Zaika

A delightful surprise, with a cosy and intimate atmosphere. I could honestly say it was the most delicious Indian food I’ve ever tried: full of flavour and technically flawless.
The bathrooms were spotless and carried a wonderful oriental scent of oud.
Our waiter, Akbor, was charming with his recommendations and extremely kind and professional.
I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Walking by, stopped to look at the menu and decided we would give it a try. Very pleased we did. Probably the best of all the Indian restaurants we have eaten at in Central London (and that is quite a few). Service, food ambience - excellent. We will be back !!

A Delightful Afternoon at Zaika

After a leisurely stroll through Kensington Palace, my wife and I decided to stop by Zaika for lunch. While the restaurant is typically known for its dinner service, we had the rare pleasure of having the entire space to ourselves at noon—a quiet luxury that made the experience feel even more special.

The ambiance is charmingly old-school, adorned with tasteful paintings that evoke a sense of elegance without feeling dated. Our server, Rahail, was warm and attentive, adding a personal touch that made us feel truly welcome.

We began with the Raj Kachori, which pleasantly surprised us. Unlike the usual hot serving, Zaika’s version came chilled—refreshing and absolutely bursting with flavor. I paired it with a masala chai, which leaned toward the subtle side in terms of strength but was beautifully balanced and aromatic. My wife had the mango lassi, which was rich, smooth, and perfectly sweet.

All in all, a lovely midday escape—delicious food, gracious service, and a serene setting. We’d gladly return, perhaps for dinner next time, to experience the place in its full glory.

Wonderful indian restaurant where we had an excellent food experience.

Plenty of choices thanks to the talented and experienced chef and great manager!

We visited Restaurant Zaika for a birthday celebration after it came recommended by someone local. The experience, unfortunately, didn’t quite live up to expectations , though there were some highlights.

The starter was genuinely delicious and gave a promising start to the meal. However, the main courses were quite underwhelming. The lobster, in particular, was overcooked while the flavour was there, the texture was tough and chewy. At £34, it really didn’t feel worth the price. The chicken biryani and the paneer dish were both average, not bad, but certainly not as good as what we’ve had in other nearby restaurants.

What made the situation worse was the handling of our complaint. We mentioned the issue with the lobster, and while the waiter did apologise, no further gesture was offered, no adjustment to the bill or any goodwill token. That was disappointing and felt like a missed opportunity for good customer service.

That said, I do want to highlight that the waiter who looked after our table was excellent, very polite, attentive, and genuinely helpful throughout the evening. The atmosphere in the restaurant was lovely, and the decor was outstanding and welcoming.

As locals, we were hoping to add Zaika to our list of favourites, but unfortunately, the overall value for money just wasn’t there. For the prices charged, there are better options nearby. A disappointing experience overall.

Photo Gallery for Zaika Kensington