The Light of India

Update: originally gave this place 4 stars. However, after reading another review I realised the reason our meal was so expensive was because a 12% surcharge was added to the bill WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE (no where was it mentioned). This would be fine if
1. The surcharge was stated on the bill (happy to tip for good service) and
2. They did not then ask for another tip (which we gave, unknowing we had already tipped 12%).
They really know how to cheat people out of their money here. Despite enjoying the food and service, I felt conned. There’s a way to do good business and this isn’t it.
***
Original review:
Really good, hearty Indian food. We ordered the mixed vegetable starter, a vegetable korma, butter chicken, pappadams (come with an extensive selection of condiments) and naan. Everything was great and service was prompt, but it did end up being quite an expensive meal. Naan was overpriced.

We really enjoyed our meal here. We were a party of five and arrived without reservation, a short wait in the lounge/​lobby to which they are attached was comfortable.
Our table was well set and service prompt. Our food was delicious and our individual tastes for spice level were accommodated.

I love quorn, but a tikka masala should not be curdled like this.
The chutneys were overt the top sweet, things tasted canned or frozen just really not good
If you are in Kensington got to Bombay brasserie instead

I haven’t eaten at The Light of India for probably 9 years but recall vaguely thinking it was OK. Four stars for the incredible window display, «The Owner Also Eats Here.» I walk by often and always appreciate it — its such brilliant advertising.
Reminds me of a place in Vancouver which was called «Somewhere Good.» That sadly didn’t last but the name lives on in my memory.

Very close to the hotel and so we thought we would give it a try.
Dim lighting, very warm and overall good experience.
The food was well presented, delicious and a good choice for Indian food first-​timers.
As someone who has tried various Indian restaurants, I have tasted better but «The Light of India» is still a good safe choice.
The staff was very friendly and for the weekend its preferable to book a table seeing as it can get busy after 8.

Finding vegetarian Indian dishes is fairly easy to do. Crafting them expertly is something else. When you are a lover of tikka masala you expect robustness and deepness of flavor. But it is a whole other experience to be knocked on your ass by such a surprising and playful masala as the one served here. Replete with QUORN brand protein, you won’t be lacking for texture either. Thank you for a wonderful experience and that’s not just because I have had a half bottle of excellent French wine!

Our 1^st experience with Indian food and what better place then to try it in London. The restaurant is neat, clean and very pretty white table cloths but casual. We had a lovely waiter who recommended dishes for us my husband had a lamb dish that was recommended and I had Chicken Tikka Masala, it was great we also had lamb samosas that my husband loved, the rice was aromatic and delish and the Nann bread was the best Ive ever had. I’m only taking off 1 star because the little app they give you the Indian version of chips and dip left a odd taste in my mouth my husband loved the 4 different dips, one was a sweet mango the other was some sort of pickle like vegetable dip the other I, a yoghurt mint, the last was a onion and cucumber thing all of them were not bad it was the chip that was kind of strange to me, Im not even sure what that was, my husband liked it though.

This was a wonderful dining experience. I had the Curry chicken while my wife had the Chicken Tandoori. Beer on tap included a Kingfisher Lager, which was good. Staff was very friendly; and the meal arrived in a timely fashion, even though they were very busy. This was our first curry since arriving in London; and it was great.

The service was good. The meal was average fast food, a bit greasy and under spiced. I ordered chicken Jaal Frazi which is described as hot, but what I got was less than mild. I ordered saffron rice that didn’t have saffron taste but a sprinkle of red coloring mixed in with white rice. I think for the cost the food should be higher quality that what I had tonight.

Best chicken tikka masala I’ve ever had. In fact, it was also probably the best Indian food I’ve ever had. Excellent price, taste and presentation with exceptional service by our server Rashel

There was a hair in one of the dishes we ordered, and on the bill they don’t write the service charge but they include it on the bill. CALCULATE THE BILL YOUR SELF SO THEY DONT RIP YOU OFF. Modern day rip off. Shame.

