2a Garrick Street
London WC2E 9BH
United Kingdom
OUR RESTAURANT
Indian food cooked from the heart
The food is a true homage to our founder Asma’s royal Mughlai ancestry and the busy streets of Calcutta, where she grew up. Food here is served the way Indian food is meant to be eaten – platters of dishes boasting texture and flavours which complement each other, encouraging you to gather and share in the style of the traditional ‘daawat’ (feast).
Our story
Darjeeling Express started as a dinner for 12 guests at home, serving Indian food lovingly cooked from family recipes that go back to generations.
The food is a true homage to our founder Asma’s royal Mughlai ancestry and the busy streets of Calcutta, where she grew up. What results is a lovely mélange of street food like papri chaat and royal recipes like lamb dum biryani, that take you on a journey from Calcutta in the east of India to Hyderabad in the south. Food here is served the way Indian food is meant to be eaten – platters of dishes boasting texture and flavours which complement each other, encouraging you to gather and share in the style of the traditional ‘daawat’ (feast).
An all-women team of housewives runs the kitchen at Darjeeling Express, and have been doing so from day one. What you will taste is home-style food, cooked with passion and the aim to nourish your body and soul.
NEWS
Our Supper Club is back!
We are delighted and proud to announce that Darjeeling Express is going back to its root and offering our Biryani Supper Club on Sunday.
On Sundays Asma is hosting her Biryani Supper Club! Some of you may have caught a glimpse of this festive occasion during Asma's Netflix Chefs Table episode. The Biryani will be unveiled in the dining room in front of guests and served in the traditional "dawaat" style where everyone will be served at the same time.
From the Press
Vir Sanghvi, journalist:
“ But ultimately, I judge chefs by their food not by their stories. And Asma’s was terrific. We had puchkas, Bihari phulkis (like pakoras), Kosha Mangsho, a Calcutta mutton chaap, kaala channa, chicken samosas, beetroot chops and so much more. None of it was molecular or clever, clever. It was just excellent.”
Michelin Guide:
"Darjeeling Express is the definition of honest, traditional Indian food. Conjuring the ambience of a home-cooked dinner enjoyed with your nearest and dearest, the all-women kitchen team at Darjeeling Express lovingly create a multitude of flavours and textures served on sharing platters, with recipes drawing influence from the length and breadth of India."
Sadiq Khan:
“Since opening its doors to Londoners, under [Asma Khan]'s leadership, Darjeeling Express has been one of London's culinary highlights.”
Eater London:
“The flavours are like a culinary orchestra.”
Anna Mah, The New York Times:
“Humble British vegetables shine in dishes like the beetroot chop, a croquette of mashed beets that balances spice and earthy sweetness. Beets also lend their rich color and flavor to raita, staining the cooling yogurt sauce bright pink. A pile of tender baby eggplants hummed with the striking flavors of peanut and coconut.”
