Top European Cities for Indian Food Lovers: A Culinary Journey

London, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Paris. Our favourite European cities for Indian food, with real prices, veg/halal tips, and visa basics for Indians.

By Keego Travel Experts (Keego Travel Expert) · 2026-07-08 · Updated 2026-07-31 · 9 min read

Key facts

UK visitor visa for Indians
₹12,000–13,000 (GBP 115) fee, 3–6 weeks typical processing. Source: GOV.UK. Last checked: July 2026.
Schengen visa for Indians
₹8,000–9,000 (€90) fee from June 2024, 15–45 days typical. Source: European Commission. Last checked: July 2026.
Top months for a food trip
March to June, and September to November, milder weather and easier restaurant bookings.
Flight time India to London
9–10 hours nonstop from Delhi or Mumbai, longer with connections.
Meal budgeting
₹1,200–2,500 per person for mid-range Indian meals in Western Europe, fine dining ₹5,000–8,000.

Best European cities for Indian food lovers

Hungry to travel but not ready to leave dal, chaat and kebabs behind? Same. We plan a lot of Europe trips around food, and these cities make it easy to eat brilliantly Indian every single day. Here are the best European cities for Indian food lovers, with exact spots, real prices in ₹, and visa basics so you can actually go. Plan a fully custom trip with a Keego travel expert

How to plan this trip, fast

  • Build around London and Birmingham first, then add Amsterdam or Paris for a contrast in style and spend.
  • Map meals before museums. We block dinners first, then pin sights within a 20‑30 minute ride. Our travellers who do this eat better and queue less.
  • Budget for food: London ₹1,800-3,000 per person for casual dinners, ₹5,000-8,000 for fine dining. Amsterdam and Paris ₹1,200-2,500 casual, ₹3,000-5,000 polished bistros. Birmingham ₹1,600-2,800 for a full Balti meal.

Visa snapshot for Indian passport holders

Exact steps that work for our travellers

  • UK: complete the GOV.UK online form, pay, book biometrics at a VFS centre in India, carry passport, photos, travel plan with dated hotel and restaurant bookings, funds and employment proof. Keep your day-by-day plan concise and consistent with your bank statements.
  • Schengen: choose your main-country consulate, fill the short-stay form on that consulate’s site or portal, pay, book biometrics via VFS, carry passport, photos, flight and hotel proofs, and a clear day plan. If you have a UK segment plus Schengen, apply UK first so your Schengen plan matches your actual dates.

First-hand tip: our travellers who attach a simple meal-forward itinerary, for example lunch in Southall and dinner in Shoreditch on the same day, see fewer document clarifications because the plan looks realistic for London distances.

London: The Indian Food Capital of Europe

Where to eat

  • Gymkhana, Mayfair. Tandoori masala lamb chops, wild muntjac biryani. Expect ₹5,000-8,000 per person (GBP 50-80) with a drink. Book 7-14 days ahead for dinner. Source: Gymkhana reservations. Checked: July 2026. gymkhanalondon.com/reservations/
  • Trishna, Marylebone. Coastal Indian, superb for seafood. ₹4,500-7,000 per person. Source: Trishna reservations. Checked: July 2026. www.trishnalondon.com/reservations/
  • Dishoom, multiple locations. Black dal and bacon naan roll at breakfast, veg friendly. ₹1,800-3,000 per person. They hold a walk-in queue, arrive by 18:00 for shorter waits. Source: Dishoom bookings. Checked: July 2026. www.dishoom.com/book/
  • Hoppers, Soho. Sri Lankan and South Indian inspired, great for groups. ₹2,200-3,500 per person. Source: Hoppers bookings. Checked: July 2026. www.hopperslondon.com/reservations/
  • Tayyabs, Whitechapel. Punjabi-Pakistani grills, halal, loud and lively. ₹1,600-2,800 per person. Source: Tayyabs. Checked: July 2026. tayyabs.co.uk/
  • Southall and Wembley. Brilliant, Saravana Bhavan, street-style chaat and mithai. ₹800-1,800 per person for casual meals.

Neighbourhoods to target

  • Southall for Punjabi mithai and veg thalis. We usually pair lunch at Brilliant with a stroll through Southall Broadway spice shops.
  • Tooting and Wembley for cheap, good, fast. Great for families.
  • Brick Lane and Whitechapel for grills and late-night eats.

Practical bits

  • Halal is widely available, clearly marked on menus in many spots.
  • Spice level, tell the server you want Indian medium, or ask for green chilli on the side.
  • Tipping, 12.5 percent service charge is often added. If not added, 10 percent is fine.

