Darjeeling Express

"Paneer Korma One of our favourite things about Darjeeling Express in Kingly Court is the cosy atmosphere and that staff act like you’re a guest in their actual home. But closely after that, it’s the Indian curries. Specifically this creamy vegetarian number. The unbelievably soft paneer feels like it’s 99% air, and the orange coconut-heavy sauce is silky and slightly sweet. It’s our go-to vegetarian curry whenever we’re in central." - rianne shlebak, jake missing

"How many people have we bought Asma Khan’s cookbook for? Hundreds, thousands, possibly millions. OK, we’re being dramatic but the point is we’re huge fans of Khan’s Indian cooking. The all-female kitchen team at her Darjeeling Express restaurant in Carnaby Street whip up puchkas, tangra chilli garlic prawns, and our personal favourite, the aubergine curry. Even on busy nights, Asma still walks around the restaurant, welcoming guests and making us feel like we’re eating this top-tier meal at our really fun, really popular friend's house. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna

"Four courses: £65 The royal thali at this Soho Indian restaurant is a highlight reel of Darjeeling Express’ best dishes. There’s still some choice and happily, it’s an edible pick-your-own adventure where every scenario is going to be good. Mini poppadoms, an array of chutneys and sauces, two curries, and five sides are all part of the £65 platter. The fact that it feels like you’re at your cool friend’s house instead of a restaurant means this is a spot you’ll want to spend a lot of time in." - jake missing, sinead cranna, rianne shlebak

"While Darjeeling Express has wildly outgrown its original intimate supper club roots, the Kingly Court spot hasn’t lost its homely feel. And chef-owner Asma Khan still plays host, checking on diners and bringing raita to cool the excellently spicy Bengali aloo dam. The warm, terracotta room and intimate booths turn a casual lunch into a two-hour affair, and an after-work meal into a stay-until-closing kind of night. Book dinner for the colourful set menu thali which is a highlight reel of Darjeeling Express’ best dishes—including a silky, orange-hued prawn malaikari that pairs perfectly with the fluffy puri.  " - jake missing, rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley, daisy meager, sinead cranna

"Some restaurants seek out fame but Darjeeling Express is so good that it happened naturally. Head chef and owner Asma Khan became a Netflix star, A-list fans followed, and this all-female Indian spot in Soho still makes some of the most luscious paneer korma around. Khan still walks about the comfortable restaurant, welcoming guests, offering to bring raita to cool the excellently spicy Bengali aloo dam, and making you feel like you’re eating at a really fun, really popular friend's house. " - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley