making you feel right at home, Cilantro is easily one of Putney’s best Indian restaurants-highly recommended for lovers of genuine...

Great service, very friendly & helpful waiter. Venue was clean and inviting. Food on the other hand was disappointing. The dishes were sadly too mild in flavour and the mains were a few meat pieces hidden under the ample sauce. 'Pepper Fry lamb' wasn't tenderized enough, 'Butter chicken' was mediocre and the 'Bengals Fishermen's curry' was too mild with a small amount of seafood. Dals, paratha and naan on the otherhand were enjoyable. Over priced for such small portions that sadly didn't deliver. Loved the friendly service though the one waiter was over stretched. Sadly wouldn't return. *In response to your shocking reply, We actually ordered 6x Mains and 10x sides for 6 adults and a takeaway for our late guest which was more then plenty. I mentioned the price point for those paying full price as I believe your prices do not reflect the quantity nor the quality. I hope in future you show more respect to your...

We went for a late lunch on Saturday using our Virgin Experience Day voucher. By 2.15pm there were only 3-4 couples dining so the atmosphere was lacking but the decor was modern and tasteful. We were shown to our table by Arun and he was very professional, friendly and helpful with our dietary requirements. For our starters we ordered crispy fried fish bites and Jackfruit Bonda which were delicious and quite large portions. For mains we had the butter chicken and lamb maas and we found the quality of the meat was very good and tasty. For desert we had gulab jamun (which was hot and soft and tasted freshly made) and mango kulfi which tasted more like proper kulfi from India than ice cream which many restaurants sell pretending to be kulfi. Arun throughout the dining experience was attentive, friendly and very helpful. We would wholeheartedly...