Quilon
London
For a quieter dining experience, consider visiting mid-week when the ambiance is more relaxed.
Nestled at 41 Buckingham Gate, Quilon offers a sophisticated dining experience that invites guests to explore the rich culinary traditions of South-West coastal India. The restaurant presents a modern expression of classic Indian cuisine, where vibrant spices meet delicate techniques to create dishes that are both bold in flavor and refined in presentation.
Quilon's menu is a journey through the coastal regions of India, reimagining the depth of traditional recipes with a contemporary flair. The emphasis is on freshness and finesse, with each plate balancing regional authenticity with innovative interpretations. From seafood dishes to delicately spiced meats and rich vegetarian options, Quilon ensures a diverse selection that caters to a variety of palates.
The dining space at Quilon reflects its culinary ethos, blending the textures, motifs, and materials of South India with contemporary design elements. This creates an elegant and layered atmosphere that complements the refined nature of the cuisine. The intimate setting is perfect for those seeking a culinary adventure in an ambiance that is both comfortable and chic.
Adjacent to the main dining area, the QBar serves as a cozy retreat for guests. It offers a selection of signature cocktails, whiskies, wines, and vintage spirits, making it an ideal spot for aperitifs, nightcaps, or quiet conversations. Whether one is visiting for a meal or a drink, Quilon promises an engaging experience that celebrates the essence of South Indian culinary culture.
Reviews
Wonderful dinner & exceptional service at Quilon. All hearts for the buttermilk, and the last sting my friend got. Mains of okra and spinach poriyal were authentically mellow, delicious. The rasam, papad and pickles were a delightful touch. The only letdown was the banana flower starter, which for £18 for 2 small pieces was a bit extortionate.
Our meal at Quilon earlier this month was a serious reminder of why this place has held its reputation for so long. If you’re a fan of South Indian coastal food, this is the benchmark. We started with the Vermicelli Crab Cake, and it was easily the highlight of the appetizers. The crab meat was incredibly fresh, but the real winner was that chili vermicelli crust—it gave a perfect crunch without drowning out the delicate flavor of the crab and curry leaves. For the mains, the Quilon Fish Curry is a must. The halibut was flaky and light, but the sauce is what makes it—the raw mango gives it this sharp, tangy kick that works so well with the coconut and chili. We also tried the Manglorean Chicken (Kori Gassi), which was rich and comforting with that deep, fresh-ground coconut flavor. Even the Okra and Pearl Onion Masala held its own, with just enough mustard seed and curry leaf to keep things interesting. We mopped everything up with some of the best Tawa Paratha I’ve had—perfectly buttery and layered—and some fragrant Lemon Rice. We finished with the Coconut Ice Cream, which was exactly the kind of clean, simple palate cleanser you need after a spice-heavy meal. What really stood out, though, was the staff. Everyone was super friendly and approachable, which isn't always a given at this level of dining. I ended up speaking with one gentleman on my way out (his name escapes me now), but he was incredibly kind and it was the perfect way to end the meal. The service was polished but not stuffy, making the whole experience feel special without being pretentious. Definitely a top-tier London spot if you want Indian food that actually feels elevated. Quick Summary: Must order: Halibut Fish Curry and the Crab Cakes. The Vibe: Refined, professional, and perfect for a slow dinner. Pro-tip: The paratha is essential for the curry sauces!
Went for a very special celebration with 11 of us on valentine day. Had both veg and non-veg tasing menu - it was delicious but would not say adventurous or wow or memorable. Could make more of an effort to explain and talk about the dish. Some staff didn't even know what they were serving up! We all had a very good time on the whole.
Located within the Taj Hotel, just a short walk from St James’s tube station, Quilon has its own separate entrance with a maître d’ reception area and cloakroom. From here, steps to the left lead to the bar area and main dining room, while steps to the right take you to an additional dining space. We arrived at 1pm when the restaurant was still fairly empty, but it filled up quickly between 1:30pm and 2:30pm. The music could be more appropriate- was too vibrant, needs to be more demure. Amuse-boucheAppalam served with two dips and three additional condiments. Cold starters Yogurt with rice cube – a rather bland dish. Avocado on a crispy disc – unfortunately the disc had become soggy. Fruit water – interesting and refreshing. Hot starters Prawn – lightly battered and well cooked. Dosa with potatoes – very good; buttery with an excellent balance when paired with the sambar. Fish cake – average.Accompanied by a serving of sambar. Rasam is spicy rasam which was very good. Mains Ghee rice with raisins and cashews – nice. Halved baby potatoes – very good. Fish curry – quite a heavy sauce but the fish itself was nicely cooked. Pieces of mutton served on a leaf – very good. Paratha – a shame it wasn’t grilled a little longer as it became slightly soft and limp. Vegetables of corn strips and broccoli with coconut shavings – nice and interesting; not the usual Indian vegetable dish. Flavoured yogurt with pomegranate – somewhat bland. The service team came around offering additional servings or replacements of dishes, but by this point we were already very full. DessertCardamom mousse with a chocolate layer, crunchy nut layer, and coconut ice cream. This was good and a satisfying finish. Overall, the meal was excellent, though we left extremely full—so much so that we ended up skipping dinner later that evening. Service was attentive overall, although we did have to call for attention when we first arrived in order to be seated.
Quilon came highly recommended and hence had to stop here. Sundays they have brunch menu which is a set menu and no à la carte. The booking system wasn’t clear about this until I made the booking hence putting it here in case you plan to visit on a Sunday . The place was warm and had beautiful classical music 🎶 in the background . Here is the pics of what we ate . I don’t eat red meat so they sent me a chicken dish instead which was awful . The chef decided to put 2 pieces of boiled chicken in a fish masala kind of gravy and it was awful to the foodie in me that too a malayalee . Note to you- if you are there please ask them to replace with a specific veg dish from the menu so they don’t experiment and ruin a dish. Finally dessert was disappointing as there was no Indian element in a pasty though they added cardamom. There are so many desserts in South India
