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Is Dishoom worth it?

Worth it if…Lives up to the hype · −7Hugely popular Bombay-café-style Indian restaurant, famous for queues and black daal
Dishoom
Dishoom Covent Garden · Google Maps
Dishoom
Min Choi · Google Maps
Dishoom
Dishoom Covent Garden · Google Maps
Dishoom
Marc Singh · Google Maps
Dishoom
Marc Singh · Google Maps

Worth it, with conditions. 4.7 on Google from 29,920 reviews and Very Good food in Harden's. A minority call it average versus London's best Indian restaurants.

Hype61How famous and hyped it is
Reality54Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
The gap−7Lives up to the hypeHow we score
4.7 ★ Google · 29,920 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first

Been to Dishoom? Was it worth it?

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Is it worth it for you?

Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 first-timers vote

A reliable, atmospheric meal right by Covent Garden; 4.7 from nearly 30,000 reviews.

Why Reality is 54

Lives up to its fame4/54.7 on Google from 29,920 reviews and Very Good food in Harden's. A minority call it average versus London's best Indian restaurants.
Value for money3/5Fair for central London quality and atmosphere; bread portions and drinks push bills up, and Harden's puts a full dinner around £58 a head.
Can’t get it elsewhere3/5The setting is distinctive, but Dishoom has several London sites (e.g. Shoreditch, Kingly Street/Carnaby, Canary Wharf) with the same menu.
Easy to do2/5Central, but evenings and weekends mean 30–60 minute queues because small groups can't book after 6pm.

What people loved

Consistently flavourful food; black daal, chicken ruby, lamb chops and okra fries are repeat favouritesBeautiful 1960s-Bombay café decor and a buzzy atmosphere across two big floorsFast, warm service from a large team; free chai while you queueOpen from breakfast to late, with strong vegetarian, vegan and halal options

What wore them down

Evening and weekend queues of 30–60 minutes; booking not possible for small groups after 6pmVery loud and hectic at peak timesSome diners find the food good but not better than London's top Indian restaurants, and portions of bread small for the priceNow a chain with several London branches, so the 'only in London' feel is diluted

Know before you go

See something out of date? Fix it right here.

Booking: Walk-in for most; book daytime tables for any group, or evenings only for 6+. Go at breakfast or mid-afternoon to skip the queue

HoursOfficial site: Mon–Thu 8am–11pm, Fri 8am–midnight, Sat 9am–midnight, Sun 9am–11pm (Google lists 8am opening at weekends)Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ReservationsMostly walk-in. Any group size can book during the day; after 6pm only groups of 6+ can book. Most tables are held for walk-insSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
QueueLittle or no wait at breakfast and lunch; 30–60 min at busy evenings and weekends, with free chai served to people queuingSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
PriceHarden's puts Dishoom at about £58 a head for three courses with half a bottle of wine and service (2026); food alone is usually far lessSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Getting thereTube Covent Garden or Leicester Square, a few minutes' walk; about 5–10 min walk from Trafalgar SquareSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Signature dishesHouse Black Daal, Chicken Ruby and the bacon naan roll at breakfastSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Time neededAbout 1–1.5 hours to eat, plus any queueSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
  • Monday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
  • Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

In their words

“One of the best Indian restaurants I’ve been to.”
Barby Gamble · Google review · 3 months ago
“…the food felt fairly average when compared to the incredible depth of flavor you can easily find at other Indian restaurants in London.”
Fine Dining Auditor · Google review · 3 months ago
“Around 7 to 8 pm on a Friday night at least , the wait for the restaurant is 25-30 minutes.”
Thomas Bloom · Google review · 4 months ago
“The naan and roti portions also felt a little small for the price.”
Barby Gamble · Google review · 3 months ago

Tips from people who went

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Questions people ask

Can you book Dishoom Covent Garden?

During the day, any group size can book. After 6pm only groups of six or more can; everyone else walks in.

How long is the queue at Dishoom Covent Garden?

Little or none at breakfast and lunch; 30 minutes to an hour on busy evenings and weekends.

What should I order at Dishoom?

House Black Daal and Chicken Ruby are the signatures; at breakfast, the bacon naan roll.

What time does Dishoom Covent Garden open?

8am on weekdays (9am Sat–Sun per the official site), until 11pm, or midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Better fits, according to people who went

Brick Lane — photo by Tho Ko (ThK)Worth itReality 70 +20Brick Lane★ 4.6North & East London · NeighbourhoodFor Bangladeshi curry houses and street food in the East End.Chinatown — photo by Remy RachetWorth it if…Reality 61 +2Chinatown★ 4.5West End & Bloomsbury · NeighbourhoodA few minutes' walk away for cheaper, no-queue dinners.Hampstead Heath — photo by Janusz NowakWorth itReality 90 +35Hampstead Heath★ 4.7North & East London · ParkWild heathland with swimming ponds, Kenwood House and the Parliament Hill skyline viewNational Gallery — photo by DandyliciousWorth itReality 90 +8National Gallery★ 4.8West End & Bloomsbury · MuseumFree Trafalgar Square gallery of Western European painting, from van Eyck to Van Gogh

Sources

Verdict by The Hype Gap editors. No one paid for it. Facts checked Oct 16, 2026. How we score · Standards