First-hand tip: we have queued 30 minutes at Dishoom Shoreditch on a Friday, and walked straight in at 11:00 for breakfast. Plan your biryani around the clock.

Birmingham: the Balti capital

Birmingham’s Balti Triangle is where the UK’s balti culture took off. Expect the curry to arrive still sizzling in a thin-steel karahi, and you eat straight from it with naan.

Where to eat

  • Shababs, Ladypool Road. Classic Balti lamb, order medium first. ₹1,800-2,800 per person with sides. Source: Shababs. Checked: July 2026. www.shababs.co.uk/
  • Adil’s, Stoney Lane. One of the originals, great garlic naan. ₹1,600-2,600 per person. Source: Adil’s. Checked: July 2026. www.adils-restaurant.co.uk/
  • Al Frash, Ladypool Road. Consistent grills, good for groups. ₹1,600-2,600 per person. Source: Al Frash. Checked: July 2026. www.alfrash.com/

How we do it: we book an early table around 18:30, then walk Ladypool Road for kulfi. Uber back to New Street takes 15-20 minutes, ₹800-1,200 (GBP 8-12).

Good to know

  • Portions are generous. One balti plus naan can feed two light eaters.
  • Most places are BYOB or offer limited alcohol. Check before you go.
  • Veg options are strong, but Jain no-onion-garlic needs a call ahead.

First-hand tip: we have twice been upsold to “extra hot” and then needed yogurt on the side. Start medium, add green chilli if you want a kick.

Amsterdam: compact scene, strong veg

Amsterdam’s Indian scene is compact but quality, with a big veg focus and spice handled thoughtfully.

Where to eat

  • Ashoka, Centrum and Amsterdam West. North Indian classics with a modern presentation. ₹2,200-3,800 per person. Source: Ashoka Amsterdam. Checked: July 2026. www.ashokarestaurant.nl/
  • Pind Punjabi, De Pijp. Tandoori platters and lassi, lively at weekends. ₹1,800-3,000 per person. Source: Pind Punjabi. Checked: July 2026. pindpunjabi.nl/
  • Saravanaa Bhavan, multiple. Reliable dosa and thali fix. ₹1,200-2,000 per person. Source: Saravanaa Bhavan Amsterdam. Checked: July 2026. saravanaabhavan.nl/

Neighbourhood notes

  • De Pijp for relaxed dinners and bars after.
  • Oost for better value and less tourist churn.

Money and menus

  • Tap water is not always offered. Ask, or budget for bottled water.
  • Cards accepted almost everywhere, but some smaller places decline Amex.
  • Rice is often a separate side. If you need extra carbs, add naan plus rice.

First-hand tip: our team’s favourite lunch is a quick dosa at Saravanaa Bhavan before a canal cruise from Rokin, a 10-minute walk.

Paris: Indian food routes that actually work

Two clusters to know

  • Passage Brady, near Strasbourg-Saint-Denis. North Indian menus, bargain lunch deals.
  • La Chapelle, around Gare du Nord. Tamil-run kitchens, superb veg and seafood, often labeled “Sri Lankan” in maps.

Where to eat

  • Desi Road, Left Bank. Chic bistro style, great chaat. ₹3,000-4,800 per person. Source: Desi Road. Checked: July 2026. www.desi-road.com/
  • MG Road, Marais. Modern plates, good cocktails. ₹3,200-5,000 per person. Source: MG Road. Checked: July 2026. www.mg-road.fr/
  • Krishna Bhavan and Saravanaa Bhavan, La Chapelle. Budget-friendly thalis and dosa. ₹1,000-1,800 per person. Sources: Krishna Bhavan and Saravanaa Bhavan Paris. Checked: July 2026. www.krishna-bhavan.com/ and saravanaa-bhavan.fr/

Ordering smart

  • French palates skew mild. Say “Indian level medium” if you want heat.
  • Vegans, you are fine here. Ghee and dairy are common, so specify oil-only and no paneer.
  • Lunch menus can save you 15-25 percent versus dinner.

First-hand tip: we like a Passage Brady loop at 12:30, eat early to avoid waits, then coffee in the Marais by 14:30.

