The festival of light, which signifies the triumph of light over darkness or good over evil, is traditionally celebrated with decorations of colourful lights, fireworks and vibrant festivities throughout the week. Diwali falls on 19 October this year. Here’s our pick of restaurants where you can join this year’s celebrations.
Gymkhana
Mayfair’s Gymkhana will celebrate the Hindu festival of light from 9-21 October, with feasting menus and late-night festivities including card games and specially created cocktails. An exclusive £90 feast menu for a minimum of six people will include goat raan, masala tandoori potatoes, onion and chilli kulchas. gymkhanalondon.com
Dishoom
Shamil and Kavi Thakrar’s group of Indian restaurants (four in London, one in Edinburgh) is offering a special dish for Diwali. The £10.50 Phaldari Kofta Ruby comprises dumplings stuffed with vegetables, paneer and pomegranate in a rich ‘home-style’ sauce. dishoom.com
Prashad
Diwali comes to Yorkshire this year when Prashad chef/owner Minal Patel serves up ghughra – sweet and nutty roasted semolina parcels teamed with fig and nutmeg ice cream. prashad.co.uk
Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
Ashton-under-Lyne Indian cafe Lily’s isn’t planning a special event for Diwali, but it is serving a large variety of Indian sweets as well as a range of savouries including ghughra, chakri and deep-fried farsi puri bread.
Trishna
Trishna, the Marylebone sibling of Gymkhana, will offer a special Taste of Trishna Diwali menu, available as either five or seven courses, priced at £60 and £70 respectively. The menu will include signature dishes such as hariyali bream and tandoori lamb chops alongside specials of wild goose seekh kebab and chakundari guinea fowl. trishnalondon.com
Benares
Tasting menus will be available throughout Diwali at Benares, as well as a range of special lassi drinks. Dishes include Indian five spice pickled prawn; tandoori chicken tikka pie and mixed berry chutney; and roasted rump of English lamb tandoori cutlet, rogan jus and dal makhani. Finish with the specially created dessert of rose bhapa doi, spiced chocolate lava cake. benaresrestaurant.co.uk
