Last Updated on June 26, 2026
Relaxed Modern Indian Dining in the Square Mile
5.0 out of 5.0 starsSurrounded by glass towers and city types in their suits and shiny boots hurrying between meetings, Chatora City is a stone’s throw from the majestic St Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge. Tucked away down a little lane very cutely called Great St Thomas Apostle, this simple Indian restaurant provides a genuine escape from the weekday bustle.
On arrival, I’m greeted with a friendly and booming welcome from Jamshed Rahman – a forty-year veteran of London’s hospitality scene. I recognise him instantly from the restaurant’s socials. His career spans hotels, restaurants and bars. There is nothing this man hasn’t done. But chatting to him as I waited for my guest to arrive, what struck me most was his desire to present Indian food that reflects both regional traditions and contemporary London dining habits, alongside a nod to the seasons.
He spoke passionately about dishes on the menu – especially the seasonal specials, which at the moment are Avo-berry Chaat with chickpeas, avocado, fresh berries dressed with yoghurt and tamarind; Shami Kebab, minced lamb, tailed pepper, Kashmiri chilli, cipollini onion and cucumber; Tellicherry Soft Shell Crab with Mangalorean spices; and Allepey halibut chunks, coconut, fresh turmeric and green mango. All living up to their tempting names.
Jamshed – fondly known as Jam – tells me that at lunchtime the dining room fills with office workers entertaining clients or catching up with colleagues – all making the most of the weekday bottomless lunch offer, no doubt. When ordering a starter and a main or a main and a dessert or indeed the Chatora City lunch menu, diners can enjoy 90 minutes of lager or Prosecco for just £15. He told me it wasn’t uncommon to see a table of four demolish 5 pints each. Especially on a Thursday, as that is the new Friday.
By the evening, the city is quieter, and the tables are shared by tourists and locals alike, looking for something more sophisticated than a standard curry. The atmosphere is calm and quiet. Much more my cup of chai.
I started with my usual – a margarita in a rock glass with a half salt rim. It wasn’t bad for a £12.50 price tag. Not as tart as I would like, but I get the feeling that if I were a regular, the barman would certainly evolve it to my liking. The staff are mostly Indian, friendly and incredibly efficient. It’s not a casual affair, but it’s not too formal either.
The wine list is huge. In fact, this is one of the things that sets Chatora City slightly apart from its peers. Indian restaurants have not always been known for giving much attention to their cellars, but the list here has clearly been assembled with care. It covers producers from both the Old and New Worlds and offers enough variety for enthusiasts while remaining approachable for diners simply looking for a glass to accompany dinner.
The staff are knowledgeable and happy to recommend pairings that work with the complex spice profiles coming from the kitchen. I would have liked to see a nod to some of the Indian wines doing well in the market, but I was happy enough to see my favourite Albarino.
The a la carte menu itself is broad without becoming too unwieldy. There are familiar dishes which sit comfortably alongside some of the more inventive creations. As with most Indian restaurants, sharing is encouraged, and the portions accommodate that. Street-food inspired snacks lead naturally into tandoor dishes, curries, biryanis and seafood.
Vegetarian options are given equal prominence rather than being treated as an afterthought, which I appreciated. For those who are a little less adventurous, there are plenty of classics – Butter Chicken, Lamb Roganjosh, Nihari, Palaak Paneer, Chicken Tikka, Tadka Dhal, Black Dhal, etc., etc. But the other dishes allude to a chef of substance in the kitchen.
A chef whose previous experience includes senior positions at some of London’s best-known Indian kitchens – Imamuddin Khan. Try the Pithala Duck Salad, for example, which comes perched on a Gujarati dhokra or the Stone Bass with pink peppercorn, sweetcorn salsa, pickled dill and fresh beetroot. I’ve never observed either on an Indian restaurant menu outside of fine dining. It was great to have the variety to try.
Jam, the staff and the kitchen helpfully displayed a very welcome air of patience as my friend was running thirty minutes late. Just enough time to finish my book and nibble my way through some Poppadums and Crispy Gunpowder Squid. It wasn’t just me that Jam kept entertained during this time. He masterfully moved around the room, chatting easily with diners. It is the sort of polished but relaxed hospitality that works particularly well in a location serving everyone from all walks of life and from everywhere.
What ultimately distinguishes Chatora City is that it knows exactly what it wants to be. Rather than chasing trends or relying on gimmicks, it focuses on good ingredients, thoughtful and creative cooking and genuine hospitality. The extensive menu means there is something for almost every diner, while the wine menu elevates the experience beyond what many would expect from an Indian restaurant.
In an area where restaurants often cater primarily to office workers, Chatora City succeeds in being somewhere worth seeking out in its own right. It’s closed on Sundays to offer everyone a good break, but whether you’re stopping in after work, entertaining clients or simply exploring the neighbourhood around Bank and St Paul’s, it offers a well-executed take on modern Indian dining and is most certainly worth a visit.
4 Great St Thomas Apostle, London EC4V 2BH
For reservations, call 020 459 78339 or email info@chatoracity.co.uk
Other Indian restaurants to try – Copper Chimney, The Great Indian, Kokum
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