Last Updated on October 18, 2026
Chakra Spices up Kensington
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
It’s ten years ago that I last reviewed Chakra in Kensington. A lot of water has flowed under many bridges since then but both prizewinning Indian restaurant Chakra and I are still standing. In the present climate for what is a small local restaurant, that’s a real sign of success.
Chakra sits on a corner away from the retail bustle of Kensington High St in a residential spread of smart flats, houses and mews with its own village atmosphere.
The menu has a focus on dishes inspired by traditional recipes from Punjab I remember being very impressed on my previous visit by the creativity and quality of the food. But would standards have been maintained?
The menu is divided into nine sections: street food, breads, Desi classics, sharing dishes, from the Tandoor grill, vegetarian mains, biryani and rice, and desserts.
We started with a couple of street food dishes. Avocado ke Gole (avocado shells) were a revelation; light, breadcrumbed avocado dumplings served with an earthy beetroot puree and garnished with edible flowers. Although the dumplings had been in the fryer the avocado was not overcooked. Impressive! Also coming from the fryer were some crispy battered okra, tossed with burnt garlic, salt, pepper, and chillies, to create a memorable, spicy and moreish snack.
A Keralan fish curry was one of the Desi classic dishes. A tender, flakey fillet of tilapia came simmered in a coconut-based gravy with curry leaves and coastal spices. The fish was perfectly cooked and the gravy was rich and creamy.
A plate of mixed naans were fresh out of the oven and perfect for mopping up the fish curry sauce!
The Patiala lamb chop was marinated and cooked in a clay oven. It was succulent, smoky and spice-infused, and was served with a delicious mint chutney.
The Desi Salad, a prettily laid out plate of fresh cucumber, tomato, red onion, green chilli and lemon, was the perfect palate cleanser. Our Saffron Pulao was impeccably cooked. Saffron-infused long-grain basmati rice, with each grain separated, was topped with crispy fried onions. I wish more restaurants would serve it this way.
I’m a big aubergine fan, and the Baingan ka Bharta, a smoked aubergine mash braised with garlic, chillies, and tomatoes was both tangy and spicy with a lovely balance between the aubergine and the tomatoes.
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the dessert, a homemade Kulfi Falooda which is a frozen milk dessert flavoured with cardamom and saffron. It was less sweet than I expected but was refreshing and soothing after the spice, the perfect finale to our meal.
I was really pleased that the food at Chakra is still at a very high level. There is an attention to detail and sophistication to the cooking that is very impressive. With an outside sitting area it’s an excellent year-round choice. As well as the Kensington outpost there is one in Little Venice and they are worth travelling for if you are serious about Indian food.
Chakra Kensington
33C Holland Street
Kensington, London
W8 4LX
020 7937 3222
14 Formosa St
London
W9 1EE
020 3149 9697
For an Indian fine dining option see our review of Romy Gill at The Pem
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