Restaurant of the Week: Tamila, King's Cross

The Tamil Prince has long reigned as a Michelin Guide favourite, renowned for its show-stopping puffed Channa Butara and vibrant South Indian dishes, all served in its stylishly renovated Islington pub setting. And let’s not forget its Sunday roast counterpart, The Tamil Crown, or the third gem in the Tamil Prince trio, Tamila, located on Clapham’s Northcote Road. Such a success south of the river that they’ve now opened a second location up on Caledonian Road. Having sampled other spots from the Prince Durairaj empire, Lisa Barnard couldn’t resist trying a colourful selection from the all-day menu at this newly multiplied neon-lit curry hotspot.

Yes, the staff, fellow guests, and the food itself are crucial to a great restaurant experience, but the design of the space plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall atmosphere. Though they share a name, the two Tamila locations offer distinct designs and, therefore, unique vibes. The Clapham branch injects a burst of 70s-inspired burgundy and burnt orange tones into Northcote Road, with simple curry shop interiors that don’t quite reflect the bold colours as you approach the front door.

On the other hand, Caledonian Road’s Tamila greets you with an olive exterior and glossy green tiling, opening into a social space where the kitchen is visible through a large window. As you sip cocktails, you’re treated to a live show of naans being tossed and tandoori dishes blazing. Together, the design captures the energy of a classic high-street curry house with a modern, chic edge.

The cocktails on offer take well-shaken classics and lace them with South Indian punch. Although the idea of a gunpowder margarita or a charcoal old fashioned piqued our curiosity, we decided to take a simpler route with a glass of the South African White Lies Orange wine to complement our dishes. We started by easing into the spice with a King prawn and curry leaf varuval, also a beloved small plate at The Tamil Prince. This stir-fried dish features crisp, juicy prawns coated in the citrusy, aromatic fragrance of curry leaf. Next, we dove into a golden Masala Dosa, also known as the lentil crepe of India, before sharing half a smoky Tandoori chicken, its vivid brick-red colour as striking as its flavour, paired with an ambrosial mint chutney.

Finally, we got to exactly what we came for—the curries. We chose the rich and creamy Paneer butter masala, the Chettinad lamb curry, and the soul-soothing warmth of their Dhal. All perfectly mopped up with the essential piece of edible cutlery: a soft and fluffy naan with just the right amount of elasticity.

By the end of the meal, we were admittedly curried out and didn’t opt for dessert, tempting as they were. However, if you do fancy a sweet finish, the mango soft serve is a popular choice—an icy, flavourful extinguisher to put out the fire that’s built on your tongue throughout the evening. Like all the restaurants in The Tamil Prince Group, getting a table is a race! So, if you're booking for more than two, we’d highly recommend checking availability in advance. Bookings open 14 days ahead at 10am via this link.

Explore the menu and find out more at tamila.uk/kings-cross