Its Thecha — Restaurant in London

Update - 24/07/2025

Hi Swati,

Thank you for reaching out to me and for your honest apology about our recent visit. I really appreciate that you took the time to speak with me and understand what went wrong. It means a lot when a business takes responsibility and tries to improve.

I understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned, and I hope our feedback helps you see where changes are needed. I truly wish you and your team all the best in making things better for future guests.

Thank you again for your time and for taking our concerns seriously.

Very Disappointing Experience – Not Worth the Drive or the Hype

I’m genuinely disappointed to be writing this review, especially after seeing so many positive ones that made me excited to visit. Being a Maharashtrian myself, I had high hopes and even drove an hour with my family to try the food. Unfortunately, both the service and the taste let us down badly.

We were a group of 8 and had reserved a table for 7:30 PM. We had also pre-booked and prepaid for six thalis – 4 fish and 2 mutton. We arrived by 7:40 PM and placed an additional order at 8:00 PM for the kids who couldn't eat the thalis. We ordered papad, Chicken 65, Chicken Lollipop, Hakka noodles, butter chicken curry, and rice – and specifically requested if at least some of these could be served early for the hungry kids.

Here’s how things unfolded:

8:30 PM: Only two fish thalis arrived.

8:50 PM: Chicken 65 finally came after another reminder.

9:00 PM: Chicken Lollipop arrived – that's 1 hour after we placed the kids’ order.

9:10 PM: The remaining two fish thalis were served.

9:20 PM: Mutton thalis finally arrived – 1.5 hours after we were seated.

Throughout this time, the kids were left hungry and waiting. Even the papad that we ordered as a quick snack didn’t arrive until 10:00 PM!

When we followed up around 9:45 PM for the kids' mains (noodles, butter chicken, rice), the server told us it would take another 15 minutes. At this point, we lost patience. We asked them to cancel everything except plain rice, so at least the kids could eat it with the yogurt and salad from our thalis.

Eventually, at 10:00 PM, we received the rice and curry. The noodles, which we had already cancelled, were brought out as well – but we refused them.

Now let’s talk about the food itself. Sadly, it wasn’t even worth the wait. The only items I could genuinely eat were the vada and plain rice with yogurt and cucumber salad. Everything else just tasted overwhelmingly salty. I honestly felt like I was eating salt curry instead of mutton or egg curry. Whereas in the fish thali, the fish was completely tasteless, and the curries were too watery and lacked any salt or flavour.

There were just three other families dining in, but there was a constant queue of delivery drivers picking up online orders. I understand that online orders can be demanding, but if your kitchen and staff can’t handle both dine-in and takeaway, you shouldn’t be accepting more than you can manage. It’s unfair to guests who’ve travelled far, prepaid, and made a reservation expecting good service and a decent meal.

This experience left us not just disappointed, but frustrated and let down. I truly hope the restaurant takes this feedback seriously and reevaluates how they balance dine-in service with online orders, and most importantly, improves their food quality...

A Genuine Taste of Maharashtra in London

Tucked away in Poplar, a stone's throw from the gleaming towers of Canary Wharf, Thecha offers something increasingly rare in London's Indian dining scene: uncompromising authenticity. This isn't another curry house masquerading as regional cuisine. It's a genuine homage to Maharashtrian flavors that would make any Mumbaikar feel nostalgic.

Having been loyal takeaway customers for months, we finally decided to experience the restaurant's atmosphere firsthand over dinner with friends. The decision proved inspired. The Paneer Thecha, the restaurant's signature dish, showcases the kitchen's deft hand with spicing. The interplay between fiery chilies and earthy nuts creates a complexity that elevates humble paneer into something memorable. Each bite delivers that distinctive punch you'd expect from a proper thecha, without the heavy handedness that often plagues London's interpretation of regional Indian dishes.

The Kothimbir Wadi, a perennial favorite of ours, didn't disappoint our newcomer friends. These crispy, herb laden fritters arrived with perfect textural contrast. Yielding centers wrapped in a satisfying crunch. Meanwhile, the Chicken 65 demonstrated the kitchen's versatility, bridging the Indo-Chinese influences that have become integral to Mumbai's street food culture. These thoughtful nods to culinary evolution separate authentic regional cooking from static museum pieces.

Beyond the food, our server Jay embodied the warmth that defines genuine Indian hospitality. His attentive yet unobtrusive service created an atmosphere that felt refreshingly sincere, a quality that's often sanitized out of London's more polished Indian establishments.

Thecha succeeds where so many fail. It respects its culinary heritage without pandering to Western palates. This is food prepared with integrity, the kind that transports rather than merely satisfies. For anyone seeking Indian cuisine that hasn't been watered down or domesticated, Thecha deserves a place on your regular dining rotation.

Our compliments to the kitchen, service team, and management, they have created something special here. A genuine portal to Maharashtra's vibrant...

A Hidden Maharashtrian Gem in London

From the moment we stepped through the doors of this unassuming London eatery, we knew we were in for something special. Having explored countless restaurants across the city, I can confidently say this is the best spot I’ve discovered for authentic Maharashtrian cuisine.

Authentic - Flavor-Packed Dishes Every plate that arrived at our table was a celebration of flavors. The variety on offer—from spicy Kolhapuri mutton thali, Fish Thali, Surmai fry and pandhra and Tambda rassa curries to delicately non spicy Techa was nothing short of spectacular. Each dish tasted as though it had been prepared in a traditional home kitchen back in Maharashtra, with the perfect balance of spices, fresh ingredients, and lovingly made chutneys.

Exceptional Service and Flexibility What truly set this experience apart was the warmth and attentiveness of the staff. Despite the restaurant’s usual thali service ending at 5 pm, we rang at 9 pm, desperate for a hearty Maharashtrian thali. Without hesitation, the owner herself agreed to prepare it for us. That level of hospitality—going above and beyond just because she knew we were craving it—speaks volumes about their dedication to making every guest feel welcome.

Inviting Ambience The decor strikes a delightful balance between cozy and vibrant: warm lighting, colorful artwork, and traditional brass accents create an atmosphere that’s both relaxed and engaging. Whether you’re on a date, catching up with friends, or simply treating yourself, the ambience enhances every bite. It’s rare to find a restaurant that combines genuine authenticity, outstanding service, and an inviting atmosphere all in one. The owner’s personal touch—caring enough to cater to our late-night thali craving—left a lasting impression. If you’re in London and longing for a true taste of Maharashtra, look no further. This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates bold flavors, heartfelt hospitality, and a memorable dining experience. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem—book your table and prepare...