Halal Reviews for Gymkhana Mayfair

Got last minute lunch res few days before for 2:30PM. If you want to do full tasting menu, have to get there earlier. Did lunch set for 70 pounds which is good rec to try bit of everything. Chicken tikka starter is good w/ smoky flavor. Chicken butter Marsala maybe one of the best versions of butter chicken I’ve had for balance of creaminess spices and touch of sweet. Liked the spice blend on the Tandoor lamb chops but maybe wasn’t biggest fan of the bite texture. Masala margarita is solid. Overall, quite enjoyed the experience. Don’t think I would personally rate 2 Michelin stars, albeit not able to try full tasting menu. Would say to expect Gymkhana to be like an Indian Carbone, good 1 star w/ elevated classics done well in a nicer modern atmosphere. Service was great, front desk had fastest phone charger I’ve ever used at a restaurant.

We visited Gymkhana for lunch and opted for the lunch set menu for two. The portions were generous and perfect for sharing, which is clearly the core part of the lunch set menu concept. The butter chicken was rich and flavourful, and the bread basket complemented everything beautifully. The aloo chaat starter was another highlight incredibly tasty and the perfect way to start the meal. We also tried the Goat Methi Keema and Salmon Tikka, which were slightly saltier than our preference not bad by any means, but we personally prefer a milder seasoning. The Falooda dessert was decent but not particularly memorable compared to the rest of the dishes. For that reason, we would rate the food 4/5 overall, while still acknowledging that several dishes were outstanding. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive. They took the time to explain each dish as it was served, which added a thoughtful touch to the whole experience. We were there for a birthday celebration and to our surprise, they brought out a birthday cake and a greeting card such a lovely gesture! Overall, we left very happy. Great food, great service and a memorable experience. It is slightly on the expensive side, but definitely worth trying at least once. Highly recommended!

OK, first thing's first. There is only an extra dish and you can get almost identical items between lunch and dinner tasting menus...and lunch is £80 cheaper. It's pretty obvious what to do! And on that note, I was really glad I went at lunchtime. We arrived and I was greeted nicely by the lady at the front desk. She took my jacket and put it in the cloakroom. I immediately noticed that at peak winter sun the blinds in the main room were down blocking the natural light. I couldn't understand why they did this. Then I was led down to my table in the basement. No windows. No natural light. I can see this being a fun place to eat in an evening, but it just doesn't work for the middle of the day. Onto the food. You can see the two menus in the photos. We went for the lunch menu. The fact is, I do not think this is a two Michelin starred restaurant. Not even close. And I've been to quite a few. I think they'd struggle to get one star. What's more surprising is the second star was relatively recent, in Feb 2024 (the first star was obtained 10 years earlier) Let's go through each dish: Aloo Chat, Tamarind, Sev - way too sweet. It was overpowering and we didn't finish the dish. Beetroot Chops Pao - this was excellent. A combination of flavours I didn't think would work, but definitely did. Karoori Chicken Masala - good depth of flavour. Chicken Butter Masala - good but not as good as Amaya. I was really hoping it would be better as Amaya's blew me away. Kid Goat Methi Keema - damn this was spicy! I can handle spicy food but after about half of this I had to tap out. I would expect a two Michelin to spice with...spices, not chillis. The latter kill the tastebuds so I was not impressed. We didn't finish it. Saffron Pistahcio Kulli - my friend loved it but I wasn't a fan. Just too sweet. Cardamom and Basmati Rice Keer - this was lovely. I don't really like rice in puddings but this changed my mind. Service was impeccable. Thank you, Taz. We were even given more poppadoms and sauces because I liked them so much. I don't think i would return. Surprisingly I prefer two non-Michelin Indian restaurants: Tamarind for the tasting menu and Amaya for its butter chicken. See my separate reviews.

The reason why I rate this restaurant so low are the 2 Michelin stars. They serve good Indian food and the service is alright, but this is where it ends. You get the same at a smaller price tag on Brick Lane or at the competition. Where the two stars come from is beyond my imagination and actually an insult to other Michelin starred restaurants and small neighbouthood gems who at least think of creative plating. You can easily skip this one.