Michelin starred south-west Indian cuisine

Quilon

I recently dined at Quilon, a Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant, located near Buckingham Gate. While the reputation has raised my expectations, the overall experience was somewhat mixed.

* Food Quality & Presentation: Being a vegetarian, I was keen to try their plant-based offerings, but unfortunately, I found the flavours mild and the spices typically associated with South Indian cuisine were underwhelming. I believe they did tone down their dishes in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience, but the result was a bit bland.
In Beverages, they have a fairly extensive wine and cocktail list, though the non-alcoholic choices were limited.

* Ambiance and Setting: The ambience was one of its strongest points. The interior was  elegant with soft lighting and sophisticated vibe.

* Service and Pricing: Service was highly courteous and professional. Their staff were knowledgeable about the menu and made us good vegetarian recommendations.
As expected for a Michelin-starred venue, pricing is on the higher side. But for my vegetarian experience, the value didn’t quite match the cost.

* Cleanliness & Hygiene: The restaurant was spotless, from the dining area to the restrooms. Cleanliness and attention to detail were clearly prioritized.

Overall, it does offer a refined setting and solid service, but for the vegetarians looking for authentic South Indian flavours, it might disappoint.

We had an excellent dinner at Quilon, near St. James’s Park. Service was warm, attentive, and polished throughout, which made the evening feel special.

We started with cocktails — I chose the Last Sting (watermelon, Reposado tequila, jalapeño), a small but flavorful mix with just the right kick, while my husband had the Maple Oak (bourbon, maple syrup, bitters, smoky orange zest), a refined twist on a classic. They also served a complimentary warm glass of rasam, tangy and spiced, which set the tone beautifully.

For food, we had the Chickpeas Masala (Malabar-style), Okra Pearl Onion Masala, Malabar Parathas, and a dry vegetable of asparagus, mange tout, and tenderstem purple broccoli. The asparagus dish felt slightly out of place alongside the other plates since it didn’t reflect Malabari flavors, but it was beautifully prepared and delicate. The other dishes carried the hallmarks of South-West coastal Indian cooking — curry leaves, coconut, and mustard seed — presented with finesse. Portions were on the smaller side, but balanced and satisfying.

Quilon has held a Michelin star since 2008, and it’s easy to see why. The food is distinctive, the drinks are thoughtful, and the service makes you feel looked after even on a busy night. A fantastic experience all around.

We celebrated our anniversary dinner at Quilon in London and were absolutely delighted by the exceptional service and exquisite food. The evening started with a personal touch as Chef Sriram himself came to take our order, making us feel truly special.

For appetizers, we chose the Green Pepper Prawns and Kundapur Chicken—both were absolutely delicious, bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. The Rasam served before the main course was another highlight—warming, comforting, and full of aromatic spices.

For our main course, we enjoyed the Masala Prawns with Tawa Paratha—a perfect combination of spices and textures. Each dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.

A special mention to our waitress, Harshita, who provided phenomenal service throughout the evening. Her attentiveness and warm hospitality made our night even more special. As a sweet surprise, we were treated to a complimentary anniversary dessert that added the perfect finishing touch to an already delightful evening.

Thank you, Chef Sriram, Harshita, and the entire Quilon team for making our anniversary celebration so memorable. We look forward to returning soon!

We walked in and was lucky to get a table.

We choose to go with A-La-Carte option as we are vegetarian and  not the set menu which is available for Sea Food, Non-Veg and Veg.

Everything we ordered, was authentic testing and delicious.

Service at this place is same as any other Taj property and it is absolutely the best. I have never found anyone with better service than Taj.

The Hot and Spicy warm Rassam they bring in between is so good you may not stop after just one.

A must visit place if you are around London.

Absolutely delicious spot for South Indian food in an elegant setting with excellent service - we had the set lunch menu (had one each of the vegetarian, pescatarian and meat) and each dish on each menu was absolutely divine. Lovely cocktails, drinks and wine list. Friendly staff, the chef was walking past each table and we had a great chat. Will definitely be back!

Our chicken and lamb dishes are Halal. Our game meat is not Halal, but is prepped and cooked separately to avoid any cross-contamination.

Order from Quilon Westminster