Tucked inside Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, Quilon has been one of London’s most respected Indian restaurants for more than two decades. A review is not the right word for this article, but more of a tribute to Indian dining that has remained at an exceptionally high level for many years. The Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on the cuisine of India’s south-west coast, particularly Kerala, bringing together seafood, coconut, spice and seasonal ingredients in dishes that feel both traditional and contemporary. The result is food that is vibrant, deeply flavoured and surprisingly light.
A History Rooted in the Coast
Quilon takes its name from the ancient port city of Kollam (historically Quilon) in Kerala, a once-thriving hub of the spice trade where merchants from across the world came to barter for pepper, cardamom and cinnamon. That heritage of exchange and abundance runs through everything the restaurant does. Since opening, Quilon has earned and retained a Michelin star, cementing its reputation as one of the finest expressions of regional Indian cooking outside the subcontinent. It is a place where tradition and recognition meet, and where the legacy of a coastal trading port is honoured on every plate.
The Food: Bold Yet Refined
All the staff at the restaurant are brilliant. They are graceful, kind, knowledgeable, and so passionate about their restaurant, and it is easy to see why. The menu at Quilon showcases the richness of south-west coastal Indian cooking without ever feeling heavy. Built around freshly ground spices and seasonal ingredients, each dish reflects the cultural richness of India’s south-west coast while embracing modern technique.
Signature seafood plates lead the way, from the indulgent Lobster Pepper-Garlic to the fragrant, coconut-laced Seafood Moilee. For those seeking something more progressive, the Baked Black Cod showcases the kitchen’s flair for reinvention, marrying classical coastal flavours with contemporary finesse. To start, we enjoyed a signature dish that was really special. The vermicelli crab cake is a refined little collision of crunch and sweetness: delicate crab meat bound with South Indian aromatics, then wrapped in a fine vermicelli crust that shatters lightly at the fork. It has the comfort of a classic crab cake, but Quilon gives it a sharper coastal accent with curry leaf, spice and texture, turning it into something far more elegant than expected.
The green peppercorn prawn arrives with real presence: plump, meaty and deeply seasoned, with the natural sweetness of the shellfish pushed forward rather than buried under heat. The spicing is fragrant and controlled, bringing warmth, pepper and a faint smokiness, while the Madagascar prawn itself remains the star. Juicy, generous and unmistakably luxurious.
If seafood is not your thing, that is fine. Tender lamb shanks arrive blanketed in a deeply spiced gravy, while accompaniments of golden cashew-studded rice, spiced potatoes and crisp greens round out a meal that feels both generous and considered. Even the simplest elements–a flaky layered paratha and a cooling chutney–are executed with quiet precision.
A South Indian Feast
Part of Quilon’s charm lies in its devotion to the rituals of the region. Dishes arrive in gleaming silver bowls arranged across a banana leaf, each one a study in colour and contrast: a glossy chicken curry, a tangle of crisp-fried okra, tamarind-laced rice, delicate dosas and sweet-savoury accompaniments. It is the kind of presentation that invites you to slow down, to graze and explore, to taste the coast one spoonful at a time.
To end the experience, we had a very simple but almost life-changing Alphonse mango. The grand cru champagne of mangoes; it is deeply sweet, rich and perfumed, with a smooth, almost custard-like flesh. Compared with ordinary mangoes, it is less watery and more intense: think honey, peach, apricot, tropical flowers and a little citrus brightness. The texture is usually silky, buttery and light.
Drinks: A Curated Coastal Pairing
A meal at Quilon is elevated by a thoughtfully curated drinks list designed to complement the food’s vibrancy. A carefully chosen selection of wines and craft beers stands ready to match the spice and brightness of each dish, while the restaurant’s intimate bar, all warm light, glowing bottles and rattan-shaded lamps, is a destination in its own right. Whether you favour a crisp white to cut through a fiery curry or a considered cocktail to begin the evening, the pairings here are designed to bring out the best in the coastal kitchen.
The Decor: Understated Elegance
Quilon’s interiors are an exercise in refined storytelling. Hand-carved stone panels, intricate latticework screens and softly illuminated shadow-puppet artworks evoke the craftsmanship of southern India, while plush red banquettes, crisp white linen and brass table lamps lend a sense of contemporary luxury. The lighting is low and golden, the mood intimate; every detail, from the patterned tilework to the elegant cane-backed chairs, has been chosen to wrap diners in warmth and a quiet sense of occasion. There are some adorable tables where you can also sit side by side for the more romantic evenings.
The Setting: Quintessentially London
Quilon enjoys an enviable address within Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, Suites and Residences, just moments from Buckingham Palace and the leafy calm of St James’s Park. The wider hotel, with its handsome red-brick façade and storied charm, offers the kind of timeless London grandeur that makes the restaurant feel like a discovery, a jewel hidden in one of the city’s most prestigious quarters. It is central, serene and steeped in character.
The Experience
Few restaurants in London showcase the flavours of India’s south-west coast with the same consistency and attention to detail. Whether you’re visiting for a special occasion or simply looking to explore a different side of Indian cuisine, Quilon remains well worth a visit.
For more information, visit Quilon.
View this post on Instagram
All Images Courtesy of Quilon, St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel unless stated otherwise.