Charged us for naan we didn’t order. Beware of the mandatory 12% service charge. Food and service are nominal at best. Better Indian cuisine nearby. I don’t recommend.

My bf and I went after a stroll at the Natural History Museum. Overall, we had a good experience.
Food was solid. We ordered lamb samosas, lamb curry and chicken tikka masala. I particularly liked my chicken tikka masala — it was mild and creamy, going perfectly well with the garlic naans and the rice.
Service was good and prompt, given that it was beginning to get crowded as we were wrapping up.
The restaurant seems to be a part of a hotel, giving it a posh ambience. Nonetheless, it wasn’t anything too pompous and appropriate for a nice meal with family or significant others.
Overall, a great place to pop by after a museum visit!

Normally, I’m not a big fan of Indian cuisine. However, at my sons request, we needed to take advantage of the local offering.
The staff was very friendly and helpful in guiding us toward the appropriate choices. We started with their flat breads and a variety of sauces.
We had a variety of the grilled meats and tikka, along with rice and veggies to share. The sauces were very tasty and everything was tender and cooked well.

This restaurant was very desolate when we walked in but the waiter was very nice even though we were earlier than it opened. For people who believe the portions are too small, it’s because in Indian culture you order multiple meals and mix and match them. You try on different combinations and see what you like. Family style. That’s one reason there are do many options on the menu. We ordered chicken tikka masala, basmati rice, raita, chana masala, sag paneer, a mango lassi, and naan. All was delicious. I normally don’t like Indian food but the tikka masala looked so good I scarfed it down like nobody’s business. The rice was fine and the raita was refreshing and cool. At the end of the meal we received a tiered serving dish with chocolates, such as Andes, and fennel candy from India. The free wifi was nice too. I would definitely recommend this place again.

We ate here our first night in London because it was close to our hotel. Like another reviewer we were on our way to find another more highly rated Indian Restaurant but couldn’t find it and came here instead. My wife and I both liked our meal and were impressed with the décor.

RIPOFF ALERT! Although the food was excellent, the staff overcharged our bill by more than 30 pounds, and then asked for a tip, which I gave them an additional 15 pounds. When I got home and added it all up, we were charged literally double for our meal! Such scumbags, I cannot believe these people can smile and bow and steal from you under your nose. I will be disputing this charge on my AMEX bill right away. DO NOT EAT here unless you want your wallet stolen. They might as well advertise their pickpocketing services along with the tandoori.

Tasty, expensive, small portions, great service.
Had the typical white man’s Tikka Masala, delicious but tiny portion. Very rich, deep feel to the dish. Good quality breast boneless chicken, not authentic perhaps but easy to eat (I prefer). Naan was fantastic. Waiters were very attentive. Not cheap and I’m still hungry but I’m rounding up 3.5 stars because I loved the flavor. And will probably go back.

Ate here tonight — visiting from the bay area (California) — and I found this place good. I could use a bit more heat! But overall the service was nice and the atmosphere pleasant. I enjoyed the experience.

Oh dear. It seemed like a good idea. This part of London is not blessed with Indian restaurants and I was delighted to find what looked like quite an upmarket eatery just around the corner from my hotel.
Lovely dining room with nicely spaced tables, crisp white linen, friendly welcome and prompt, efficient service all boded well but, then… the food came. What a disappointment.
The lamb rogan josh failed to live up to its name (Rogan = colour, Josh = passion ie red). Rather than a passionately red and deeply flavored tomato-​based sauce it was a sludgy brown colour, grainy and tasted slightly of coconut. The lamb was tender but was coated in the sauce rather than flavoured by it. It was like it had been cooked and added to the sauce rather than gently stewed in it absorbing all the delicious flavours. I don’t know for sure but would not be surprised if this was a catch-​all sauce that appeared on more than one dish. It most certainly was not a traditional rogan josh.
Slimy (but well-​flavoured) bhindi and dry flavourless pilau rice added nothing to the meal. What a terrible shame, everything else was excellent.