(136 - 140 Herne Hill in London, United Kingdom)

A jewel in the crown of SE London is the 3 Monkey's Indian restaurant. Not a sign of flock wallpaper... in sight, the decor is light and airy and the cooking highly regarded. Expect the best of regional Indian cuisine prepared in one of the oldest traditions of cooking, including the tandoori oven, sigri and kadai grill. There is a dramatic show kitchen with chefs on view preparing special dishes. 'Time Out' finalist for 'Best Local Restaurant 1999' - richly deserved. What's cooking? Chaamp Taazdaar - an ineffably aromatic and succulent rack of lamb braised slowly in a perfectly balanced liquor with an infusion of cloves, cardamom and pathar ke phool, Allepey Seafood Curry - A variety of seafood stewed in coconut milk with shredded ginger, soured with raw mango and for vegetarians - Baadal Jaam - Slices of aubergine ‘dummed’ tender with a topping of spicy tomato chutney and crowned with a dollop of garlic flavoured yoghurt. Opening hours: Lunch Mon - Sun 12pm - 2:30pmDinner Mon - Sat 6pm - 11pmSun 6pm - 10:30pmOpen Bank Holidays. [moreless]

(5 Chapel Market in Islington, United Kingdom)

Despite the name, Angel Curry Centre is actually a small and perfectly elegant modern Indian. Neithe...r short on competition nor regulars, its success is right where it should be – in the consistency of very good, well-presented food at decent prices. Side and vegetarian dishes are easily up to standard with mains. The other key attraction is being able to bring your own drink with absolutely no corkage charge. Yet there’s no rowdiness, the tables of 30 to 50 year olds causing nothing more than a healthy buzz. Please note that this restaurant does not serve alcohol, but you are welcome to bring your own. There is no corkage charge.Please ensure to let toptable know when you are booking if you require a highchair. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 5:30pm - 12am You can bring as much of your own alcohol as you like, without being charged corkage. [moreless]

(12A Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square in London, United Kingdom)

Atul Kochhar is at the vanguard of the new Indian cuisine. Forget sludgy sauces poured over unrecog...nizable meat – at this Mayfair Indian restaurant you'll find interesting fresh flavours and subtle spices. British and European ingredients are cleverly mixed with classic Indian items and given an exciting new twist. The décor at Benares is equally striking from its long granite bar to the elegantly lit dining room and pond with floating lilies. A sense of Zen-like calm pervades the restaurant, providing a perfect contrast to the striking flavours and ingredients of the food.This restaurant only takes bookings of up to 8 people. Benares is certified Halal and is happy to provide a copy of their certificate on request.Please note that there is a 2 hour turn around time on all tables every evening. Benares require credit card details for all bookings of 6 diners and above, for a no show £20 is charged per person. -A discretionary 12.5% service charge will be added to your bill.No 8pm bookings are permitted. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 2:30pm & 5:30 - 11pmSun 12pm - 3pm and 6pm - 10:30pm That Curry House classic, chicken tikka masala was actually invented in Britain. [moreless]

(37 Great Queen Street in London, United Kingdom)

Covent Garden ain't short of good Indian restaurants, and Bhatti is amongst the best. After all, it'...s been recommended by Egon Ronay. Housed in an historic 17th century listed building, it is pleasantly bright inside where spotlights highlight the shiny blonde wooded floor and chairs. After a friendly welcome comes the best bit - the menu. There's nothing esoteric or scary on it, just a familiar palate-pleasing list of the dishes you know and love - chicken tikka masala, jalfreizi, vindaloo, madras, lamb rogan ghosh...Pretty much everything is good value; a bottle of house wine costs just under a tenner. Whether a curry lover or curry virgin, Bhatti is a great place to explore Indian cuisine. Opening hours: Lunch: Mon-Sun 12pm-2.45pmDinner: Sun-Wed 5.30pm-11.30pm, Thurs-Sat 5.30pm-11.45pm [moreless]

(50 Connaught Street in London, United Kingdom)

Because of its Marble Arch location, extremely fortunate tourists tend to drift into Bombay Palace, ...unaware of the very nice experience they are about to have. You, however, with toptable's local knowledge at hand, can plan a meal there on purpose, and enjoy the anticipation beforehand. Bombay Palace offers high quality North Indian cooking, with dishes like keema harimirch and jhinga lajawab, with good vegetarian choices and a large drinks list. Enjoy. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12.30pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11.30pm. Sun 12.30pm - 3.30pm, 6pm - 11pm. [moreless]

