Dishoom Carnaby

While every Dishoom pays homage to the fading Irani cafés of Bombay, the Carnaby location runs on a specific, localized frequency – the 1960s rock scene where British invasion met Indian youth culture. The narrative here is built around a fictional "founding myth" of a young Indian protagonist immersed in the swinging London era, and the decor follows suit. The room feels lived-in, cluttered with mementos that bridge the gap between the two cities: reproductions of 1970s Air India posters, photos of model Dolly Thakore, and the custom ‘Slip Disc’ vinyl record that anchors the aesthetic. Mornings are defined by the bacon naan roll, a dish that keeps the kitchen moving at pace from opening. By afternoon, the focus shifts to shared plates and heavier comfort food. Tables fill with the group’s signatures – house black daal, okra fries, and chicken ruby – alongside the location-specific Methi Gosht, a lamb and fenugreek curry served with paratha that pays tribute to Bombay’s Sunraj Permit Room. The bar supports the menu with standard cocktails like the India Gimlet and the Carnaby-exclusive Kohinoor Fizz, mixed with gin, Aperol, and gooseberry syrup. The energy here is high-volume and rarely slows down. While you can book for breakfast or lunch, evening reservations are strictly for groups of six or more. For everyone else, the queue is part of the operational reality – you wait with a buzzer and a drink until a spot opens up in the packed dining room.