Last Updated on December 7, 2025
From Street Kitchen to Dining Room: Roti Chai Does It All
4.0 out of 5.0 starsOxford Street in the lead-up to Christmas is an experience best approached with caution. I say this because my friend and I, lost in conversation, completely forgot what we were walking into. Only to be met by a wall of people, relentless crowd surges and consumerist chaos at its peak. It’s hard to imagine anyone actually enjoying it, yet clearly thousands do because there they all were. I’ve always loved the Christmas lights in London, but when you’re sandwiched between strangers, all trying to get somewhere, I have to say they start to lose their appeal.
At the risk of sounding a little Scrooge, I do have a bit of good news or at least a handy tip. If you’re heading to Roti Chai like we were, don’t follow the crowds straight down Oxford Street. It’s only a 14-minute walk from Oxford Circus, but slip just one street over onto Henrietta Place, and the crowds dissipate. Suddenly, you can breathe, move at a normal pace and are reminded that central London in December can actually be enjoyable – if you know where to go.
Tucked away on the rather unassuming Portman Mews South, a street I had somehow never noticed despite its proximity to Oxford Street, we arrived at Roti Chai. The restaurant is immediately inviting: its glass frontage offers a glimpse of the lively scene inside, where weekend diners eagerly await their curries. You can’t help but feel a twinge of FOMO just from looking in. Luckily, we had a reservation because the place was packed. It was a Saturday after all, but still, do yourself a favour and book ahead.
Roti Chai is a modern Indian spot split into two operations. Upstairs, the Street Kitchen runs as an all-day café-style space; bright, cheerful and perfect for casual dining. It feels like a contemporary spin on an industrial canteen with colourful yellow accents, closely packed tables and an energetic buzz from diners and staff alike. The menu features plenty of popular Indian snack dishes, each with its own authentic twist. I was told the Bhel Puri in particular is not to be missed.
Downstairs is the more formal Dining Room, where we were headed. Open only in the evenings, the space is dimly lit and atmospheric with dark walls, moody circular hanging lights and a warehouse-style ceiling. The centrepiece is a large bar, glowing with the colours of its liquor bottles, while an open kitchen bathed in warm orange light lets you watch the chefs at work. Here, the menu expands, and the kitchen ups the ante.
We were shown to our table, and from the outset, our waiter, Atul, was incredibly attentive. He even asked if we would prefer not to sit next to a large birthday group, but we actually enjoyed hearing the joyous giggles around us. It was a small gesture, yet one that spoke volumes about the quality of the service, as I know loud groups can be off-putting.
Our waiter was keen for us to start with cocktails, and without further ado, we happily obliged. I ordered the Maza Margarita, while my friend went for the Lychee Martini. The Maza Margarita was sensational, the sort of drink that makes you pause mid-conversation (and offer a sip if you’re feeling generous). It struck just the right balance between the sharp tang of lime and the warmth of tequila, with just the right touch of sweetness. It was bright, refreshing and dangerously moreish. The chilli salted rim added a subtle kick, which was welcomed.
My friend’s Lychee Martini was the complete opposite in style but equally impressive. Cool and fragrant it had that delicate floral sweetness lychee does so well, without tipping into syrupy.
Onto the food. The menu is divided into starters, mains, breads, rice and sides. Nothing unusual on the surface, but the breadth of dishes meant we were grateful for Atul’s guidance, and we followed his recommendations closely.
We began with three starters, having been warned that the portions were on the small side, all of which arrived at the same time. The saffron chicken tikka, a non-negotiable according to Atul, arrived first: beautifully tender pieces of chicken, marinated in a spiced cream sauce with green cardamom and saffron. A really good dish, rich with flavour, made all the more irresistible when dipped in the herb-laden sauce served alongside it.
Next came the chilli garlic prawns. Plump, juicy mouthfuls coated in a Goan chilli and roasted garlic masala that added a gentle heat, lifted by the freshness of the coriander cress.
The Kerala fried cauliflower struck that rare balance of being lightly fried yet properly crisp. The panko crust gave way to soft, warm cauliflower, perfectly complemented by the cooling beetroot sesame drizzle. Adding an earthy note that balanced the natural sweetness of the florets.
Before moving on to mains, we treated ourselves to a glass of sparkling wine each. With Christmas so close, it felt almost rude not to. The wine was perfectly crisp and delightfully bubbly – it’s my go-to choice any day of the week, and this certainly did not disappoint.
We agreed that if the starters were anything to go by, we were in for a real treat with the curries. We shared the Butter Chicken curry (a Roti Chai classic) and the Paneer Tikka Saag. The chicken was cooked to perfection, succulent chunks that had nicely absorbed the spices of the marinade, bathed in a rich makhani gravy with just the right hint of fenugreek. The sauce was gorgeously balanced: well-spiced and comforting, without being overly oily or heavy.
The paneer arrived as smoked tandoori cubes nestled into a bed of nutmeg-tempered spinach. Milder and less intense than the chicken, the paneer had a soft, delicate texture and made for an innovative twist on the classic. Both dishes, with their burnt orange and deep forest green colouring, looked stunning on the plate.
A side of naan or roti (or both) is an absolute must here. We went for the tandoor roti made with wholewheat flatbread – ideal for those wanting a “healthier” option – and the garlic butter naan, alongside some basmati rice. This was more than enough for two; though the naan is technically a single portion, it felt generous. The garlic naan in particular was a buttery pillow of perfection. Soft, slightly charred and fantastic for mopping up every last drop of the sauces. We also had a cooling raita on the side, which balanced the spices beautifully.
We had done very well with the mains, but we couldn’t resist taking a peek at the puddings, which, as we all know, almost always turn into an order. We went for the chocolate tart, made with rich Belgian dark chocolate. Beautifully presented, it sat on a biscuit base that managed to be both crunchy and slightly gooey, topped with a silky, intense chocolate layer subtly lifted by a hint of cinnamon. Absolutely delicious, it’s definitely a dessert best shared…particularly after a meal as indulgent as ours.
Roti Chai is such a fun and innovative restaurant with real authenticity on show. I always say it’s simple enough to find an Indian restaurant, but genuinely hard to find a good one, and Roti Chai truly fits the bill. The food is utterly delicious, the service impeccable, and the lively buzz of the place really adds to the experience. I find it hard to imagine anyone walking away from Roti Chai unhappy.
Roti Chai
3 Portman Mews South,
London W1H 6AY
020 7408 0101
Looking for something different? We also recommend the nearby Boxcar Fire and Wine.
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