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Kennington Tandoori
★ 4.0(1 review)Restaurant
neighbourhoodelegantbustling
About the Vibe
A south London institution since 1985, Kennington Tandoori has been serving up properly spiced Indian food long before "modern Indian" became a London buzzword. The dining room — dressed in lemon, plum, and chocolate tones with a 1930s-meets-21st-century vibe — draws a loyal local crowd that ranges from couples to business groups to the occasional Westminster politician slipping in for a quiet dinner. Skip the high-street curry house chains; this is the neighbourhood spot that actually pays attention to detail.
Why it's worth it
A neighbourhood Indian since 1985 with a 1930s-style dining room, well-spiced food, and a loyal following that includes more than a few Westminster politicos.
Highlights
well-spicedprivate diningneighbourhood fixtureelegant room
Before you go
If you're sensitive to heat, ask about spice levels before ordering — the kitchen stays true to its roots and dishes can verge on too hot for some palates.
Known For
- •authentic well-spiced Indian cuisine
- •1930s-style dining room
- •politician and local crowd following
- •private dining facilities
Best For
group dinnersdate nightpolitical-spotting dinners
1 review
City InsidersEditorialJuly 10, 2026
South London's longest-running curry institution still delivers
Kennington Tandoori has been holding it down on Kennington Road since 1985, and there's a reason it's still packed while flashier curry houses have come and gone. The dining room is genuinely elegant — lemon, plum, and chocolate colour tones give it a 1930s feel that's been smartly updated for the 21st century. You'll find a real mix here: couples on date night, business groups, and more than a few Westminster politicos who appreciate the discreet location and private dining facilities.
The food is the real star, though. This isn't your usual high-street slop — the kitchen pays proper attention to detail, and true to its roots, the dishes are well-spiced and verge on too hot for some palates. If you like your curry with actual depth and character rather than a generic korma-sweetness, you're in the right place. The menu blends Indian flavours with western techniques in a way that felt genuinely innovative when they started doing it nearly four decades ago, and it still holds up.
Service is warm and friendly in the way that only long-standing neighbourhood restaurants manage — they know their regulars, and they'll look after you whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth. With a 4.1 rating across 660+ Google reviews and a 4.2 on OpenTable, the consensus is clear: this is a solid, reliable, and occasionally excellent local Indian that earns its loyal following.