Last Updated on August 11, 2025
An Elegant Indian at the Elephant
4.5 out of 5.0 starsThe not-so-new-now Elephant Park development, on the site of what was the Heygate – a notorious Council Estate a stone’s throw from Elephant and Castle tube, is home to a handful of excellent restaurants. Kachori, the only Indian restaurant in the area, stands out for authentic, healthy and delicious dishes from across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and the Punjab with a scattering of Anglo Indian options for those who can’t live without a burger, club sandwich or smashed avocado on sourdough for brunch. That said, your burger will come with mango chutney, tikka masala sauce and masala chips, and your smashed avocado will be garnished with Telliherry pepper…
This is my part of London and I’ve been to Kachori before, for lunch, dinner and for their weekend brunch offering. No doubt I’ll go again – and next time I get there for brunch, I’m planning on ordering the sun to shine more appropriately. On this occasion, just as the last time I was there at the weekend, it was pouring with rain and the pretty terrace was out of bounds. That said, Kachori has a cosy and comfortable interior, with turmeric-coloured walls and mustard hues from the leather and suede banquettes. Spacious and light, it’s a good place to meet up with friends and family.
The brunch menu is reasonably priced with two dishes – a small and a large plate – for £25. Portion sizes are good – you would have to be very hungry to want more than the set offer. If you want to push the boat out, you can have bottomless Prosecco for 90 minutes with your brunch for £42 all in. Desserts (other than the ‘brunchy’ options of Pistachio French Toast, Homemade Granola or Chia and Coconut Porridge, which are listed as ‘small plates’) are priced separately.
Kachori has a splendid cocktail list, and under normal circumstances, I’d have indulged. But, not only was I mid-way through a month of no alcohol, but I was also going on to another event that afternoon. So, instead, I ordered a ginger shot, an excellent start to any meal, here made with ginger, turmeric, agave, orange, lemon, black pepper and cayenne pepper. My companion picked the Mango Lassi – a classic creamy, sweet, and tangy Indian yoghurt-based drink made by blending ripe mango pulp with yoghurt. Sunshine in a glass, it almost made up for the inclement weather outside.
We shared our small plates. Kurkuri calamari and shrimp spiced with ginger, chilli, lime, fennel, and crushed pepper were served with flaked chilli aioli. The deep-fried seafood was tender, and I would describe the heat as pleasantly mild. Kurkuri in Hindi means crispy or crunchy, and this dish certainly delivered.
Keema croquettes, indulgent parcels of lamb mince and potato with sweet potato and sun-dried tomato puree on the side, were meltingly soft, lightly spiced and coated with a beautifully crisp crumb shell.
I have something of a fascination with Masala dosa, an unrealistically large crepe (the batter is made with fermented rice and lentils) stuffed with potato curry and rolled up into a scroll. It is served with sambals, in this case, nariyal chutney and Udupi sambhar. The South Indian chutney is a white colour as it is made from fresh coconut, and it is very mild in flavour. The Udupi sambhar is a slightly sweet dish made with lentils, tamarind and other vegetables, in this case including tomato. It’s an old favourite – I’m inclined to order it whenever I get the chance, and I know the version served at Kachori is particularly fine, with a lacy, thin, crisp crepe and the most delicious filling.
My companion opted for the richer but equally delicious Jaipuri Masala Beef with flaky parantha (a kind of cross between puff pastry and bread). It looked fabulous – deep and rich – with a wonderful aroma of caraway. Kachori does offer a takeaway service, and this is one I will remember for winter evenings.
In the meantime, I now need an excuse to go back for brunch again – it really is a lovely way to spend the morning at the weekend. I’m just looking for a little sunshine so I can sit out on the terrace!
12 Ash Avenue,
Elephant Park,
Elephant and Castle
London SE17 1GQ
Looking for something different? Try Farzi in Picadilly
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