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Knightsbridge (Piccadilly)
Mon-Sun 17:00 - 0:00
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One of the best Indian restaurants out there and completely on par with fine dining in Mumbai and Delhi. I can't rave about this place enough as a truly amazing culinary experience. Think multi-course, delicate plates and excellent pairing. The ambiance is nice, but not 'the coolest place ever' like a Hakesaan or Zuma, but the open-kitchen is a great touch and you can see all the food being prepared, which is quite a show as it is all meticulously done.
If you're looking for traditional sag paneer, dal, naan and curries, this is not the place to go -- you can go to any one of the countless, fantastic run-of-the mill Indian places. Amaya is different. Every spice, leaf, nut and garnish is perfectly placed and calculated so that each bite is a complete piece of the dish.
I wanted to go for the veg tasting menu, but the waiter said it would take 4 hours to complete! If you have the time, this is always the best way to go at a place like this. They have 3 or 4 tasting menus: meat, vegetarian and fish, and maybe a chef's choice but I can't remember. I can't remember exactly what I had as it was a while back and I must have been in a sensory-overload haze, but I remember it all to be amazing. Plus, great cocktails too!
If you love Indian, or have never had Indian outside a north-Indian curry restaurant, please give this place a shot and I promise you will be enlightened.
This is not a curry house. This is an elegant Indian dining experience, which is worth every penny -if you can get in. Trying to book a table here is near impossible, and for the life of me I don't know why. It is popular but not in that way that everyone knows about it. I feel that they hold a lot of tables back because when I have been able to book a table, it is always at times I didn't want -6:45pm or 9:30pm! And there are many available tables before and after my arrival. But whoever the hostess is taking bookings, her attitude is very much a Little Britain: 'the computer says nawoooo...' Whatever it is and whoever she is, I have yet to be be able to get a table at at a 7:30pm/8pm time even a couple weeks in advance.
Though should you manage to get a table, this is very exciting Indian cuisine. The decor is a very posh oasis, and the cuisine is cosmopolitan while still maintaining the flavors of all that one loves about Indian food. Many of the dishes are served tapas size so it makes it nice to mix and share at the table, or to try a variety of dishes. I personally love anything they make with their green curry, and the most amazing starter of a fig mixture that has been diced and slightly spiced so you have the sweetness of the fruit mixed with the heat of the spice. Really, really tasty. I have never had anything I did not like here.
One important note here is that the space is noisy and makes it difficult for conversation. Don't go on a romantic dinner here, and don't go if you want to catch up chatting with a mate as at some point during the course of the evening, trying to hear the person across from you is very difficult over the roar of the room.
Now if only I could bypass the velvet rope... I'd go there much more often...
I was slightly apprehensive about this place. If you are a curry purest, then this place may offend. See the amaya as an experiment in fine dining in the style of the Indian Sub-continent.
Ambiance is first class, which isn't always easy to achieve with large spaces like this old library the restaurant now occupies. Ask to sit on the bench seating along the back for a kingly view of the whole dining area - great for people watching.
Yes it is expensive - both times I've been there the bill has come to £84 for three courses including wine & coffee. They do a special set menu for £22, but you have to order before 7:30 or after 9:30 - an absolute bargain in my honest opinion!
Can't fault the food or service. Some of the waiters try a little too hard, and would benefit from being more relaxed, but I've never had to wait long for anything. If you come here on your own, you're offered a newspaper to read while you wait!
The staff, while initially seeming a little dry are very friendly once you get to know them. I've been twice last week and I'll definitely go back - this will probably become my favourite haunt while I'm working in SW1.
I was told by many that I must try Indian food in London. Armed with some recs (Mint Leaf was another top choice, to be saved for the next trip), we eventually decided on Amaya.
Best Indian restaurant ever.
Here is why:
1. The food was amazing-from the lamb to chicken tikka to the paneer to the fish dishes, nothing disappointed. Well, except my poor choice in insisting that I needed to order rice (at 4 quid a bowl, no less).
Full disclosure: Despite being a desi, I can't handle very spicy Indian food. So I thought I needed rice to make the spicy food more tolerable for me. And truth be told, I do like rice! I was so wrong-the spice combos in all the dishes were so delectable, as were the powders.
2. No curry, even in the dishes that traditionally have curries.
2. Indian tapas! Second generation Indian at its most sophisticated.
3. Elegant, sleek interior and fun atmosphere-still crowded at 10:30 pm on a weekday night.
I want to come back and try the vegetarian and meat tasting menus. Or just to have one more dish.
Hometown favorite for sure. Anyone visiting who wants an experience, should seriously consider dining here. Food is excellent, service is stellar. Very highly recommended.
Did the tasting menu which was interesting. We received a wide range of indian dishes to try out. I think my only wish was that the food that we actually like came in larger portions. Beautiful atmosphere and great drinks.
Finally, back in London after a 3 year stretch in the states, and I can enjoy the incredible restaurants here again!!
Amaya is the balls!! I typically insist on having the tasting menus at new restaurants just to be able to get in as many of the specialities as I can and taste their range of dishes. Amaya makes this possible by serving most of the dishes tapas style. I went with a regular to Amaya who wasn't a very big eater. We chose 8 plates, 1 piece of naan each, and no rice, which turned out to be suitably filling. Had it just been my wife and I, we probably would have been satisfied with 10 dishes. We're fairly voluminous eaters (when no one else is around, then we scale in back a teeny bit!)
