One of the strong selling points of neighbourhood restaurants is that you can expect to be able to walk in without a reservation and grab a quick bite if you don’t feel like cooking that night. Of course, this has to be qualified, as in London this would never happen for a top tier popular restaurant and probably not even for less popular ones if it is the weekend. Fortunately, Noor Jahan doesn’t seem to fit that category and we came on a Thursday around 7PM for dinner, when the restaurant was half empty and we were seated right away. By the time we left, another large group of diners had arrived and it was fairly busy, but I think you could reasonably expect to get a table here on a weekday. It has the typical Indian restaurant décor of nice tablecloths and cloth napkins and mood lighting, despite being far from fine dining. I ordered the chicken tikka bhuna with garlic naan and my friend got the chicken biryani, of which I’d say mine was far superior. It hit the spot, but I wouldn’t say it wow’d compared with the impressive dishes you get at Tayyabs, and the biryani was actually a bit disappointing, in my opinion. Biryani is normally one of my favorite dishes, but here it lacked flavor and the rice was a bit mushy. We paid roughly £15 a person, and didn’t even order drinks. I don’t think the food represented any particular draw besides being convenient and available. There are two other Indian restaurants right around the corner that I have never tried out, so I think it would be interesting to go there and compare the different options in the neighbourhood.
Jonathan G.
Classificação do local: 4 Middletown, CT
Absolutely fantastic food. My wife and I were on vacation and upon the recommendation of my sister in law we found ourselves at their tables not once, but twice! This would be my first experience with Indian food so I was really curious about what was to come. Let’s just say I was amazed. We started with their Samosas, delicious. I then enjoyed two of their duck dishes.(Noorjahan Duck Special and the Achari Duck Plate.) Wow. The mixture of spices and the tenderness of the duck were simply superb. My wife enjoyed the Chicken Tikka Masala and said it put all of the Indian restaurants she’s been to, to shame. If you’re a fan of sorbet, don’t miss either of their choices. Served in the skin of the chosen fruit flavor its exquisitely cold and absolutely flavorful. If I find myself in London again, I’ll be sure to stop by.
Dan M.
Classificação do local: 1 New York, NY
Food was average but what really made the experience unpleasant was the service. Waiters hardly looked at you, tossed the(laminated) menus on the table. Never again. The good reviews must be fake(note to Unilocal).
Tim K.
Classificação do local: 4 San Diego, CA
This is our traditional Indian place when we’re in London. It’s probably not the best in the city, but it’s a very solid choice. The chicken tikka masala is a little different from the norm, maybe a little sweeter. Overall, this place is very satisfying and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Rébecca S.
Classificação do local: 5 Paris
Le Noor Jahan est mon restaurant indien favori ! Pas seulement à Londres mais de tous ceux que j’ai pu tester. C’est simple, avant de goûter à leur cuisine je n’aimais pas manger indien ! Depuis je me suis réconciliée avec cette cuisine même si je né retrouve jamais autant de subtilité ailleurs que dans leurs plats. Vous né pourrez pas faire de mauvais choix ici même si je raffole des cheese naan, du butter chicken et des côtes d’agneau en entrée ! Le seul défaut de ce restaurant est le service. Il est très efficace et c’est la sa qualité et son défaut ! Service tellement rapide que je n’ai jamais le temps de souffler entre l’entrée et le plat. Les serveurs sont à l’affût de nos moindres mouvements et né sont franchement pas très aimables mais je leur pardonne car je vis un moment de bonheur à chaque bouchée.
Jason B.
Classificação do local: 2 Crofton, MD
The ambiance here was tired. The waiters were extremely abrupt. The food could have saved it, but I have to say that it was disappointing. I had a lamb dish and a vegetable dish. Both lacked flavor, which is criminal for an Indian restaurant. Wine by the glass was available only in a house red and white. There are much better places in the area, I would skip this one.
Robert S.
Classificação do local: 4 Houston, TX
Really good Indian food! The service was very friendly and helpful. We loved the lamb starter — simply delicious. Additionally, we ordered a chick pea masala that was great. All in all we were very happy with our meal and will return.
Dave S.
Classificação do local: 3 Smyrna, GA
Good food, nice atmosphere but I really hate to be rushed out after dinner so they can use our table. I understand it’s a business and they have guests waiting but still, at least offer me a dessert before you ask for my table. Like most places in London, over priced for simple, repeatable, standard dishes.
Kinya L.
Classificação do local: 4 Clearwater, FL
Table cloth restaurant with a wine list. Attentive staff. Excellent service. I ordered the Lamb Takkia which came out on a sizzling plater with onions. You can see the seasons. Very Tasteful. There was a white sauce that accompanied the Lamb which was refreshing & I mixed it with everything. I loved it– The waiter wouldn’t tell me the name of it :(.
Cindy s.
Classificação do local: 3 Marietta, GA
Food is good. I have been here on a few different occasions, with a number of different people. If you are in a small(1 – 2) people you are good. However, when you have a larger group(6 or more) we have consistently run into rude service. Sad because I love the food but there are many options in this part of city.
Damon F.
Classificação do local: 4 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Wanted to try some new places and found this in a list of top curry restaurants in London. Apparently lots of celebrities eat here so it must be good, they say. Well, it’s true. The food here was very good and reasonably priced. The waitstaff was good. I had my usual Chicken Tikka Masala and it was up there with the best I have had. Everyone else at the table was equally happy with their choices, so we will all be back there next time the occasion arises. Great place!