Best European cities for Indian food lovers, where to stay

  • London, stay near Bloomsbury or South Kensington for quick Tube hops to Soho, Shoreditch and Southall. We have found nightly rates fairer in Bloomsbury on weekdays, and it keeps your rides under 30 minutes to most dinners.
  • Birmingham, base near New Street Station for fast rides to the Balti Triangle and late-night trains. Digbeth works if you want breweries and street food before curry.
  • Amsterdam, De Pijp if you want dinners on foot, Centrum if you need walkable sights and trams to Oost.
  • Paris, 10th arrondissement puts you between Passage Brady and Gare du Nord. If you prefer bistros and walks, Marais or the Left Bank works, then metro up for La Chapelle lunches.

Tips for enjoying Indian food in Europe

Booking and timing

  • Weekends, book 5-10 days ahead for popular spots like Gymkhana, Hoppers and Desi Road. Free cancellations usually up to 24 hours, check the booking page.
  • Walk-ins work best before 18:30 or after 21:00.

Dietary and spice

  • Say upfront, halal, Jain, vegan, nut allergy. European kitchens appreciate direct notes.
  • Ask for green chilli, pickle, or lemon to tweak on the table.

Money and payments

  • Expect ₹1,200-2,500 per person for a mid-range Indian dinner in Amsterdam or Paris. London can be ₹1,800-3,000, fine dining ₹5,000-8,000.
  • Service charge, UK often adds 12.5 percent. Netherlands and France usually do not. Tip 5-10 percent if service was good.

With kids and groups

  • Share mains, add extra naan and rice. Most places are happy to split plates.
  • Highchairs are common in London and Amsterdam, less so in small Paris bistros. Message ahead.

Connectivity and maps

  • Buy an eSIM before you fly, or pick up a local SIM at arrival. Google Maps reviews are reliable for up-to-date menus and halal tags. We save options on a custom map by city and walk between them.

Common mistakes Indians make, and easy fixes

  • Mixing up visas. UK visa is separate from Schengen. Apply to the country you will stay in most for Schengen, then match flights and hotel nights to that plan. Use dated restaurant bookings as supporting proofs.
  • Assuming rice comes with curries. In Europe, rice and naan are sides. Add them when you order so the main does not go cold while you wait.
  • Not stating spice preference. Say “Indian medium,” or ask for chopped green chilli. It works across these cities.
  • Counting on UPI for payments. Carry a zero-forex-fee card and at least one Visa or Mastercard. Many places do not take Amex, and UPI will not scan abroad.
  • Leaving reservations to the last minute. For the headline kitchens, book 5-10 days ahead and set calendar reminders for free-cancellation cutoffs.

Plan a fully custom trip with a Keego travel expert

Plan your food-first route

If food is the backbone of your Europe plan, build around London and Birmingham first, then add Amsterdam or Paris for style shifts. Do the visa math early, block a few key dinners, and mix fine dining with diaspora neighbourhood lunches to keep your spend balanced.

Ready to turn this into a real trip with great meals slotted day by day? Our UK itinerary is built for exactly this, with time in London and Birmingham, plus optional Paris add-ons.

Explore our UK tours

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Indian restaurants in London?

For classic and creative: Gymkhana (Mayfair, fine dining), Trishna (Marylebone, seafood), Hoppers (Soho), Dishoom (multiple), Tayyabs (Whitechapel, Punjabi-Pakistani grill), Brilliant (Southall), and Saravanaa Bhavan (East Ham). Expect ₹1,500–6,000 per person depending on style. Book Gymkhana and Trishna at least a week out. Checked: July 2026.

Is Indian food popular in Europe?

Very. The UK is the deepest scene, especially London and Birmingham. Amsterdam and Paris have grown fast, with solid veg and halal options. Expect modern takes alongside homestyle menus in diaspora hubs like Southall, Tooting, Passage Brady and La Chapelle.

What dishes should I try in Birmingham?

Order a proper Balti, served in the steel karahi, plus garlic naan and lamb chops. Try Shababs, Adil’s or Al Frash in the Balti Triangle. A Balti with sides is ₹1,600–2,800 per person. Checked: July 2026.

Are there vegetarian options available in European Indian restaurants?

Yes. London, Paris and Amsterdam have strong veg menus, often with Jain-friendly tweaks on request. South Indian chains like Saravanaa Bhavan and Krishna Bhavan are reliable. Always flag ‘no onion/garlic’ or spice level when seated.

How can I find authentic Indian cuisine while traveling in Europe?

Head to diaspora neighbourhoods: Southall, Wembley, Tooting and Brick Lane in London, Balti Triangle in Birmingham, De Pijp and Oost in Amsterdam, Passage Brady and La Chapelle in Paris. Check Google Maps reviews, book for weekends, and look for regional menus, not just generic ‘curry’ lists.

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