The most memorable dishes were the Venison Seekh kebab (succulent, beautifully spiced, the guy I was with hadn't eaten meat in 10 years, but he still tried it and loved it), the Scallops on the half shell (in an absolutely delicious green curry), the pepper chicken tikka, the grilled jumbo prawns with I think a marsala marinade, the aubergine grilled with a tamarind type marinade (I may have got that wrong, but it tasted delicious) and the chicken joint. The green mango and raw papaya salad was also very very good.
Followed by another couple of their martinis made for a superb lunch. I didn't pay so I can't comment on the prices but I can't wait to go back with my wife and really tackle the menu!
Great restaurant. It's in a brilliant location and the atmosphere is perfect. The food was outstanding as was the drinks menu. The cocktails I tried were nicely balanced and subtle.
The only criticism and the reason it doesn't get five starts is because the service isn't up to scratch. I had a waiter almost elbow me in the face and one of our party had to wait twenty minutes and ask four times for their drink.
Amaya is the high end offering of the Masala World group, the owners of Masala Zone and Veeraswamy.
The first thing that had struck me about Amaya, even before i had visited it for the first time, was the following line from their website.
"Amaya is a casual and joyous restaurant where people can relax and eat with their fingers if they wish"
Eat with my fingers !!! In Knightsbridge !!! Are you kidding me ?
But i understood, within minutes after walking in,why they could make this statement. Their menu does not have a single dish with gravy. An Indian restaurant totally devoid of curry. How many times have you seen that ? The only liquid item in the menu was dal.
This is a grill house par excellence. The kebabs are at least as good as anywhere else in London, and to give Amaya the edge, it has a number of starters in their menu that you won't find anywhere else. Which other Indian restaurant serves venison kebab ? (strongly recommended btw). I tried the ground peanut and rose petal powders with the food ... it really amplified the taste.
The wine list is good. Though i am not an expert, but i think i chose something that goes well with dry meat :)
The place is expensive, but totally worth every pound of the bill. I could have cut corners and spent £20 less, but then what would have been the point of going to amaya ?
Listed in: Special occasions, Indian food, My ROTD's
This is one hell of a restaurant. It's hidden a little bit behind Sloane Street in a small shopping and residential complex but once you find it you'll want the grid co-ordinates tattooed on your arm, a la Angelina Jolie. It's an Indian Restaurant but ultra modern and the food is consistently creative while never ever loosing touch of its authenticity and heritage. The grilled meats in particular are a fine example of this and they also do one of the best tasting menus I've ever had.
There's also a bar in one section of the restaurant and although I'm not a huge fan of the cocktails and curry combination it feels much more natural here. Nothing is done purely for the sake of following trend and the setting does complete the occasion. And most occasions are suited to this place, especially those that fall just after payday - Amaya doesn't come cheap.
Amaya is one of London's top newish restaurants (2004). The creation of Amaya exemplifies the typical British mentality of appreciating cultures from a far and marketing them as much as possible. Many British are also known as having an adventure instinct, maybe because they once explored the world as much as anyone founded all dem colonies and shizzle, or maybe its simply because British people are a very curious bunch... maybe I shouldn't make the Brits into an anthropology project...
Anyway, London's advancements lead to an upscale Indian restaurant as progressive as Obama's plans. As you have read, Amaya is officially a tapas restaurant but if you are the type of Brit who hangs out in Knighsbridge, and goes to Amaya on a business meeting you are probably having the company write it off.
Therefore, you certainly do not order tapas style as someone who doesn't want to spend £££ would (only get one appetizer sized dish each).
No, you order as the waitress recommends:
A full meal for everyone at your table. That means a great amount of dishes. Just a blur and swirl of the most exotic food that may ever be put in front of you in your life. Amaya's policy is that you order what you want when you want but whatever comes out first, they will serve it then and there.
Now, Erase every perception in your mind of Indian food: a plate of rice, a little container of a chicken dish with some sauce, a basket of naan. Right, throw that all in a rubbish bin when you walk in to Amaya and except: Tiger Prawns on a kabob stick, the most sizzling sauces, a blend of masala you've never had, all sorts of naan breads. It's the mecca of that thin line between Brits being British London being London and Indian food at its impeccable prime to the taste buds of people living in London.
Find yourself there? You must try Amaya!
The Beautiful People Ranking: 8/10
As I said, expect a lot of business men but a certain swankier London businessmen type who wears a fitted suite and drives a BMW. Girls who aren't especially dressed to the nines but are European beautiful, you'll see couples, fancies, and misc
Listed in: Ritzy London
One of the best meals I've had in London. My boyfriend and I went there right after we moved to the UK and loved our meal. It's tapas style, so you can get a lot of small plates and share. Cocktails are great. We walked in on a Wed night without a reservation and there was no problem getting a table, but I would imagine they get busy on weekends.
Listed in: Top Restaurants
I love Amaya. This place is tapas style Indian dining. The food has a very creative touch to it while sticking to the the traditional Indian ingredients. The chicken dishes are absolutely amazing! Go try it, you won't be disappointed at all!
Ok get your credit card ready for some delicious food! Still salivating over a monk fish curry kebab we had last time. We try to order everything and share the tastes - love the spices and smells emanating from the gorgeous open kitchen. Wine list is well designed to pair with the food. Love the location, great vibe, excellent food.
Great food. Indian does 'small plates'. Go figure
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