Diwali is coming to London this autumn with a rather generous appetite. Across Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences and at St James’ Court A Taj Hotel, the Festival of Lights is bringing a programme of Indian dining that will range from bountiful feasts, decadent brunches, afternoon teas laced with spice, and cocktails that shimmer with festival spirit. The celebrations will run over several weeks, showcasing a range of regional Indian cuisines, a chance for each restaurant to put its own spin on the offering.
From 16th October to 8th November, the city will find itself in the thrall of Diwali’s culinary embrace, with the main festivities crescendoing on the weekend of 7th and 8th November.
A Festival of Many Flavours
At the Michelin starred Quilon, Executive Chef Sriram Aylur is putting his refined South West Indian cuisine to the test with a special vegetarian brunch. Bombay Brasserie is going a bit wider with a buffet based around the regional dishes that people know and love, a dedicated chaat counter and an evening feast. Elsewhere at TH@51 there’s a choice of Diwali thalis, 1897 – The Bar is serving up some festive cocktails and Kona is putting on an Indian inspired afternoon tea for November.
Variety is the very soul of Diwali. Across India and its far-flung diaspora, the festival is a tapestry of rituals and recipes, each as distinct as a thumbprint. There is no single menu that can claim to be the Diwali menu, and Taj’s programme wisely leans into this, offering a kaleidoscope of interpretations for you to explore.
Quilon: A South Indian Feast at Quilon
Quilon’s Diwali Weekend Brunch delivers a subtle, modern interpretation of South Indian vegetarian classics meant for sharing across the table.
The meal kicks off with the Kosambari Kallangadi Deepa (watermelon, lentils, lemon and grated coconut). Palak Vade (crisp fritters) come next before we move into the heavier dishes. Karnataka style Enne Badanekai has aubergine at the heart of it and Ghee Bhaat is rice with ghee, dry spices and nuts. Godi Payasa (a broken wheat kheer) completes the meal.
There’s a rare delight in a menu that doesn’t relegate vegetables to the sidelines but gives them a starring role. The dishes are all about combining freshness with richness, while the rice and aubergine form the more substantial centre of the plate. For those who crave something beyond the vegetarian path, the à la carte menu tempts with Pepper Shrimps, Goan Lamb Chop, Fish Curry, and the slow-cooked Lamb Shank Varutha Curry.
Bombay Brasserie: The Joy of a Table Laden with Food
If Quilon is all about precision, then Bombay Brasserie is all about abundance. A London institution since 1982, it will host a Diwali Weekend Brunch Buffet on 7th and 8th November, followed by a dinner buffet on Saturday evening. The menu is a sprawling stage where familiar favorites bask in the spotlight.
Brunch opens with Nawabi Murgh Parche—char-grilled chicken laced with ginger, cream, and tandoori spices—and the fiery Prawn Kohlapuri. A chaat counter stands ready, a carnival of Bhel Puri, pani puri, and sev batata puri, each bite a riot of crunch and spice, a textural overture before the main acts of the buffet take the stage.
Paneer Pasanda, Chicken Chengezi and the Hyderabadi Lamb Dum Biryani all follow, the latter being the one that brings the smell of rice and spices to the table. Dessert continues the theme of generosity with Mango Fig Kulfi and wild rice cinnamon pudding.
On Saturday evening, the Diwali Dinner Buffet keeps the festivities alive well past sunset, from 6pm to 10.30pm; suited for a dinner that stretches into the night.
TH@51: The Many Flavours of the Thali
Throughout the Diwali festivities, TH@51’s Thali – Flavour of India is an ode to sharing. Available from 16th October to 8th November, in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian forms, the menu is a curated journey through the country’s culinary map.
The vegetarian thali has the Koonu Kurumilagu and Kurkuri Bhindi, plus the Aloo Lal Mirchi (aloo with Kashmiri red chilli). The non-veg thali is Macchli Amritsari (spiced fish), Bhuna Gosht (lamb with red chilli) and Murgh Butter Masala. Sweet is provided by Kesari Rasmalai and Gulab Jamun (two very familiar Indian desserts).
A thali is quite a different proposition to the standard multi-course meal. Every dish arrives in unison, inviting you to wander from one flavor to the next at your own rhythm. It’s a meal made for sharing, but equally perfect for the indecisive diner who wants to taste everything at once.
The thalis are available every day.
Kona: An Indian Twist on Afternoon Tea
From 1st November, Kona adds its own flourish to the festivities with an Indian-inspired Afternoon Tea. Renowned for its pastry, Kona takes the classic London tradition and dresses it in silks and spices, reimagining the familiar ritual in the unmistakable spirit of Taj.
This afternoon tea bridges two culinary traditions, introducing vibrant Indian flavors into the classic sweet and savory setup. It also expands the Diwali celebrations, offering a lighter midday option for those who prefer it over a full weekend buffet.
1897 – The Bar: Diwali After Dark
At St James’ Court, the newly opened 1897 – The Bar ushers the festivities into the evening with a menu of festive à la carte cocktails. It’s a quieter, more contemplative companion to the restaurants; a place to begin the night with a celebratory sip or to end it with a toast to good company.
The festive drinks (starting from £16) are available from 16th October to 8th November at both 1897 – The Bar and TH@51 (open 12:30 PM to 10:30 PM), allowing guests to seamlessly match their Diwali thalis or dinners with a festive cocktail.
One Festival, Many Feasts
Taken as a whole, the programme invites you to experience Diwali through a prism of flavors, never confining the festival to a single dish or tradition. At Quilon, it’s a thoughtful South Indian menu; at Bombay Brasserie, the joy of a table groaning with abundance. TH@51’s thali gathers many flavors into one meal, while Kona and 1897 – The Bar stretch the celebration from afternoon tea to evening cocktails.
Across Taj’s London addresses, Diwali is not a solitary event but a cascade of invitations—each one urging you to sit, to savor, to celebrate. Perhaps it’s a vegetarian brunch, perhaps a buffet that lingers into the night, or perhaps an afternoon tea that refuses to be rushed. In any case, the reasons to book a table are as plentiful as the dishes themselves.
Discover more at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences and at St James’ Court A Taj Hotel
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All images courtesy of the respective venues.