A crunchy chilli dosa filled with rich, molten cheese is followed by fragrant tandoori chicken, served with a balancing mint chutney and so tender it practically melts when cut into, all paired with a chilled Indian spiced margarita. I can’t help but feel a sense of familiarity here, in the depth of spice and the comfort of slow-cooked flavours. And yet, each dish carries a quiet reinvention that feels distinctly contemporary. Tamila Soho is not simply a new dining destination, but a space where flavour, culture and conversation can unfold with ease.
A Contemporary Reimagining of South Indian Flavour
Located on Poland Street, Tamila Soho invites you in through its midnight-blue façade. Inside, the space stretches across two floors. Mosaic-style tiled flooring, black-and-white photography, traditional figurines and dark wood framing nod to Tamila’s cultural heritage, while marble tabletops, Aesop handwash and large sculptural pendant lights create a warm amber glow, introducing contemporary elegance. Playful architectural accents and intentional pops of colour appear throughout, making the overall space feel ambient and modern while also nostalgic in its details. Cushioned wooden booths create a sense of closeness, offering a dining experience that is intimate without feeling enclosed.
What began as a street food venture in Hackney Bridge gradually evolved into The Tamil Crown and The Tamil Prince. Tamila Soho represents the next chapter of a more polished expression of the South Indian concept founded by Glen Leeson and Prince Durairaj. With its focused menu, refined bar and private dining space, Tamila Soho reframes the curry house through a contemporary lens, balancing thoughtful design with bold South Indian flavours.
The Tamila team also earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, for its previous London restaurant, underscoring the brand’s rising reputation even before the Soho opening.
Bold Plates, Balanced Craft
The tables downstairs may be tiny, but the dishes are bold and big. The evening begins with golden onion bhajis and fried baby sweetcorn, offering a fitting introduction to the menu’s ability to intertwine rich flavour, texture and balance. Velvety paneer tikka is paired with fragrant coconut pilau rice and bright pineapple chutney that further elevate the dish with subtle sweetness.
From the grills, masala lamb chops are a must-order and arrive with a bright green mint chutney. Our favourite dish was the tiger prawns. HUGE tiger prawns bathed in garlic masala. Superb. Grab the lime and squeeze a little into the head of the prawn, then devour it. The lamb seekh was really special. The kebabs were so juicy and had so many different textures and flavours coming from a red powder sprinkled on top and a mustard raita. The curries are just as good. Our favourite was the aubergine curry, which had a sweet spicy kick.
The rich dishes are amplified by the added flavour and comfort of the buttery garlic coriander naan and the well-constructed roti. A round of the Gunpowder Margarita and the Tamil Negroni reflects Tamila’s attention to detail, reimagining classic cocktails through a South Indian lens and proving that the restaurant’s storytelling extends well beyond the plate.
Dining as Connection, Not Just Consumption
At its core, Tamila breathes new life into dishes rooted in history. It becomes clear that Tamila honours heritage and tradition but simultaneously has the willingness to reinterpret and innovate. It is this balance that gives the menu its quiet confidence. In a city like London, where dining often becomes a form of travel, Tamila offers something transportive without ever leaving Soho. And in a neighbourhood long defined by culinary ambition and curiosity, it sits entirely at home.
Tamila distinguishes itself not only through flavour and spice, but through atmosphere. This is a space where bold new dishes sit comfortably alongside familiar favourites, and where harmoniously spiced cocktails encourage conversation to linger. It is dining designed as much for connection as for expanding your culinary horizons.
Whether discovering something unexpected, returning to a beloved classic, or sharing cocktails with a friend late into the evening, Tamila offers an experience shaped by warmth, refinement and intention.
To discover more, visit Tamila Soho.
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All Images Courtesy of Tamila Soho.