The India - Monument — Restaurant in London

I booked a table for two just 30 minutes before arrival, so I wasn’t surprised they didn’t have my name down—fair enough. After showing my email confirmation, the greeter asked us to wait. Within a few minutes, we were shown to our table, and at that point, things seemed promising. Unfortunately, that changed quickly.

It took 30 minutes just to place our order. Waiters were walking around chatting with each other and seemed uninterested in attending to customers. Despite making eye contact with one and asking to order, he simply walked past. Eventually, I had to flag down the greeter again, who then sent someone over.

When the food finally arrived, I initially thought things were back on track. But the chapati was undercooked—part of it was actually raw and completely inedible. The chicken dish, on the other hand, was overcooked and tough - it really was from one extreme to the next.

Trying to get a waiter's attention again was nearly impossible. Most of them were focused on setting up tables for the next day rather than serving the customers who were still dining. After another 30-minute wait, I finally managed to speak to someone. The waiter didn’t seem to understand what I meant by the chapati being raw, so he brought over a colleague. They asked why I hadn’t said something earlier, but I explained that it was almost impossible to get anyone’s attention, and I didn’t want my curry to go cold.

They dismissed my comment about the overcooked chicken entirely. For the portion size I would definitely say it is overpriced.

Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant. The staff need to prioritise the experience of paying customers rather than preparing for the next...

During our recent visit to London, we visited this restaurant near London Bridge, drawn by its name, which prominently includes “India”, expecting authentic Indian cuisine and a welcoming environment. What we encountered, however, was deeply disappointing and offensive.

Shortly after we were seated, a staff member - possibly the manager - approached us and made a shocking statement: “This is an Indian restaurant, but not for Indians.”

Such a remark is not only inappropriate but outright discriminatory. It was clear from the tone and attitude that Indian customers were not welcome, despite the restaurant actively using the name “India” to attract business.

Based on our brief interaction, it appears the restaurant may not be Indian-owned, and is instead being operated by individuals from a different background (possibly Pakistani or Bangladeshi) who seem to hold negative views toward Indians — while still profiting from Indian identity and cuisine.

This kind of hypocrisy and racism has no place in a diverse, inclusive city like London. A restaurant that claims to represent Indian culture should do so with authenticity and respect — not hostility toward the very people whose heritage it profits from.

Off course, we left without ordering and will never return. I strongly advise others - especially Indian diners or anyone who values basic respect - to avoid this establishment. There are many other restaurants in London offering excellent food and genuine hospitality...

This was my third visit to The India near Monument Station, and once again, I was blown away by the consistency of their service. Let’s talk food first: we kicked off with the Tandoori Chicken starter — just one piece, but surprisingly perfect for sharing. Then came my spicy paneer (creamy, rich, with just the right heat), while my friend had a hearty lamb curry. We shared a vegetable biryani (which came with dal on the side — didn’t even realise that was included!), a cooling raita, and of course, garlic naan because how could we not?

The flavours? Absolutely phenomenal. The food arrived fast, piping hot, and honestly, we may have over-ordered — we needed four takeaway containers to pack it all up. Zero regrets.

But it’s the service that keeps me coming back. We were greeted by at least three staff members before even sitting down. It was a blazing hot day, and they offered us a spot in the AC room, kindly seating us at a larger table so we could store our bags and relax. Throughout the meal, multiple team members checked on us, offered thoughtful suggestions, and at the end? Complimentary drinks on the house.

It’s the kind of place you could bring friends, a date, or your parents and feel right at home. That rare combination of elegance, warmth, and consistently good food is exactly why this restaurant is now firmly on my regular rotation list.

And yes — I’ll be ordering the spicy paneer every single time. 💯

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