Last Updated on February 20, 2026
A trip through Indian Food and Culture at Colonel Saab
Walking through the grand entrance of Colonel Saab, located on High Holborn, it is immediately apparent that the restaurant, on the former premises of the Grade II listed Holborn Town Hall, is unlike any other in the city. The décor at this fine dining modern Indian restaurant is stunning, with visitors first struck by the numerous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, two of which are over a century old. History, art and culture are the central themes at Colonel Saab, which was opened by Roop Partap Choudhary in 2021.
Previously trained in the hotel industry in India, Choudhary’s London venture seeks to bring his family’s history and cuisine to London. The restaurant’s vast collection of artefacts and decorations are all inspired by or taken directly from, Choudhary’s parents’ travels across India. The collection was accumulated whilst Choudhary’s father, Army Officer Colonel Manbeer, moved between stationing posts across the country. The couple were avid collectors of fine art and this is reflected in the varied and striking artefacts adorning the walls of the restaurant, which could just as easily be a small museum. Items of particular note include the drinks bar in the private dining room, previously owned by the Maharaja of Patiala, decanters and crockery from palaces in Punjab, and a century-old silver door from Gujarat along with a carved temple door from South India. There is also a large collection of religious art and personal artefacts such as postcards from his parents’ travels. Two large portraits of the owner’s parents hang from the back wall of the restaurant – demonstrating that this restaurant is clearly a personal as well as a business venture for Choudhary. All staff members at Colonel Saab went above and beyond to showcase the restaurant’s impressive collection and provided warm and attentive hospitality.
The menu has been curated to suit all-day dining with dishes from around India. Created along with Karen Anand, the menu includes popular favourites from the Indian food personality’s repertoire such as Kohlapuri Lamb Chops, Smoked Duck and Mango Mayo Salad and Beef Ularthiyathu.
Evening diners can typically choose from the tasting menu for £75 per person or order à la carte. I was pleased to be invited ahead of Valentine’s Day 2023 when Colonel Saab is also offering a special tasting menu priced at £101 per couple. This menu includes an amuse bouché of cream of mushroom, followed by the vegetarian option of a trio of kandhari paneer tikka, stuffed tandoori aloo, and tandoori malai broccoli, or the non-vegetarian option of a trio of grilled lamb chop, spiced prawn, and tandoori malai broccoli. The options for mains are Malabar grilled lobster with moilee sauce and steamed rice, or Malai kofta cut with mustard cress and butter naan. For dessert, the pistachio cardamom kulfi falooda with saffron rabri and chia seeds sounds like a delicious end to a romantic meal.
On our visit, we were pleased to order from across Colonel Saab’s menu to try out a range of dishes. For our drinks, we ordered from the Signature Cocktails menu, created by Anthony Bertin. The Moghul-inspired Noora cocktail, with Don Julio Blanco tequila, with almond and raspberry beer, was colourful and refreshing. The Mr Puri cocktail, with pisco, jasmine and yuzu was subtle and delicately balanced, importantly not becoming too sweet.
For the first course, we ordered from the Starter and Chaat menu section and enjoyed the Mall’s Road Dahi Sev Puri along with Jaipur baby aloo, and Purani dilli mini samosas. Accompanied by a sweet and tangy sauce, crunching into the puri whole brought an explosion of fresh and cooling flavours to the mouth. The taste of lingering tamarind chutney came late on, with a note of sweetness. Purani Dilli were delicious mini samosas with masala chickpeas, pomegranate and crispy sev. The Jaipur baby aloo was excellent, crispy in a deliciously spiced sauce with yoghurt. The potatoes had an excellent crumb, coming from being first deep-fried and then cooked in a tandoori oven.
For our main courses, we selected Nadan Meen curry and Colonel Saab’s butter chicken. The fish curry, in South Indian home style, was tasty and hearty with tender fish soaking in sauce. The butter chicken was also excellent. The boneless tender chicken absorbed the silky cashew and tomato gravy, and like the other mains was a generous portion. Our dishes were accompanied by perfectly crisp garlic naan and steamed basmati rice.
A delightful end to our meal was the Rasmalai milk cake. Soaking in a golden cardamom cream, accompanied by Boondi caviar and pistachio and an edible flower, this excellent dessert was a fitting final touch to an excellent meal.
Striking and sophisticated in equal measure, Colonel Saab is vast in its size and grandeur, but personal in its backstory and refined in its cuisine. Whether for a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day or for larger lunch or dinner at any time of year, Colonel Saab provides an excellent all-round Indian dining experience in the heart of London.
Colonel Saab
193-197 High Holborn,
London WC1V 7BD
02080166800
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