The ‘stunning’ London restaurant loved by Ed Sheeran and Nara Smith
From Taylor Swift’s beloved kebab outlet to the Clapham nightclub frequented by Margot Robbie during her UK stint, London boasts a plethora of star-studded hotspots. Gymkhana, a Michelin-starred Indian eatery in the chic Mayfair area, is another such place, with none other than Ed Sheeran known to be a fan.
Tucked away on Albermarle Street, its website describes it as drawing inspiration from “elite clubs of India where members of high society socialise, eat, drink and play sport”. The restaurant sprawls over two distinct levels, each sporting its own aesthetic charm. The upper floor dazzles with shades of “jade green and polished dark timber”, while the basement pays homage to north Indian architecture through a vibrant “a vivid colour palette of peach and kashmiri chilli red” palette.
Their culinary adventure continued with Panipuri, a beloved Indian street food consisting of crispy, fried shells typically filled with a mixture of potatoes, onions, and chickpeas. The American social media personality expressed her enthusiasm for Panipuri, describing it as “one of her favourite things,” and praising its “absolutely stunning” taste.
The duo also indulged in chicken tikka and aloo gobi as starters, followed by a shared feast of lentil dahl, pork cheek vindaloo, wild muntjac biryani, garlic naan, and a decadent venison-stuffed naan bread adorned with pomegranate.
Nara raved about the cuisine, stating that everything was “so insanely good and the meat was so tender”.
Gymkhana isn’t just a celebrity hotspot, though. With an average rating of four stars from over 1,800 reviews on Tripadvisor, it’s clear that the restaurant has won over the hearts (and taste buds) of many diners.
One reviewer gushed: “Best Indian Food in London!!! We came here for lunch as I have two teens ages 13 and 15 and there is an age limit for dinner.
“Table was ready when we arrived. Food and service was first class and the waiter was very helpful explaining the menu. Samosa’s, butter chicken and Naan bread are a must.”
Another diner echoed this sentiment, saying: “This is the most amazing Indian restaurant I’ve experienced. It’s a special place with a great staff that is helpful and will guide you through the menu. You can do a set tasting or go a la carte. Whatever you do DO NOT miss the Chicken Butter Masala!”.
However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm, as OpulentCritiques noted: “It is seriously over rated, it is quite expensive for what it is and quite noisy, the food is nothing special I would say average.”