Asa K.
Classificação do local: 4 Austin, TX
Noor Jahan used to be my local curry place for a few months. The food is great(but can get a bit pricey if you’re eating in).
Joshua J.
Classificação do local: 4 London, United Kingdom
Have only ever had chicken tikka masala, but it is certainly one of the better renditions I’ve had in London. The staff have the typical Indian restaurant disease where they think their mid-range restaurant is a fancy schmancy place and the requisite attitude which goes along with this delusion, but whatever, par for the course sometimes. The room smells beautifully of curry, and has a very comfortable enveloping vibe. It’s not expensive, nor particularly cheap, but its a good spot to eat very very very Anglicised Indian food. Total bummer is the size of the naan breads, oh well.
Alexander P.
Classificação do local: 3 Cincinnati, OH
My partner swears by this place but I think the portions are too small. Call it typical American greed, but I only got 5 small pieces of chicken(I mean, smaller than a chicken nugget) and just a small serving of rice for £7.50. For this, I would certainly consider it overpriced. I left hungry and a bit unsatisfied, as the meat seemed to be of mid-low quality anyway.(The review about dark meat on here was not too far off). However, it’s a place you should certainly try for yourself. The staff are very attentive and friendly and the atmosphere is small but warm and inviting.
Valerie W.
Classificação do local: 4 Seattle, WA
Good restaurant stop. Came here with co-workers and we ordered quite the feast. Veggie Samosas were fairly good and enjoyable. My Chicken Tikka was cooked very well and paired nicely with the mint yogurt sauce. The Naan bread could have been a bit more flavorful. We ordered cheese and garlic… neither of them had the taste of those flavors unfortunately. The staff is friendly and helpful in making any suggestions. As we were pretty much the only ones seated in the lower area I felt like they hoverred a bit. The bottle of wine ordered was delicious and so was the Indian dessert. Although, it really just tasted like a warm donut covered in some buttery sauce. Fattening and delicious. Everyone left satisfied. Prices were fair. I would certainly recommed this place if you are looking for a nice calm meal.
Ellie P.
Classificação do local: 3 London, United Kingdom
This is a solid local place, and seems to be a local favorite as it’s often full. The food is very good, enjoyable, nice atmosphere… I think it’s one of the better Indian places in the neighborhood. It’s not spicy enough. Maybe we should have been more forthcoming? Would I travel across the city for it? No. But I’m glad to live nearby and happy to go back again. It’s the classic 3.5 star rating. ;-) Along with the pappadams they offer fantastic ground coconut, which you do not often see. I also enjoyed the lamb with coconut sauce and fried potato sticks — though unfortunately I’ve forgotten the name. Gluten-free notes: Most Indian food is naturally gluten-free. No naan for you, of course.
Brian S.
Classificação do local: 4 Marin, CA
Walking to Star of India due to its great Unilocal reviews, I just happened to walk by Noor Jahan – so I stopped and checked out the menu. It was busy inside, had a nice menu, and seemed to have way more reasonable prices. Ordered take away and they even gave me a beer on the house. 10 minutes later I was on my way. Loved it. Chicken Tikka and the Karahi Gosht were fabulous – spicy without being overpowering. And I thought the rice was excellent – something that’s usually an afterthought. Everything was top notch.
Al J.
Classificação do local: 4 London, United Kingdom
My favourite South Asian restaurant in South Kensington — food is well-prepared, delicious, and unpretentious… exactly what you are looking for in a local curry spot. What did I like the most? The basics here are top-notch: Rogan Josh, Chicken Curry, Saag Paneer, Chana Masala, Onion Bhajee… all delicious. For those so inclined, the Garlic Naan was fantastic. Waitstaff was very attentive and after ordering, we received the food very quickly. Almost as importantly, Noor Joahan has a surprisingly decent wine-list… and plenty of Cobra beers to go around. In short, I am quickly becoming a regular… for a casual mid-week dinner spot, Noor Jahan is approaching can’t miss status.
Norman B.
Classificação do local: 4 Glen Ellen, CA
I love this place. It’s comfort food par excellence, with great staff, great atmosphere, happy people. Everyone has that air about them that they know they should be eating lettuce leaves but, hell, what’s wrong with some Cobras, pappadums and way too much food? In no way is Noor Jahan new wave Indian or anything fancy: but then, it’s in a smart area and the clientele dress and behave as you would expect them to do in South Kensington, and the restaurant more than meets it’s end of that bargain. Highly recommended.
Sheila P.
Classificação do local: 3 Tracy, CA
This place is an okay curry house, there are better ones around. Try their butter chicken, lamb tikka or prawn masala — these were good for us, however the mixed grill was very dry. Kinda pricey for the food.
Orlena Y.
Classificação do local: 5 New York, NY
Went with a friend for dinner on a weeknight and Noorjahan was fantastic in all regards. Its one if his favorite Indian places in London and quickly becoming mine. The atmosphere is definitely nice: great lighting, white table cloths, cosy interior. Very comfortable, not pretentious. When we arrived the service was warm and gracious and consistent throughout the entire meal. Now for the best part THEFOOD. Amazing, delicate flavors, rich, savory but not overly heavy. We had the butter chicken, the chicken dansak, saag aloo, naan and rice. I highly recommend it. A great neighborhood feel place with excellent food and service.