Indian Lounge — Restaurant in London

Disappointing take away order I saw the amazing reviews and was staying nearby so I decided to order here.

There was a lunch special advertised outside so I ended up deciding to order that However...

My order was incorrect. I ordered samosas. The employee had finished my sentence before I had finished by saying "meat samosas". I stopped, looked at him taken aback and said no... vegetable samosas. Once I arrived at my accommodation I saw I was given meat samosas. Not ok. My order was also missing the dessert clearly advertised by them outside. I did not go back as I was tired.

What I also did not like: I had placed my order and I had made a comment about the great reviews. The employee told me to come downstairs. I did not want to go as I was simply looking forward to a nice Indian meal and relax after wandering around all day. I did not wish to be impolite and he had seemed friendly but it was odd. I went downstairs and I was impressed with the decor but the man insisted that I take photos and even videos to "show my friends back in Australia". I said ok. Then he insists that I take selfies of the both of us to post online... I personally don't like selfies and I felt increasingly uncomfortable but I hate to seem impolite so I took ones where I was forcing a smile! Upstairs, I continued to wait. At one stage, the employee comes up to me (presumably as I am on my phone) and asks "have you posted the review yet?" WHAT?! WHY on earth would I post a review BEFORE receiving my order?

Personally, I feel that I was being judged and put into a genre from my external appearance/race that I was someone who I am not... that I am heavily online. I do not like photos or influencers. I prefer to enjoy the moment and switch off from technology. Sure, I have posted on Google reviews but I am hardly on social media and anything I have is very private, not on public.

So this is my honest review. Not what I imagine the gentleman was expecting/hoping for and definitely not what I expected. Despite feeling pressured by this employee to take videos, photos, post reviews, I tried to keep an open mind. I still expected the food would be delicious. Unfortunately, it was not.

I was clear about wanting the vegetarian entree and was ignored, the main was mediocre at best- I know it was not supposed to be big but it was lacking in flavour- not what I am used to with Indian. My dessert was completely missing. I paid for that! I even passed the next day to see if it was me who made a mistake and I hadn't.

I have high standards when it comes to Indian cuisine in the UK. My last review was an Indian restaurant in Winchester where I actually said it was the best I have eaten... anywhere. So I had to post because... I wanted to.

Pressuring customers into taking selfies and posting reviews is not the way to go (he even handed me a card but I refused and said I know about Google). I rarely give negative reviews. But I am honest and feedback is always helpful to owners. I don't always review but this man talked so much about it/received poor service/mediocre/missing food so the idea was obviously in my mind from him drilling the idea into me. I had expected despite his behaviour that the food would make me post a positive review!

Please DO NOT ask customers to review 5 stars BEFORE they even get the meal! I was shocked he asked. Frankly it is the most convenient as hungry commuters/tourists have to pass here as it is across from St Pancreas Int and King's Cross. I'd usually avoid the station assuming they are not the best but I saw so many reviews on Google. And I can guess why they have so many now if they are told to.

I did not meet the owner so I cannot comment on his service and approach, only this gentleman's. It might be beneficial for the owner (who so many seem to like) to bring this issue up with his employee.  Be authentic! Encourage posting reviews. I'd always be more than happy to post something if I am not feeling like I "have to". I do it because I "want to" and because it...

Avoid at all costs. Probably one of my worst dining experiences in London. Service was extremely slow, and the waiter came across as dismissive, even taking an age just to bring tap water. The food itself was fairly average for an Indian restaurant, though I will admit the biryani was quite good.

The real issue lies with their hidden charges. Like many others have pointed out, there is a mandatory 15%–25% service charge that is not clearly communicated (I was charged 15%, but some reviews mention up to 25%). It seems buried in fine print on the menu, and the staff make no effort whatsoever to explain it. The receipt is deliberately written in a confusing way to obscure the charge. In my case, the waiter rushed the payment, avoided showing me the bill properly, and refused to let me keep a copy. Thankfully, I managed to take a photo before it was taken away so I could split the cost with friends.

To make matters worse, the service charge was disguised as part of another item, such as the “complimentary” vegetable soup that comes with the biryani. This feels deliberately misleading. After reviewing the bill with my friends, I went back and confronted the waiter, he simply confirmed it was a service charge and walked off. For reference, the maths makes it obvious: £69.42 × 0.15 = £10.42, 69.42+10.42 bringing the total to £79.84.

Earning money is fine, but it should be done in a fair and transparent way. According to UK consumer law, mandatory service charges must be clearly disclosed to customers and itemised on receipts. This restaurant is in breach of that standard, and I am now looking into reporting them to the authorities.

It’s a shame they resort to these shady tactics to squeeze out a few extra pounds instead of earning it the right way by providing good service and food. I’ve been to many excellent Indian restaurants, and it’s disappointing to see one damaging the Indian community with...

Had the pleasure of dining at Indian Lounge recently with a massive group of 13 of us (I know, nightmare numbers for most restaurants), but the team there handled it like pros — and honestly? This was one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had.

Let’s start with the food — because wow. The lamb was fall-apart tender, perfectly seasoned with a deep, rich flavour that tasted like it had been slow-cooked for hours. And the chicken? Juicy, full of flavour, and cooked just right — none of that dry, bland nonsense you get at some places. You could tell this place knows how to treat their meats properly.

But let’s talk about the real MVP: the naans. The garlic naan especially? Unreal. Soft, fluffy, crispy at the edges, and PACKED with garlic. Like… actual chunks of garlic. No fake sprinkles. It was the kind of naan you fight over. We had to order extra because everyone kept reaching for it like it was gold.

Drinks? They’ve got everything. A wide range of wines, fizzy drinks, and even some less common Indian beverages if you’re feeling adventurous. Whether you’re a Diet Coke loyalist or someone who wants a glass of red with their curry, you’re sorted.

And the customer service? Next level. The staff were attentive, friendly, and on it the whole night. But what really stood out was the owner. He didn’t just greet us — he took the time to personally chat with each one of us, which is actually wild considering there were 13 of us packed around a long table. He made everyone feel welcome, like we weren’t just customers but actual guests in his home.

It’s rare to find a restaurant that nails every aspect — food, service, atmosphere — especially with a large group, but Indian Lounge pulled it off with ease. Warm vibes, top-tier food, and a team that genuinely cares.

If you’re thinking about going, stop thinking. Just GO. Indian Lounge is a 10/10. Can’t wait...