(811-813 Wandsworth Road, Battersea in London, United Kingdom)

Café Zia restaurant in Battersea is the latest offering from award-winning chef Manju Choudhury – cr...eator of the world's biggest onion bhaji (62kg), cooked to raise money for charity and listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Opened in partnership with his brother, Café Zia has a nice old-fashioned look but a modern, informal vibe and fresh, distinctive flavours. To start, try Dahi Sev Purri (diced potato mixed with spices served on a homemade crispy roti with yoghurt and tamarind sauce), then tuck into Michwala Lamb Shank – meltingly tender lamb that’s been marinated and cooked overnight with tomatoes, onions, green chilli and chickpeas. The Goan-style king prawns are another must-have. Take the kids along for the Sunday family buffet lunch – it’s great value. And watch out for that giant bhaji. For larger group bookings, a deposit of £10 per diner may be required and 24 hours notice will be required for cancellations. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may loose their deposit. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12pm - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 11pm [moreless]

(16 Albemarle Street, Green Park in London, United Kingdom)

Posh Indian nosh in a restaurant decorated with an ecletric mix of statues, wall carvings and furnit...ure, much of which is for sale. Chor Bizarre specialises in regional Indian cuisine with an emphasis on the lighter dishes of Kashmir and is one of the new wave of Indian restaurants as far removed from the lager and chicken tikka masala brigade as the Taj Mahal is from Centre Point. What's cooking? Kashmiri dishes such as mirchi, korma and haaq as well as bagare baingan and wild mushroom methi. Chor Bizarre is happy to provide halal meat on request -- please mention this at time of booking. Opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 3pm & 6pm - 11:30pmSun 6pm - 10:30pm. [moreless]

(2-3 Denman Street in London, United Kingdom)

If you love Indian cooking, you will adore this place. From the man behind Mela, Kuldeep Singh, Chow...ki (named after the traditional Indian dining table) offers relaxed dining in a canteen style setting. Home-style Indian dishes are extremely reasonable (priced £6 - £10) and are fashioned on typical regional dishes. Uniquely, each month features new areas, making this a wonderful destination for the gourmet traveller. What's cooking? Lamb mince samosas with savoury liver and spices, deep fried from Delhi, Prawn patties crumbed and golden fried, mildly flavoured with mint and pepper from Bombay and Tilapia fillet marinated in turmeric, red chilli and garlic, gram flour batter fried and served with mint chutney from Madras. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12pm - 11:30pm Chowki was the winner of the ITV / Tio Pepe Restaurant Awards 2004. [moreless]

(6 Bigg Market in Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom)

If you love your curries hot... and we mean really, really hot, then look no further than the Northe...ast's most award winning Indian restaurant. Located in the heart of Newcastle's city centre, Curry Capital Restaurant holds the title for the World's Hottest Curry in the Guinness Book of Records. Opening hours: Mon - Thu 12pm - 2pm & 5:30pm - MidnightFri 5:30pm - MidnightSat & Sun 12pm - 2pm & 5:30pm - Midnight [moreless]

(23a St Marys Row, Moseley in Birmingham, United Kingdom)

Deolali location in the former Architectural Antiques building next to The Old Bull's Head in Mosele...y, Birmingham, is a daring choice for an Indian restaurant. And as TV's Del Boy says, he who dares wins. A front champagne bar leads to the restaurant itself, set on several levels. The space's quirky character is brought out further with exposed timbers and brickwork and chunky wood tables. Choice of dishes can be overwhelming - there are three pages of appetizers and starters alone. All the usual favourites are here - kormas, jalfrezis, dopiazas, chicken tikka masala, alongside a handful of house specials such as tandoori trout, ghustabba (lean lamb meatballs in a sweet and spicy tomato sauce), and green masala salmon. Good quality ingredients. Please note, diners more than 15 minutes late for their booking will loose their table. Opening hours: Tue - Sat 6pm - 10:30pmClosed Sun & Mon. It's named after the Indian town of Deolali, which inspired the phrase 'going Doolally'. [moreless]