There are some restaurants you go to for novelty, and others you return to because you know you’ll leave happy. Dishoom has always been the latter for me.

Dishoom Shoreditch Review At-A-Glance

This Dishoom Shoreditch review is based on repeat visits and focuses on the food, atmosphere, service and overall value.

• Vibe: Low-lit, buzzy Bombay café energy; dark woods, vintage fans, pressed-tin ceilings and that constant hum that makes it feel alive.
• Spend: Small plates and grills mostly £7–£18; expect £45–£60 per head with drinks. Breakfast is gentler on the wallet.
• Book?: Yes, evenings and weekends fill fast. Walk-ins still happen, but the queue can stretch at peak times so be prepared to wait.
• Best seat: A booth if you can get one; otherwise near the bar for atmosphere and people-watching.
• Good for: First-timers, midweek dinners, relaxed date nights, and anyone who really loves food with punch and a whole lotta spice!

Where Dishoom Shoreditch Sits in London’s Dining Scene

Dishoom Shoreditch sits in a very comfortable middle ground. As one of the earlier openings in the Dishoom story, it has had time to settle into itself. It isn’t trying to out-authentic the specialist Indian kitchens, and it isn’t leaning into white-tablecloth London dining theatrics either. This was my fourth visit to Dishoom, which feels like enough time to know what it does well and what it doesn’t need to try so hard at anymore.

Instead, it does what Dishoom has always done well. It offers a polished, generous experience that feels welcoming rather than showy. Such a position matters in Shoreditch. Restaurants here turn over quickly, concepts shift, and hype moves on fast. However, Dishoom feels established. The room has warmth and ease, with low lighting and worn brick. The result? It works equally well for dates, group dinners, post-work meals, and first visits.

Inside Dishoom Shoreditch – Atmosphere & First Impressions

Walking in without a queue already felt like a small win. Arriving earlier in the day meant the room had space to breathe, and first impressions were calm rather than frantic. It’s a gentler way to enter Dishoom, and one I’d recommend if you can manage it.

That said, this Shoreditch outpost does feel a little more lived-in than some of the newer restaurants in the group. The edges are softer, the finishes less glossy. That being said, it doesn’t read as neglect so much as familiarity. The atmosphere is still very much intact. There’s warmth in the room, a low hum of conversation, and that unmistakable Dishoom energy that makes you want to settle in rather than rush.

Overall, it’s a place that feels comfortable rather than pristine. I enjoyed my time here, and I left feeling relaxed, which, in the end, is exactly what Dishoom does best.

What We Ordered at Dishoom Shoreditch

For this Dishoom Shoreditch review, we ordered a mix of familiar favourites and a few dishes I hadn’t tried before. I almost never drink alcohol at Dishoom. The food has warmth and spice, and I always want something cooling alongside it. A cold bottle of water and a mango lassi does the job perfectly, and frankly, I don’t need much convincing beyond that.

Drinks

The mango & fennel lassi here is dangerously good. Thick, cold, gently spiced, and just sweet enough, it’s the kind of drink you finish far too quickly. Price wise, it does sit on the higher side, but be warned, you’ll want more than one.

Starters

To start, papad is the fail-safe option. Crisp, salty, and deeply moreish, with dips that deserve proper attention. I could happily snack on those alone while waiting for everything else to arrive.

The real standout starter, though, was the keema pau. Honestly, wow. Rich, spiced minced meat, soft bread, and serious depth of flavour. If you like bold, savoury dishes, this is a must-order. I’d go back for this alone, and I don’t say that lightly.

Mains

We also ordered the tandoori chaat, which I’ve now tried twice, and I think I can safely say it isn’t for me. I’ve had better chaats elsewhere. The sweet potato doesn’t quite work for my taste, and the grilled pineapple adds a texture I find a little distracting. It isn’t bad, but there are far stronger choices on this menu.

For mains, chicken ruby is a classic for a reason. The sauce is rich, smooth, and deeply comforting. It’s perfect for dipping, dunking, and dragging through with naan or papad. Add a generous garlic naan into the mix and, honestly, I’m sold. Yes. Yes. Yes.

The murgh malai was lighter and more restrained. There’s no sauce here, so it works well if you’re after something grilled and cleaner. That said, dipping it into the ruby sauce doesn’t hurt one little bit.

Sides

On the side, steamed basmati rice was fluffy and perfectly cooked, as it should be. The warm aubergine chutney, though, is non-negotiable. Sensational, soft, deeply flavoured, and one of those dishes you keep going back to until the bowl is mysteriously empty.

Service & Overall Experience

Not having to queue felt like a small victory, especially given how often Dishoom comes with that expectation baked in. I couldn’t book either, so I took the risk and walked in. Fortunately, it paid off.

Service was a little slow to get going at first. However, the atmosphere does a lot of the heavy lifting here. There’s a steady buzz to the room, a hum of conversation and movement that keeps things lively. As a result, you don’t mind waiting quite so much. It never felt frustrating, just gently unhurried.

My one consistent gripe with Dishoom, and this isn’t unique to Shoreditch, is the table size for two. Once the plates start arriving, space becomes tight. With papad, sides, mains, and drinks all competing for room, it can feel like there’s very little space left to manoeuvre. It’s manageable, but noticeable.

Portion sizes are generous, quality is consistent, and prices feel fair for what you’re getting. All things considered, Dishoom Shoreditch still delivers good value for money and that counts for a lot.

Dishoom Shoreditch vs Other Dishoom Locations

In this Dishoom Shoreditch review, comparing it directly with Covent Garden highlights how different the experience can feel within the same group. If you’ve been to Dishoom Covent Garden, the differences are noticeable straight away. Covent Garden is much larger, more theatrical, and far busier. It feels like a destination in its own right, and with that comes the queue. In my experience, waiting there feels far more likely, and often unavoidable.

Shoreditch, by contrast, feels calmer. The space is smaller and more contained, which gives it a slightly softer energy. While it can still get busy, it doesn’t carry the same sense of scale or spectacle. As a result, it feels easier to drop into, particularly if you’re hoping to avoid a long wait.

Across both locations, the food, service style, and menu remain consistent. The food, service style, and menu remain consistent. However, who they suit best differs. If you enjoy grandeur, crowds, and don’t mind queuing, Covent Garden will likely appeal. If you prefer something a little quieter and more contained, Shoreditch feels like the easier choice.

Hey Lolly Final Verdict: Dishoom Shoreditch Review

After four visits across different Dishoom locations, one thing feels very clear. Consistency is the real strength here. Each restaurant has its own personality, but the food, flavour, and overall experience remain reliably strong.

Covent Garden and Birmingham both lean into lavish, statement-making spaces. They feel grand and theatrical, and they suit that sense of occasion well. Shoreditch, however, does something different. It mirrors the surrounding area more closely. As a result, it feels urban, slightly edgy, and a little rougher around the edges. I like that about it.

This Dishoom Shoreditch review comes down to confidence. The food delivers bold flavour without compromise. The atmosphere feels lived-in rather than polished. It’s a place I’d choose when I want food that really packs a punch, not something safe.

I’d happily recommend Dishoom to friends and family, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return myself. Shoreditch may not be the flashiest in the group, but it feels true to its setting and that works in its favour.

For me, it’s a solid 9/10 and I urge you to go and try that Keema Pau!

P.S. Nearby Places I Love…

If you’re eating around Liverpool Street, I also stayed at The Ned – a very different experience, but worth reading if you’re planning a long weekend. I also sampled the Bottomless Friday Brunch at COYA City and you can read all about it here too!