Village Indiya — Restaurant in London

Been here a few times but my most recent visit (two nights ago) will be my last.

Two of the king prawn dishes were raw and when we pointed this out we were told that this couldn’t possibly be as they are double cooked, saying that they are cooked and then RE-HEATED?!

My friend was offered a replacement dish but I wasn’t, so my dinner consisted of just poppadom and chutney.

When the bill arrived the manager stood directly behind one of the ladies that was putting our cash together - watching and waiting! He very quickly took it from the table, counted it and then shouted at us for only leaving a £2 tip! We wasn’t finished and hadn’t even put our purses away!

He stormed off to the bar and was shouting in Indian to his coworkers - obviously about us!

Despite being served raw seafood (and me not even eating) a generous tip would have still been left, but needless to say that based on the managers rude and poor behaviour, £2 was all that they got from us (on top of our £233 bill)

Not somewhere we would recommend to any of our friends...

The food at Village Indiya seemed to be of a high quality for most of our guests, but I tried the vegetable biryani and was underwhelmed.

There were a few issues during the service that I think could be improved. Firstly, the poppadoms are offered at the start of a meal, but in fact cost £0.60 each along with £1.00 for the dips. It's not massively expensive, but the main courses are dear and rice is sold separately.

Secondly, there weren't a lot of people, but the dishes did take a long time to arrive. This wait wouldn't be as bad with complimentary poppadoms to enjoy while waiting - which is where the service seems to lack.

Lastly, we ordered two bottles of still water, but a third was brought to the table without asking. I knew it would be charged to us, but figured we would use the water regardless so I didn't refuse. On principle though, guests shouldn't be charged for something they didn't order.

Otherwise, it's an okay restaurant. A little too expensive...

Village Indiya in Woodford is a great spot for anyone who loves authentic flavors and a vibrant atmosphere. The food is genuinely amazing – full of rich spices, fresh ingredients, and well-balanced dishes that make the dining experience memorable. The vibe of the place adds to the charm, with a warm, welcoming interior and pleasant background music that creates a relaxed yet lively setting.

What let the experience down, however, was the service. While the food and ambiance stood out, the staff seemed inattentive and not as polished as you’d expect for the price point. At an average cost of around £40 per person, you’d hope for a more seamless and attentive service to match the quality of the food and setting. Overall, it’s a restaurant worth visiting for the flavors and atmosphere, but the service leaves room for...