Last Updated on June 10, 2026
An elegant and authentic Indian restaurant in the heart of Westfield shopping centre launches seasonal mango specials alongside beloved classics
4.5 out of 5.0 starsThere’s something reassuring about walking into an Indian restaurant where half the tables are filled with Indians. It’s not a guarantee of quality, of course, but it is usually a promising sign – a sign that the kitchen is getting something right.
This is absolutely the case at Copper Chimney at Westfield London. Situated in the Southern Terrace area of the sprawling shopping centre, the restaurant is easy to find and a little understated alongside its chain companions. Once inside families, groups of friends, couples and a very large group of men are chatting animatedly over their shared plates. It immediately set the tone for what turned out to be one of the nicest Indian restaurant experiences I’ve had in London.
The decor makes a good first impression. It feels light and airy. The space is contemporary while paying homage to India’s rich craft traditions. Hundreds of gleaming copper bells hang over the main seating area, and intricately carved wood blocks and antique cooking utensils sit on the shelves.
My guest and I take our seats centre stage directly in front of the open kitchen. I love watching the rhythm of chefs at work. Here, just one chef tends the tandoor and the open-flame grills, while others out back seem to finish the curries and plate them up. Sadly, it is all behind a glass wall, and so the aromas of the charcoal and smoke are somewhat lacking.
We settle in with the drinks menu. There are, of course, the classics, and I spot my favourite margarita, but alcohol and Indian food don’t agree with me, so I settle with a Delhi Shikanji – mint, lemon, spices and soda water. My guest orders a SoBo G&T – gin with hibiscus tea, cranberry and lime. Not too sweet and not too sharp. The perfect blend for him. We are transported to the rooftop of our favourite rooftop bar in Mumbai for a few minutes before the waiter disrupts that reverie.
The summer mango menu is why we are here. We Indians take mango season very seriously so any excuse to eat it is welcome. Here the chefs have balanced the natural sweetness of mango – Alphonso, I believe – with the savoury, spiced elements that naturally sit on the menu.
Our choices are not vast – Laal Aloo with Chargrilled Mango featuring smoky baby potatoes, charred mango, and spices. The Patiala Mango Dahi Bhalla pairs lentil fritters with yoghurt, ripe mango and a sprinkle of chaat masala. The Mango Chilli Cheese Naan combines that mango sweetness with fiery green chillies and melted cheese, and finally, the Aam Papad Makhana Chaat brings together crispy foxnuts, mango and sun-dried mango strips together with spices traditionally used in Mumbai’s streetside snacks.
Beyond the seasonal specials, the core menu is a reassuring celebration of Indian classics. Familiar favourites such as butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, dal makhani and paneer masala sit alongside a strong selection of tandoori dishes, biryanis and freshly baked breads, offering plenty for first-time visitors and regulars alike.
What elevates the menu for me, however, is its attention to seafood. Copper Chimney brings it centre stage with dishes like the delicately spiced Saffron Shrimp in an aromatic red gravy, alongside tandoor-grilled options like Chutney Fish – seabass marinated in mint and lemon chutney. It is a gentle nudge to the seafood culture in Mumbai and an inclusive touch for pescatarians wanting to join in with the tandoor action. Not a skewered prawn in sight!
The Non Veg Platter brings the staples together in a hearty portion – The classic Chicken Tikka – chicken marinated in a plethora of spices, dried mango powder and Himalayan black salt; a second chicken offering – Reshmi Malai chicken bringing cardamom and delicate white pepper into the hung yoghurt marinade; Lamb Kebabs and the Chutney Fish. My guest exclaimed it was the best Chicken Tikka he’d ever had – tender, juicy, sweet without any bitter burned bits.
Service throughout our meal is attentive without being intrusive. A bit of Mumbai laissez-faire perhaps, but the place was rather busy, and we Indians are a demanding bunch. The staff are knowledgeable about both the menu and drinks list, happy to explain unfamiliar dishes or recommend pairings, and the pace of service allowed us to do some people watching. A heated argument broke out between the romantic couple. She huffs and looks away in a classic Bollywood move while he gets up, shoulders hunched, to go to the central, semi circular bar; the long table of men bursts into laughter – not at the couple I hasten to add – but at the youngest seemingly being mocked for his greying hair; the birthday cake arrives for the sweet girl in piglets in the corner beaming at the pile of presents. It’s wonderful entertainment, and there’s no oversized TV in sight! The one thing missing to make this a TRULY authentic Indian local. I am very grateful for that blip in the interior design brief.
Back to mangoes for our dessert. I am rather full but there is always a second stomach for dessert. We of course got one of each – Aam Ki Kulfi and Falooda brings together creamy mango kulfi ice cream and my favourite rose falooda milkshake. It was a pleasant surprise to find this a deconstructed version on my plate. The ice cream was gelato-like, and the sweet noodles of falooda were neatly arranged around the mango. Just the basil seeds were missing. The Mango Mastani, apparently a classic dessert from Pune, layers thick blended mango with ice cream and crushed nuts for something closer to a drinkable sundae. It was more of a mango milkshake, but delicious nonetheless.
Despite being located inside one of London’s busiest retail destinations, it feels entirely detached from the frenetic pace of shoppers outside. Once seated beneath the canopy of copper bells with the theatre of the open kitchen, it is very easy to forget you are only metres away from the hustle and bustle of the mighty Westfield. Not quite transported to Bombay but certainly to the Non Veg Uncle’s house for a bit of naughty chicken action.
For those seeking authentic Indian cooking that goes bold on choices and flavour while delivering elegant surroundings and creative cocktails, Copper Chimney is well worth a visit. The pricing is fair, and the portions are generous. Nothing needs a few glasses of water upon a single bite, and the option to have most of the curries as side dishes means you can experiment with unfamiliar dishes or gorge on the Black Dal Maharaja all to yourself. And a room filled with Indian diners of all ages, perhaps returning for another meal, is perhaps the strongest endorsement of all.
Unit 1028, Westfield London, Ariel Way, London W12 7GA
020 8059 4439
For more Indian restaurants in London, try Roti Chai or The Great Indian,
Leave a Reply